How to Get to Act 3 in Silksong
Finishing Hollow Knight: Silksong once isn’t truly the end. Defeating Grandmother Silk and binding her in Act 2 will roll the credits, but hidden beyond that is an entirely new chapter. Act 3 serves as the path to Silksong’s true ending, unlocking tougher challenges, deeper lore, and some of the most demanding encounters in Pharloom. Getting there isn’t straightforward. You’ll need to complete key prerequisites, move important NPCs, and ultimately fulfill the caretaker’s “Silk and Soul” wish before the door to Act 3 opens. This guide explains every step, from the quests you need to clear to the four souls you must collect, so you don’t miss out on the game’s final act.
Prerequisites for Unlocking Act 3
Before the caretaker in Songclave will offer the Silk and Soul wish, Hornet needs to complete a number of hidden requirements. These tasks involve moving settlements, finishing quests, and learning melodies tied to Pharloom’s rulers. None of them are optional if you want to push the story into Act 3.
1. Move the Flea Caravan
The first step is to help the flea caravan relocate to the Putrified Ducts. This requires rescuing enough lost fleas scattered across Pharloom. One of the most important is Vog, found at the top of the Putrified Ducts. Once she is saved, she sets up a shop at the caravan where you can purchase maps showing the rest of the flea locations. When you have gathered the required number, speak to Fleamaster Mooshka to confirm the move.
2. Complete the Wishboards
Each settlement has a wishboard where you pick up quests, and Act 3 requires you to complete nearly all of them. Make sure to clear the boards in Bone Bottom, Bellhart, and Songclave. Some quests are easy to miss, such as one in Bellhart that only unlocks after you buy out all of Shakra’s inventory. Once the Bellhart board is finished, you will also gain access to Hornet’s house in the town, which acts as an extra checkpoint in the journey.
3. Learn the Threefold Melody and beat Lace again
Another requirement is tied to Pharloom’s ancient rulers. Hornet must gather the Vaultkeeper’s, Architect’s, and Conductor’s melodies, which together form the Threefold Melody. This will allow you to advance to the 2nd Lace boss fight, and once you beat her, you will be able to advance the caretaker’s plan in Songclave.
When all three of these prerequisites are fulfilled, you will be able to return to Songclave and receive the Silk and Soul wish from the caretaker, setting the stage for Act 3.
The Silk and Soul Wish
Once the prerequisites are complete, return to Songclave and speak to the caretaker. He will finally grant you the Silk and Soul wish, the key that unlocks Act 3. To fulfill it, Hornet must collect four powerful relics scattered across Pharloom: Maiden’s Soul, Hermit’s Soul, Seeker’s Soul, and the Snare Setter. Each one represents a piece of the ritual needed to trap Grandmother Silk without binding her.
1. Maiden’s Soul
The Maiden’s Soul is found in Bone Bottom. Ride the bell beast to the station, then head west toward the chapel. Outside, you will meet the Chapel Maid, the first NPC Hornet encountered on her journey. Speak with her to receive the Maiden’s Soul. If she is not at the chapel, she may instead be found just below in Moss Grotto.
2. Hermit’s Soul
The Hermit resides beneath the Bellhart Bellway. From the station, drop to the lowest floor and head right until you find a hidden passage. Follow it through a short tunnel to discover the Hermit, who will give you the Hermit’s Soul after a short dialogue.
3. Seeker’s Soul
This soul lies in Bilewater, in a sub-area known as Bilehaven. To reach it, Hornet must defeat Groal the Great in a gauntlet-style battle. After the fight, leave the arena and enter the hut nearby. Inside, you will find the Seeker’s Soul waiting.
4. Snare Setter
The final item is hidden deep within Weavenest Atla, accessed from the right side of Moss Grotto. You will need the Needolin to open the door, as well as upgrades like the Faydown Cloak or Clawline to scale the walls. If it is your first time here, activate the lift mechanism by striking the silk cores at the far right. Ride the elevator down, wall jump up the right wall, and cross into the chamber above. A secret hole in the ceiling leads to a small passage. At the end, you will find the Snare Setter on a chair.
Entering Act 3
With the Maiden’s Soul, Hermit’s Soul, Seeker’s Soul, and Snare Setter in hand, return to the caretaker in Songclave. Handing over these items completes the Silk and Soul wish and sets the trap for Grandmother Silk. From here, the path to Act 3 is nearly open.
Next, travel back to the Cradle at the top of the Citadel and face Grandmother Silk once again. The fight is the same as the Act 2 battle, but this time you must finish it differently. Instead of binding her after victory, play the Needolin. This alternate choice prevents Hornet from absorbing her power and instead triggers the ritual set up by the caretaker.
The game will then roll the credits as before, but when you reload your save file, Hornet will awaken at the start of Act 3. Pharloom itself changes at this point. Non-boss enemies become stronger, patrols are more aggressive, and the world grows harsher. Some collectibles are easier to gather in Act 2, so it is worth finishing any exploration before making this leap. Act 3 does not block you from reaching 100 percent completion, but it does demand sharper reflexes and greater resource management.
Conclusion
Reaching Act 3 in Hollow Knight: Silksong is not just about extending the game. It is about uncovering the path to the true ending. By moving the flea caravan, clearing the wishboards, and completing the Silk and Soul wish, Hornet gains the chance to fight Grandmother Silk under new conditions and break the cycle that binds Pharloom.
Act 3 raises the stakes dramatically. Ordinary enemies hit harder, encounters are less forgiving, and the challenges test everything you have learned through Acts 1 and 2. At the same time, it introduces new story revelations and sets the stage for the final resolution of Hornet’s journey. For players who want to see the complete picture of Silksong’s lore and experience its toughest content, unlocking Act 3 is essential.
If you’re interested in other Silksong related content make sure to check out our helpful guides below:
- All Endings in Silksong Explained and How to Get Them (Spoilers)
- How to Find All Secret Memory Bosses in Silksong
- Silksong Tools Guide and Where to Find Them
- Hardest Bosses in Silksong Ranked
- Silksong Best Early Game Tips and Tricks
- Guide to All 7 Crests in Silksong
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Patrick Yu is a Senior Project Manager at Level Interactive and has 8 years of experience writing business, legal, lifestyle, gaming, and technology articles. He is a significant contributor to Acer Corner and is currently based in Taipei, Taiwan.
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