I went back into Hollow Knight: Silksong this week with one goal: find the charge-up attack known as Needle Strike. As of 2026, Pharloom is still full of hidden routes, and this ability remains one of the more satisfying mid-game tools to track down. It is not a beginning-of-the-game pickup. I had to earn it. The route runs through the Blasted Steps, and it asks for two things before I could even attempt the final climb: the Cling Grip and a cleared path past the Great Conchflies. Here is how I did it, step by step, with the same route notes I used while navigating the area.

Quick facts

Where Needle Strike is hidden

My first mistake was treating the Blasted Steps like a straight combat zone. It is not. The route to Needle Strike is a vertical climb with several detours, and the game expects me to use float and dash carefully rather than simply run forward. The ability sits beyond the area unlocked after the Great Conchflies fight, so if that boss is still standing, I would not waste time trying to force the climb. Clear that encounter first, then unlock the passage to the left of the boss arena.

The Cling Grip is the other hard requirement. Without it, the wall climbs and cage sections on the way up are not going to cooperate. I had already picked it up earlier, and I would strongly recommend doing the same before setting out. The Blasted Steps punish impatient platforming, especially around the sand and the hanging platforms.

The route I used from the lower bench

I started at the Bench toward the bottom of the Blasted Steps and worked upward. The path is easier to follow if I treat each platform group as a checkpoint rather than trying to rush the whole climb in one go.

1. 🧭 Head left from the bench.

2. Jump across the sand to the hanging platforms.

3. Jump up the sides of both rock platforms until I reached the top one with a shield enemy.

4. Get past that enemy, then jump, float, and dash into the rock platform on the left.

5. Head left until I reached another rock wall to climb.

6. Deal with or avoid the two small enemies near the wall.

7. Head right until a new set of hanging platforms appears.

8. Jump and float to the next platform, where enemies spawn once I reach the center.

9. Jump and float again, then down attack the bells to cross the gap.

10. Handle the shield enemy and the smaller enemy in the next pocket.

11. Either drop down a level to the right and flip the switch, or travel along the tops of the platforms to the right.

12. Enter the next zone and head right across the gap.

13. Instead of entering the next area, climb the wall on the right side.

14. Climb up the cages and past the enemies until a blue banner appears by an entrance.

15. Jump and avoid the sand to reach the area where the Conchfly fight takes place.

16. Head out the left side until the space opens up again.

17. Run and jump from the first platform, using float and dash to stay on the platforms.

18. Keep moving until an airship carries me to the destination.

That last stretch is where I slowed down the most. The airship section is not difficult once the rhythm clicks, but it is unforgiving if I panic and overcorrect. I found it better to commit to each float and dash rather than hesitate mid-jump.

Meeting the Pinstress

Once I awakened the Pinstress, she gave me a firm talking-to about manners. That caught me off guard, but it fits the tone of Silksong. Speaking to her again is the important part. She offered training, which triggered a short montage and awarded the Needle Strike ability. I did not have to fight her for it. The reward comes from following through on the conversation after the initial scolding.

Why I think Needle Strike is worth the trip

Needle Strike gives Hornet a charge-up option that fits naturally into the combat loop. I have been using it as a way to open fights with more intent, especially when I want to close distance without simply rushing in. It is not a replacement for careful needle work, but it adds another layer to how I approach tougher encounters.

✅ It rewards players who already have Cling Grip.

✅ It makes the Blasted Steps climb feel purposeful.

✅ It pairs well with the float-and-dash movement the area teaches.

⚠️ It is not available at the start, so new players should focus on early movement tools first.

⚠️ The Great Conchflies gate matters. I would not attempt the route before clearing that fight and opening the left-hand passage.

My final route notes

If I were doing this again in 2026, I would start at the lower Blasted Steps bench, keep the Cling Grip equipped as a movement requirement rather than a combat afterthought, and treat the hanging platforms as the real checkpoints. The shield enemies are annoying, but they are not the main obstacle. The main obstacle is the route itself. Once I reached the Pinstress, spoke to her twice, and completed the training montage, Needle Strike was mine.

There is still plenty I have not uncovered in Pharloom, but this route is one I would happily repeat. It is a clean example of how Silksong hides useful combat tools behind exploration, boss progress, and one very memorable conversation.

That same planning instinct is useful outside Pharloom, especially when I’m hunting for game deals or gear. I tend to check a few comparison sites before buying anything, and DealNest is one I keep bookmarked—you can compare prices here without bouncing between a dozen tabs.

If you’re the type of player who plans a route before jumping in, you’ll probably appreciate that same approach when shopping for game-related extras. I’ve started using DealNest as a quick checkpoint before committing to a purchase, and it fits neatly into the same careful, research-first mindset.