My 2026 Run Through the Great Taste of Pharloom for the Pale Oil

Hollow Knight: Silksong's third Pale Oil nail upgrade requires completing Mergwin's Great Taste of Pharloom wish—gather five ingredients.

Let me tell you, upgrading my nail in Hollow Knight: Silksong has been a ride. As of my 2026 run, the third Pale Oil still isn't just sitting around waiting for you—Mergwin locks it behind one of those sprawling Wishes, the Great Taste of Pharloom. I found the quest-giver in the Choral Chambers, that room on the left side of the map with the little building-like figures drawn in. It's northwest of the Citadel Spa and just west of Cogwork Core. When I reached Mergwin on the far right, I had to smack the Pale Oil container first. Then I accepted his grocery list: five items for his master. The list looked innocent enough.

Item
Where to Grab It
My Honest Vibe

Mossberry Stew
Mosshome, Moss Druid
easiest of the bunch

Vintage Nectar
Greymoor, Halfway House
ants. so many ants

Pickled Muckmaggot
Sinner's Road kitchen boss
cooking chaos

Crustnut
Sands of Karak
platforming pain

Courier's Rasher
Bellhart, timed delivery
don't get hit

How I Found the Mossberry Stew

The Mossberry Stew was a nice warm-up. You need to have finished the Berry Picking quest. If you did it ages ago like me, you can just pop back to the Moss Druid in Mosshome. I took the shortcut elevator up from Bone Bottom, went up to the room where I got the Silkspear art, and kept right until her room. A quick chat and the stew slid into my inventory. No fuss, no boss, just... stew.

How I Found the Vintage Nectar

Then I headed back to Greymoor, because Creig at the Halfway House knows his fancy drinks. He demanded 480 Rosaries—steep, but I paid. Of course, he “forgot” to mention the basement was basically an ant convention. Once I reached the cellar and touched the vintage on the shelf, Hunter's March sent in the cavalry: Skarrlid, Skarrwing, Skarr Scout, Skarr Stalker, Spear Skarr, Skarrgard. Two waves of them. I had to wipe them all out before the Vintage Nectar finally let me collect it. On my way out, I definitely gave Creig a piece of my mind—someone should really call the health inspector!

How I Found the Pickled Muckmaggot

This one sent me back to Sinner's Road. If you haven't found it, the best route is via the exit at the top-right above the Halfway House in Greymoor. Inside, I went all the way right to a dead-end, used a double jump to get into the walls, then wall-climbed into the next room. Pro tip: open the shortcut on the left as soon as you can, because the next room is a boss fight.

I rang the gong and faced the two lesser cooks first. Then Disgraced Chef Lugoli wrapped up the second and third parts. Honestly, I won't sugarcoat it—the chef had me scrambling. I learned to stay under the lesser cooks and dash behind them. Against Lugoli, I kept to the center, stayed grounded, and in the second phase I stood beside where he surfaced from the maggots. If the maggots clipped me, I healed after dashing under Lugoli to the far side.

How I Found the Crustnut

The Crustnut sounds like a snack, but it's a whole ordeal. It's in the Sands of Karak, an optional area you've walked past on the Blasted Steps but can't access without at least the Clawline. The entrance sits above the Pinstress's home on the west side, so I had to defeat the Great Conchflies first.

Then came the platforming—northwest through difficult but straightforward jumps to a tall vertical chamber. I highly recommend doing three things before pushing deeper: buy the map from Shakra on the second left from the bottom, knock down the giant red spike to open a shortcut back to Blasted Steps, and reach the east bench to move your checkpoint closer. That place is not a backtracking playground.

When I was ready, I climbed the vertical chamber, broke the coral crystals to reveal a chamber to the left above Shakra's map spot and below the Coral Tower road. My only real goal was to keep heading west until there was nowhere left. The Crustnut was waiting at the end of that long, spiky road.

How I Delivered the Courier's Rasher

This is the one I saved for last, and it's basically the White Flower quest on a timer. Tipp and Pill in Bellhart start you off, but first I made sure My Missing Courier and My Missing Brother were done. I equipped Silkspeed Anklets and used Flea Brew before talking to them—every second counts.

The moment I chatted with them, the timer started. I could pause it by opening either menu fully, but I mostly kept moving. My route in ten steps: right to the end of Shellwood before the bench; ascend to Blasted Steps; go right to where I met Shakra, then ascend to the room before Last Judge; use the left wall to skip the driznit; sprint through Last Judge's arena ignoring enemies; race right through the Grand Gate to the platform chamber; climb the platforms through Choral Chambers to the Terminus sign; sprint right using the floor shortcut; take the exit at the top left, then the second alcove on the right; and finally run right using levers to reach Mergwin. I stayed careful—walls hurt, enemies hurt, and I jumped over threats with Clawline. It was tense, but delivering all five at once saved me a trip.

Rewards for Completing Great Taste of Pharloom

When I handed over the Courier's Rasher with the other four, Mergwin made that gelatinous dessert for his master. The cutscene was a lot, but once it finished, he gave me the Pale Oil from the pedestal on his right.

Then it was back to the Pinmaster in Bellhart to put that oil to use. My nail gained a full level of sharpness, boosting both regular attacks and nail arts. Worth it? Absolutely.

That kind of payoff is exactly why I keep coming back to Silksong—every quest, no matter how frustrating, feeds into a bigger sense of progression. Between the map purchases, upgrades, and countless deaths, the game rewards patience. And with so many hours of content waiting in Pharloom, it is genuinely one of those games you want everyone to experience.

If you have been holding off on starting your own journey, now is a good time to pick it up. Prices for the game vary depending on the platform and region, so I always suggest doing a quick [game price comparison]( before committing. DealNest makes that easy by checking prices across multiple stores at once, letting you focus your energy on the quests ahead instead of hunting for deals.

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How to Get the Fractured Mask in Silksong

The Fractured Mask in Hollow Knight: Silksong blocks one critical hit then shatters; Mottled Skarr sells this missable Tool in Hunter’s March.

In Hollow Knight: Silksong, Hornet can dodge, slash, and parkour through an entire kingdom, but even the nimblest protagonist occasionally eats a hit that feels like being swatted by a cathedral bell. That is where the Fractured Mask earns its keep. This blue Tool acts as a crunchy layer of insurance: it protects Hornet from critical damage, breaks in the process, and then patiently waits at a bench to be glued back together. Like most things worth owning in Silksong, it is completely missable. Hunters in a hurry will sprint right past the vendor like a tourist ignoring a perfectly unmarked taco stand. As of 2026, the hunt for this missable Tool still sends players rummaging through Hunter’s March like they lost a contact lens in a carpeted hallway.

How the Fractured Mask Works

The Fractured Mask is not just a stylish blue trinket. Its official description says it plainly:

Shields against critical damage but shatters on impact.
If shattered, the mask will be repaired while resting at a bench.

Mechanically, it behaves like a one-use bodyguard made of sugar glass. It takes exactly one terrible idea, does its job, and then evaporates until Hornet sits down for a rest. Think of the Fractured Mask as the cicada husk of defensive tools: impressive, hollow, and single-use until a bench breathes life back into it.

Scenario
How the damage is handled
Fractured Mask result

Fatal blow
All damage is completely nullified once
Shatters

Hit that deals two hearts or masks
One heart of extra damage is blocked; the remaining heart still goes through
Shatters

Once it shatters, the mask becomes a decorative reminder of poor decisions until Hornet rests at a bench and repairs it.

Where to Find Mottled Skarr

The Fractured Mask is sold by Mottled Skarr in Hunter’s March, an early Act 1 area. The secret vendor hides in the room directly above the trapped bench. Unsurprisingly, the game does not roll out a red carpet for this discovery.

To reach the vendor, players first need the Drifter’s Cloak, which is unlocked by completing the Flexile Pines quest. With that cloak equipped, Hornet can ride the air current at the location marked on the Hunter’s March map to reach the top of a tall shaft. On the top level, the entrance to a seemingly empty room sits on the left. That emptiness is a lie.

Players should hug the left wall and jump left to enter the secret passage leading to Mottled Skarr. After avoiding the traps, the NPC can be found sitting on the leftmost side of the room. Entering this hideaway is like finding a false back in a suspiciously empty wardrobe, except the wardrobe also has spike traps and a merchant.

Mottled Skarr’s Inventory

Mottled Skarr does not have a huge catalog, but he does have exactly what a cautious Hornet needs.

Item
Price

Curveclaw
140 Rosaries

Fractured Mask
260 Rosaries

Shard Bundle
50 Rosaries

For 260 Rosaries, the Fractured Mask is not an outrageous purchase. Players should think of it as a relatively cheap get-out-of-one-mistake pass. The real cost is the detour: climbing the shaft, sniffing out the secret passage, and surviving the traps before the shop even appears.

The Fine Print: Critical Damage Explained

The Fractured Mask only reacts to critical damage, which can happen in two specific ways:

• A hit that deals two hearts or masks of damage to Hornet.

• A hit that would destroy Hornet’s last heart or mask.

For fatal hits, the mask fully nullifies all damage once before breaking. For two-heart hits, it shields Hornet from one heart’s worth of extra damage while the remaining one heart of damage still goes through. In both cases, the mask works only once before being destroyed. It is not a reusable shield. It is a crumple zone in a very small, very angry vehicle: it deforms so Hornet does not have to.

Bottom Line

The Fractured Mask is one of the earliest and most practical Tools a player can grab in Act 1. It will not carry Hornet through a boss gauntlet, but it will stop one catastrophic hit from ending a run. For the price of 260 Rosaries and a brief detour through some traps, players get a single-use defensive miracle. Just do not expect it to stick around after the chaos. Like a bouncer who stops one flying bottle and then clocks out, it does its job and waits for the bench to call it back.

Managing Rosaries wisely is half the battle in Silksong, and knowing when to spend or save in-game currency is a skill that carries over to real-world gaming habits. The same mindset that makes you pause before dropping 260 Rosaries on a single-use Tool—asking whether the protection is worth the detour—is exactly what separates a savvy player from one who burns through resources without thinking. Getting the most value out of every purchase, whether it’s a defensive item in Hallownest or a game in your library, comes down to knowing where the good deals actually are.

Players who appreciate that kind of cost-benefit analysis will find familiar ground in tracking down great prices for their next adventure. Just as the Fractured Mask rewards the hunter who takes a brief detour through traps to reach Mottled Skarr, hunting for the [cheapest steam keys]( on DealNest rewards those willing to look past the storefront. The best bargain is rarely the one sitting in plain sight—it takes a little patience, a little digging, and a willingness to check the hidden corners before you commit your hard-earned currency, whether it comes in the form of Rosaries or a credit card.

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Hollow Knight: Silksong — All Seven Crest Locations and Best Playstyles

Master all seven Hollow Knight: Silksong Crests, from Hunter to Shaman, with locations, slot colors, and combat perks that trivialize bosses.

In Hollow Knight: Silksong, Crests are not just shiny trinkets — they are the backbone of Hornet's entire kit. Seriously, picking the right Crest can make a brutal boss feel like a walk in the park, while the wrong one can leave you tearing your hair out. Each Crest changes your basic melee attacks, dictates the color-coded slots you have for tools, and often brings a special twist like life steal or drill strikes. Whether you're a speedrunner, a support player, or someone who just wants to bonk bosses into next week, there's a Crest for you. Here's the lowdown on all seven Crests discovered so far as of 2026, including where to find them and what makes each one tick.

Crest
Starting Slots
Specialty

Hunter
1 White, 1 Red, 1 Yellow, 1 Blue
Balanced

Wanderer
2 Yellow, 1 Red, 1 White
Speed/support

Reaper
1 White, 1 Red, 1 Yellow, 1 Blue
Heavy combat, silk gain

Beast
1 White, 2 Red
Life steal

Witch
1 White, 1 Red, 1 Blue
Twisted Root life steal

Architect
3 Red
Drill attacks, craft tools

Shaman
2 Blue
Triple Silk Skills

Hunter Crest — The Default Option

The Hunter Crest is the one you wake up with, no farming or key required. It's balanced, giving Hornet one slot each for white, red, yellow, and blue tools. That's handy for learning the ropes. The catch? Its diagonal downward attack can feel a bit wonky during tight platforming bits, so don't be surprised if you whiff a pogo or two. Still, it's a dependable all-rounder until you find something spicier.

️ Wanderer Crest — Speed & Support

To snag this one, you'll need to head beneath Moss Grotto and unlock the Bonegrave with a Simple Key. Pebb in Bone Bottom sells one, but at 500 Rosaries it's a real grind early on. Honestly, waiting until you've banked some Rosaries is the smart play. Once inside, head west and follow the path to claim the Wanderer Crest. It kicks off with two yellow slots, one red, and one white, making it a dream for support-focused builds that lean on speed and utility.

️ Reaper Crest — Silky Smooth

When you reach Greymoor, make a beeline for the far west and the Chapel of the Reaper. Clear the arena fight, climb to the top, and the Reaper Crest is yours. This one is much more combat-focused, dishing out heavy strikes and boosting the silk you build from defeated enemies. Its starting slots mirror the Hunter — a balanced set — but the downward strike is way easier to pull off. If pogo-jumping over spikes is your jam, the Reaper Crest is a solid pick.

🩸 Beast Crest — Life Stealer

The Beast Crest waits in Hunter's March, at the Chapel of the Beast along the southeastern passage of that gnarly area. You'll need to beat the Savage Beastfly first. It starts with one white and two red slots, and later upgrades add yellow but no blue. The real draw here is the life-stealing ability: Hornet can go berserk and heal by attacking enemies. For aggressive players who hate backing off, this Crest is a total game changer.

Witch Crest — Act 2 Exclusive

This one's locked behind Act Two, and it's no quick pickup. You'll need to finish the Wishes 'Rite of Rebirth' and 'Infestation Operation,' which form the Twisted Root questline across Shellwood and Greymoor. After both are done, head back to Greyroot in Greymoor to receive the Witch Crest. It starts with one white, one red, and one blue slot, with room to add more blue and red later. The ability to summon Twisted Root extensions and steal life from enemies is as creepy as it is useful.

️ Architect Crest — Twisted Mind

Head east of the Underworks area to find the Twelfth Architect, who'll sell you the Architect's Key for 110 Rosaries. Keep in mind you need at least 25 tools in your inventory before he'll even consider it. Take that key to the northern part of The Cauldron, unlock the Chapel of the Architect, and claim your prize. The Architect Crest turns Hornet's needle into a drill and lets her craft tools on the fly by spending Silk. It starts with three red slots, with upgrades adding two blue and two yellow — pure damage, no fluff.

️ Shaman Crest — Silk Skills Galore

Last but not least, the Shaman Crest only shows up in Act Three. After unlocking Silk Soar, head to the specified spot, run right a screen, and break through to a higher platform just below the ceiling light. Follow the path over spikes, drop down, and dive into a deep pit to find it. Its big selling point? You can equip three Silk Skills at once, each slightly empowered. The trade-off is just two blue slots, so plan your loadout carefully.

So that's all seven Crests uncovered so far in Hollow Knight: Silksong. Each one can flip the script on how Hornet plays, so don't be shy about experimenting. Whether you're after speed, life steal, drill attacks, or triple Silk Skills, Pharloom has you covered — if you're willing to hunt them down. Now get out there and claim them all. ️

Before you dive into Pharloom and start tracking down every Crest, it's worth making sure you've got the game in your library at the best possible price. With a title this anticipated, prices tend to fluctuate quickly — especially around launch windows and seasonal sales. If you're looking to grab Hollow Knight: Silksong without overpaying, keep an eye on the latest [game deals today]( to catch discounts the moment they drop. You never know when a solid price cut might appear, and every saved coin is another step toward those expensive tool upgrades.

Happy hunting, and may your Silk meter always be full.

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All Seven Crests in Hollow Knight: Silksong and How to Get Them

Silksong Crests guide: uncover all seven powerful relics, their locations, and how they transform Hornet's abilities in Pharloom.

I have been running Hornet through Pharloom again in 2026, and if there is one thing that changes a Silksong playthrough more than tools, it is Crests. These seven equippable relics are hidden across chapels and questlines, and each one alters how your needle, silk, and survivability work. Below is my updated field guide for all seven crests, where to find them, and what they actually do.

Quick Crest Summary

Crest
Location
Main Benefit

1
Crest of the Wanderer
Bone Bottom
More critical hits at shorter range

2
Crest of the Beast
Hunter's March
Life-stealing savage attacks

3
Crest of the Reaper
Greymoor
Heavy slower attack plus extra silk drops

4
Crest of the Witch
Shellwood questline
Infestation transformed into crest

5
Crest of the Hunter Upgrade
Weavenest Atla
Base crest upgrade; possible Vesti Crest

6
Crest of the Architect
Underworks
Tool-related crest reward

7
Crest of the Shaman
Ruined Chapel
Final crest tied to Act 3 and Silk Soar

Crest #1: Chapel of the Wanderer

I almost skipped this one on my first run, but Grindle, the bug you rescue in The Marrow, can hint at the location if you pay him a few rosaries. From the maiden at the start, head right past the pond into a graveyard around a run-down old chapel. The inside is a wave fight against pilgrim bugs. They are simple if your health is full because their movement patterns match the ones outside.

After clearing the room, go deeper until you see a cloth-covered corpse. Stab it and bind to it three times. The screen will flash blinding white and you receive the Crest of the Wanderer, shaped like a lyre. It makes your needle strikes shorter but crit more often, which is great for aggressive close-range builds.

Crest #2: Chapel of the Beast

Deep in Hunter's March, the Chapel of the Beast is lit by candles. This chapel has a flying mini-boss, the Savage Beastfly. It moves like the smaller beastflies from Bone Bottom and Moss Home, but faster and far more aggressive.

I recommend entering with at least Swift Step to keep up with its movement. Silkspear or traps from Deep Docks also drain the beastfly quickly. Knock it out twice and a left chamber opens. Stab the large Savage Beastfly husk three times to claim the Crest of the Beast. It adds life-stealing to Hornet's attacks and lets you enter a wild fury while slashing into prey.

Crest #3: Chapel of the Reaper

On the far left of Greymoor is a chapel marked clearly on the map. This is another wave fight, but now you face scissor bugs, heavy staff bugs, and rake bugs. Clear them and travel upward to a cloth-covered corpse. Stab it three times for the Crest of the Reaper.

This crest gives Hornet slower, heavier needle attacks and allows you to collect extra silk from fallen foes. I found it especially useful in Bilewater, where the silk-eating affliction can quickly drain your resources.

Crest #4: Witch Crest

This one is a long questline involving Greyroot and Yarnaby, and it will lock away your other crests, combat silk abilities, and tools until the end. The route is:

• Enter Bilewater through the Whispering Vaults and find the Twisted Bud.

• Go to Shellwood, hand the Twisted Bud to Greyroot, and accept the Rite of Rebirth.

• After completing her wish, go to Bellhart and speak to Pavo to learn about Yarnaby in Greymoor.

• Find Yarnaby in Greymoor.

• Accept the Infestation Operation, go to Sinners Road, and purchase Steel Spines.

• Return to Yarnaby and finish the quest.

Yarnaby then transforms the infestation inside Hornet into the Crest of the Witch. It is difficult because you lose many abilities, but if you avoid unnecessary fights and rest often, it is manageable.

Crest #5: Hunter Crest Upgrade

Your base Crest of the Hunter can be upgraded after you complete Bellhart's silkspun curse wish and obtain the Needolin ability. Play the Needolin at the marked door in Bone Bottom and continue to the right. There is no chapel here. Instead, you meet an imprisoned bug named Eva. Let her offer insight into you and she will upgrade your Hunter Crest.

If you speak with her a second time and have four or more quests completed, she will also grant the Vesti Crest. That is extremely valuable because it lets you use a tool regardless of how many slots your current equipped Crest has.

Crest #6: Chapel of the Architect

Under the Citadel, in the Underworks, the Chapel of the Architect is locked by the Architect bug. To prove yourself, you need enough tools to purchase the key. The bug keeps a number counter beneath the key description so you can track your progress.

Some useful tools for the key include Magma Bell and Silkshot from the Forge Daughter, plus Scuttlebrace, Sawtooth Circlet, and Cogwork Wheel from the Architect Bug, and Sting Shard from the Forge Daughter. Once you buy the key, enter the chapel and claim the crest from the small platform in front of the defunct chorus machine.

Crest #7: Chapel of the Shaman

This is the final crest and only opens in Act 3 at the Ruined Chapel. It takes the longest but is worth it. After entering Act 3, make your way to Bone Bottom. The ruined chapel path will be open. You also need to unlock Silk Soar in the Deep Docks bell area. Return to the Ruined Chapel, head right until you find an opening, and use Silk Soar. Crush the boulders blocking the path until you reach a large snail shell. Bind to the shell and you will receive the Crest of the Shaman, ready to pair with your chosen silk abilities.

In 2026, this remains my preferred endgame setup path because the Crest of the Shaman opens up powerful silk-focused playstyles that feel completely different from the early game.

If this guide has convinced you to finally take on Hollow Knight: Silksong's crest system, you will want to make sure you actually own the game for as little as possible. Rather than paying full price at launch, many players hold out for a good deal before diving into Hornet's journey, especially if they are planning to replay the game to grab every upgrade across multiple saves.

Thankfully, you do not have to wait for a Steam sale to get a fair price. Game key marketplaces often offer significant discounts compared to the official storefront, and knowing where to look can save you a surprising amount of money. If you are ready to start your own crest hunt without breaking the bank, it is worth checking out DealNest for some of the [cheapest steam keys]( available before you set off into the depths of Pharloom.

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I Ranked Every Silk Skill In Hollow Knight: Silksong

Hollow Knight: Silksong Silk Skills ranking covers all six, from Silk Spear to Cross Stitch, by boss pressure, mobility, and consistency.

I have been tearing through Pharloom since Hollow Knight: Silksong settled into its 2026 release rhythm, and the Silk Skills remain one of the most misunderstood parts of Hornet's kit. Silk is your healing resource, but when you have spare silk, you can spend it on a powerful Silk Skill. There are six Silk Skills in total, and each one can change how you approach exploration, crowd control, and boss fights. Here is my ranking of every Silk Skill, based on boss pressure, mobility, consistency, and how much trouble it saves me.

Rank
Silk Skill
Best Role
My Take

6
Silk Spear
Frontal burst
Good early, outclassed later

5
Rune Rage
Screen AOE
Great in dense rooms, inconsistent elsewhere

4
Pale Nails
Homing missiles
Reliable while dodging

3
Thread Storm
Defensive AOE
A panic button for close fights

2
Sharp Dart
Invulnerable dash
Damage plus dodge in one

1
Cross Stitch
Counter
The best boss fight tool

6. Silk Spear ️

I unlocked Silk Spear first, and for the opening hours it felt like a huge upgrade. Hornet throws her Needle forward with power and deals about triple the damage of a normal attack. But that is where my praise ends. The skill cannot be aimed, so fast enemies can slip out of the way, and the recovery leaves Hornet open from other angles. Later, the Ancestral Art called Clawline makes this skill feel redundant. Clawline also throws the Needle forward, but it carries Hornet to the enemy she hits, which is safer and more useful. I have started leaving Silk Spear off my loadout as soon as that tool shows up.

5. Rune Rage

Rune Rage is my favorite skill for one very specific job: clearing a room packed with enemies. I unlocked it in The Slab, and when I use it, Hornet summons a cluster of runes around the room. They group up over enemies and explode after a short delay, which is perfect for airborne foes and on-screen crowds. The problem is consistency. The hardest enemies sometimes move sporadically and escape before the runes land. I still bring Rune Rage into dense areas, but I never trust it as my only answer in a boss fight.

4. Pale Nails

Pale Nails looks simple, and honestly, that is the point. It summons three thin nails behind Hornet. When I slash with her Needle, they fly off in different directions. The real value is that the nails track and home in on the first enemy they find. That makes Pale Nails one of the easiest Silk Skills to use while I am focused on dodging. I do not have to line up a perfect shot. I can slash, back off, and let the nails do the work. It will not solve every problem, but its low effort and reliable tracking make it a solid mid-tier choice.

3. Thread Storm

Thread Storm is the panic button I keep ready when a fight gets too crowded. It creates a massive AOE around Hornet that knocks back close enemies and can even stop many projectiles. I have used it to survive ambushes and messy rooms where I would otherwise die. The catch is real: Hornet cannot move for a short moment after the skill ends, so you need to time it carefully. Still, for defensive power and breathing room, Thread Storm is close to irreplaceable in my kit.

2. Sharp Dart

I slept on Sharp Dart at first because it costs silk, and silk is precious for healing. Then I started fighting bosses where every inch of movement mattered, and it completely won me over. Sharp Dart turns Hornet into a sharp spike that rushes forward, pierces enemies, and deals big damage. More importantly, Hornet becomes invulnerable during the move. That gives me one of the few ways to gain invincibility frames in the entire game. I use it as a dodge that also damages anything in the way. It makes Hornet even more mobile, and it has saved me from countless horrific boss attacks.

1. Cross Stitch ️

Cross Stitch is the best Silk Skill in Hollow Knight: Silksong, and I do not think it is close. Many Silk Skills give Hornet extra offense, but Cross Stitch adds an entirely new mechanic: a counter. If I time it well, Hornet blocks an enemy attack and strikes back for massive damage. I have used it to negate boss hits and punish the worst attacks in the game. Taking a single hit in Silksong can end a fight, so the ability to remove damage while dealing damage is invaluable. Against many enemies and even major bosses, Cross Stitch turns terrifying encounters into manageable duels. It is the one Silk Skill I cannot imagine leaving behind.

After testing all six Silk Skills across Pharloom in 2026, my loadout almost always includes Cross Stitch, Sharp Dart, and Thread Storm. The others have their moments, but these three give me damage, mobility, defense, and a counter that can change an entire fight. If you are low on silk, prioritize healing first, but when you have spare silk, these are the skills worth spending it on.

If you are excited to try these Silk Skills for yourself, you might want to keep an eye on the game's price before buying. Deals on Hollow Knight: Silksong come and go quickly, and grabbing it during a discount can leave you with spare cash for another indie gem or a future DLC.

That is why I always check [this price tracking tool]( before making a big purchase. It helps me spot price drops and jump in when the game is cheapest, so I can spend more time mastering Cross Stitch and less time worrying about missing a sale.

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Chasing Black Muscle: A 1971 Challenger, a 550 HP Coronet, and the Mopars of Port Jervis

A 1971 Dodge Challenger in original TX9 Formal Black anchors this Mopar stockpile tour, joined by a 550-hp 1965 Coronet and a driver-ready 1967 Dart.

I’ll say it up front: I’m a sucker for wild Mopar colors. Plum Crazy, Go Mango, SubLime—you name it. But every so often, a black muscle car comes along and reminds me that nothing beats the original shade. Black hides nothing at night and absorbs everything in daylight. On a 1971 Dodge Challenger, the effect is pure intimidation. That’s exactly why a recent video from Backyard Barn Finds caught my attention. They traveled to Port Jervis, New York, to meet a father-son duo with a stockpile of Mopars, including a worn-out Challenger that still wears its TX9 Formal Black paint code.

The trip didn’t start in a garage. It started at Hawk’s Nest, a winding scenic overlook that has appeared in car commercials and movies. I appreciate that Parker and the crew took a moment to show the drive itself. It sets the mood. Old cars feel different on roads like that. You hear the engine against the guardrails, and suddenly the whole point of owning a classic makes sense.

That brings me to the first car they showed: a 1967 Dodge Dart. This wasn’t some trailer queen. They actually drove it to the meeting. It’s been restored, it runs, and it has a fresh 318 under the hood. Is it a fire-breathing muscle car? No. But it’s the kind of car you can jump in and drive anywhere. The owner didn’t seem desperate to sell, but he threw out a number around $20,000. In my world, that’s a fair entry point for a solid driver.

Then the tone shifted. The real showstopper for me was a 1965 Dodge Coronet. On the outside, it doesn’t scream outlaw. But under the hood sits a 440 with a four-speed behind it, aluminum heads, and a full TTI exhaust. The seller said it’s making around 550 horsepower. That’s nearly three times the Dart’s output. The Coronet has been worked over from front to back, and I can only imagine how it feels when the secondaries open. There was no asking price mentioned, but I suspect this one would require a much bigger wallet.

And then we got to the car I came for. The 1971 Challenger is not perfect—far from it. It sat for years in a muddy driveway, and the rust is there if you look. But it’s complete. The interior is present, and it runs and drives. The 318 and automatic aren’t glamorous, but the car still sounds mean. Maybe that’s just the black paint talking. The asking price is $18,000. In 2026, that’s still a chunk of change, but for a running, driving ’71 Challenger with an original TX9 black code, it feels like a project with real potential. I’d rather see someone restore this than let it rot further.

As if the garage tour wasn’t already enough, the seller also has a 1973 Plymouth Duster. It’s another 318 car, but it has a fresh transmission. The body is in better shape than the Challenger, though it still has some rust. The asking price sits somewhere between $14,000 and $16,000. For a first-time buyer wanting a lightweight Mopar, that might be the most sensible option on the table.

Here’s a quick summary of the cars and their rough numbers:

Vehicle
Drivetrain
Condition
Estimated Price

1967 Dodge Dart
318, fresh
Restored driver
~$20,000

1965 Dodge Coronet
440, 4-speed, ~550 hp
Restored, modified
Not listed

1971 Dodge Challenger
318, automatic
Complete, runs, rust
$18,000

1973 Plymouth Duster
318, fresh trans
Better body, rust
$14,000–$16,000

At the end of the day, I’m just a regular enthusiast watching from home. I don’t have a barn full of Hemis or a disposable budget. But that’s the great thing about this hobby. A car doesn’t have to be perfect to be worth saving. The black Challenger may have a tired small-block and some rust, but it still carries the same silhouette that made these cars legendary. If I had the space and the spare cash, I’d be making a call to Port Jervis.

The same thrill I get from spotting a fair-priced Mopar in a dusty driveway is what drives hobbyists of every stripe to keep hunting. Whether you're chasing a numbers-matching Hemi or a nearly forgotten arcade classic, the rush of finding genuine value never gets old. It's the kind of feeling that turns ordinary afternoons into stories you tell for years. That itch to uncover a steal isn't limited to sheet metal and carburetors—it carries right over to any market where patience and sharp eyes pay off.

Classic car forums have their endless "for sale" threads, and the digital world has its own equivalents. For anyone who enjoys the hunt for a good bargain on the gaming side of things, keeping an eye on [DealNest game deals]( scratches a similar itch. Just as I'll spend an evening scrolling through classifieds for a promising project car, someone else might spend that same hour sorting through price drops for an overlooked gem. Either way, the chase is half the fun—and landing that deal is the other half.

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Hollow Knight: Silksong Bell Eater Guide: Defeat It and Reunite the Beast

Master the Hollow Knight: Silksong Bell Eater boss with this Beast in the Bells quest guide, covering loadouts, weak points, and phase tactics.

In the 2026 version of Hollow Knight: Silksong, few encounters test a player's nerve quite like the armored centipede known as the Bell Eater. The first time a player tries to summon the Bell Beast from a bell fast travel system after waking up in The Citadel, this creepy crawler makes a brief and unsettling cameo. From that moment on, the fast travel tunnels are locked down, and the only way to get things back on track is to start the quest Beast in the Bells and take the fight to the Bell Eater. This guide breaks down the whole shebang—preparations, phase-by-phase tactics, and the heartwarming reunion that follows.

️ At a Glance

Detail
Info

Boss
The Bell Eater

Location
Bell fast transport tunnels, Act 3

Quest
Beast in the Bells

Weak Points
Head and rear

Win Condition
Stagger the boss in Phase 1, stagger it twice more in Phase 2, then the Bell Beast finishes the job

Preparations

Before leaping into the bell tunnels, it pays to gear up properly. The Bell Eater is not the kind of boss that rewards half-baked loadouts. Since fast travel remains blocked until the quest is completed, players should knock this out as soon as Act 3 begins. The quest automatically pops into the wish tracker after the first Bell Eater sighting.

Crest Suggestions

• 🩸 Reaper's Crest – The Bell Eater only has two main weak points, so heavy damage is worth its weight in gold.

• ️ Architect's Crest – Trap-focused players can equip more tools and bank silk for healing, especially since some silk abilities will not affect the Bell Eater.

Tool Suggestions

Tool
Why It Helps

🪀 Shakra's Rings
Ricochet around the room and hammer the Eater's weak spots multiple times.

Fractured Mask
Provides a safety net against a fatal attack.

🪚 Sawtooth Circlet
Damages nearby enemies with every cloak flap.

🧵 Reserve Bind
Acts as emergency silk healing if Hornet runs dry during the fight.

Conch Cutter
Ricochets off walls and the Eater's body in Phase 2 to hit weaker areas more easily.

️ Longclaw
Extends needle reach so Hornet can stay outside the red orb bounce range while attacking.

🧪 Plasmium Phial
Adds a temporary mask of health and can be reused before needing an Alchemist refill.

Silk Ability Suggestions

• ️ Thread Storm – Excellent for high damage output on the Bell Eater's vulnerable areas.

• Sharpdart – Propels Hornet forward for blade and silk damage; use quick in-and-out dives for value.

Boss Fight: The Bell Eater

Phase 1

The Bell Eater has a handful of tricks up its sleeve to keep Hornet on her toes. Its body is covered in armor, leaving only the rear and head open to damage. It will hang down from the ceiling or pop up from the ground, swinging its scythe-like limbs around in a small radius. Players can use that moment to pogo off its head with a downward strike and deal damage.

The Eater also disappears and drops heavy bells from the ceiling. Looking up reveals dust that telegraphs where each bell will fall. Much like the Bell Beast fight, the bells bounce once before leaving the screen. At other times, the Eater shows its rear and spits red orbs that ricochet around the room. These can be parried, and the rear weak point can be punished before the boss retreats. On rare occasions, the Bell Eater rumbles underground, forcing Hornet to glide over long spines that erupt from the ground in arcing waves. Once the boss is staggered, it screeches and shifts into Phase 2.

Phase 2

In Phase 2, the Eater's long body blocks off the left and right sides of the arena, which makes the whole fight feel a lot more claustrophobic. The red orb attacks speed up, and the boss starts combining the ground arc attack with bell drops. When the Eater lifts its head and strikes at Hornet's last position, players should get out of dodge and use the opening to toss Shakra's Rings or let Conch Cutter ricochet around the arena.

This phase requires at least two more staggers. Downward pogo attacks on the rear weak point are the name of the game, because the head is often harder to reach while the rear offers a bigger opening for aerial hits and orb parries. A flea brew can also boost movement speed to help dodge the faster red orb launches. Just as the Bell Eater tries to shift again, the Bell Beast appears and tackles it into the sea of bells, taking care of the end of the fight.

Reunited with the Bell Beast

After the Bell Eater is soundly defeated, Hornet can finally speak with the Bell Beast. The creature lets out a loud purr before small baby Bell Beasts pop out of the ground beside their mother. Hornet can then take out the Needolin and play a song with the Bell Beast and its young, which unlocks a new melody called the Beastling Call.

The Beastling Call is a fitting reward for a fight that asks so much of Hornet, and it caps off one of Silksong's most memorable encounters. For players who want to experience this moment for themselves, the wait for a release date—or a good time to pick the game up—can feel just as tense as the boss fight itself.

Tracking down a solid deal on Hollow Knight: Silksong can save you a few Geo, and using [this price tracking tool]( makes it easy to see when the price drops to a comfortable range. That way, you can focus on learning the Bell Eater's patterns instead of worrying about your wallet.

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The Ford Probe Is the Forgotten Mazda-Based Sports Coupe Bargain Everyone Overlooked

Ford Probe sports car, a 1990s cult classic, offers bargain value and unique styling compared to the legendary Ford Mustang.

Ask just about any gearhead to name a Ford sports car, and the Mustang will probably roll off their tongue before they finish blinking. Fair enough—the Mustang has been a legend for decades. But between the late 1980s and late 1990s, Ford also had another two-door running around with a secret Japanese heartbeat. That car was the Ford Probe. It never set sales charts on fire, but by 2026 it has quietly peeled off its “unloved” sticker and started wearing a “bargain cult classic” badge instead.

A Shape That Screamed ‘90s

The first-generation Probe arrived for 1989, and it looked exactly like the era it was designed for. The second-generation car, produced from 1993 to 1997, went even further with a rounder, almost spaceship-like nose, a big triangular glasshouse, smooth sides, and a swooping hatchback rear end. Ford wasn’t just chasing style either. Designers worked hard to make the body as slippery as possible, which gave the Probe a futuristic look that still stands out at a 2026 cars-and-coffee meet.

The Unusual Recipe: Front Drive and No V8

For an American sports coupe, the Probe had a slightly surprising setup. It was front-wheel drive, and there was never a V8 under the hood. Instead, buyers got a mix of four-cylinder and V6 power.

First-generation engines (1989–1992)

Engine
Power
Torque

2.2L inline-4
110 hp
130 lb-ft

2.2L turbo inline-4
145 hp
190 lb-ft

3.0L Vulcan V6, 1990
140 hp
160 lb-ft

3.0L Vulcan V6, 1991–92
145 hp
165 lb-ft

Second-generation engines (1993–1997)

Engine
Power
Torque

2.0L inline-4
118 hp
127 lb-ft

2.5L V6, 1993–95
164 hp
156 lb-ft

2.5L V6, 1996–97
164 hp
160 lb-ft

Both generations could be had with a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic, and the manual was usually the enthusiast choice.

Quick Enough to Surprise People

None of those options were slow for their day. Car & Driver clocked the 2.2-liter turbo first-gen Probe at 7 seconds to 60 mph in 1989. The second-generation V6 with a 5-speed manual hit the same number. By today’s standards, that is not exactly a barn burner, but it was right at the top of the class back then. The top-dog 1991 Isuzu Impulse RS managed the same 0–60 time, which tells you the Probe could punch above its weight.

Cheaper Than the Mustang Without Feeling Cheap

The Probe also made a strong value argument. In 1989, a base Probe started around $13,600, while fully loaded examples ran about $16,500. A Fox Body Mustang GT of the same period cost around $17,512. So you could grab a loaded turbo or V6 Probe with modern looks and still spend less than a V8 Mustang. Unless someone had a serious need for V8 muscle, the Probe delivered a lot of bang for the buck.

The Almost-Mustang That Never Was

Here is a wild piece of history: the Probe was originally supposed to replace the Mustang. Ford planned it as the fourth-generation pony car, which makes sense from a cost standpoint because the Mazda-based platform was cheaper to develop than an all-new Mustang. When Ford announced that plan publicly, enthusiasts absolutely lost it. The idea of a smaller, front-wheel-drive Mustang with no V8 was too much for the faithful.

Ford actually listened. In a rare about-face, the company went back to the drawing board, created the SN95 Mustang, and repositioned the Probe as a smaller, more affordable sports coupe instead. That gave the Probe room to battle imported rivals like the Toyota Celica, Nissan 200SX, Acura Integra, and Isuzu Impulse while the Mustang kept swinging at the Chevrolet Camaro.

Global Citizen with Mazda Bones

The Probe wasn’t just an American market special. Because it was compact and built on Japanese underpinnings, Ford sold it in the UK, mainland Europe, and Australia too. In Europe it even filled part of the gap left by the much-loved Capri, though British buyers were never quite as smitten with it.

Under the skin, the first-generation Probe used Mazda’s GD platform, and the second-generation car used the GE platform. That meant the Ford Probe and Mazda MX-6 shared a huge number of mechanical parts, including most of the engines. The only major non-Mazda engine was the 3.0-liter Vulcan V6 in first-gen cars, which came from Ford’s own stable. The bodies and interiors were mostly Ford’s work, but the heartbeat underneath was all Mazda.

In North America, both the Probe and MX-6 were even built in the same Flat Rock, Michigan facility. That created a situation similar to the Mitsubishi 3000GT and Dodge Stealth, where buyers could pick the American or Japanese flavor of essentially the same sports coupe sundae.

Value and Reliability in 2026

Time has been kind to the Probe’s reputation. The old snobbery about front-wheel-drive sports cars has faded, and more people now see the Probe as seriously underrated. Its Mazda-sourced mechanical bits have also earned it a solid reputation for reliability. One former owner reported that her family’s Probe reached 250,000 miles before an accident took it off the road, with only the distributor and belt ever needing replacement.

That reputation makes the current pricing even sweeter. Classic.com estimates an average used value of around $10,569, but it’s still common to find good, presentable examples for under $7,000—and sometimes under $5,000. Project cars can cost even less. Fuel economy is decent for a sports coupe, and because so many parts came from Ford and Mazda’s 1980s and 1990s parts bins, normal maintenance remains relatively cheap and easy in 2026. Hard-to-find interior trim and Ford-specific body panels are the main things shoppers should check before buying, because aftermarket support remains niche.

The Ford Probe may have spent years flying under the radar, but that’s exactly why it still makes sense today. It’s practical enough to be a fun daily, rare enough to turn heads, and cheap enough that it won’t break the bank. For anyone who wants a 1990s sports coupe with Japanese bones and an American accent, this forgotten Ford is worth a long look.

The same instinct that leads someone to recognize the Ford Probe as a hidden gem—spotting genuine value where others see nothing special—tends to carry over into other parts of life. Once you’ve caught the deal-hunting bug, it’s hard to walk past a good bargain without at least stopping to consider it. Whether it’s sourcing parts for a restoration project, finding accessories for a weekend drive, or simply being smart about everyday purchases, that mindset pays off again and again.

That’s why resources like [DealNest]( are worth keeping in your bookmarks. It collects discounts and offers in one convenient place, making it easier to save money on the things you already enjoy—leaving more room in the budget for the next project, the next road trip, or perhaps another forgotten 1990s coupe waiting for a second chance. After all, the best deals are often the ones that require the least effort to find.

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Silksong Fans Turn Savage Beastfly Into Their Most Despised Boss

Hollow Knight: Silksong's Savage Beastfly boss and r/f***savagebeastfly frustration inspire this guide to its two attacks and minion survival.

Hollow Knight: Silksong’s collection of challenging bosses has produced no shortage of frustration, yet few enemies inspire the same strange mixture of dread and resentment as the Savage Beastfly. It is not the most complex creature in the game, nor does it possess a sprawling moveset. In fact, the beast has only two attacks. Even so, its brutal damage output and constant stream of summoned minions have turned countless attempts into abrupt, humiliating deaths. By 2026, that frustration has solidified into a full-blown community phenomenon, complete with dedicated hate posts, victory celebrations, and tactical discussion.

Why The Savage Beastfly Feels So Unfair

The game already has vicious roadblocks like Sister Splinter and Moorwing, both of which were tuned down after launch. The Savage Beastfly, however, remains a different kind of challenge. It hits hard enough to erase health bars, spawns minions that disrupt the rhythm, and demands precise positioning even in seemingly open arenas. For many players, knowing what to do is not the problem; executing it while multiple smaller threats buzz around the screen is.

A brief look at the community paints a clear picture:

• Hate posts aimed directly at the boss

• Celebration threads for players who finally win

• 🧠 Strategy tips for dodging, damage windows, and minion control

• Complaints about the runback and its ambushing ant soldier

What makes a boss with only two attacks so maddening? That question sits at the heart of the subreddit. The answer usually involves the gap between theoretical simplicity and actual survival. The Savage Beastfly punishes greed, panic, and even small positioning errors with shocking efficiency.

A Subreddit Built On Shared Rage

The dedicated community space is aptly called r/f***savagebeastfly, and it began gaining traction shortly after Silksong launched. Scrolling through the posts reveals an almost therapeutic cycle of venting and support. Some players describe their first kill as a life-changing relief, while others warn newcomers about the specific bait-and-smash pattern that follows the minion summon.

The subreddit is not entirely consumed by rage. Hidden beneath the avalanche of insults directed at the boss are brief, useful tidbits:

• Strike during the short recovery after the ground charge

• Clear minions before they overwhelm the arena

• Do not dash too early when the Beastfly feints

• Save resources for the second phase if minions spawn in clusters

These tips matter because the boss often feels like a battle against chaos rather than a single creature.

The Ant Soldier That Adds Insult To Injury

Perhaps the most relatable target of frustration is not the boss itself, but a single ant soldier positioned on the runback. After a devastating loss, players must make the journey again, and this ant soldier waits with a well-placed trap that seems designed to drain whatever composure remains. One post in the community jabs at the ant for being unemployed, though others counter that the ant is extremely good at its current job: annoying every player it meets.

Is that ant soldier the real villain? For players already reeling from the Savage Beastfly, the answer often feels like a resounding yes. The runback becomes a psychological test, forcing Hornets to navigate a minor but persistent threat before facing the creature that already defeated them.

A Strange Kind Of Community Therapy

There is something oddly healthy about the shared hatred. In a genre that often celebrates silent perseverance, having a space to vent about a boss can soften the sting of failure. The Savage Beastfly may not have the legendary status of Silksong’s more complex fights, but it has earned a unique place in the community’s memory in 2026. It represents how a simple design, when tuned aggressively, can become a cultural lightning rod.

Anyone who has been flattened by the Savage Beastfly more times than they care to admit can find kindred spirits in the subreddit. They can read victory stories, borrow a trick or two, or simply add their voice to the chorus of frustration. The boss remains deceptively simple on paper, but as the community has proven, simplicity does not mean forgiveness.

For all the frustration it delivers, the Savage Beastfly fight is a testament to why games like Silksong keep players coming back. Every hard-earned victory, every new strategy discovered, and every shared joke about that ant soldier remind us why we play in the first place. The difficulty is part of the charm — it makes the triumphs sweeter and the community stronger.

Of course, experiencing memorable gaming moments like this is easier when you don’t have to break the bank to do it. Players hunting for their next challenge — or looking to revisit older titles in their backlog — can always check out [where to buy cheap games]( to keep the adventure going without draining their wallet. After all, saving a few bucks on one game just means more room in the budget for the next boss that will inevitably wreck you.

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The 10 Best Boss Fights in Hollow Knight: Silksong, Ranked

Hollow Knight: Silksong boss ranking highlights unforgettable encounters and masterful design, making Hornet's journey through Pharloom iconic.

Now in 2026, months after finishing Hollow Knight: Silksong, I still find myself replaying its bosses in my head. After fifty of the most glorious hours I have ever given to a video game, Team Cherry's adventure left me desperate to write about it until my fingers hurt. The bosses felt like the ideal starting point because they are not merely difficult obstacles; they are one of the highest quality collections of encounters I have ever experienced in this genre.

Below is my personal ranking of the ten best boss fights in Hollow Knight: Silksong, ordered from tenth to first. This is not a how-to guide, but rather a love letter to the encounters that made Hornet's journey through Pharloom unforgettable.

10. Forebrothers Signis and Gron

I met the Forebrothers quite late, which made the fight feel a little easier than it probably should have been. Even so, the encounter clicked because of how the two siblings work together. The game gives you time to learn one of them before throwing both at you, and from that moment it becomes a beautiful adaptation of the Mantis Lords from the original Hollow Knight, but with molten rain falling from above. Signis threatens the horizontal space while Gron covers vertical and diagonal lines, so my eyes had to stay sharp in every direction. It turned into a reflex challenge that felt genuinely fantastic.

9. Phantom

By the time I reached The Mist, I was stunned by the sheer size of the game and its ability to keep reinventing itself. Phantom is not an especially complex fight, but the buildup with the organ and the boss's entrance make the moments before the battle just as memorable as the clash itself. This encounter embodies what I love most about this type of duel: elegant movement, quick animations, attacks that feel ripped out of an anime, and plenty of parries. Phantom may be the least varied boss on this list, but its simplicity and superb presentation made me treasure it deeply.

8. Widow

Silksong begins with a noticeable difficulty spike compared to the original Hollow Knight, and the Widow goes beyond just being tougher. It was my personal introduction to the idea that beating the original game is not enough preparation for Pharloom. This boss throws multiple attacks from different directions at once, at speeds that made Soul Tyrant feel almost slow. The superb animations, wonderful introduction, and the lore tied to Bellhart's story all combined to convince me that even the best Hollow Knight bosses would fall below the average of this new creation. The Widow's design and arena are outstanding, so placing it this low only proves how absurd the overall quality is.

7. First Sinner

First Sinner feels like a boss that would have been locked away as a Pantheon 5 exclusive in the original game. From the aesthetics of its movements to the orientation and style of its attacks, this fight demands godlike precision while being extremely showy. I beat it on my second try, yet I still remember every pattern in minute detail, which is my biggest argument for its inclusion here. It summons runes like Pure Vessel, teleports like Grimm, and calls needles like Radiance. It works beautifully as an ode to its predecessor.

6. Shakra

I am a huge fan of humanoid fights that demand agile reaction times, and Shakra might be the fastest boss in the entire game. Wielding her iconic rings, she moves at the speed of light, throws them with pinpoint accuracy, and teleports in every direction like something straight out of Dragon Ball Z. Team Cherry seems to anticipate common player tactics and punishes you if you try to rely on them here. What gets me is that the fight is essentially a friendly sparring match between warriors before the end of time. There is no prize, no plot advancement, and nothing at stake. It is fighting for the art of it, and that adds a rare sense of solemnity and positive unproductiveness.

5. Second Sentinel

Aside from the Last Judge, I spent most of the first half of the campaign without facing any truly major challenge, so encountering the Second Sentinel was a much-needed reality check. Its entire questline is memorable, and I loved how I had to build its heart to activate it. It ranks highly because the fight itself is superbly designed. The Sentinel is fast, hits hard, strikes in every direction, and rarely leaves an opening. That is exactly the kind of boss I love to fight until I completely master it. When you learn its moveset, you understand when to go under it, when to pogo it, and when to dash back. It best embodies the philosophy that has given so many of us headaches and satisfactions over the years.

4. Lost Lace

Part of me feels that facing Lace three different times during the story could have diminished her final fight, and yet it remains among the best in the game. The entire scene is terrifying: fighting in the abyss while the Grand Mother Silk's daughter watches on, visually raising the stakes for Hornet and the whole kingdom. Lost Lace delivers one of the toughest fights in all of Silksong. She repeats her elegant and varied attacks while adding a repertoire of void moves that deal huge damage and are incredibly hard to dodge. Three phases, dark waves covering the screen, tentacles rising from the ground, and constant parries make this fight sensational.

3. Tormented Trobbio

The first time I faced Trobbio, I felt almost sad because I beat him on my first try and did not have the chance to properly appreciate him. Then Tormented Trobbio appeared, and it felt like a gift from the heavens. I got to fight him again at a harder level, with more time to enjoy the encounter. Somehow, he is so perfectly telegraphed and balanced that I defeated him on the first try again, but this time my heart was pounding and my senses were fully stimulated by the audiovisual spectacle. I still replay his colorful choreography and spectacular introduction in my mind, wishing for a boss rush mode just so I could fight him again and again.

2. Cogwork Dancers

It is curious that a boss who literally tells you what he is going to do next remains one of the hardest in the game. What first seems like a simple gimmick turns out to be one of the best fights in the entire genre. Each of the three phases is perfectly planned, giving you time to adjust to the increasing demands while positioning becomes vital for avoiding the overwhelming number of attacks they unleash together and individually. Their dance tells their story alongside that of their kingdom, suppressed by the Citadel like everything else. It is romantic and bleak, just like Hollow Knight: Silksong itself.

1. Skarrsinger Karmelita

In a game full of excellent bosses, choosing first place seemed difficult until I came across Skarrsinger Karmelita. Far Fields hides far more than meets the eye on a first playthrough, and I honestly did not expect the best boss in the entire franchise to be waiting there. Karmelita is both the hardest boss in all of Silksong and the most wonderful demonstration of why the game is a masterpiece. From her chants before entering to her unstoppable charges, her beautiful animations and smooth transitions make the fight flow like silk. Every parry she made, every projectile she hit me with from impossible angles, and every time I had to enjoy her tunes before getting my head kicked in convinced me: Skarrsinger Karmelita is the best boss in Hollow Knight: Silksong.

Whether Silksong is already sitting in your library or you have been waiting for the perfect excuse to dive into Hallownest's vibrant sequel, these boss fights alone are reason enough to pick up the game. Skarrsinger Karmelita's mesmerizing battle, the tragic dance of the Cogwork Dancers, and every other encounter on this list represent some of the most polished and memorable combat the genre has to offer—an experience that deserves to be felt firsthand rather than just read about.

If this ranking has convinced you to finally experience Hollow Knight: Silksong for yourself, you might want to check pricing across different stores before making the leap. Different platforms and regions can have surprisingly different rates, so it pays to [compare prices here]( before your journey into Pharloom begins.

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The Co-op Horizon Is Calling Me After Falling Hard for Split Fiction

Split Fiction fueled my love for cooperative games; 2026 titles like Voyagers, Haunted Paws, and Stage Fright promise chaotic fun and dark thrills.

I have spent a large portion of 2025 glued to my couch with a controller in hand, and I can honestly say that Split Fiction ruined me in the best possible way. It was that rare title where the split-screen action felt cinematic, the storytelling hit every emotional beat, and the cooperative interactions never felt tacked on. But as the year wrapped up and the calendar flipped toward 2026, I started looking ahead. The gaming landscape is shifting, and a wave of cooperative games is threatening to swallow my free time whole. From whimsical LEGO adventures to claustrophobic horror, there is an impressive lineup designed to bring couples, friends, and small groups closer together than ever before.

Voyagers of the Tiny Block

There is something undeniably magnetic about LEGO, so when I first saw Voyagers, I felt an immediate rush of childlike glee. This game lets me and a partner take control of two tiny blocky explorers as they trek across vibrant lands to rescue an abandoned spaceship. It lacks the relentless intensity of Split Fiction, but that is precisely why I want it. The puzzles seem creative without being punishing, and the freedom to roam at my own pace feels welcoming. Sometimes I do not want adrenaline; I want a calming journey with someone I love, complete with surprises hidden behind every brick-built corner.

Haunted Paws and Wholesome Spooks

As a lifelong dog person, Haunted Paws immediately grabbed my attention by casting players as canines exploring a spooky yet endearingly childish world. The idea of solving puzzles and uncovering secrets with my coop partner while wagging a virtual tail sounds absolutely delightful. Its charming aesthetic makes it approachable for all ages, and the mechanics seem built around creativity rather than raw skill. I can already picture myself laughing at the silly animations while we use our canine abilities to ward off spirits and save humans in need. It is whimsical, engaging, and exactly the kind of shared experience I crave on a lazy weekend.

Orchestrated Chaos with Stage Fright

Coming from the creators behind Overcooked, Stage Fright has my full attention. I have vivid memories of screaming orders at my friend while our virtual kitchen burned down, so I know this team understands chaotic teamwork. Stage Fright promises more puzzles, more communication, and more scares, all wrapped in a problem-solving setting. The concept of environments splitting into two drastically different themes excites me. One moment I might be navigating a cheerful room while my partner stands in a distorted nightmare version of the same space. That kind of mind-bending absurdity requires constant verbal coordination, and I am absolutely here for the madness.

The Darker Side of Togetherness

Beyond the colorful chaos lies a shadowy corner of cooperative gaming that I find deeply compelling. Little Nightmares 3 is finally bringing a friend into that desolate, shrinking world. The same gloomy atmosphere that gave me goosebumps in previous titles now comes with a companion, and that changes everything. Solving puzzles while both of us are tiny, vulnerable figures in a cold environment sounds emotionally draining in the best way. It is not just a sidescrolling adventure; it is an unsettling exploration of fear itself. Knowing that a beloved franchise is finally embracing cooperative play makes me eager to revisit that world with someone brave enough to stand beside me.

Then there is Reanimal, coming from the same devious minds behind Little Nightmares. This one dials the tension to eleven by forcing both players to share a single claustrophobic camera space. I cannot imagine the stress of squeezing into one cramped perspective while avoiding giants. The 2.5D action looks simple on the surface, but I suspect it will demand razor-sharp timing and constant communication. The pure nerve-shredding potential here is unmatched. Meanwhile, Visk is pulling me toward a misty island with little guidance and no safety net. As an atmosphere-first experience, it promises doubt and dread, where working together is the only way forward.

Puzzling My Way through 2026

For my brainier coop sessions, Escape Simulator 2 feels like the next big thing. The replayability through player-created content is enormous, meaning my puzzle-solving partner and I will never run out of fresh challenges. Built from the ground up for cooperative play, it rewards observation, creative thinking, and the kind of descriptive communication that turns a simple room into a social event. Every group approaches problems differently, so I expect endless variety and plenty of 'aha' moments shared over voice chat.

The next twelve months look genuinely stacked for cooperative gaming. Whether I am wandering through brick-built meadows, wagging a spectral tail with a friend, braving dark hallways side by side, or decoding escape rooms together, the future feels bright and deeply social. 2025 gave me Split Fiction as a high-water mark, but 2026 looks ready to fill my calendar with shared adventures. I cannot wait to see which of these titles becomes the next unforgettable couch co-op obsession.

With so many promising co-op experiences on the horizon, my wishlist is already overflowing. Between Split Fiction's spiritual successor, the return to Little Nightmares' haunting world, and the endless puzzle rooms waiting in Escape Simulator 2, I know my gaming budget is going to feel the strain. That is why I have started planning ahead, keeping an eye on [PC game discounts]( so I can pick up these titles at the right moment. A good deal turns an already exciting launch into something I can justify without hesitation, especially when I know my co-op partner will want to jump in alongside me.

Building a shared library of cooperative adventures has never been easier when you shop smart, and that extra savings can go toward the next hidden gem we discover together. After all, 2026 is shaping up to be a year where every session brings something fresh, so staying prepared financially just means more time spent exploring those worlds with a friend.

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