The first boss of Hollow Knight: Silksong is a great challenge for those used to the old combat of the previous title. Learning Hornet's rules and stripping away all familiar bonuses and boons, players will have to start from scratch and approach this new title on its own terms.

Ever the fast-paced hero, Hornet must use her agility — as you must use your ability to read patterns — to turn this foe from boss to prey. Once this mossy grub is dewinged, you will have the whole of Act One finally open to you and begin unraveling the web of secrets generated by six years of wait.

How To Defeat The Moss Mother

Attack

Wind-Up Tells And Attack Description

Suggested Counters

Stinger Dash

Hovering on one edge of the arena, Moss Mother makes a very small circle in her flight pattern before angling her stinger forward and charging down and across the arena.

Jump over and pogo off her head with an attack.

Ceiling Slam

Moss Mother flies up into the ceiling. The slam sends three rocks falling from the ceiling, their paths indicated by crumbling dust.

Walk out of range of the falling rocks. Watch Moss Mother for an opening.

Moss Rain

This attack looks similar to above. However, instead of three crumbling pillars from the ceiling, there will be only one or two. From these, small moss foes will fall and enter combat.

Walk out of range of the falling bugs. Once they are on the ground, defeat them before refocusing on Moss Mother.

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Moss Mother is a tutorial fight and an introduction to Silksong combat. Those used to tricks like Shadow Dash and Moth Wings from the previous title will likely struggle to unlearn a few bad habits.

Before you begin fighting her at all, take a quick look at the moves list in the table above and remember to sit on the bench below her arena for a close checkpoint.

As you enter the arena, Moss Mother will mostly stick to her Stinger Dash attack.

After you stun Moss Mother at least once, the other two moves will become more and more frequent. Keep a steady pace to keep from being overwhelmed.

When Moss Mother is stunned is the best time to heal. We do not recommend healing at any other time, especially when the other moss minions are present.

If you are having problems with this fight, keep these tips in mind:

  • Do not get overaggressive with attacking the minions. Always beware of Stinger Dash.
  • Avoid standing directly beneath the Moss Mother.
  • Ideally, stay in the corner on the opposite side of the Moss Mother.
  • Attack downward while jumping to deal damage to Moss Mother.
  • Do not attack downward on the minions (or risk pogo-ing into Moss Mother).
  • If you are fully healed when Moss Mother is staggered, attack her furiously.

After defeating Moss Mother, you will gain access to a chain that you can use to 'Ascend.' This will take you out of the Tutorial Area and to Bone Bottom.