What to know
- Reaper Crest is widely praised for silk generation, pogo safety, and extended reach.
- Hunter Crest is loved for its dash-pogo combo and fluid chaining of attacks.
- Wanderer Crest appeals to players who prefer Hollow Knight–style fast gameplay.
- Beast Crest shines in boss fights for its huge damage, but is divisive due to weak healing and poor platforming flow.
Community insights on what are the best crests in Hollow Knight: Silksong
Here you go:
Reaper Crest – Silk regen and safety above all
At one Reddit discussion:
“...it feels amazing but has the lowest damage... the silk generation is nice also.”
On GameFAQs:
“Longer hits + the best pogo + Silk recovery (super useful for boss fights) + dashing uppercut into pogo is too good.”
On another page on Reddit:
“So far, my favorite is reaper! You get extra silk...”
Hunter Crest – Smooth combos and agility
On Reddit:
“Hunter crest – best damage potential; chains easily into other attacks. Its dash attack… chains very well into the pogo…”
Another Steam reply:
“...nothing feels as nice as the hunter crest to me. That dash thrust + pogo combo just works too well.”
On Steam:
“So far I only like Reaper Crest… Hunter crest charge atk is better but I really can’t get used to the new forward poggle style…”
Wanderer Crest – Familiar but short-ranged
From Reddit:
“Wanderer's crest – high attack speed and down pogo are nice... feels really bad against flying enemies and the slots are the worst.”
On GameFAQs:
“Used wanderer crest most of the game. Got used to the short range. And liked the slot selection.”
Another Steam user:
“I got wanderer. I loved wanderer. I always use wanderer.”
Okay, one more page from Steam:
“Wanderer looks nice in theory, reality being this game enemies are too fast/AI too smart… Wanderer’s pathetic reach really makes it hard to hit anything.”
Beast Crest – High damage, risky trade-offs
From Reddit:
“Beast crest – extremely high damage… best used in boss fights… platforming – very bad.”
On GameFAQs:
“My favorite Crest is Beast Crest, but... its lack of defensive charms… makes me too nervous to use it often.”
On Steam:
“I like the Beast Crest moveset the most, but I dislike the fact that it guts your healing. This game has way too many challenging platforming for me to risk gutting my own healing capability.”
Final view
| Crest | Why players like it | Common drawbacks |
|---|---|---|
| Reaper | Best silk regen, strong pogo, safer reach | Slightly slower, lower raw damage |
| Hunter | Dash-pogo combo, fluid chaining, high damage ceiling | Takes practice to master |
| Wanderer | Fast, familiar HK-style moveset | Short range, struggles vs flyers |
| Beast | Massive burst damage in bosses | Weak healing, clunky platforming |
Best Crests for Boss fight, and more!
| Crest Name | Key Benefit | Drawback | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thorn Crest | Bonus damage-over-time on attacks | Reflects incoming damage | Boss rushes, aggressive play |
| Weaver's Crest | Enhanced silk-based traversal | Minimal combat boost | Exploration, secrets |
| Crystal Heart Crest | Dash invincibility bubble | High soul cost | Defense, platforming |
| Elegant Crest | Faster soul recovery | No direct damage boost | Endurance, resource farming |
So, which one is the best crest for you?
If you like consistent silk gain and safety in combat, the Reaper Crest is the most reliable pick. For aggressive players who thrive on chaining combos, the Hunter Crest offers rewarding flow. The Wanderer Crest feels nostalgic for Hollow Knight veterans but struggles with range, while the Beast Crest is best suited for boss fights where raw damage outweighs survivability concerns.
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