What to know

  • Greyroot is an NPC in the Shellwood area, starts the Rite of the Pollip quest.
  • You need to collect six Pollip Hearts from purple blooms scattered across Shellwood.
  • You need Cling Grip, earned by defeating the Sister Splinter boss, is required for some hearts.
  • After completing Greyroot quest, you get the Pollip Pouch, which adds poison effects to your tools.

As you explore the intricate kingdom of Pharloom in Hollow Knight: Silksong, side quests like the Rite of the Pollip add depth to your adventure. This guide provides clear, step-by-step instructions to find Greyroot, gather all six Pollip Hearts, and complete the quest, along with tips for navigating challenges and collecting extra rewards.

Step-by-step guide to reaching Shellwood to meet Greywood

  1. Start in Pharloom’s Central Regions: From the central hub, move westward toward Shellwood, located west of Bellhart and Greymoor.
  2. Navigate the Path: Use your parkour skills to cross gaps and defeat enemies like Splinters along the way.
  3. Enter Shellwood: Arrive at the bottom-left section of the Shellwood map.
  4. Unlock the Bench: From the entrance, head north, battling Splinters, and spend 60 Rosaries to unlock a bench for a save point.
  5. Activate the Elevator: Near the bench, find and activate an elevator, then ride it downward.
  6. Climb to the Cave: From the elevator, climb left, following platforms upward to a cave with a white-light building.
  7. Meet Greyroot: Enter the building to find Greyroot emerging from a cocoon.

Step-by-step guide to starting the Rite of the Pollip quest

  1. Interact with Greyroot: Speak to Greyroot at least twice to hear their cryptic dialogue.
  2. Accept the Quest: Select the “Promise Wish” option to start the Rite of the Pollip quest.
  3. Understand the Task: Greyroot instructs you to collect six Pollip Hearts from purple blooms in Shellwood.

Step-by-step guide to preparing for the quest

  1. Defeat Sister Splinter: To unlock the Cling Grip ability (essential for some hearts), defeat the Sister Splinter boss:
    • From the bench, ride the elevator up.
    • Head right across ledges, pogoing over spikes to enter her room.
    • Dodge her spiked vine attacks and combos; in phase two, defeat summoned minions.
    • After victory, interact with the nearby monument to gain Cling Grip.
  2. Purchase the Shellwood Map: Find Shakra in Shellwood and buy the map for 70 Rosaries to aid navigation.
  3. Optional Upgrade: Acquire the Wanderer Crest to enhance downward attacks, useful for combat.
  4. Stock Up on Rosaries: Defeat enemies like Gnats and Wood Wasps to collect Rosaries for benches and upgrades.

Step-by-step guide to collecting the six Pollip Hearts

Tips: Use benches to respawn after deaths. Watch for spikes and enemy nests. The Drifter’s Cloak (if equipped) helps with gliding during descents.

The six Pollip Hearts are found in large purple blooms, often guarded by enemies like Wood Wasps. Attack each bloom with your Needle until it bursts, revealing a glowing Pollip Heart. Three hearts require Cling Grip, so ensure you’ve defeated Sister Splinter first. Follow these steps for each:

  1. Pollip Heart 1:
    • Go to the bottom-right entrance of Shellwood.
    • Use Cling Grip to jump the top-right wall.
    • Strike the purple bloom to collect the heart.
  2. Pollip Heart 2:
    • Enter the room left of the Shellwood entrance.
    • Climb left platforms, then move right to upward platforms (no Cling Grip needed).
    • Attack the bloom to obtain the heart.
  3. Pollip Heart 3:
    • In a central room, locate white flowers.
    • Bounce upward using jump-and-attack propulsion to reach the high bloom.
    • Hit the bloom to collect the heart.
  4. Pollip Heart 4:
    • After defeating Sister Splinter, drop diagonally down-left from her room.
    • Defeat a Gahlia enemy, then glide to a lower ledge.
    • Destroy the purple flower to get the heart.
  5. Pollip Heart 5:
    • In the center room, wall-jump to the far-left side at mid-height.
    • Use Cling Grip to cling to a vine wall.
    • Hit the bloom on the platform to collect the heart.
  6. Pollip Heart 6:
    • Exit Shellwood top-right to Bellhart.
    • Drop carefully, then go left to re-enter Shellwood.
    • Destroy vines on a wall to reveal the final bloom and collect the heart.

Step-by-step guide to overcoming Shellwood’s challenges

  1. Master Vertical Platforming: Shellwood’s vertical layouts require precise jumps and Cling Grip for flat walls.
  2. Handle Enemy Swarms: Defeat Gnats and Wood Wasps for Rosaries, but avoid purple hives (enemy spawners) mistaken for quest blooms.
  3. Find Hidden Paths: Break vines and walls to reveal secret routes, especially for the sixth heart.
  4. Revisit for Secrets: Cling Grip unlocks new areas, so note spots to return to for hidden collectibles.

Step-by-step guide to collecting additional rewards

  1. Mask Shard:
    • Pogo across rooms in Shellwood, hacking vines to reveal a hidden area.
    • Collect the Mask Shard for extra health.
  2. Longpin Tool:
    • Destroy a Wood Wasp nest to access a hidden room.
    • Claim the Longpin, a penetrating weapon that aids in combat.

Step-by-step guide to completing the Greyroot quest

  1. Return to Greyroot: With all six Pollip Hearts, go back to the white-light building in Shellwood.
  2. Deliver the Hearts: Interact with Greyroot to hand over the hearts.
  3. Receive the Reward: Earn the Pollip Pouch, equippable in the blue slot, which adds poison damage to tools (e.g., four hits post-Straight Pins).

Is the Rite of the Pollip worth it?

  • Pros: The Pollip Pouch enhances tool-based combat, ideal for players who favor tools over the Needle. The quest also sharpens platforming and exploration skills for tougher areas.
  • Cons: It’s time-intensive and optional, so skip it if you’re focused on the main story.
  • Recommendation: Pursue it if you enjoy side content and want to boost your arsenal.

Is the Rite of the Pollip worth it?

Returning all six Pollip Hearts to Greyroot rewards you with the Pollip Pouch, equippable in the blue slot. It adds poison damage to your tools (e.g., four hits post-Straight Pins), boosting offense without affecting your Needle. This is ideal if you rely on tools for combat. The quest sharpens your platforming and exploration skills, preparing you for Pharloom’s tougher regions. However, if you’re focused on the main story, you might skip it, as it’s optional and time-intensive. The choice depends on whether you enjoy side content and want to enhance your arsenal.