Hollow Knight: Silksong Watcher at the Edge Boss Location, Route and Rewards

What to know

• Watcher at the Edge is a hidden (secret) boss tucked inside the Sands of Karak.
• Start from the Blasted Steps fast-travel/bench and head west/up into the Sands to reach the relevant area.
• You must have the Silk Soar (super-jump) unlocked in Act 3 to pass through the ceiling and access the hidden cavern.
• The statue is dormant — playing the Needolin (Elegy of the Deep) awakens the Watcher; defeating it grants the Grey Memento.

Silksong hides several “one-off” encounters and secret bosses; Watcher at the Edge is one of those you’ll only find if you look upward from the right path. This guide walks you through the exact route starting at the Blasted Steps fast-travel point, shows the platforming interaction you need, explains how to trigger the fight, and gives concise tips to beat the Watcher once it wakes.

How to reach Watcher at the Edge starting from the Blasted Steps

Follow these steps exactly — they assume you already have Silk Soar available and a bench at Blasted Steps is unlocked.

Step 1

Fast-travel to the Blasted Steps bench (use the Blasted Steps bellway/bench as your starting point). If you prefer a short runback, picking a nearby bench in the same region also works.

Step 2

From Blasted Steps, take the westward path that climbs toward the Sands of Karak entrance—aim for the path that leads upward into the sandstorm area rather than deeper into Blasted Steps. This route takes you toward the surface of the Sands of Karak.

Step 3

Move through the first large sand room and look for the platforming sequence with yellow orb platforms (orb-triggered platforms) that form a diagonal climb toward the ceiling. Keep an eye on the ceiling above these platforms: the target is a breakable/entered seam high above the normal path.

Step 4

Position yourself on the upward line of platforms so you can use Silk Soar straight up — super-jump through the seam in the ceiling. When you execute Silk Soar correctly you’ll clip through into a small hidden cavern above the main chamber. Use short vertical momentum and aim slightly forward so you land in the cavern entrance.

Step 5

Once inside the hidden space, proceed left/west across the small area until you see a dormant statue standing sentinel over open sand. That statue marks the Watcher at the Edge. Approach it when you’re ready to fight, but don’t activate it yet if you want to prepare.

Quick facts at a glance

How to awaken and fight the Watcher at the Edge

This section tells you what to do when you reach the statue and how to handle the fight.

Step 1

Stand directly in front of the dormant statue and equip or bring up the Needolin instrument (the Elegy you learned). When you play the correct tune (the Elegy of the Deep / Needolin sequence), the statue will animate and the boss encounter will begin. If you haven’t collected or learned the required Elegy, this will not trigger the fight.

Step 2

On wake-up the Watcher uses a mix of jumping/closing strikes and sand pillar attacks — watch for its tell (a brief lift or coiling motion) and be ready to dash or Silk Soar away to create space. Many guides recommend keeping medium range and striking after its attack animations finish to avoid counter-hits.

Step 3

Use short, measured combos rather than long animation chains. The Watcher telegraphs long-range sand pillars and short lunges; bait an attack, dodge, then step in for one or two hits before backing off. If you have sprint/dodge abilities or a fast charge attack, use them to punish recovery frames.

Step 4

If you die, the runback is short if you used Blasted Steps as your start — consider resting at that bench so you have an easy return and no large platforming runback. After victory, loot the corpse/area for the Grey Memento.

Practical tips and loadout suggestions

• Bring a fast, short-range offensive tool so you can land quick hits in the recovery window.
• Prioritize mobility: dash or Silk Soar to avoid the sand pillars.
• If you want a safer attempt, clear nearby enemies and rest at Blasted Steps first so you start immediately at the right approach.

Finding and beating Watcher at the Edge: worth it?

Watcher at the Edge is a compact, well-hidden encounter that rewards careful exploration and correct use of Silk Soar and the Needolin. Start from Blasted Steps, follow the westward climb into Sands of Karak, use the orb platforms and Silk Soar to breach the ceiling, and play the Needolin at the statue to begin the fight. Defeating it gives the Grey Memento and a tidy secret-boss victory to add to your Act 3 run.