What to know

  • Start in Far Fields, reached via Hunter’s March’s southeast exit after defeating the Moss Warden.
  • Interact with Sprintmaster Swift to begin three challenging races testing Hornet’s platforming skills.
  • Overcome jumps, enemies, and environmental hazards like wind gusts and acid pools.
  • Earn the Swift Shell upgrade, boosting sprint speed and reducing ability cooldowns.

Exploring Pharloom means dealing with vertical shafts, sprawling caverns, and trap-filled corridors. Hornet’s movement upgrades are designed to help you keep pace. Among these, Fastest stands out as the core speed ability — and when paired with Sprintmaster Swift, it unlocks the fastest possible movement in the game.

Understanding the Fastest ability

Fastest is not just a minor boost. It permanently increases Hornet’s movement speed, improving her stride length and acceleration. This upgrade plays a key role in Pharloom’s progression:

  • Traversal role: Lets you outrun shifting platforms, bypass time-locked gates, and navigate puzzles that punish slow movement.
  • Combat role: Enhances dash spacing, makes dodging tighter attack patterns easier, and allows for more aggressive positioning.
  • Exploration rewards: Grants access to previously unreachable areas, hidden shortcuts, and some optional silken caches tucked behind speed-based challenges.

Unlike charms, Fastest doesn’t take a slot — once unlocked, it becomes a baseline part of Hornet’s kit.

How to prepare for race in "Fastest in Pharloom" quest

Before you attempt to get Fastest, you’ll need a set of abilities and items:

  • Clawline (grappling hook): For crossing large gaps and latching to anchors.
  • Silk Lash (wall grab): Required for vertical climbs.
  • One Simple Key: Used to unlock a barred passage leading toward the chamber that holds Fastest.

Without these, you’ll be locked out of the route entirely.

How to reach Sprintmaster Swift for racing in "Fastest in Pharloom" quest

To kick off the "Fastest in Pharloom" quest, you need to find Sprintmaster Swift in the Far Fields. Here’s the step-by-step path:

  • Start in Moss Grotto: Begin in the game’s opening area, a lush cavern where you learn Hornet’s core moves like needle throws and wall jumps.
  • Move to Bone Bottom: Follow the linear path through Moss Grotto to this small hub town. Rest at a bench and pick up early charms from vendors.
  • Enter Hunter’s March: Head east from Bone Bottom into this transitional zone with pilgrims and crumbling platforms.
  • Defeat the Moss Warden: This mid-sized boss guards the southeast exit. Use quick needle combos and dodges to take it down.
  • Arrive in Far Fields: Exit Hunter’s March to enter this open, windy area with tall grasses and bone structures.
  • Find Sprintmaster Swift: Locate a tall, lanky bug near a bone archway on the east side. Interact to start the quest.

No special items are required, but grabbing Hornet’s basic sprint upgrade in Bone Bottom gives you a slight edge.

Breaking down the three races in "Fastest in Pharloom"

The quest features three races, each tougher than the last, challenging your mastery of Hornet’s agile moveset. Here’s what you’re up against:

Race 1 (Beginner):

    • Terrain: Flat fields with low hurdles and wind gusts that slightly slow you.
    • Goal: Beat Swift to the finish line by chaining jumps and keeping momentum.
    • Tips: Avoid unnecessary stops; use the race HUD’s progress bar to track your position.
    • Duration: About 1-2 minutes.

Race 2 (Intermediate):

    • Terrain: A ravine with moving platforms, vines for swinging, and small patrolling enemies.
    • Goal: Navigate obstacles while keeping up with Swift, who starts with a bigger lead.
    • Tips: Time grapples carefully; only attack enemies blocking your path. Checkpoints (flags) save progress.
    • Duration: 3-5 minutes.

Race 3 (Advanced):

    • Terrain: A long loop with ledges, acid pools, and illusionary walls needing precise wall-clings.
    • Goal: Outpace Swift using shortcuts like a hidden grapple point under a bone overhang.
    • Tips: Scout the route in free mode to find shortcuts; practice wall-cling timing to avoid falls.
    • Duration: 5-8 minutes.

You get three attempts per race before restarting that segment, but retries are unlimited. The full quest takes 20-40 minutes, depending on your skill level.

Rewards for completing the "Fastest in Pharloom" quest

Finishing all three races unlocks rewards that enhance your Pharloom journey:

  • Swift Shell Upgrade: Increases Hornet’s sprint speed by 15% and reduces thread-based ability cooldowns (e.g., silk lasso).
  • Silk Bridge Shortcut: Opens a permanent path linking Far Fields to Hunter’s March.
  • Lore Entry: Adds a journal note about Pharloom’s sprintmasters, deepening the game’s pilgrimage themes.
  • Progress Toward Completion: Counts as a fulfilled “wish,” unlocking Act 3 content like secret bosses.

These rewards make exploration smoother, especially in vertical areas like The Marrow or Citadel.

Tips to succeed in the races in "Fastest in Pharloom"

To ace the "Fastest in Pharloom" quest, follow these strategies:

  • Equip Agility Charms: Slot lightweight crests from Bone Bottom to boost speed or jump height before racing.
  • Practice Movement: Hone Hornet’s needle throws and wall jumps in Far Fields’ open areas first.
  • Scout Shortcuts: Explore race routes in free mode to spot hidden grapple points or alternate paths.
  • Manage Inventory: Races don’t pause, so set up your loadout beforehand.
  • Stay Calm Under Pressure: Swift’s lead can feel intimidating, but focus on clean jumps and dodges.

A recent patch fixed collision issues in the third race, ensuring smooth gameplay across platforms (PC, Switch, PlayStation, Xbox).

Why does "Fastest in Pharloom" quest matters a lot in Silksong

The Swift Shell upgrade transforms how you navigate Pharloom, cutting travel time and easing backtracking. It’s a game-changer for reaching high ledges or dodging complex enemy patterns in later zones. The quest’s lore also ties into Silksong’s narrative, enriching your understanding of Pharloom’s culture. For 100% completionists, it’s a key step toward unlocking endgame content.

Should you do the "Fastest in Pharloom" quest?

If you love Silksong’s precise platforming and crave the thrill of mastering Hornet’s moves, the "Fastest in Pharloom" quest is a must. It’s optional, so story-focused players can skip it without missing critical progression, but the speed upgrades and shortcut make it a rewarding detour for most.