How to Get to the Abyss in Silksong (Act 3): Requirements, Location, Map, and More

What to know

• The Abyss is a hidden endgame area in Act 3, unlocked by completing the Silk and Soul Wish after finishing Act 2.
• You'll need key abilities like Silk Soar and Clawline, plus items gathered from side quests across Pharloom.
• Accessing it ties into achievements like True Hunter and opens up new bosses, areas, and the true ending.
• Act 3 expands the story with void-tendril threats, more exploration, and challenging trials that test your silk skills.

You've just wrapped up Act 2 in Hollow Knight: Silksong, defeated Grand Mother Silk, and think the adventure's over—but there's more lurking below. Unlocking the Abyss means diving into the secret Act 3, where Pharloom's fate hangs by a silken thread. Let's walk through how you get there, what you need, and what comes next, keeping things light as you weave your way forward.

Quick summary before you dive in

Silksong Abyss quest: Requirements and preparation for the journey to Abyss

Before you even think about the Abyss, focus on building your strength in Pharloom. Silksong introduces fresh mechanics like binding silk skills and completing wishes from boards scattered in hubs like Bone Bottom, Bellhart, and Songclave. These aren't just side gigs—they're essential for gathering resources and unlocking paths.

Gather these core abilities early:

• Silk Soar: Lets you glide across gaps and reach high ledges; find it by exploring Bilewater and defeating Groal the Great.
• Clawline: Crucial for swinging to hidden spots; acquired in the Deep Docks after your first Lace encounter.
• Needolin: A musical tool that plays a big role in the final steps—pick it up in the Weavenest Atla area.

You'll also want to max out your silk hearts for extra health and collect spool fragments to upgrade your silk arsenal. These innovations make traversal feel more fluid than in the original Hollow Knight, letting you zip around with creative combos that keep combat and platforming engaging without overwhelming you.

Step-by-step guide to completing the Silk and Soul Wish: Transit to Abyss

This wish is your ticket to Act 3 and the Abyss. It pops up after you've tied up loose ends in the main story, blending exploration with clever puzzles. Here's how you tackle it:

1. Wrap up all major wishes from the boards in Bone Bottom, Bellhart, and Songclave—these include deliveries like Liquid Lacquer, hunts like Savage Beastfly, and wayfarer tasks like The Lost Fleas. Aim for 100% completion here, as it unlocks dialogues and items.
2. Rescue at least 20-25 of Pharloom's 30 lost fleas. They're hidden in nooks across areas like the Putrefied Ducts and Pale Lake. Once you have enough, chat with Fleamaster Mooshka to relocate the caravan eastward to Fleatopia near the lake— this sets up a haven and triggers key events.
3. Build your bellhome in Bellhart. Clear the area's quests, speak to Pavo for the key, and optionally grab the Materium from the Citadel's Memorium to spruce it up. No need for full refurbishments, but it gives you a cozy rest spot.
4. Restore the Sentinel in Cogwork Core by collecting three cogheart pieces from the Citadel. Activate it, track it through Memorium and Citadel Spa, and finish its wishboard quest in Songclave.
5. Trigger the wish by talking to the Caretaker in Songclave once everything's done. He'll outline a plan to trap Grand Mother Silk.
6. Collect the four trap components:

• Seeker's Soul: Defeat Groal the Great in Bilewater (hit from below during suction attacks), then grab it from a nearby hut.
• Maiden's Soul: Head right from Bone Bottom to Moss Grotto, speak to the maiden above for her offering.
• Hermit's Soul: In Bellway Station under Bellhart, break a fake wall to access tunnels and chat with the hermit in his pipe.

• Snare Setter: In Weavenest Atla (enter via Needolin door from Moss Grotto), jump up the right wall in the central chamber to find it on a table.
• Return the components to the Caretaker, then head to the Cradle's top before the Grand Mother Silk rematch. Meet him there, fight her as usual, but choose to play the Needolin instead of binding her.
• This springs the trap, leading to the Snared Silk ending—Grand Mother Silk grabs you, Lace sacrifices herself to save you, and void tendrils crack open the world, unlocking Act 3.

If you miss a step, double-check your wishboards or flea count—the game nudges you with subtle hints, making the process feel organic rather than a grind.

Achievements tied to the Abyss and Act 3

As you delve into Act III, chase these for that satisfying ping:

• Liberated: Defeat the Bell Beast early on—sets the tone for bigger hunts.
• True Hunter: Receive the Hunter's Memento after completing grand hunts, including Act 3 beasts.
• Fleafriend: Rescue all 30 fleas, with the last batch in the Abyss.
• Extended: Acquire all spool fragments; many hidden in Act 3's void-tendril mazes.
• Sister of the Void: Unlock the true ending, rewarding your persistence.
• Passing of the Age: For the secret ending, track Mister Mushroom across seven spots, including Pale Lake heights.

These achievements highlight Silksong's deeper lore ties to Hollow Knight, rewarding explorers without forcing perfectionism.

Use this table for quick flea rescue caveats:

These changes from the original game emphasize community-building in Pharloom, implying your actions ripple out to save (or doom) its inhabitants.

What unfolds in Act 3

Once you're in, Act 3 transforms Pharloom with void portals spewing tendrils, opening areas like the shadowy Verdania forest and deeper Abyss chambers. You'll face new bosses—think twisted void entities and a true final one that's a step up in strategy, demanding precise silk combos.

Story-wise, you shift from binding silk to confronting void corruption. Complete "The Old Hearts" wish from Moss Chapel's Snail Shamans: Clear trials at three sites, defeat heart bosses, and return them for power-ups. Then tackle "Last Dive," leading to the showdown. Implications? Your choices here save Pharloom from doom, with twists revealing Hornet's ties to the void—it's airy yet profound, expanding on themes of sacrifice and rebirth.

Endings branch out: Sister of the Void (true, saving the kingdom after trials) or Passing of the Age (secret, with Mushroom's farewell message). It's bigger than expected, potentially 3-5 times Hollow Knight's scale in content, but paced to feel rewarding.

Is the Abyss calling for you?

If you're craving that extra layer of challenge and lore, Act 3's Abyss is a must— it ties everything together without dragging. For casual players, the standard ending suffices, but completionists will love the implications for Hornet's journey. Either way, it leaves you pondering Pharloom's fragile beauty.