What to know

  • The Clawline is Hornet’s grappling hook, an Ancestral Art for latching onto hoops, walls, and enemies, enhancing traversal and combat.
  • It’s located in The Cauldron, Eastern Underworks, after navigating Grand Gate, Choral Chambers, and Whiteward.
  • You’ll need Needolin, Drifter’s Cloak, wall jump, White Key, and Rosary beads for the benches to access it.
  • September 9, 2025, patch eased cooldowns and silk costs, making early-game grappling smoother.

Hollow Knight: Silksong drops you into Pharloom’s vibrant, treacherous world, where Hornet’s Clawline redefines exploration. This grappling hook lets you zip across chasms and yank foes, with recent updates making it more forgiving for new players.

How to get Clawline in Silksong: Steps at a glance

Step What to do Why it matters
1 Get White Key in Songclave (Choral Chambers) Required to open the elevator
2 Use elevator in lower-left tower to reach Whiteward Progress deeper toward Underworks
3 Traverse Underworks and reach The Cauldron (lava hazard area) Final area where ability is unlocked
4 Interact with altar in The Cauldron Unlocks Clawline Grappling Hook
5 Practice grappling onto surfaces, rings, and enemies Essential traversal ability

To dive in deeper, find the step-by-step guides below for each stage to get Grappling Hook.

How to prepare for Underworks

Before pursuing the Clawline, ensure you’re equipped with essential skills and items:

  • Needolin: Unlocked in Dirtmouth’s tutorial; required to pass Grand Gate.
  • Drifter’s Cloak: Gained post-tutorial for floating on wind currents.
  • Wall Jump: Default ability for scaling vertical shafts.
  • White Key: Found in Choral Chambers to unlock elevators.
  • Rosary Beads: Collect from enemies or chests to access benches.

If you’ve defeated the Cogwork Dancers, you’ll have the Cogwork Core, easing access to deeper paths.

How to enter Underworks

Follow these steps to reach the Eastern Underworks:

  • Start at Grand Gate after using Needolin to clear the barrier.
  • Head east to a broken elevator and interact to descend into Underworks.
  • Find the nearest bench to rest and save.
  • Climb slightly, go left to an opening with a sign, and enter to grab the Underworks map.
  • Exit, ascend, then move right into a large vertical room.
  • Climb up, shift left toward a bench sign, and unlock it with Rosary beads.
  • Continue left and up until you enter Choral Chambers.

How to navigate Choral Chambers

In Choral Chambers, secure the White Key with these steps:

  • Rest at the first bench.
  • Move left, drop to the bottom, then head left to the end.
  • Climb up the nearest path, go right, then up again.
  • Proceed right to a machine showing a Citadel model to collect the Choral Chambers map.
  • Move right to meet Lace, then further to a locked elevator with a surgical symbol (note its location).
  • Ascend, then go right to another bench.
  • Head east into a vertical room, drop down, then right to a bench and Bellway fast travel point—activate it.
  • Rest, climb the circular mechanism, and go far right to a shrine bench.
  • Outside on the rightmost side, pick up the White Key from the ground.

How to unlock Whiteward

Backtrack to the locked elevator in Choral Chambers using these steps:

  • Return to the elevator with the white lock.
  • Use the White Key to descend.
  • At the bottom, go left to the end, then up.
  • Veer right into a vertical tunnel; avoid reactivating the elevator.
  • Take the right passage, drop down, and grab the Whiteward map from the left corner.
  • Proceed right to a narrow downward passage, descending back into Underworks.

How to reach The Cauldron

Navigate Eastern Underworks to The Cauldron with these steps:

  • Rest at the nearby bench.
  • Go left, drop down, then left to a wheel-like switch.
  • Strike the switch until it breaks, releasing a wind current.
  • Float upward using Drifter’s Cloak.
  • At the top, go left, then down, descending to a lava floor.
  • Move right, then up at the road’s end with wall jumps.
  • Find a hatch with a switch—hit it to enter another lava room.
  • Cross the lava, avoiding hazards, to reach a Weaver statue.
  • Bind to the statue to acquire the Clawline.

How for the Cogwork Core detour (optional)

If you defeated the Cogwork Dancers, follow these steps in the Cogwork Core:

  • Enter from the boss room and descend the gear-filled maze.
  • Pogo off enemies to reach ledges, avoiding spinning gears.
  • Circle the middle, climb the right side with wall climbs and pogos.
  • Open shortcuts at the top, then head right through platforming sections.
  • Turn a large gear and break a ceiling to grab the map.
  • Proceed to Whispering Vaults for the next steps.

How to face Trobbio (alternate path)

In Whispering Vaults, tackle Trobbio for smoother Cauldron access:

  • Descend to the bottom and enter doors for optional oil (nail upgrades).
  • Hit levers below the collapsible floors for backtracking.
  • Reach Trobbio’s arena and dodge his explosions, fireworks, and balls.
  • Strike when he’s exposed in the air or staggered, using agility crests or Drill.
  • After winning, collect the Claw Mirror and rest at the bench.
  • Take the right elevator to Underworks, then go left across spike platforms.
  • Slide down, break a fan for wind, and navigate coals, beetles, and lava falls.

How to claim and test the Clawline

Once in The Cauldron, secure and practice the Clawline:

  • Bind to the Weaver statue to equip the Clawline.
  • Grapple metallic ceiling rings to ascend; it pulls forward even on misses.
  • Hook enemies for combat pulls or cross horizontal gaps.
  • Exit upward, using the Clawline on rings and foes to reach the top bench.

Clawline upgrades and details

Enhance the Clawline with these upgrades:

  • Reinforced Claw:
    • Range: 20 meters
    • Cooldown: Reduced by 1 second
    • Location: Termite Forge, Deep Docks (mid-game)
    • Cost: 300 geo, 1 pale ore
    • Caveat: Requires an optional boss defeat
  • Silk Pull Boost:
    • Effect: Pulls heavier enemies, adds stun
    • Location: Weaver’s Shrine, Greymoor
    • Cost: 5 Rosary beads
    • Caveat: Higher silk drain
  • Thorn Extension:
    • Effect: Adds 30% needle damage on grapple
    • Location: Blacksmith, Citadel Heights
    • Caveat: Post-main quest; no overcharge mod compatibility
  • Efficiency Mod:
    • Effect: Cuts silk drain by 25%, extends chain duration
    • Location: Far Shore vendor
    • Cost: 200 geo (varies by region)
    • Caveat: Region-locked pricing
  • Harpoon Variant:
    • Effect: Pierces multiple targets
    • Location: Whispering Vaults alcove (post-Trobbio)
    • Caveat: Needs Claw Mirror; high skill ceiling

You can't live without Clawline in Silksong!

The Clawline transforms Silksong into a fluid, aerial adventure, perfect for mobility-focused players. If you lean toward ground combat, consider other Ancestral Arts first. Early acquisition unlocks hidden paths, collectibles, and shortcuts, making it a game-changer for exploring Pharloom.