What to know

  • Unlock Needle upgrades by freeing Bellhart after defeating the Widow boss.
  • The first upgrade (Sharpened Needle) is free and permanent.
  • The second upgrade comes through the quest Pinmaster’s Oil, requiring Pale Oil.
  • A temporary damage tool in Deep Docks offers a short-term boost but isn’t a true upgrade.

Your Needle is Hornet’s lifeline in Hollow Knight: Silksong. Upgrading it not only increases base damage but also improves Needle-related skills, making exploration and boss fights much smoother. The game currently offers two confirmed permanent upgrades, plus a temporary buff. Here’s how to unlock each stage.

First upgrade: Sharpened Needle

To access the first upgrade, you’ll need to unlock Bellhart.

  • Defeat the Widow boss in Shellwood.
  • This frees Bellhart, opening up services and NPC interactions.
  • Locate Pinmaster Plinney, inside a building marked with three white pins.
  • Speak to him and select “Sharpen Needle?”

This gives you the Sharpened Needle—a free, permanent damage boost that also enhances Needle-based skills like Silkspear. No materials or Rosaries are required, making it one of the easiest but most impactful upgrades in the game.

Second upgrade: Pinmaster’s Oil quest

Once you’ve claimed the Sharpened Needle, return to Pinmaster Plinney later in your journey. He’ll eventually offer the “Pinmaster’s Oil” quest, which sets up the second upgrade.

How to complete the quest by getting Pinmaster the Pale oil

If Plinney doesn’t offer the quest right away, don’t worry—it’s likely tied to story progression triggers. Keep exploring, unlock new areas, and then revisit him.

Receive the quest (later in the game, if that's the case):

Plinney tells you he needs a special Oil to strengthen your Needle further.

Find Pale Oil:

This rare item is the key. It can’t be purchased—players report it’s hidden deeper in the world or dropped by tougher enemies. Progressing the main story and exploring side areas is necessary to locate it.

Return to Plinney:

Once you have Pale Oil, hand it over to complete the quest. A new cutscene showing oil dropping on the needle will show up.

Second upgrade unlocked:

Plinney permanently sharpens your Needle again, granting another significant damage boost.

Temporary boost: Deep Docks tool

While not a true upgrade, players have discovered a temporary Needle damage buff in the Deep Docks region.

  • Located in the upper-left vertical rooms of the zone.
  • The tool grants a short-term increase in Needle damage.
  • Best used before boss fights or while navigating dangerous areas.

Think of it as an emergency power-up—it won’t replace the permanent boosts from Plinney but can tip the scales when you’re struggling.

Silksong Needles Upgrades in a nutshell

Upgrade Stage How to Unlock Effect Notes
First (Sharpened Needle) Defeat Widow, free Bellhart, talk to Plinney Permanent boost to base and skill damage Free—no cost or materials needed
Second (via quest) Complete “Pinmaster’s Oil” quest from Plinney Another permanent damage increase Requires Pale Oil; may need story progression
Temporary boost tool Explore Deep Docks upper-left area Short-duration damage increase Not permanent; useful for challenging encounters

Yes—absolutely recommended.

The Needle is Hornet’s core weapon, and both permanent upgrades (Sharpened Needle and the later quest-based enhancement) give a flat, permanent damage increase. That means fewer hits needed to kill enemies, faster boss phases, and smoother combat overall.

Unlike charms or temporary buffs, you don’t need to “equip” or activate them—they’re always on, which makes them one of the most valuable progression boosts in the game.

Do needle upgrades raise enemy level too?

No. Needle upgrades do not scale enemy strength upward.

Enemy health and behavior remain fixed based on the area or boss design. Once your Needle is upgraded, you simply hit harder—period.

This is different from games with dynamic difficulty scaling (where enemies level with you). Silksong follows the original Hollow Knight model:

  • Enemies in later zones are naturally tougher, but not because you upgraded.
  • Earlier enemies become easier, letting you backtrack and explore with less stress.

So, upgrading never negates its own benefit—it only stacks in your favor.

Why needle upgrades are a must in Silksong

  • Shorter fights: bosses and mini-bosses take fewer cycles.
  • Resource management: you’ll spend less Silk in drawn-out encounters.
  • Exploration confidence: revisiting earlier areas becomes quicker and safer.
  • Skill synergy: Needle-based moves like Silkspear also scale with damage.

The second upgrade, locked behind Pinmaster’s Oil and Pale Oil, ensures that Hornet’s strength keeps pace with tougher late-game encounters.

Go upgrade your nail, now!

Needle upgrades are a straight buff with no hidden drawback. They’re not optional “convenience” upgrades—you’ll feel the difference immediately, and they make the entire game flow better.

If you’re debating whether to delay them—don’t. The earlier you sharpen, the smoother your journey will be.