What to know
- Seth is a boss NPC in Shellwood, accessed via a breakable wall in the Grand Gate's elevator shaft, requiring precise exploration to reach.
- Defeating him unlocks the Shellwood Shrine and starts a questline for the Guardian's Memento, involving tracking him across Greymoor, Shellwood, and Fleatopia.
- His fight features fast pin strikes and cymbal shield attacks, demanding agile dodging and countering for victory.
- Inspired by a real fan's legacy, Seth adds emotional depth, with post-battle interactions tied to collecting at least two Silk Hearts.
Encountering Shrine Guardian Seth stands out as a memorable challenge in Hollow Knight: Silksong, for more than a few reasons. This ant-like warrior, wielding a sharp pin and a resonant cymbal shield, protects ancient secrets in the lush, perilous region of Shellwood.
First teased by Team Cherry in community interactions years ago, Seth's inclusion honors a dedicated fan, Seth Goldman, who sadly passed away from Ewing Sarcoma but left a lasting mark on the game. Recent updates from September 2025 confirm his role remains central, with no major changes to his mechanics or locations in the latest patches.
Silksong Seth Location: Discovering the Entrance to Seth's Domain
Shellwood's dense foliage and hidden passages make finding Seth an adventure in itself. The key lies in navigating the Grand Gate area, where vertical shafts and breakable barriers conceal his lair. Players often overlook this spot early on, but with the right tools—like the Needle and Thread for breaking walls—it becomes accessible mid-game.
To prepare, ensure you've unlocked basic traversal abilities such as the Pounce and basic wall-cling from earlier areas like the Underworks. Seth's arena is a shrine filled with remnants of fallen foes, hinting at his role as an eternal protector chosen by "The Voice."
Shrine Guardian Seth requirements/suggestions
Approaching Seth requires careful platforming and combat readiness. His boss fight tests your reflexes against his speedy lunges and shield throws, but following these steps will keep the battle manageable. Note that you'll need at least the base Needle upgrades to stand a chance, and healing items like Silk Hearts prove invaluable.
Shrine Guardian Seth location: How to reach it
Here you go.
Step 1: Navigate to the Underworks in Shellwood
Start from the Underworks Bench (South) on your map. Head left along the main path, avoiding patrolling silkmites and thorny vines. This section introduces environmental hazards like sticky webs that slow movement—use your dash to break free quickly.
Step 2: Locate the Bottom Exit and Break the Wall
Near the bottom exit of the Underworks chamber, scan for a suspicious cracked wall on the left side. Equip your Needle and perform a charged strike (hold the attack button for 1-2 seconds) to shatter it. If the wall doesn't break, ensure you've progressed far enough in the story to have the Wallbreak ability, typically acquired after the Bilewater tutorial.
Step 3: Enter the Secret Shaft and Descend
Drop into the revealed elevator shaft within the Grand Gate. Platform downward carefully, using wall-clings to avoid spikes below. Midway down, another breakable section appears—strike it to access a hidden horizontal passage leading straight left to Seth's shrine.
Step 4: Initiate and Survive the Boss Fight
Upon entering, Seth awakens with his quote, "The Voice… has chosen me." The arena is circular with scattered corpses for lore flavor.
Dodge his initial Cymbal Toss by jumping sideways; the shield arcs forward before he teleports to retrieve it. Counter during his recovery with quick Needle stabs.
For his Aerial Cymbal Toss, watch for the mid-air jump—pounce under the diagonal throw and strike as he lands. He absorbs hits with the shield, so bait lunges by feigning an attack, then parry with a well-timed block (press defend just before impact). Aim for 4-5 phases: early ones focus on basics, later adding combo chains. Defeating him drops the Shellwood Shrine Key and 200 Geo.
Post-fight, interact with the shrine to honor Nyleth's monument, unlocking deeper lore about Pharloom's guardians.
Tracking Seth After the Battle for Rewards
Once beaten, Seth doesn't vanish—he wanders Pharloom, tying into collectible hunts like the Guardian's Memento (Act 3).
This requires at least two Silk Hearts (such as Pollen and Hunter) to trigger his appearances; without them, he stays hidden.
| Location | Requirements | Interaction |
|---|---|---|
| Greymoor | Defeat Seth in Shellwood; have 2+ Silk Hearts | Find him near the caravan entrance; speak to start the high-score challenges. |
| Shellwood | After Greymoor talk | Re-encounter in the Underworks paths; he hints at minigames. |
| Fleatopia | Beat caravan minigames in prior areas; talk to shamans | Challenge and surpass his scores in all three games (racing, rhythm, puzzle); final dialogue grants the Memento. |
Beating his scores demands practice—focus on precision inputs for the rhythm game and optimal paths in racing.
This questline, updated in the September 10, 2025, patch, adds replay value and ties into house decorations in Bellhart.
You can even play the Needolin and have Seth sing his heart-rending song.
The Heartfelt Backstory Behind Seth
Seth's creation stems from a touching real-world tale. In 2019, young fan Seth Goldman, battling cancer, connected with Team Cherry through a wish-granting organization. He designed his character, complete with the pin weapon and guardian role, which the developers immortalized.
Credits list him in "Extra Special Thanks," and his boss fight is noted as one of the most intricate, reflecting his passion for the game. This element, confirmed in recent wiki updates as of September 14, 2025, deepens the emotional layers of Silksong's world.
Unfortunately, Seth passed away in 2019, well before he could see his creation in Silksong. But players knowing his legacy will continue to play and interact with his spirit and his creation for years to come. RIP!
Discussion