Silksong 'Sister Splinter' Guide: Location, Map, Rewards, Moveset, and Attack, and More

What to know

• Sister Splinter guards access to the Cling Grip ability and blocks progress in Shellwood.
• Her arena features environmental hazards like thorns, vines, and restricted movement.
• The battle has multiple phases with changing attack patterns and summoned foes.
• Defeating her rewards you with progression and critical abilities for future exploration.

Hollow Knight: Silksong builds on its predecessor’s reputation with elaborate, inventive boss encounters that push your platforming and combat skills. Sister Splinter is a key challenge for anyone roaming Shellwood, combining environmental hazards and ranged attacks with a distinct visual and thematic identity.

Who is Sister Splinter?

Sister Splinter is an insect/plant hybrid whose appearance seems to combine the hard exoskeleton of an ancient beetle and the overgrown, thorny branches of Shellwood’s deep roots. Her lore describes her as a long-lived guardian who keeps pilgrims from traversing Shellwood, ensuring that only those strong enough progress. Encountering her is pivotal for unlocking the wall climbing Cling Grip ability, which expands the playable world and introduces important platforming mechanics.

Sister Splinter location: Where and how to find Sister Splinter

Navigating Shellwood requires careful platforming and attention to landmarks. Start from the central bench, which connects directly to a valuable elevator shortcut. Ride the elevator up and walk to the right, then jump and attack the flowers to bounce up to the top-left of the chamber. Head leftward, past brambles and blooming platforms, and enter Sister Splinter’s arena. The nearest bench for saving progress and preparing runbacks sits just below the elevator; unlocking it will reduce time lost on failed attempts due to its proximity to the boss room.

Sister Splinter arena overview

Sister Splinter’s battle arena is cramped and covered with hazards. Thorn vines block movement after being summoned, and brambles line the outer edges. With each phase, the arena gets more cluttered—vines sprout in greater numbers and spike hazards further restrict the player’s safe zones. These environmental changes demand quick adjustments in player strategy as the fight ramps up.

Sister Splinter moveset and attack patterns

You’ll face several distinct attacks:

• Claw pattern: Sister Splinter launches up to three slams from the ceiling, alternating hands and positions. Her right hand glows before each strike, signaling the direction.
• Thorn vine summons: She retreats overhead and beams of light indicate where thorn vines will descend—these can be quickly destroyed with up to three slashes, or faster with the Silkspear ability.
• Summoning flying allies: Sister Splinter screeches, then flying Splinterbark allies descend from marked points on the wall.
  Visual cues like glowing claws, beams of light, and her extended roar animation help telegraph each move, letting you dodge and counterattack efficiently.

Sister Splinter fight: Recommended abilities and preparations

Success against Sister Splinter is easier with specific upgrades:

• Pins that boost healing, damage, or mobility (such as Dashmaster or Silkspear upgrades).
• Silkspear, for quick area control and destroying thorn vines or minions in a single hit.
• Stock up on Rosaries before unlocking the central bench shortcut.
• Practice short jumps and upward sword strikes to avoid high collision damage and maximize DPS.
  Equip healing-focused pins and learn attack patterns for optimal recovery windows.

Phase-by-phase strategy guide to face off Sister Splinter

Here you go.

Phase One: Space control and opening slams

Focus on dodging the initial triple slam attacks, keeping the center of the arena clear by breaking any blocking vines, and landing precise upslashes when the boss pauses.

Phase Two: Increased hazards and minions

More vines fall at once, restricting movement, and flying allies start to spawn. Use Silkspear and quick ranged attacks to immediately destroy summoned enemies, keep breaking vines as needed for breathing room, and be ready to heal during longer attack animations.

Advanced tactics for Sister Splinter fight

Expert players recommend parrying attacks from flying allies and using Flea Brew for faster dodges and attacks. Staggering the boss allows for uninterrupted healing—capitalize whenever Sister Splinter drops to the arena floor.

Sister Splinter fight: Tips for success & common pitfalls

• Don’t overextend: Attacking during the wrong animation leads to heavy damage.
• Always prioritize destroying vines over chasing the boss.
• Use low jumps to avoid collision, and upslash for reliability.
• React quickly when minions spawn—they die fast to ranged skills.
  Adapt playstyle and pin selection to personal strengths, whether for a defensive run or aggressive DPS.

Rewards for defeating Sister Splinter

Successfully conquering Sister Splinter grants you access to the Cling Grip ability, letting Hornet wall jump and reach previously inaccessible areas throughout Silksong’s map. The left exit from the boss arena leads directly to a Weaver statue where you bind to unlock Cling Grip. The victory also opens routes deeper into Shellwood and toward Bellhart, progressing the main story.

Sister Splinter lore and thematic analysis

Sister Splinter’s fusion of insect and plant motifs reflects Shellwood’s history—she symbolizes the wild, untamed forces guarding sacred spaces from the passage of outsiders. Her attacks and behavior, full of thorns and branching obstacles, echo the themes of natural barriers and resilience found throughout Silksong.

You will cherish the fight with Sister Splinter!

Facing Sister Splinter is a memorable moment in Silksong’s journey—a fitting test of platforming proficiency and strategic combat. Her fight remains a favorite due to its layered mechanics, dynamic arena, and meaningful rewards, building anticipation for each new skill unlocked and area revealed.