Where to Go After Widow: Silksong Guide

What to know

• Widow is the Bellhart boss; you reach her by climbing the Shellwood approach and need the cling-grip to access certain ledges.
• Defeating Widow breaks Bellhart’s curse and grants the Needolin ability (opens some doors / interacts with locks).
• After the fight, Bellhart’s NPCs and services become usable: Pinmaster Plinney (needle upgrades), wish board quests (Silver Bells), and the Bellway fast travel station/hidden tunnel.
• There are two obvious next directions: fully clear Bellhart (quests, upgrades, Bellway secrets) or use the Bellway / local exits to return to The Marrow or head west into Shellwood to continue Act progress.

Who is the Widow in Silksong?

The Widow is a key antagonist in Bellhart, a spider-like entity whose silk curse has ensnared the town’s inhabitants, weaving despair across the region. As an assassin-type foe, she wields needles and blades with lethal precision, tying into Pharloom’s narrative of breaking free from oppressive bindings. Defeating her lifts the curse, advancing the story, and unlocking new tools that enhance your journey.

How to locate Widow’s lair

To reach the Widow’s arena in Bellhart, you’ll need the Cling Grip ability to navigate the area’s vertical challenges. Follow these steps from Shellwood:

• Start at Shellwood’s main bench and hop up the ledges on the left.
• Move right, climbing platforms to find a secret bell path on the right side.
• Descend through spike-lined tunnels, dodging insect enemies.
• Take the left open path, drop down, and veer right to a floor gap that leads to her arena.

If you lack Cling Grip, backtrack to Deep Docks to acquire it, as it’s essential for wall and ceiling navigation.

Mastering the fight against the widow

The Widow’s battle is a test of reflexes and strategy, with two phases that escalate in complexity. Here’s how to tackle her attacks:

• Phase 1: Diagonal Dash and Bells
  • Dodge her initial leap and diagonal downward dash by moving underneath.
  • Watch for her follow-up strike—jump back quickly to avoid it.
  • Stay alert for silk threads overhead, signaling bells that fall and bounce unpredictably.
  • Position mid-room to dodge diagonal bell patterns or find safe corners for quick healing.
• Phase 2: Enhanced Aggression
  • Anticipate faster melee dashes across the room, triggering floor-bursting bells.
  • Dash in the opposite direction of her movement to avoid hits.
  • Use Cling Grip to cling to walls, slowing descent with tools like Drifter’s Cloak.
  • Avoid excessive jumping to steer clear of flying bell trajectories.

Safe spots include the room’s center or far-right corner, ideal for quick heals or repositioning. With practice, her patterns become a rhythmic challenge you can master.

What happens right after you win

Defeating the Widow triggers a cutscene, and you’ll awaken in her chamber. Take these steps:

• Hit the nearby switch to summon a bench for resting.
• Ring the bell to complete the “The Threadspun Town” wish, lifting Bellhart’s curse.
• Receive the Needolin ability, allowing your needle and silk to function as an instrument for musical puzzles and combat aids.
• Return to Bellhart’s stores to upgrade your needle (e.g., increased damage or range).

These upgrades enhance your combat prowess, making future encounters feel more dynamic and tailored to your playstyle.

What unlocks — quick reference

• Needolin's ability: unlocks on beating Widow.
• NPC interactions (shops, Pinmaster Plinney): available after the curse is broken.
• Needle upgrade opportunities: talk to Plinney in Bellhart (first sharpening often free).
• Bellway fast travel + hidden tunnel to The Marrow: activate and explore the Bellway station.
• Wish quests (Silver Bells) and side content around Bellhart: available after freeing the town.

Step-by-step path through Shellwood

After exiting the Widow’s chamber, a lift takes you to Shellwood’s upper reaches, a web-filled forest with new platforming challenges. Follow these steps:

• Traverse vine platforms, using Cling Grip to scale mossy walls and avoid spikes.
• Collect Rosaries or Pale Lurker shards in side alcoves to boost silk reserves.
• Defeat thread weaver mini-bosses in the central grove to clear blockades.
• At the fork, choose the northern path to loop back to Bellhart for upgrades or head east to exit.

Shellwood introduces silk swings for crossing gaps, adding fluid, momentum-based traversal that feels liberating after the Widow’s arena.

Venturing into blasted steps and beyond

Exiting Shellwood leads to Blasted Steps, a rugged, ruin-filled area with crumbling ledges and fire hazards, marking the end of Act 1. Navigate it like this:

• Descend the initial staircase, dashing across lava streams.
• Explore Weavenest Atla, a side area now accessible, for the Hunter Crest upgrade.
• Solve bell-based environmental puzzles, repurposing the Widow’s mechanics.
• Stock up on healing items in Bellhart before facing Blasted Steps’ tough end boss.

From Blasted Steps, paths diverge: head south for optional lore in forgotten crypts or continue to Sinner’s Road for Act 2, where larger-scale challenges and deeper narrative await. These options give you flexibility to shape Hornet’s journey.

Recap of key steps

Charting your course in Pharloom

With the Widow behind you, Pharloom opens up, offering choices that shape your adventure. Prioritize needle upgrades for tougher fights or explore side areas like Weavenest Atla for crests that enhance your style. The Needolin ability and new paths empower you to tackle Act 2’s challenges, making every step feel like progress toward unraveling Pharloom’s mysteries.