What to know

  • Needolin Skill: A spell Hornet uses to play a melody, unlocking special Weaver doors and triggering unique interactions.
  • How to Unlock: Defeat the Widow boss in Bellhart to acquire the Needolin skill.
  • Where to Use: Opens circular, ornate Weaver doors in areas like Moss Grotto and Weavenest Atla.
  • Benefits: Access hidden zones, upgrades, and lore, enhancing exploration and progression.

In Hollow Knight: Silksong, you’ll encounter mysterious, circular doors adorned with intricate, web-like patterns. These are Weaver doors, and they can only be opened with the Needolin skill, a unique ability that lets Hornet play a magical melody. Unlocking these doors is key to accessing hidden areas, powerful upgrades, and deeper lore in the game’s sprawling world of Pharloom. This guide will walk you through how to obtain the Needolin skill, how to use it, and where to find these special doors to make the most of your adventure.

Acquiring the Needolin skill

To unlock the Needolin skill, you need to defeat the Widow boss in the Bellhart region. Before you can even reach Widow, you’ll need the Cling Grip ability, which allows Hornet to wall jump and access vertical areas. If you haven’t already, head to Shellwood to obtain Cling Grip by inspecting a Weaver tomb after navigating a spiked path. This ability is essential for progressing through Bellhart’s challenging terrain.

Once you have Cling Grip, make your way to Bellhart by following these steps:

  • From the bench in Shellwood, take the elevator up or use your new wall-jump ability to climb to the top of the bench room.
  • Head right until you hit a dead end.
  • Ascend the platforms, then wall jump to the right to continue.
  • Keep moving right to enter Bellhart.

Inside Bellhart, descend until you reach a room marked with a bell icon. Here, you’ll face Widow, a formidable boss. Defeating Widow grants you the Needolin skill automatically, followed by a short platforming section that serves as a tutorial for using it. This skill is mandatory for progressing to Act 2, so don’t skip this fight.

Image via: Reddit

How to use Needolin

Once you’ve acquired Needolin, it’s mapped to a specific button depending on your platform: D on PC, Triangle on PlayStation, or Y on Xbox. To use it, approach a Weaver door, hold the button, and Hornet will play a melody using her needle and silk. This action consumes Silk, so ensure you have enough in your meter before attempting to open a door. The melody not only unlocks these special gates but can also stun non-attacking enemies, summon ghostly apparitions, or trigger unique dialogue with certain NPCs, adding layers of interaction to your exploration.

Locations of Needolin doors

Weaver doors, often called Needolin doors due to the skill required to open them, are scattered across Pharloom. They typically appear as circular gates with spider-like or web-inspired designs and are marked on your map as dead ends with unusual shapes. Here are the key known locations where you can use Needolin:

Weaver Door Location How to Unlock Reward/Benefit
Moss Grotto (Bone Bottom) Play Needolin at the sealed door Access to Weavenest Atla, where you can meet Eva to upgrade your Hunter Crest
Far Fields Play Needolin at the sealed door Access to Weavenest Cindril, offering exploration and potential upgrades
Bellhart (Post-Widow) Play Needolin after defeating Widow Progression to Act 2 and additional lore
  • Moss Grotto (Bone Bottom): Early in the game, you’ll notice a sealed Weaver door in this starting area. After acquiring Needolin, return here and play the melody to open the door, revealing Weavenest Atla. This hidden zone contains valuable treasures and an NPC named Eva, who can enhance your Hunter Crest in exchange for insight, boosting your combat and exploration capabilities.
  • Far Fields: Another early area with a Needolin door leading to Weavenest Cindril. Opening this door expands your map and offers opportunities for upgrades and lore discoveries.
  • Bellhart: After defeating Widow, using Needolin in this region can unlock further progression paths, including access to Act 2 and deeper story elements tied to Pharloom’s Weaver legacy.

Benefits of opening Needolin doors

Opening Needolin doors does more than just clear a path. These gates often lead to:

  • Hidden Areas: Zones like Weavenest Atla and Cindril are rich with secrets, including collectibles and lore that deepen your understanding of Hornet’s Weaver heritage.
  • Upgrades: Meeting NPCs like Eva in Weavenest Atla allows you to enhance items like the Hunter Crest, improving your abilities and playstyle.
  • Progression Shortcuts: Some doors provide faster routes across Pharloom, saving you from lengthy detours or challenging platforming sections.
  • Unique Interactions: Using Needolin near NPCs or specific areas can trigger special dialogue or summon apparitions, adding narrative depth to your journey.

Keep an eye on your map for dead ends with odd shapes, as these often indicate a Needolin door waiting to be opened. Exploring these areas early can give you a significant edge as you progress.

Tips for success

To make the most of Needolin doors, consider these pointers:

  • Stock Up on Silk: Since Needolin consumes Silk, ensure your meter is full before approaching a door. You can replenish Silk by defeating enemies or collecting certain items.
  • Revisit Early Areas: After unlocking Needolin, backtrack to places like Moss Grotto to open doors you couldn’t access before. These often lead to rewarding areas.
  • Check Your Map: Needolin doors are visible on the map as distinct dead ends. Regularly review your map to spot potential locations.
  • Practice the Widow Fight: If you’re struggling with Widow, focus on mastering her patterns. The Cling Grip ability will help you navigate her arena, so practice wall-jumping to stay mobile.

Exploring Pharloom’s secrets with Needolin

The Needolin skill is a game-changer in Hollow Knight: Silksong, opening up Pharloom’s hidden corners and enriching your adventure with new areas, upgrades, and stories. By defeating Widow to unlock the skill and using it strategically at Weaver doors, you’ll uncover treasures and shortcuts that make your journey smoother and more rewarding. Whether you’re chasing lore, boosting your abilities, or just exploring every nook of this beautifully crafted world, mastering Needolin doors is a must. So, grab your needle, keep your Silk meter ready, and start unlocking the secrets of Pharloom.