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To defeat the Last Judge, read the censer’s movement, dodge through its throw-and-recall pattern, and retreat when the boss starts an ordinary spin. In phase two, use the smoke rings and columns to identify where fire will erupt, then punish only during brief openings. GamesRadar+ recommends the Magma Bell, Thread Storm, and Flea Brew for this fight; these are guide recommendations rather than independently tested loadout results.
Prepare for the fight
GamesRadar+ recommends three options: the Magma Bell badge to reduce fire damage, Thread Storm because the Judge’s movement can make Silkspear difficult to land, and Flea Brew for its speed benefit, which the guide says can help with evasion and defense. Treat these as suggested preparation, not mandatory equipment.
Plan to attack in short strings. The guide advises against trying to land more than roughly two attacks at a time because the Last Judge leaves only brief pauses. Silksong’s official site describes Hornet’s combat around her moves, silken abilities, and crafted tools, but does not provide boss-specific advice or verify this loadout (Team Cherry: Hollow Knight: Silksong).
Phase one: read the censer patterns
Censer throw and recall
When the Judge throws the censer, dash toward the boss so the outgoing censer passes overhead. Then jump over its fast return, which passes beneath Hornet. The throw-and-recall gives you a chance to get through the attack and approach, but keep your next attack string short.
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- Discover the fallen insect kingdom of Pharloom! Explore mossy grottos, gilded cities and misted moors as you ascend to the shining citadel at the top of the world.
- Engage in lethal acrobatic action! Wield a huge suite of deadly moves as you dance between foes in swift, beautiful combat.
- Craft powerful tools! Master an ever-expanding arsenal of weapons, traps, and mechanisms to vanquish your enemies and explore new heights.
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Ordinary circular spin
Retreat as soon as the Judge begins spinning the censer in a circle. GamesRadar+ says the boss cannot be damaged during this move, so trying to attack wastes the opening and risks taking a hit. Wait for the spin to end before closing in.
Jumping slam
When the Judge jumps for a slam, dash underneath the airborne boss and slash as it passes overhead. The timing depends on the jump: move through beneath the boss rather than waiting where it is about to land.
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Phase two: stay clear of fire
The fight adds fire attacks in phase two. Prioritize getting to safe ground; the brief pauses between attacks are your opportunities to strike, not an invitation to extend a combo.
Fire-ring spin
Back away when the Judge begins a spinning attack that produces rings of smoke. The smoke marks where fire will appear. Move into the gaps between those marked positions and stay there until the eruptions pass.
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- Classic side-scrolling action, with all the modern trimmings.
- Tightly tuned 2D controls. Dodge, dash and slash your way through even the most deadly adversaries.
- Explore a vast interconnected world of forgotten highways, overgrown wilds and ruined cities.
- Forge your own path! The world of Hallownest is expansive and open. Choose which paths you take, which enemies you face and find your own way forward.
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Exploding censer throw
Use the same dodge as the phase-one throw: dash toward the boss as the censer travels out, then jump over its return. In phase two, do not rush to the censer’s landing spot—the landing is followed by an explosion. Keep extra distance until it has gone off.
Charge and fire pillars
As the Judge charges, pogo off the boss as it passes underneath. Then look for smoke columns on the ground; they signal where fire pillars will erupt. Move away from those marked spots before the flames appear.
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- Classic side-scrolling action, with all the modern trimmings.
- Forge your own path! The world of Hallownest is expansive and open. Choose which paths you take, which enemies you face and find your own way forward.
- Evolve with powerful new skills and abilities! Gain spells, strength and speed. Leap to new heights on ethereal wings. Dash forward in a blazing flash. Blast foes with fiery Soul!
- Equip Charms! Ancient relics that offer bizarre new powers and abilities. Choose your favorites and make your journey unique!
- An enormous cast of cute and creepy characters all brought to life with traditional 2D frame-by-frame animation.
Slam and ground-level fire ripple
Dodge the slam, then remain airborne until the ground-level flame ripple has passed. Landing too early can put Hornet back in the path of the fire.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Choose when to attack—and when to wait
The safest response depends on the tell. The ordinary spin calls for retreat and no damage attempt, while a throw can let you pass through the attack and approach the boss. In phase two, smoke marks danger zones: use the spaces between them, and wait for the fire pattern to finish before punishing. GamesRadar+’s attack descriptions and counters are secondary guide advice, not independently verified frame or damage data (GamesRadar+: Silksong Last Judge boss guide, strategy and weaknesses).
Return to the Last Judge after a defeat
GamesRadar+ identifies the bench beside the Blasted Steps fast-travel point as the shortest route back, though the ascent to the boss remains. If enemies on the way are costing you health, the guide recommends evading them rather than taking unnecessary fights.
What is not established
No verified boss-health figure, damage values, patch-specific behavior, or platform-specific version details are available here. A Hollow Knight Wiki search snippet has mentioned 216 HP, but the page could not be opened and that figure is not corroborated, so it should not guide your strategy.
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