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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsHow to Beat Grand Mother Silk: reach the top of the Cradle after the second Lace encounter, then focus on reading the six floating scissor blades and striking the boss’s torso between attack patterns. The fight has six phases, with guide-reported attacks becoming faster and more punishing later. Your carried items also affect the outcome after victory.
Spoiler warning: The route, combat tactics, and ending conditions below cover the Act 2 climax and reveal possible story outcomes.
How to reach Grand Mother Silk
Grand Mother Silk waits at the summit of the Cradle. The route becomes accessible after Hornet’s second fight with Lace. The Hollow Knight Wiki’s boss entry and a Silksong guide describe the location and prerequisite.
How the fight works
Grand Mother Silk floats in the background, with six scissor blades telegraphing her attacks. The torso is the target to hit; the blades are dangerous during attacks, but she has no contact damage. The attack labels below are convenient guide terminology, not confirmed official in-game names. The Hollow Knight Wiki reports that she staggers after 19 hits; treat that as a guide-documented encounter detail, not a universal damage threshold across patches or setups. Hollow Knight Wiki
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Guide sources describe six phases. As the fight progresses, patterns accelerate, new patterns appear, and attacks deal more damage. Prioritize avoiding hits over forcing damage: a short safe opening is better than being caught during a follow-up. The tactics below reflect guide descriptions, not firsthand testing. Hollow Knight Wiki; Silksong guide
Attack patterns and how to respond
| Pattern | What to watch for | Safer response |
|---|---|---|
| Blade Flurry | Three blades drop vertically while another set moves horizontally. In phase three, the first set may repeat. | Read the moving blades and use a visible gap; do not dash blindly. If the sequence repeats, wait for it to finish before counterattacking. |
| Blade Walls | Blades close in from the sides. | Find the gap early and avoid being pinned against an edge. |
| Blade Rain | Blades descend with gaps that can vary. | Watch the current arrangement instead of assuming the same gap will recur. |
| Claw Swipe | A low, floor-level arc leads into Blade Rain. | Begin preparing for the rain during the swipe; its end is not necessarily a free opening. |
| Silk Web | Glowing silk lines mark the attack before it triggers. | Pause to identify safe areas and avoid crossing a line as it activates. The wiki reports that getting caught deals three masks of damage. |
| Phase-four fake-out and debris | After Grand Mother Silk drops out of view, silk lines mark falling debris, followed by a needle attack. | Reposition for the debris and remain alert for the needle attack afterward. |
| Spike Pull | Silk lines pull up spiked platforms. | Avoid the hazards; the wiki says the platforms can also be removed with normal or heavy attacks. |
These pattern descriptions and the Silk Web damage figure are reported by the Hollow Knight Wiki and corroborated by a Silksong guide. Since guides use descriptive names rather than confirmed official labels, rely on the visual tells in the fight.
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Practical strategy for the six phases
Build your opening around observation
Watch the blades before committing to an attack. Their positions indicate where an opening may appear, and learning the safe gaps is more reliable than moving pre-emptively without a read. Strike the torso when the pattern gives you room, then return to defense.
Respect linked attacks
Claw Swipe leads into Blade Rain, so plan your next movement before the swipe ends. Similarly, when a blade sequence appears to finish in phase three, leave room for its possible repeat rather than immediately rushing in.
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Stop moving for Silk Web tells
When glowing lines appear, take a moment to read them. Panicked movement can carry Hornet across a marked line just as the attack triggers. Choose a safe area first, then move decisively.
Keep watching after the apparent lull
In the phase-four fake-out, the boss drops out of view before debris and a needle attack. Do not treat her disappearance as the end of danger; use the silk lines to anticipate the falling debris, then prepare for the next attack.
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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.
Choose preparation for survivability
The available guides support prioritizing defensive preparation and pattern recognition, not a single mandatory or universally best build. Specific crests, tools, and skills are player preference rather than established fight requirements. Silksong guide
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Ending outcomes: what your preparation changes
The outcome depends on Hornet’s condition before the fight and what she does afterward. The Hollow Knight Wiki describes three possibilities:
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| Pre-fight condition | Action after victory | Outcome described by the wiki |
|---|---|---|
| No Soul Snare | No separate activation action is described. | Hornet binds Grand Mother Silk’s power and becomes the Weaver Queen. |
| The Caretaker has prepared a Soul Snare | After the fight, play the Needolin to activate the prepared Soul Snare. | The Soul Snare is activated; this is a distinct outcome from binding the power. |
| Hornet is cursed by the Twisted Bud | A separate post-fight action is not specified in the source. | A different transformation and outcome occur. |
The wiki also says the Needolin prompts one response during the fight, after which Grand Mother Silk no longer responds. For exact quest-state details, consult the boss entry and its linked item and ending pages.
Quick Recap
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