Recommended Free Tools
One published tier list places Reaper, Witch and Shaman in S; Architect and Wanderer in A; and Hunter and Beast in B. Those are Nerd’s Chalk’s editorial placements, not official rankings or a measured consensus. For a practical all-round choice, Reaper stands out for Silk economy and aerial combat, while Wanderer is a strong alternative if you prefer faster attacks and a familiar moveset.
Published S, A and B Crest tier list
The table reproduces Nerd’s Chalk’s ranking, updated September 18, 2025. Treat the tier as a guide’s judgment about the strengths and trade-offs it describes—not a guarantee that one Crest is best for every player or encounter.
| Tier | Crests | Why the guide places them there |
|---|---|---|
| S | Reaper, Witch, Shaman | Reaper is credited with combat strength and Silk generation. Witch is described as combining damage with Silk Skill synergy. Shaman strengthens Silk Skills and improves their range, but relies on those skills. |
| A | Architect, Wanderer | Architect supports Tool-focused and creative builds, though its value depends on having the right Tools. Wanderer offers quick, balanced attacks and utility for exploration. |
| B | Hunter, Beast | Hunter is described as a well-rounded starter that loses ground later. Beast offers life leech and niche bonuses, but asks for more demanding execution and offers less flexibility. |
Nerd’s Chalk refers to recent player consensus, but its ranking does not identify a poll, sample size or numerical dataset. The placements should therefore be read as that publication’s assessment, not a quantified community verdict.
Which Crest should you choose?
Reaper: Silk economy and aerial control
Reaper is a strong general-purpose option if you value generating Silk through combat and want useful aerial attacks. PC Gamer describes it as slower than Wanderer but reliable, and notes that Silk is gained after binding. Its slower pace may not suit players who prioritize speed above all else.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →#1 Best Overall
![Hollow Knight: Silksong Standard - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51mOgOC8xEL._SL160_.jpg)
- 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.
- Solve shocking quests! Hunt down rare beasts and solve ancient mysteries to grant the wishes of the downtrodden and restore the kingdom’s hope.
- Face over 200 ferocious foes! Beasts and hunters, monsters and knights. Defeat them all with bravery and skill!
Wanderer: speed and familiarity
Wanderer is a credible alternative for players who want quick attacks and a familiar-feeling moveset. PC Gamer presents both Wanderer and Reaper as plausible top choices, rather than identifying a universal winner. Choose Wanderer if its pace and handling feel more natural to you, especially when moving through areas as well as fighting.
Witch: damage and Silk Skill synergy
Witch suits a build centered on damage and using Silk Skills effectively. That focus is also its trade-off: its value is tied to the Silk Skill side of your build, so it is less of a default recommendation if you want a more self-contained combat style.
Rank #2
- Hollow Knight: Silksong is the epic sequel to Hollow Knight, the award winning action-adventure.
- Journey to all-new lands, discover new powers, battle vast hordes of bugs and beasts and uncover secrets tied to your nature and your past.
Shaman: a Silk Skill specialist
Shaman is the specialist pick for players who want stronger Silk Skills and added range. The same dependence on Silk Skills that supports its S-tier placement makes it a less straightforward choice if your preferred approach does not revolve around those abilities.
Architect: build around your Tools
Architect rewards Tool synergy and can support creative setups. Its ranking comes with a practical condition: the Crest’s appeal depends on having Tools that work well with the build you want. It is a less plug-and-play choice than a Crest selected primarily for its attack pattern.
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchPC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Rank #3
- 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.
- 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 favourites and make your journey unique!.An enormous cast of cute and creepy characters all brought to life with traditional 2D frame-by-frame animation..
Hunter: a balanced starting point
Hunter is described as a well-rounded starter Crest. Nerd’s Chalk places it in B because it considers Hunter less competitive later on; that is an editorial judgment, not a claim that it becomes unusable.
Beast: a higher-execution niche
Beast’s life leech and niche bonuses can appeal to players comfortable with a more demanding approach. Its lower placement reflects the guide’s view that it is less flexible and requires more execution than stronger general-purpose picks.
Rank #4
![Hollow Knight - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51nXCF+sf5L._SL160_.jpg)
- 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.
Why a Crest tier list cannot rank damage alone
Crests change Hornet’s Needle attacks and grant a unique ability. They also determine Tool and Silk Skill slots; some slots can be unlocked with Memory Lockets. The useful comparison is therefore the complete build package, not a damage claim in isolation.
- Attack pattern and speed: Decide whether you prefer quick, familiar attacks or a slower style with reliable options and aerial utility.
- Silk economy and binding: Consider whether the Crest helps you generate Silk or whether your build depends on spending it on Silk Skills.
- Tools and Skill slots: Check whether the available slots support the Tools and Silk Skills you intend to use. Architect’s appeal, in particular, depends on Tool synergy.
- Progression and timing: A starter-friendly option and a later build specialist may serve different purposes. A tier placement need not describe every stage of a playthrough equally well.
- Execution and comfort: A theoretically strong setup is less useful if its timing or attack pattern does not suit how you play.
The roster reference also lists Evolved Hunter, Cursed and Cloakless alongside the main combat Crests. Evolved Hunter is a separate listed form, but the cited S/A/B ranking does not give it a placement. Cursed and Cloakless are listed without an effect or slots in that reference, so they are not comparable to the named combat builds in this tier list. Check the current in-game descriptions for patch-sensitive details.
Sources and scope
The ranking and its rationales come from Nerd’s Chalk’s Crest tier list, updated September 18, 2025. The Reaper-versus-Wanderer comparison comes from PC Gamer’s guide to Crest locations and the best Crest, last updated September 30, 2025. Mechanics and the Crest roster are summarized in the community-maintained Hollow Knight Wiki’s Crests reference; verify details in-game because community references may lag changes. Team Cherry’s official game site describes the broader gameplay premise, but does not establish a Crest ranking.
The cited rankings were published in 2025 and may not reflect later balance changes or evolving player preferences.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
