To defeat Lace in The Cradle, dodge each committed attack, take one safe hit during her recovery, then retreat. Don’t attack into her guard. As the fight escalates, prioritize avoiding the area hazards and longer combos over dealing extra damage.
What changes in the Cradle rematch
This is Lace’s later rematch in The Cradle, not the earlier duel in Deep Docks. The opening may look familiar, but she attacks more aggressively, so trading blows or mashing attacks into her guard is a poor bet. The guides differ on some attack names and follow-ups; use the visible wind-up and danger zones as your cues rather than relying on a perfectly fixed sequence. Silksong.codes’ Lace guide and Into Indie Games’ Cradle guide cover the encounter.
How to approach each attack
Lunges and slashes
Keep enough space to read Lace’s wind-up, and avoid letting her push you against an arena edge. When she commits to a lunge or slash, dodge out of its path or past her. Attack only after the move has finished and she is recovering; then take a quick hit and reposition.
Aerial dive
When Lace leaps into a dive, dodging toward or underneath her can carry you behind her as she lands. If you emerge safely, use the landing recovery for one fast hit and back away at once: a parry or counter may follow. If the landing puts you in danger, skip the hit.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →#1 Best Overall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!
Guard and parry
Do not swing into Lace when she raises her guard or takes a parry stance. If she counters, focus on escaping the follow-up instead of trying to complete an attack string. PCGamesN’s guide also warns against attacking into her counter stance.
Adjust as the fight escalates
Phase two: avoid the marked circles
After an aerial attack, watch for circles left along Lace’s path. Treat them as hazards: move clear, keep track of where they appear, and wait for the full attack sequence to end before closing in. The exact follow-up is described differently across guides, so respond to the circles you see rather than assuming every dive ends identically.
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.
Phase three: survive the longer chains
Lace’s later attacks can extend into repeated or longer combos. Don’t assume the first pause is the end of the sequence. Let the chain finish, reset your position, and limit your counterattack to one or two hits when the opening is clear. Consistent small openings are safer than trading damage or committing to a long string.
When to heal—and when to wait
Heal only when Lace is recovering from a move, you have enough distance to complete the heal, and you have silk available. A pause after a dash or another clearly finished attack may offer a window, but don’t bind while she is still closing in or beginning another move. If you are uncertain whether the opening will last, keep moving and wait for a clearer recovery.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Rank #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..
Choose your response by the tell
| Situation | Safer response | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Aerial dive with a clear landing | Dodge toward or under the dive; take one hit only if you land safely behind her, then retreat. | The landing can create a counter window, but a follow-up may punish lingering. |
| Marked circles or an unclear follow-up | Move out of the danger area and wait for the whole sequence to finish. | Chasing damage can put you in a lingering hazard. |
| Guard or parry stance | Stop attacking and prepare to evade the counter. | Attacking into the stance risks triggering her response. |
| Completed combo with a clear recovery | Take one or two hits, then reset your position. | Short offense limits the risk of being caught by the next chain. |
| Recovery with distance and silk available | Heal only if the opening is long enough; otherwise keep your silk and evade. | A heal is useful only if Lace cannot interrupt it. |
Stay away from the arena edges
Keep the fight near the middle when you can. Into Indie Games reports that falling off the arena costs two masks, so a dodge that leaves you stranded at the edge can be more costly than giving up a chance to hit.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Loadout and reward notes
You do not need to copy a particular guide’s build to use this approach. Guides mention tools such as Cogflies, Tacks, Pollip Pouch, and a faster healing tool, but these are optional and depend on your progress. Treat any suggested loadout as an option, not a required setup.
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.
Beating Lace advances the story beyond the Cradle encounter. PCGamesN reports a Silk Heart reward that expands Hornet’s silk reserve, but the other reviewed Cradle guides do not confirm that detail; check the in-game reward rather than relying on it as a guaranteed outcome. The cited strategy guides are fan or editorial guides, not official Team Cherry documentation.
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.
Recommended Free Tools
