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Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Spoilers: The ending players often call the Cursed ending is Twisted Child. To unlock it, take the Twisted Bud to Greyroot in Shellwood, keep the resulting Cursed Crest active, and defeat Grand Mother Silk before completing Infestation Operation or earning Snared Silk.
How to reach the Cursed Crest
This is a route overview, not a room-by-room map. The references do not establish every prerequisite for starting the quest or a complete path through the area.
- Find the Twisted Bud in Bilewater. The Hollow Knight Wiki’s Cursed Crest guide places it in a hidden eastern section of Whispering Vaults: reach the upper-right hidden passage in an adjacent room, then break the concealed wall to enter the Bud’s room.
- Take the Twisted Bud to Greyroot in Shellwood. This begins Rite of Rebirth; Greyroot infests Hornet and takes her to the Chapel of the Witch, where she receives the Cursed Crest.
Keep the curse active until the boss
Do not complete Infestation Operation. That quest permanently changes the Cursed Crest into the Witch Crest, removing the crest state required for Twisted Child. The Silksong endings reference lists defeating Grand Mother Silk with the Cursed Crest active as the decisive condition, and says the Snared Silk ending must not already have been achieved.
Plan optional preparations before starting Rite of Rebirth. While cursed, Hornet cannot swap Crests, use Tools, or Bind; the quest state also disables Silk Skills and healing through Bind. The crest reference additionally lists a three-Silk cap and slower walking speed. “Cursed Crest” is a common reference term, not an official in-game name: the wiki says the label is based on internal files, consistency with other crest names, and developer patch notes.
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![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!
Choose the direct boss outcome, not Snared Silk
At Grand Mother Silk, preserve the Cursed Crest and defeat her without using the Soul Snare. Twisted Child is an Act 2 boss outcome; it is not an ending unlocked by finishing Act 3 while cursed. PC Gamer likewise describes it as an Act 2 outcome while infected and reports that removing the Twisted Bud closes access to it.
| Outcome | Requirement | Profile consequence |
|---|---|---|
| Twisted Child (the Cursed ending) | Keep the Cursed Crest active and defeat Grand Mother Silk without completing Infestation Operation or first obtaining Snared Silk. | Unlocks the Greyroot menu style; does not advance the profile to Act 3. |
| Snared Silk | Complete Silk and Soul, then activate the Soul Snare at Grand Mother Silk with the Needolin. | Advances the profile to Act 3. The endings reference says Grand Mother Silk cannot be fought again and the first three endings cannot then be obtained on that profile. |
The route details and profile consequences are documented in the endings reference and the wiki’s Acts guide. Because Snared Silk changes what remains available on that profile, make the direct Cursed Crest boss outcome your choice if Twisted Child is the goal.
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.
What happens in Twisted Child
In the Twisted Child ending, vines bind Hornet, Grand Mother Silk, and the Cradle, transforming them into roots associated with the Cursed Crest. The ending unlocks the Greyroot menu style.
Quick Recap
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.
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..
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