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Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Players discussing Hollow Knight: Silksong are split over early attacks that remove two masks: some say they make combat tense and enemies threatening, while others find them punishing—especially when damage comes from contact, rapid follow-ups, or bosses that hit hard repeatedly. These are contrasting reactions in forum discussions and news coverage, not a measured picture of what most players think.
What does “two-mask damage” mean?
It means a particular hit removes two units from the mask meter, rather than one. It does not mean every enemy attack—or every collision—deals two masks. Players in a Steam discussion distinguished ordinary contact from a charging attack by an early large skull enemy, illustrating why the specific attack matters when comparing experiences. Read the Steam discussion.
Why do some players object to it so early?
Contact damage can feel less avoidable
Some criticism is about losing two masks through contact, rather than being caught by a clearly telegraphed heavy attack. TechRadar reported players objecting both to two-mask contact damage and to the frequency of double-damage attacks early in the game. Those complaints point to a difference in perceived fairness: a heavy blow may feel like a consequence of missing a cue, while contact can feel abrupt. TechRadar’s report.
Follow-up hits leave little room to recover
A two-mask hit matters more when another attack arrives before the player can respond. One Steam commenter cautioned, “You may not have noticed that taking a hit while trying to heal ends badly.” Another participant’s account described the narrow margin for mistakes when taking hits and attempting to heal. These are players’ descriptions of their experience, not a verified rule for every encounter or current game version. The discussion of damage and healing.
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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.
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Bosses make repeated heavy hits feel different
One Steam thread starter wrote, “I love this game so far, one thing I don’t like though is how many bosses deal double damage.” That objection is not simply that a large attack hurts more: it is that, in this player’s view, two-mask damage applies to many boss attacks. Another player may accept a punishing individual move but dislike a pattern where most attacks carry the same high cost. Steam thread on boss damage.
Why do other players defend it?
For supporters, the cost of being hit is part of what gives encounters their tension. Steam participant Arti_Sel put it this way: “I think it’s good design. The 2 damage hits makes enemies scarier, raises the pulse.” On this view, a heavier hit makes enemy behavior feel consequential and encourages players to pay attention rather than absorb mistakes. Arti_Sel’s comment.
Rank #2
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Healing is another part of the disagreement. A commenter argued that healing three masks at a time helps explain two-mask damage: a larger recovery can make heavier hits fit the combat economy. But the counterpoint is practical—healing only helps if there is a safe opening, and attempting it under pressure can invite another hit. The three-mask amount and these judgments are player-reported in the discussion; they should not be treated as a verified description of every current build or situation.
Why can the same mechanic feel fair to one player and harsh to another?
- Attack type: A deliberate heavy attack may feel earned when avoided; contact damage or a multi-hit sequence may feel harder to read or escape.
- Encounter: A rare powerful move is different from a boss pattern that a player experiences as dealing two masks on most attacks.
- Timing: Early health capacity and unfamiliar enemy patterns can make a costly hit especially punishing. The discussions establish early-game concerns, not a universal progression curve.
- Recovery: How much healing restores, whether a safe window exists, and the risk of interruption all shape how costly a hit feels.
- Preference: Players who enjoy high-stakes combat may value the pressure; players who want more room to make mistakes may find the same pressure frustrating.
TechRadar quoted another player saying, “I feel like they’re really overusing double damage so far.” That captures the central divide: disagreement is often about how broadly the mechanic appears, not whether a hit should ever be dangerous. TechRadar’s coverage.
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.
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Did the early balance discussion change the picture?
In September 2025, GamesRadar+ reported that Team Cherry had announced planned early-game balance adjustments, including reduced Sandcarver damage and difficulty reductions for Moorwing and Sister Splinter. This is historical patch context: it describes the plan reported at that time, not the state of every current platform or game build. GamesRadar+’s September 2025 report.
That context matters when interpreting launch-era reactions. A player’s report about a particular enemy or attack may reflect a specific version, and the discussions and coverage cited here do not verify current damage values. The mechanic’s broad reception can be described; exact present-day enemy damage cannot be established from these accounts alone.
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.
How representative are these reactions?
They are examples of what particular players said, not a poll. Steam discussions and quoted comments show both approval and frustration, while news coverage summarizes selected reactions. None of these sources establishes what share of all players prefers either design approach, so claims that “players” broadly agree one way or the other would overstate the evidence.
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