How to unlock the Clawline in Hollow Knight Silksong

How do you unlock the Silksong Clawline? You may have come across hanging rings during your journey across Pharloom, leaving you wondering what they're for. As it transpires, Hornet eventually utilizes them to trek across some of the kingdom's trickier terrains, though only after she learns the Clawline skill.

In Hollow Knight Silksong, Clawline grants Hornet the ability to throw her needle out like a harpoon, granting her a better means to close the gap with terrain and enemies alike than the standard dash. It's also a very handy tool for evading attacks from the various Silksong bosses you'll encounter throughout one of the best Metroidvanias. It won't become available until Act 2, so be sure to make a break for it as soon as you can.

To unlock the Clawline in Hollow Knight Silksong, you'll need to head to the east side of the Underworks region, which can be accessed via Whiteward. You won't be able to get into Whiteward until you've picked up the White Key by Songclave's eastern wall.

After dropping down into the Underworks from Whiteward, immediately head left to find the bench. We'd recommend equipping the Magma Bell Silksong tool if you have it, as it mitigates fire-based damage. After resting, continue in the same direction, hitting the fan wheel to switch it on. Take the current up, and head left into the central pillar.

Drop all the way down and head left out into the middle of the area, then navigate your way down the buckets of molten rock until you reach the very bottom right exit from the room. This next section features plenty of flowing lava, so take care as you platform across to the right. Many of the platforms in this room will burn Hornet if you dwell on them too long, so keep hopping to reset them.

You'll also have to be wary of the bugs carrying bright yellow rocks, as these explode in a wide radius. At the end of the passage, hop up into the next room. Begin making your way up the shaft, sticking to the left. Ignore the first exit you come across, and continue until you reach a lever door. Strike it and head through.

Now we're on the home stretch. You'll now be in The Cauldron, which sports some simple platforming as well as a selection of rings you'll have to harpoon to once you've acquired the Clawline. For now, hop left along the platforms until you reach the skill shrine. Interact with the shrine to bind the Clawline skill, and you're good to go.

And that's how to unlock the Clawline in Hollow Knight Silksong. If you're wondering what to do on the Silksong map next, we'd recommend utilizing your newfound power to get up Mount Fay and unlock the Silksong double jump. With these mid-game traversal skills locked in, the rest of Act 2 becomes a breeze to get through.