Upon progressing to Act 3 in Hollow Knight: Silksong, players will notice modifications within familiar regions of Pharloom, featuring altered level designs and enemy placements. This change aims to invigorate exploration as you search for the three hidden Old Hearts, requiring you to revisit areas you have previously explored.
You have the freedom to collect these hearts in any sequence you like. However, a critical challenge awaits you: you must confront Seth the Shrine Guardian, a formidable swordsman acting as a boss guarding the entrance to one of the Old Hearts, specifically the Pollen Heart. This encounter promises to be both stimulating and enjoyable, necessitating players to demonstrate their skills before progressing, reminiscent of the iconic Dark Souls experience.
This guide will provide you with insights on locating Seth and detail strategies and preparations for effectively overcoming this challenging boss, paving your way toward your objectives in Act 3.
Locating Seth the Shrine Guardian in Hollow Knight: Silksong
To find Seth, you first need to have unlocked the Act 3 section by completing specific objectives in Act 2, including the significant quest “Return to Pharloom, ” where you’ll explore The Abyss for the first time. Completing this quest will grant you the Silk Soar ability and activate all three quests related to the Old Hearts, including “Heart of the Woods, ” associated with Seth.
Next, fast travel to the Blasted Steps and head right until you encounter the Grand Gate of the Citadel, moving past the Last Judge’s arena from Act 2. Once at the site of a former massive elevator, utilize the Silk Soar ability to uncover a hidden passage in the upper right corner of the room.
Following through this passage will lead you to a large vertical area. Glide towards the bottom while staying close to the left wall to discover a breakable wall. Break through and proceed into an area adorned with lush vegetation. Take some time to explore and unlock a shortcut leading to a Bench from the Underworks, which requires payment of 15 Rosaries. Rest here to prepare for the imminent encounter with Seth.
From the Bench, advance right until you find a hole in the ground. Enter this hole to reach the arena where Seth awaits your challenge.
Optimal Preparations for the Seth the Shrine Guardian Boss Encounter
Seth presents a formidable challenge with a rapid attack style and precise combos, making it essential to equip Hornet with a swift build for this confrontation. Enhancing your Nail for the final time with Plinney in Act 3 is beneficial but not required. He can be found in Shellwood’s cemetery, where the last Pale Oil is earned after completing the “Ecstasy of the End” quest by locating all 30 Fleas. Additionally, engaging with Eva in Weavenest Atla will unlock two bonus Tool slots, further enhancing your capabilities.
In terms of passive abilities, it’s crucial to unlock and master the Swift Step, Drifter’s Cloak, Faydown Cloak, and Clawline. These abilities, unlocked in various locations, are vital for maneuvering effectively during Seth’s attacks.
For Tools, maximizing your potential while maintaining a swift attack pace can be achieved with the Reaper Crest. This tool grants you two of each color type—Red, Yellow, and Blue—enhancing Hornet’s power considerably. Given Seth’s swordsman prowess, focus on straightforward tools to avoid screen clutter. Equip combinations like the Pollip Pouch, Flea Brew, and Plasmium Phial for poison buffs, allowing Hornet to inflict passive damage simply by proximity.
For added defense, equip the Fractured Mask for extra HP and Silkspeed Anklets to enhance your speed during the fight. Finally, consider utilizing the Magnetite Dice for precision and the opportunity to block enemy attacks, complemented by the Weighted Belt for further attack defense.
Strategies to Defeat Seth the Shrine Guardian
Engaging Seth feels like an intricate dance; patience is key. Avoid rushing the encounter and observe his attack patterns. Your goal is to capitalize on every opening he provides. While this may prolong the fight, a calculated approach will simplify the experience immensely.
Start by memorizing Seth’s attack patterns, maintaining distance as you observe his moves. Here’s a breakdown of his attacks:
- First Attack: Seth typically launches three consecutive strikes toward you. Counterattack when he exposes his back after jumping away. Beware; he might teleport before this attack, so dash away to evade getting hit.
- Second Attack: A spinning attack initiating from the ground, concluding with a jump that inflicts significant damage. Avoid risking an encounter by dashing away.
- Third Attack: Seth throws his steel hat and teleports to retrieve it. This unpredictable move can disrupt your strategy, as the hat’s trajectory differs between horizontal and diagonal.
- Fourth Attack: He pounds the ground, inducing an explosion. This attack is more predictable; double jump and glide when he initiates it, then descend for a counterattack once the explosion occurs.
Seth tends to announce his moves with a scream, similar to Hornet, enabling you to prepare for his incoming strike. Continue employing these strategies until his tempo accelerates, signaling that he will attack more quickly. His previous moves will persist, except for the fourth attack, which will now launch three consecutive pound strikes. Dash appropriately to avoid damage during this phase.
Don’t forget to utilize the Flea Brew or Plasmoid Bottle during the encounter to inflict continuous poison damage until Seth is defeated.
Rewards for Overcoming Seth the Shrine Guardian
Defeating Seth, like many bosses in Hollow Knight: Silksong, does not yield immediate tangible rewards. However, it opens the path to the Heart of the Woods, where you’ll encounter Nyleth—a topic for a future guide—in your quest for the Pollen Heart.
Beyond that, Seth will reappear as a wandering NPC throughout Pharloom, appearing in notable locations such as Shakra’s cave in Greymoor, near some ethereal white flowers in Shellwood, and right before the Grand Gate entrance. He will also join the festivities at the Festival of the Flea in Fleatopia, where you can challenge his high scores in various mini-games to earn unique Mementos.
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