In the world of Hollow Knight, an important lesson learned is that challenges don’t always come from massive, intricately-designed bosses; often, they emerge from seemingly ordinary enemies that can prove to be just as formidable. The experience in Kingdom’s Edge, fraught with the unnerving Primal Aspids, and the distress encountered with Crystal Hunters in Crystal Peak, are prime examples of this lesson, allowing players to lose more geo than anticipated.
This concept carries into its sequel, Hollow Knight: Silksong, where the stakes have been notably heightened. Players must brace themselves for a myriad of foes that possess an ability to test your patience far more than any chief adversary. In light of my personal frustrations and notable inconveniences, I have compiled a list of the ten most exasperating enemies in Hollow Knight: Silksong, presented in descending order.
10 Gargant Gloom
Memories of a Worse Life from The Abyss
Upon my arrival in The Abyss, excitement surged through me. This area promised deeper connections to the lore of Silksong. However, the initial thrill quickly dissipated upon encountering the Gargant Gloom. These formidable enemies are not only challenging to vanquish, but they also deal significant damage and have an enormous hitbox that can easily catch you off guard.
What adds to their menace is their capability to summon Gloomsacs, which bear a resemblance to the Flukefey from Royal Waterways, known for their erratic and aggressive behavior. Although the Gargant Gloom appears sparingly in the game, for players like myself who enjoy engaging every foe encountered, they can emerge as a particularly vexing challenge.
9 Wisp
Invulnerable and Powerful from Wisp Thicket
Visiting the Wisp Thicket was a visual treat, showcasing Team Cherry’s exquisite world-building. However, my explorations were marred by the troublesome Wisps that grant the area its name. These elusive enemies are notoriously tricky to dodge, making navigation feel more like a chore than a thrill, reminiscent of the challenge posed by Sly in the Pantheon of the Sage.
No matter where you turn, as many Wisp Thicket enemies spawn them, you could find yourself pursued by multiple fire orbs simultaneously, escalating the difficulty of evasion. Despite the area’s small size, the lingering memories of dashes back to the Father of the Flame are indeed headache-inducing.
8 Tarmite
Godlike Accuracy in Far Fields
The presence of Tarmites on this list stems not from a hatred for the Savage Beastfly but from their status as formidable adversaries in Pharloom. Their remarkable accuracy and ability to deal hefty damage with each fireball make every encounter fraught with peril.
The developers have strategically placed them in the most disadvantageous moments, such as during battles with more significant foes or when attempting to escape perilous lava sequences in Far Fields. This deliberate design only enhances the irritation these enemies cause, as they seem to be ever-present during your most dire moments.
7 Lavalug
The Platforming Terror of Deep Docks
While most platforming experiences in Hollow Knight: Silksong are beautifully crafted, the challenges posed in Deep Docks due to Lavalugs are an exception. Their unassuming appearance belies the chaos they create. Navigating platforms without carefully assessing their position and outgoing lava bursts becomes nearly impossible.
Your exploration often results in unexpected tumbles into lava, resulting in substantial damage without the reward of any useful loot, creating a frustrating cycle where exploration feels hindered.
6 Drizni
Rebounds that Don’t Miss in Blasted Steps
While I appreciate the brilliance of Blasted Steps for its platforming challenges, it is impossible to ignore the aggravation caused by the Driznits. These airborne, drill-launching creatures infuriate with their bouncing projectiles, which seem to have a knack for homing in on you regardless of your dodging attempts.
Forced to adopt a defensive stance while awaiting your chance to strike, there’s an undeniable wastage of time for gathering resources that are far from rewarding, leading to a loss of patience with these foes.
5 Spit Squit
Horizontal Primal Aspid of the Putrified Ducts
Through my long journeys in the world of Hollow Knight, I anticipated encountering foes akin to the Primal Aspid; little did I expect to meet them in a horizontal format. The Spit Squit, those airborne mosquitoes, offer a gaming experience that strains your sanity.
Combining impressive agility with vertical capabilities, they can launch multiple projectiles that seem impossible to dodge unless you carefully navigate the environment. For me, this breadth of annoyance led me to rush through the Putrified Ducts, skipping battles simply to move past their malevolent presence.
4 Maestro
In the High Halls, the increase in difficulty stands out, with grueling encounters featuring the insufferable Maestro, who commands an onslaught of Cogfly minions. Floating gracefully while dodging your attacks, it throws its minions at you relentlessly.
Without the aid of an ability like Thread Storm, I might still be fighting in an endless cycle to gain the Conductor’s Melody. The Maestro’s capacity to summon minions makes each encounter feel like an uphill battle.
3 Squatcraw
Always Out of Reach in Greymoor
Perhaps unsurprisingly, a significant portion of this list showcases flying antagonists, with Squatcraws topping the annoyance scale. Their uncanny ability to evade every attack makes them exceptionally troublesome, particularly in the Greymoor area.
During a pivotal time in the game—often before players have acquired essential needle upgrades—facing one means extended battles against an opponent who seems inescapable. Their unpredictable projectiles and erratic movement patterns ensure that every encounter feels daunting.
2 Stilkin
The Stilkin found in Bilewater embody many traits that foster frustration: unpredictable attack patterns, hard-to-evade projectiles, and slippery evasiveness. The dark, maggot-filled expanse only magnifies their nuisance, prohibiting healing due to unavoidable attacks.
Your limited mobility due to the environment’s design compels you to remain stationary, creating inviting opportunities for these bugs to strike rapidly and vanish, leaving you reeling. Their unpredictable motion and the prospect of encountering them during boss fights only solidify their notorious standing.
1 Muckroach
Worse than Radiance in Sinner’s Road
Although I didn’t keep a detailed account, I’m confident that the Muckroaches from Sinner’s Road claim the title of the most lethal foes I faced in Hollow Knight: Silksong.
Whether it’s their ability to inflict heavy damage, relentless hopping, or your own inadequacies in terms of upgrades, traversing this area becomes an anxiety-inducing ordeal. In a battle of attrition, choosing to confront each one or retreat leads to a deadlock, repeatedly returning you to the last bench.
These relentless ground enemies, free from airborne dilemmas or erratic movement patterns, made me feel far more vulnerable than encounters with any final boss, rendering them, without a doubt, the most frustrating enemies in Silksong.
For this reason, I would advocate against revisiting this area unless absolutely necessary, as the Muckroaches have cemented their legacy as Silksong’s most aggravating foes.
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