Hollow Knight: Silksong Guide | How to Find Needle Upgrades (First & Second)

Here's how to obtain the first two Needle Upgrades through Widow and Pale Oil.

Game Guide by Ornstein on Sep 16, 2025

The Needle is the most vital weapon in Hollow Knight: Silksong, and upgrading it significantly improves combat effectiveness.

In Acts 1 and 2, you can obtain the first two upgrades. The first requires defeating Widow in Bellhart, while the second involves acquiring Pale Oil deep within the Whispering Vaults.

This guide outlines a step-by-step process for obtaining both upgrades.

Unlocking the First Needle Upgrade (Defeating Widow)

Before attempting the first upgrade, you must unlock four major traversal abilities in the following order: Silkspear, Swift Step, Drifter's Cloak, and Cling Grip. Once acquired, these allow access to the Widow, who resides above Bellhart.

Hollow Knight: Silksong, PC, Gameplay, How to Find Needle Upgrades (First & Second), Screenshot, NoobFeed

The battle against Widow is a crucial early challenge. Defeating her frees the cursed bugs of Bellhart, restoring their ability to provide valuable services.

Among them is Pinmaster Plinney, located near the top of Bellhart. In gratitude for his freedom, Plinney will sharpen your Needle once, granting your first Needle Upgrade at no cost.

Hollow Knight: Silksong, PC, Gameplay, How to Find Needle Upgrades (First & Second), Screenshot, NoobFeed

Preparing for the Second Needle Upgrade

For the second improvement, you need Pale Oil, which can only be obtained in Act 2. Before going any further, you should unlock all of your Act 2 traversal skills. This will make the trip go more smoothly.

Path to Pale Oil (Songclave Shortcut to Whispering Vaults)

Hollow Knight: Silksong, PC, Gameplay, How to Find Needle Upgrades (First & Second), Screenshot, NoobFeed

Begin from Songclave, near the First Shrine Ventrica fast travel station. From here, travel west and prepare for the Cogwork Dancers Boss Fight. This boss is mandatory, but generally easier than some of the later challenges.

After defeating them, activate the console in the chamber and proceed downward. You will discover a convenient bench and a free map of the Cogwork Core region.

Continue eastward, navigating past cogwork enemies until reaching a shortcut gate. Opening it leads further east through a rotating wheel passage, eventually granting access to the Whispering Vaults.

Defeat waves of enemies, then hit the dropdown ladder in the top-east corner to open a path to the Whispering Vaults map and a shortcut back to the Songclave bench.

Acquiring Pale Oil

Hollow Knight: Silksong, PC, Gameplay, How to Find Needle Upgrades (First & Second), Screenshot, NoobFeed

From the Songclave shortcut, descend into the Whispering Vaults in a zigzag pattern until reaching the bottom level. Exit west and solve a box-moving puzzle:

Hit the first box east, then another box west. Climb upward, hitting boxes to open a path above. Move onto the boxes, hit one west, then strike downward to clear the path. Repeat this sequence until a narrow passage is revealed.

This passage leads to a hidden chamber with a Nailmaster, where the Pale Oil awaits. A shortcut can also be opened here, connecting to the Grand Bellway Station for quick travel.

Using Pale Oil for the Upgrade

Return to Bellhart via the Grand Bellway and bring the Pale Oil to Pinmaster Plinney. If this is the first Pale Oil you deliver, Plinney will provide your second Needle Upgrade free of charge.

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