Needle’s upgrade, Hollow Knight: Silksong‘s main weapon Hornet, is one of the best ways to level up your damage. Early in the game, the game may be punishingly hard with limited attack power, but a string of Pale Oil collection enables you to gradually improve your strength.
There are four Needle upgrades in total, all of which need Pale Oil. Having discovered these items, head to Pinmaster Plinney, who is responsible for weapon reforging. Below are the complete set of Pale Oil locations, including the lengthy journey to the last upgrade.
First Upgrade – Bellhart
Your initial upgrade is related to story advancement. Plinney and the people of Bellhart are first under a curse. Defeat the boss called the Widow, located at the top end of the town, to liberate them.
When Bellhart is liberated, ascend to the bellhome on the right-hand side of the room. Talking to Plinney here provides your first Needle upgrade for free.
Second Upgrade – Whispering Vaults
The first Pale Oil can be found in the Whispering Vaults, a hidden sub-zone within the Citadel.
Inside, you’ll reach a large chamber filled with crates. The puzzle here involves striking crates to shift them, creating a navigable path toward the left-hand exit. Watch the background beams — they act as hints for where crates can slide. At the end of the sequence, you’ll obtain one Pale Oil.
Third Upgrade – Choral Chamber (Great Taste of Pharloom)
There is another Pale Oil that is attached to a side quest entitled Great Taste of Pharloom. It is a long process in which you need to gather five exotic ingredients that are dispersed throughout Pharloom:
- Mossberry Stew from Mosshome
- Vintage Nectar from Greymoor
- Pickled Muckmaggot from Sinner’s Road
- Crustnut from the Sands of Karak
- Courier’s Rasher from Bellhart
Filling the dish gives you Pale Oil, which Plinney can apply to your third upgrade.
Fourth and Final Upgrade – Fleatopia
The final Pale Oil is trapped behind one of Silksong’s most challenging activities: the rescue of the Lost Fleas.
- First, locate all 30 Lost Fleas throughout Pharloom.
- Find the resting place of the Flea Caravan within the Putrefied Ducts.
- Advance the story until you activate Act 3 by completing the Silk and Soul quest.
- Go back to the Caravan and talk to Mooshka, who will drop a hint about their big celebration.
- A new quest titled Ecstasy of the End is added to Bellhart’s wish board. Take it.
- Go back to the Caravan during their celebration. Getting all the minigames gives you the last Pale Oil.
- Bring this to Plinney, and you will unlock the fourth and last Needle upgrade, allowing Hornet to deal maximum damage.
Closing Notes
With all four Pale Oil upgrades, Hornet’s Needle becomes a fearsome weapon, making late-game encounters and boss fights far more manageable. While Fleatopia’s requirements are a true test of dedication, the reward is well worth it.
If you’re looking to complete your build, check out guides on finding Mask Shards and Spool Fragments to further improve your survivability and resource pool.
