When you reach the end of Act One in Hollow Knight: Silksong, you will come to a choice: take the Blasted Steps or head down Sinner’s Road. Each path leads to a different boss and has its own secrets, tools, and rewards. In this guide, we will break down what you will find in each area, which order is best for you, and how to make the most of your time before reaching the Citadel.
Blasted Steps or Sinner’s Road – Which Route to Take
To finish Act One, you have two choices. Go through the Blasted Steps and fight a boss called The Last Judge. Or take Sinner’s Road, which leads through a maze-like area and brings you to a hidden boss called The Phantom.
Both routes are worth exploring since they offer different rewards. You don’t have to pick just one, either; you can beat one boss and come back for the other later. It is recommended to fight The Phantom first, since beating her gives you a new Crest skill you can equip. Plus, you can go back afterwards to defeat the Last Judge.
Blasted Steps
You will find Blasted Steps west of the northwest bench and Bellbeast fast travel spot in Shellwood Forest. This place is super windy. The wind keeps pushing Hornet around, and there are Sandworms that will deal damage when you touch the ground.
Along with some NPC interactions, here’s what you can find in the Blasted Steps:
- An optional boss fight
- A charge attack upgrade for your needle
- A Memory Crest
- A Flea for the Caravan
While the area has its challenges, it’s actually the easier path overall. The only tough part is the run back to the boss fight because of the wind and platforming.
Sinner’s Road
If you want to reach The Phantom and discover a secret way into the Citadel, head to Sinner’s Road. You will find the entrance way up above the Halfway Home in Greymoor. This area is full of roach-dog and leech water. Here’s what you will come across here:
- A trapped NPC you can save
- A new tool you get through a side quest
- An NPC who sells Silkeater items
- A Flea hidden nearby
- A Simple Key dropped by a Roachkeeper enemy
At the top of Sinner’s Road, go west to find The Mist. It is a confusing area; if you go the wrong way or if you fall, you are sent back to the start. To get through it, follow the moths you see around; they will guide you in the right direction.
Wraiths will attack if you get too close. Once you make it through, you will reach the Exhaust Organ area. There’s a bench here, so rest before heading into the boss fight with The Phantom.
For the fight, use the Tax Tool and Follow-Up Pouch. It works great since the Phantom moves around a lot. After beating her, keep following the tunnels. You will unlock a bench and two fast travel points, which makes it easy to warp back to the Blasted Steps and take on the Last Judge if you skipped her earlier.
It is recommended to go through the Blasted Steps first (up to the Last Judge), then backtracking to explore everything in Sinner’s Road and defeat The Phantom. Once she’s down, go back and finish off the Last Judge.
