Hornet vs. The Knight: How Silksong's Gameplay Will Change Everything
We’ve all journeyed through the depths of Hallownest as the silent, nail-wielding Knight. But in the highly anticipated follow-up, Hollow Knight: Silksong, we get to step into the boots of a new protagonist: Hornet, the protector of Hallownest. While she may be a familiar face, her journey through the kingdom of Pharloom will be a completely different experience.
At Cartpitol.com, we’ve been endlessly analyzing every detail of the new gameplay trailers. Here’s a detailed breakdown of how Hornet’s unique abilities will change the way you play and experience the world.
1. Combat and Speed: The Needle and Thread
The Knight’s combat was deliberate and weighty, relying on careful timing for Nail strikes and using spells to deal damage. Hornet, on the other hand, is built for speed.
Her primary weapon is a needle, which she uses with incredible agility to perform fast, flowing combos that can quickly dispatch enemies. In the trailers, we see her performing rapid-fire slashes and using her thread for acrobatic attacks. This shift from methodical strikes to a more kinetic fighting style will make boss battles feel like a fast-paced dance rather than a grueling war of attrition.
2. Movement and Acrobatic Prowess
Where the Knight was grounded, Hornet is air-born. Her movement is a major departure from the first game, focusing on fluid, fast-paced acrobatics. She can effortlessly leap higher than the Knight, and her signature dash is an integral part of her traversal.
This new emphasis on verticality and speed is a direct result of her design. She can pull herself up ledges and quickly ascend walls, turning platforming into a series of elegant leaps and bounds. This will require players to think differently about navigating the environment, using a new set of abilities to find secrets and overcome obstacles.
3. Healing and Resource Management: The Silk System
One of the biggest changes in Silksong is the healing system. In Hollow Knight, the Knight uses collected Soul to cast spells or heal. Hornet, however, uses silk to regenerate her health, and she must gather this resource from defeated enemies or from the environment.
The change from Soul to silk fundamentally alters resource management. Hornet can use her silk to craft new items and tools (more on that below), which means every time you choose to heal, you are sacrificing a resource that could have been used for an item. This new risk-reward system will force players to be more strategic with their healing and crafting.
4. The New Tool System: A New Way to Play
In place of the charm system, Hornet uses a variety of craftable tools. These are items you can create using the resources you collect throughout Pharloom. We’ve already seen a number of these tools in the trailers, including bombs, pincushions, and a throwable spike ball.
This system offers a new layer of customization. Instead of simply equipping passive abilities, players will have to actively manage their tool loadout and craft the right item for the right situation. The tools allow for a huge variety of playstyles, from a long-range fighter who relies on projectiles to a close-quarters brawler who uses their resources to create bombs for area-of-effect damage.
Fuel Your Journey with Cartpitol!
The shift from the Knight to Hornet is more than just a character change; it's a complete revolution in gameplay. The speed, agility, and new systems will challenge veteran players and welcome new ones into a truly fresh experience.
As you eagerly await Hornet's new adventure, celebrate the world of Hallownest and its characters with our Hollow Knight Merch collection.
👉 Explore our collection and bring a piece of Hallownest home!
Conclusion
The differences between Hornet and the Knight go far beyond appearance. They represent a fundamental shift in game design, transforming the sequel into an exhilarating new chapter. The combination of faster combat, fluid movement, and strategic new systems means that even with a familiar world, Silksong will feel like an entirely new adventure.
What are you most excited to try out in Silksong? Let us know in the comments below!
0 comments