I have been running Hornet through Pharloom again in 2026, and if there is one thing that changes a Silksong playthrough more than tools, it is Crests. These seven equippable relics are hidden across chapels and questlines, and each one alters how your needle, silk, and survivability work. Below is my updated field guide for all seven crests, where to find them, and what they actually do.

Quick Crest Summary

Crest #1: Chapel of the Wanderer

I almost skipped this one on my first run, but Grindle, the bug you rescue in The Marrow, can hint at the location if you pay him a few rosaries. From the maiden at the start, head right past the pond into a graveyard around a run-down old chapel. The inside is a wave fight against pilgrim bugs. They are simple if your health is full because their movement patterns match the ones outside.

After clearing the room, go deeper until you see a cloth-covered corpse. Stab it and bind to it three times. The screen will flash blinding white and you receive the Crest of the Wanderer, shaped like a lyre. It makes your needle strikes shorter but crit more often, which is great for aggressive close-range builds.

Crest #2: Chapel of the Beast

Deep in Hunter's March, the Chapel of the Beast is lit by candles. This chapel has a flying mini-boss, the Savage Beastfly. It moves like the smaller beastflies from Bone Bottom and Moss Home, but faster and far more aggressive.

I recommend entering with at least Swift Step to keep up with its movement. Silkspear or traps from Deep Docks also drain the beastfly quickly. Knock it out twice and a left chamber opens. Stab the large Savage Beastfly husk three times to claim the Crest of the Beast. It adds life-stealing to Hornet's attacks and lets you enter a wild fury while slashing into prey.

Crest #3: Chapel of the Reaper

On the far left of Greymoor is a chapel marked clearly on the map. This is another wave fight, but now you face scissor bugs, heavy staff bugs, and rake bugs. Clear them and travel upward to a cloth-covered corpse. Stab it three times for the Crest of the Reaper.

This crest gives Hornet slower, heavier needle attacks and allows you to collect extra silk from fallen foes. I found it especially useful in Bilewater, where the silk-eating affliction can quickly drain your resources.

Crest #4: Witch Crest

This one is a long questline involving Greyroot and Yarnaby, and it will lock away your other crests, combat silk abilities, and tools until the end. The route is:

• Enter Bilewater through the Whispering Vaults and find the Twisted Bud.

• Go to Shellwood, hand the Twisted Bud to Greyroot, and accept the Rite of Rebirth.

• After completing her wish, go to Bellhart and speak to Pavo to learn about Yarnaby in Greymoor.

• Find Yarnaby in Greymoor.

• Accept the Infestation Operation, go to Sinners Road, and purchase Steel Spines.

• Return to Yarnaby and finish the quest.

Yarnaby then transforms the infestation inside Hornet into the Crest of the Witch. It is difficult because you lose many abilities, but if you avoid unnecessary fights and rest often, it is manageable.

Crest #5: Hunter Crest Upgrade

Your base Crest of the Hunter can be upgraded after you complete Bellhart's silkspun curse wish and obtain the Needolin ability. Play the Needolin at the marked door in Bone Bottom and continue to the right. There is no chapel here. Instead, you meet an imprisoned bug named Eva. Let her offer insight into you and she will upgrade your Hunter Crest.

If you speak with her a second time and have four or more quests completed, she will also grant the Vesti Crest. That is extremely valuable because it lets you use a tool regardless of how many slots your current equipped Crest has.

Crest #6: Chapel of the Architect

Under the Citadel, in the Underworks, the Chapel of the Architect is locked by the Architect bug. To prove yourself, you need enough tools to purchase the key. The bug keeps a number counter beneath the key description so you can track your progress.

Some useful tools for the key include Magma Bell and Silkshot from the Forge Daughter, plus Scuttlebrace, Sawtooth Circlet, and Cogwork Wheel from the Architect Bug, and Sting Shard from the Forge Daughter. Once you buy the key, enter the chapel and claim the crest from the small platform in front of the defunct chorus machine.

Crest #7: Chapel of the Shaman

This is the final crest and only opens in Act 3 at the Ruined Chapel. It takes the longest but is worth it. After entering Act 3, make your way to Bone Bottom. The ruined chapel path will be open. You also need to unlock Silk Soar in the Deep Docks bell area. Return to the Ruined Chapel, head right until you find an opening, and use Silk Soar. Crush the boulders blocking the path until you reach a large snail shell. Bind to the shell and you will receive the Crest of the Shaman, ready to pair with your chosen silk abilities.

In 2026, this remains my preferred endgame setup path because the Crest of the Shaman opens up powerful silk-focused playstyles that feel completely different from the early game.

If this guide has convinced you to finally take on Hollow Knight: Silksong's crest system, you will want to make sure you actually own the game for as little as possible. Rather than paying full price at launch, many players hold out for a good deal before diving into Hornet's journey, especially if they are planning to replay the game to grab every upgrade across multiple saves.

Thankfully, you do not have to wait for a Steam sale to get a fair price. Game key marketplaces often offer significant discounts compared to the official storefront, and knowing where to look can save you a surprising amount of money. If you are ready to start your own crest hunt without breaking the bank, it is worth checking out DealNest for some of the cheapest steam keys available before you set off into the depths of Pharloom.