Hollow Knight: Silksong's combat is simple in nature, but players can add variety to it by using various skills in combination with normal attacks. You can pull off a deflect, a somewhat advanced combat maneuver, that cancels out an incoming attack with Hornet's needle. However, later on in the game, players will be able to unlock the Cross Stitch ability. When activated at the right time, this skill will allow Hornet to parry an incoming attack and launch a powerful counterattack in return. Here's how to unlock it.
All Silk Heart Locations in Silksong (Regenerated Trophy Guide)
Here's where players can find all three Silk Hearts in Silksong to allow Hornet to passively regenerate some silk and unlock the Regenerated trophy.
How to Get Cross Stitch Ability in Silksong (Parry & Counterattack Skill)
Players can unlock the Cross Stitch (parry and counterattack) ability by defeating the Phantom Boss located inside the Exhaust Organ in Silksong. Exhaust Organ is one of the mid-game areas that players will be making their way through when traveling to the Citadel to begin Act Two.
So, players must start their journey in Greymoor and reach the Sinner's Road through the entrance in the top-right corner of the area. Make your way through the muckroach-infested swamps of Sinner's Road and reach the top-left section of the area. The path will lead you directly into an area called The Mist.
The Mist is a rather special area in Silksong that doesn't have a map, and players cannot normally navigate it either, since they'll be stuck in a loop. The only way to get through The Mist area is by finding a group of fireflies (white glowing insects) and playing the Needolin close to them. The fireflies will flutter away in the distance, and you'll have to follow them to a nearby exit.
Players will need to repeat this for a couple of more sections to finally exit The Mist and reach the entrance to the Exhaust Organ area. It's a largely open space with a small entryway leading to the bowels of the Exhaust Organ.
After entering the Exhaust Organ area, you'll need to do a bit of platforming to reach the upper sections and encounter the boss. So, move forward through the starting area and carefully make your way up the steaming exhausts.
Once you reach the top of the area, you'll enter the boss room where the encounter with the Phantom will begin. Phantom has a small frame and an agile body, which makes her harder to target and hit. Players will need to carefully dodge her swift strikes and attack when they see an opening to quickly dispatch the Phantom.
Once you defeat the Phantom, a cool cutscene will play out where you'll need to press the action button to parry the Phantom's attack and land a lethal blow. Once the boss fight is over, players will immediately unlock the Cross Stitch ability in Silksong.
It's one of the best abilities for players who play the game a little defensively and love the parry mechanic in other games.
Defeating Phantom will also show up the Exhaust Organ area on your map. However, you'll need the maps for Sinner's Road and Bilewater for it to show up.
-
OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 91 /100 Critics Rec: 97%
- Released
- September 4, 2025
- ESRB
- Everyone 10+ / Fantasy Violence, Mild Blood
- Developer(s)
- Team Cherry
- Publisher(s)
- Team Cherry
WHERE TO PLAY
- Franchise
- Hollow Knight
- Number of Players
- Single-player
- Steam Deck Compatibility
- Verified
- PC Release Date
- September 4, 2025
- Xbox Series X|S Release Date
- September 4, 2025
- PS5 Release Date
- September 4, 2025
- Nintendo Switch Release Date
- September 4, 2025
- Nintendo Switch 2 Release Date
- September 4, 2025
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, PC
- Wiki
