Silksong Moorwing weakness, boss fight strategy and cheese

(Image credit: Team Cherry)

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Tips
Attack patterns
Summoning Garmond
Cheese strategy

The Silksong Moorwing boss is one that'll require a dedicated strategy to exploit its weaknesses – namely, that it's got predictable attack patterns, but predictable doesn't necessarily mean easy. The Moorwing has a huge health pool and though you can summon an ally for it, it still remains one of the most significant leaps in challenge in the first act of Hollow Knight Silksong.

To help you manage your way through it, I'll explain how to beat the Moorwing in Silksong, including a good strategy, its weaknesses, how to summon the knight Garmond to help you, and even a cheese method that will no doubt be patched out at some point.

How to beat Moorwing in Silksong

Hornet slashes at Moorwing in Silksong — (Image credit: Team Cherry)

We'll go into more detail on Moorwing's weaknesses in Silksong below, but here's a few basic tips to keep in mind.

Go into the room above and save Garmond to obtain him as a summon for the fight.
Equip the Silkspear over the Thread Storm, as it's easier to use in a fight this fast.
Don't get too far away, as Moorwing can still attack you from off-screen and it's harder to avoid.
Stay close to the raised step on the right side of the arena, as it throws off a lot of Moorwing's attacks.
Mere contact with Moorwing does damage! Make sure you don't walk into it.
If you have the Silksong Shell Shards, make sure you're throwing tools where possible – extra damage is always good.

The important thing to know is that Moorwing has a lot of health, and that this is a battle of attrition that'll take time. If you think you're nearly at a victory, you've probably still got a while to go, especially when compared to encounters like the Silksong Bell Beast.

Moorwing attacks

Moorwing has several identifiable attacks, each one of which leaves an opening for you to avoid and counterattack. More attacks will appear as you enter phase 2 of the fight.

Moorwing charges beneath Hornet in Silksong — (Image credit: Team Cherry)

Moorwing flies close to the ground in a rapid charge.
- Leap over and do the Silksong pogo jump on Moorwing's head as it passes beneath you.

Moorwing slashes at Garmond in Silksong — (Image credit: Team Cherry)

Moorwing draws back and claws at the player.
- Dash away, jump up, and slash at Moorwing's head. Alternatively, dash beneath it and hit it in the back.

Moorwing sends out a spinning blade in Silksong — (Image credit: Team Cherry)

Moorwing sends out a rolling blade across the floor that rises up into the air after a moment.
- Jump over the blade towards Moorwing and hit it. Don't try to run away, as you risk the blade catching you on the ascent.

Moorwing sends out a pair of spinning blades in Silksong — (Image credit: Team Cherry)

(Phase 2) Moorwing sends out two rolling blades in one direction. They rise up into the air at different points.
- Leap over the first one but hang back so the second one doesn't catch you. It'll actually do a full loop and slam into the ground.

Moorwing sends out various rotating blades in Silksong — (Image credit: Team Cherry)

(Phase 2) Moorwing sends out two rolling blades in both directions. They meet at the ground and bounce off each other to roll away.
- Stay back from the blades as they come down, then leap over them as they bounce away and slash up at Moorwing.

How to summon Garmond and Zaza for the Moorwing fight

Garmond offers help as a summon for Moorwing in Silksong — (Image credit: Team Cherry)

You can unlock a summon for the Moorwing fight by going to the room above Moorwing's on the Silksong map, and on the left hand side you'll find an NPC called Garmond, with his mount Zaza. Free him, and then you can speak to him at the bottom of the room and he'll offer to help with the fight!

Garmond becomes an NPC who automatically appears in all future encounters with Moorwing. He doesn't do a huge amount, stabbing at the boss for small amounts of damage, but it's a minor benefit that can make the difference.

Easy Moorwing cheese strategy

The location to cheese Moorwing in Silksong — (Image credit: Team Cherry)

There is currently a method to cheese Moorwing that is likely to get patched out soon. However, it still works at time of writing, and works as follows:

Obtain and equip the Crest of the Reaper.
Go to Moorwing and trigger the boss fight.
Dash right and up to the little ceiling alcove that links Moorwing's room to the one you find Garmond in (shown above).
Moorwing will try to fly to you, but bump its head on the divide and be unable to attack. You can use the downwards swipe of the Reaper Crest to hit it though.

And that's all you should need to slay the Moorwing! It's not easy, but this advice will give you the best chances. While you're at it, why not find out how to beat the Silksong Skull Ant boss?