Tools are easily one of the most vital mechanics in Hollow Knight: Silksong when it comes to overcoming challenging environments and bosses it has to offer. While you’ve more than likely unlocked several crests and figured out how to use Memory Lockets already, there’s still one more method to increase your overall tool capacity.
On top of unlocking the locked slots on each Crest, you can also unlock a universal slot that will be applied across all Crests regardless of their capacity. I find this especially handy when combined with items like Hornet’s Compass, letting you find your way around while still making use of other navigational tools.
Where To Find Hornet’s First Crest Expansion
A Worthy Upgrade You Won’t Want To Miss Out On
You can unlock the universal tool slot and several other crest upgrades as early as Act 1 in Silksong, with the only prerequisite being that you have managed to defeat Widow above Bellhart. After freeing the town and unlocking the Needolin Weaver ability, you’ll have to backtrack all the way back to Silksong‘s starting area in the Moss Grotto.
Despite being a somewhat easily missable location, you can identify a skull-shaped door that opens upon playing your instrument on the right side of the map, after which you’ll need to progress further down the depths before meeting a mysterious NPC.
After talking to the mysterious Weaver Eva in her chamber, you’ll be granted an upgraded version of the Hunter’s Crest and the first universal Vestricrest for slotting in an additional tool across all Crests, so long as you’ve spent a minimum of 3 Memory Lockets before this point.
Traveling farther to the right of the elevator shaft will also lead to an area of the Marrows that holds one of Hornet’s mask shards, which only requires a bit of parkour and breaking a few destructible walls.
How To Unlock Additional Crest Slots
Your Toolkit Has Room For More Than One Universal Tool
Aside from the initial upgrades, Eva encourages you to revisit her later to unlock additional enhancements as well, but she isn’t very clear about what exactly triggers her next offering. Despite the confusion, the next Vestricrest that allows you to slot an additional universal defensive tool requires you to have spent 6 Memory Lockets and unlocked a minimum of 5 Crests.
Eva will also continue to upgrade your Hunter’s Crest as you spend a certain amount of Memory Lockets as well, but her final offering requires you to have collected and fully unlocked every Crest available in Silksong‘s Act 2.
Upon returning for the last time, Eva will offer you the Sylphsong ability that lets you generate silk while resting on the benches, alongside a trophy for your effort.
Given the sheer amount of powerful charms and tools in Hollow Knight: Silksong, Eva’s upgrades are some of the best early-game options you can get, making it worth seeking out every other Crest solely for her universal enhancements and Hunter’s Crest upgrades.
- Released
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September 4, 2025
- ESRB
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E10+ For Everyone 10+ // Fantasy Violence, Mild Blood
- Developer(s)
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Team Cherry
- Publisher(s)
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Team Cherry
- Engine
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Unity
- Franchise
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Hollow Knight
- Number of Players
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Single-player