The Sister Splinter boss fight in Hollow Knight: Silksong is a classic skill check that can frustrate many players. Her aggressive attacks and summoned minions create a hectic battle. However, once you understand her patterns and, crucially, how to handle her adds, the fight becomes a manageable dance.
Table of Contents
This guide breaks down every one of her moves and provides the simplest, most effective strategy to claim victory.
Sister Splinter: Boss Overview
Sister Splinter is a large, tree-like entity who attacks with her claws and uses environmental hazards to pressure you. The fight has two main phases: her direct attacks and a minion-summoning phase. The key to winning is controlling the adds.
Phase 1: Dealing With Her Direct Attacks
Her core loop involves a predictable combo and two major telegraphed attacks.
- The Three-Swipe Combo: This is her most common attack.
- Telegraph: Her claws will glow before she swipes.
- Strategy: The combo always comes in threes. Dash or move away from the glowing claw. The rhythm is: dodge right (if left claw glows), dodge left (if right claw glows), dodge the final swipe. After the third swipe, you have a brief window to attack.
- The Overhead Spike Rain:
- Telegraph: You will hear leaves rustle and see spikes prepare to fall from the ceiling.
- Strategy: You have two options:
- Destroy Them: Quickly use your Needle to attack and break the spikes before they fall.
- Bait the Boss: Position yourself so that Sister Splinter’s own claw swipes destroy the spike vines for you. This is the most efficient method.
- The Best Damage Opportunity: The primary way to damage her is by jumping up and using upward slashes on her body/head. After you dodge her combo, leap in and get 2-3 hits before retreating to safety.
Phase 2: Handling the Groot Minions (The Most Important Part)
This is the make-or-break moment of the fight. Ignoring these minions will quickly overwhelm you.
- Summon Telegraph: Sister Splinter will let out a distinctive cackle before summoning two small, floating “Groot” minions.
- Why They’re Dangerous: These minions perform a whirlwind tornado attack that is difficult to dodge, deals contact damage, and pushes you around the arena, often into hazards or the boss’s attacks.
- The EASIEST Way to Kill Them:
- Position Yourself: Immediately get directly underneath a minion as it spawns.
- Melee Method: Three quick upward swipes with your Needle will destroy it. This is the fastest way.
- Ranged Method: If you can’t get underneath them, use your ranged needle attack (thread). It deals the same damage—three ranged hits will also destroy a minion.
- Priority #1: Your absolute top priority the moment they appear is to eliminate both Groots before focusing on the boss again. A clean arena makes the rest of the fight trivial.
When to Heal and General Tips
- Healing Windows: The best time to heal is when you knock Sister Splinter down after dealing enough damage. This also destroys any active spike vines. The stun period is long enough to get 2-3 heals off safely.
- Don’t Get Greedy: Stick to the rhythm of the fight. Dodge the three-hit combo, attack 2-3 times, and reset. Greedy attacks will get you hit by her claws.
- Let Her Work for You: Use her large attack hitboxes to your advantage. Her swipes will often clear out spike vines for you if you position yourself correctly.
By focusing on add control and learning her three-swipe rhythm, you will turn this frustrating fight into a satisfying victory. Good luck!
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