Hollow Knight: Silksong – How to Reach Act 2 Early Without the Last Judge

Discover a secret path to bypass the Last Judge and ring the bells in Hollow Knight: Silksong. Our step-by-step guide shows you how to reach Act 2 early using the Needolin and traversal skills.

---

How to Reach Act 2 Early Without the Last Judge

Are you tired of the conventional path to Act 2 in Hollow Knight: Silksong? This guide reveals an alternative route that bypasses the need to ring all giant bells or defeat the challenging Last Judge boss. Instead, you’ll traverse hidden regions and face a different—and arguably easier—boss. Let’s dive into the steps required to unlock this secret path.

---

Prerequisites for the Alternate Route

Before attempting this journey, ensure you meet the following requirements:

• Obtain the Needolin and all Act 1 traversal abilities. If you haven’t acquired these yet, check out our linked guide for detailed steps.
• Farm approximately 1,000 Rosaries and convert them into Necklaces for safekeeping. This ensures you have enough currency to unlock benches and fast-travel stations along the way.
• Complete optional quests and NPC interactions in Act 1 regions. While not mandatory, this simplifies the journey and enhances your preparedness.

---

Walkthrough to Sinner’s Road

1. Start at Halfway Home in Greymoor and head west. Your goal is to unlock a lift shortcut.
2. Navigate through open areas until you reach a tower-like structure. Use the Cling Grip ability to access the upper east exit.
3. Continue eastward along the same level to find a lift. Unlock it to create a shortcut back to Halfway Home.

---

Sinner’s Road Walkthrough (Part 1: To Map and Bench)

1. From the lift, ascend eastward to locate the entrance to Sinner’s Road.
2. Move east until you find a chamber with a sign pointing to a bench.
3. Platform carefully to avoid fetid water, which inflicts the Larva debuff (drains Silk over time).
4. Drop into a small western chamber and hit a lever to open the exit.
5. Descend west to reach the bench and Shakra, who sells the Sinner’s Road map.
6. To unlock the bench, navigate a hidden wall west of the bench, slash through vines clogging the gears, and return via the shortcut.

---

Sinner’s Road Walkthrough (Part 2: To Styx NPC and Second Bench)

1. Return to the previous chamber and ascend, hitting another lever to open a shortcut to the start of Sinner’s Road.
2. Traverse east, avoiding Muckroaches, Roachkeepers, and fetid water.
3. Hit a lever at the path’s end to access the next chamber, then carefully drop to the bottom east exit.
4. Defeat two Muckroaches to unlock a bench checkpoint and meet Styx, an NPC who provides a free Silkeater upon death or reload.

---

Bilewater Walkthrough (To Bellway Station and Bench)

1. Exit the area and ascend the vertical chamber.
2. Locate a breakable wall on the east wall near a dead bug with an item pickup. This leads to Bilewater.
3. Avoid Swamp Squits and Miremites as you platform to the top east exit.
4. Ascend a tall shaft filled with respawning enemies. Defeat them to refill health and Silk if needed.
5. Enter a new chamber via the top west corner and encounter Stilkins (dart-shooting enemies). Avoid or defeat them as you move west.
6. Drop east to reach the Bilewater Bellways Station and a bench. Use Rosaries to unlock both.

---

The Mist Walkthrough (WARNING: Wraith Enemies and Hunter’s Journal)

1. From Bilewater Bellways Station, head west through a breakable wall into The Mist.
2. Note: This area is temporary and houses Wraiths, which are essential for completing the Hunter’s Journal. Defeat them now if needed.
3. Navigate the randomly generated rooms by using the Needolin to attract butterflies, which fly toward the correct exit.
4. Deal with Wraiths by either defeating them or using the Needolin to entrance them temporarily.
5. Successfully traverse 4–5 chambers to escape. One wrong exit resets your progress.

---

Exhaust Organ Walkthrough (To Bench and Shortcut)

1. Upon exiting The Mist, enter the Exhaust Organ. Dash past enemies and take the first upward path to find a bench.
2. Move down and east, then take the second eastward path. Wait for exhaust to pass before ascending tubes.
3. Drop down the third tube and dash west to unlock a shortcut back to the bench.

---

Path to Phantom Boss Fight and Cross Stitch Skill

1. To reach the boss, Phantom, head east through the shortcut and ascend fully.
2. Watch for exhaust bursts before dropping east. The third tube requires caution.
3. Enter the boss chamber from the west.
   • Strategy:
     • Stand on the east side to avoid exhaust bursts.
     • Exploit windows after her needle throw and basic attacks.
     • Jump over her when she parries.
     • Sprint to the far side during AoE attacks.
     • During enrage, dash between arena sides to avoid consecutive AoEs.
4. Defeat her to unlock the Cross Stitch skill.

---

Final Steps to Grand Bellway and Memory Locket

1. Exit west from the boss chamber and step on a pressure plate to call a lift.
2. Ascend to a platforming section leading to the Grand Bellways Station in The Citadel.
3. Break debris west of the station to claim a Memory Locket.
4. Use Rosary Necklaces to unlock the Choral Chambers map and fast-travel stations (Ventrica for Act 2, Bellways for Act 1).
5. Step west into The Citadel to officially begin Act 2.

---

Unlock Act 2 Sooner and Dominate

This alternate route not only saves time but also provides a thrilling challenge for seasoned players. With the Cross Stitch skill and early access to Act 2, you’ll gain a significant advantage. For more Hollow Knight: Silksong tips, subscribe to our channel and join the conversation in the comments!

• Hollow Knight: Silksong – How to Repair the Sinner’s Road Bench
• Hollow Knight: Silksong – A Complete Hunter’s Journal Guide (All 237 Enemies)
• Hollow Knight: Silksong – How to Get the Cogfly Tool | High Halls Location Guide
• Hollow Knight: Silksong – How to Get the Clawline (Grapple Hook) Ability Fast | Act 2 Guide
• Hollow Knight: Silksong – How to Beat The High Halls Boss Fight (Secret Shakra Helper Method)
• Hollow Knight: Silksong: Comprehensive Guide to Crests (Locations, Strategies)
• Hollow Knight: Silksong – How to Beat Raging Conchfly (Easy Solo Boss Guide)