Hollow Knight: Silksong – How to Unlock the Pogo Jump

The iconic “pogo” jump—bouncing on enemies and spikes with a downward slash—is a crucial movement and combat technique in Hollow Knight: Silksong. Unlike the first game, this ability is not default; it is granted by equipping specific Crests.

This guide will walk you through the two primary methods to unlock this essential skill: one potentially available in the early game and another for the mid-game.

What is the Pogo Jump?

The pogo jump is performed by attacking downward (Down + Attack) while in the air. If your weapon connects with an enemy or object, Hornet will bounce off it, allowing for extended air time, traversal over dangerous terrain, and safe offensive positioning.

Method 1: The Wanderer’s Crest (Potential Early Game)

This method involves accessing a secret area in Bonebottom to earn a crest that enables a downslash.

Step 1: Gather 500 Rosaries

• Location: Farm rosaries at the bench on the border between Marrow and Mosshome.
• How To: Unlock the bench by navigating the area below it to hit a switch. Once unlocked, you can rest and repeatedly kill the nearby enemies for 10 rosaries per run until you have at least 500.

Step 2: Buy a Simple Key

• Location: Take your rosaries to the shopkeeper in Bonebottom.
• Purchase: Buy a Simple Key.

Step 3: Find the Secret Door

• Location: The door for this key is located in the Mosshome area.
• How to Access: From Mosshome, you must platform upwards (requiring the Sprint ability or precise enemy bounces) to reach a hidden door. Use the Simple Key on this door.

Step 4: Complete the Challenge

• The Path: Through the door, navigate through the “Wormways” and drop down into a secret area called Bone Grave.
• The Challenge: Inside a building here, you will face a series of enemies and a boss fight.
• The Reward: Upon completion, you will bind to the Wanderer’s Crest. Equipping this crest grants your basic attacks a downward slash, enabling the pogo jump.

Note: If you used your first Simple Key elsewhere (e.g., Deep Docks), you must find a second one before this path is available.

Method 2: The Reaper’s Crest (Mid-Game)

This method yields a crest with a more powerful and wider downward slash arc, considered superior for pogoing.

Option A: Help the Fleas

• The Quest: Progress through the game until a job appears on the quest board in Bonebottom to find five missing fleas in the Marrow.
• The Reward: Completing this quest unlocks a caravan shortcut that provides access to the area where the Reaper’s Crest is located.

Option B: Navigate Through Farfields

• The Path: Alternatively, you can fight your way through Farfields and into Greymore to reach the same area.

Complete the Gauntlet

• The Challenge: Regardless of how you get there, you will find a door leading to a combat gauntlet filled with mid-level enemies.
• The Reward: Survive the gauntlet and you will bind to the Reaper’s Crest. This crest offers a downslash with a larger arc, making pogo jumps easier and more effective than the Wanderer’s version.

Which Method Should You Choose?

• Wanderer’s Crest: Aim for this if you want to pogo as early as possible and still have your first Simple Key.
• Reaper’s Crest: This is the preferred choice for most players. The larger slash arc makes the technique more reliable and powerful, but it requires significant mid-game progression.

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