All Crests — Locations, Effects & Upgrades

This page is a spoiler‑light, work‑in‑progress roundup. We list confirmed crests, their general effects, where players are finding them, and safe upgrade notes. Details can shift with patches—send corrections if you spot updates.

Quick List

Hunter Crest — Starting build; balanced move set. Upgrade via Eva in Weavenest Atla.
Reaper Crest — Heavier, wider slashes; found in Greymoor.
Wanderer Crest — Closer to Knight‑style; Chapel of the Wanderer.
Beast Crest — Agile, mode‑swap pressure; behind Savage Beastfly in Hunter’s March.

Crest	Effect summary	Where to find	Notes
Hunter	Balanced kit with quick/wide/long‑range options; upgrade adds a combo‑style damage ramp while unhit	Starting crest	Upgrade at Weavenest Atla with Eva — see /guides/tutorial/how-to-upgrade-hunter-crest
Reaper	Heavy, deliberate slashes with some quick coverage	Chapel of the Reaper, Greymoor	Good for patient punish windows and stagger conversions
Wanderer	Fast, compact slashes; plays closest to Hollow Knight’s Knight	Chapel of the Wanderer (west of Bone Bottom)	Helpful if you prefer a more classic feel
Beast	Agile claws and a berserk‑style mode for burst pressure	Chapel of the Beast, Hunter’s March	Gated by Savage Beastfly; mobility helps the approach

Open Interactive Map (All Areas)

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How Crests Work

Equip at benches: Rest, open equipment, and swap your current crest. See /guides/misc/benches-all.
Build identity: Each crest shifts Hornet’s core moveset and tool layout; pair with Tools and Silk skills for a cohesive game plan.
Slot growth: As you progress you can expand crest‑specific tool capacity; invest in the crest you favor most.

Upgrade Basics (Spoiler‑light)

Hunter Crest upgrade: Unlock Needolin after beating Widow, open Weavenest Atla in Moss Grotto, then accept Eva’s insight to add a combo‑style damage ramp. Full route: /guides/tutorial/how-to-upgrade-hunter-crest.
Others: Additional crest upgrades are being verified by the community; expect more discoveries over time.

Hunter Crest

Balanced baseline with safe, readable strings. Great for learning bosses and routing early areas.

Type: Starting crest (always available)
Where: Equipped by default
Upgrade: Weavenest Atla → Eva → “insight” upgrade; details and route here: /guides/tutorial/how-to-upgrade-hunter-crest
Synergy: Pairs well with safe heals and neutral‑stabilizing tools for maintaining the combo ramp

Reaper Crest

Deliberate, heavier swings and broad arcs. Rewards patience and precise punishes.

Region: Greymoor
Where: Chapel of the Reaper (western approaches)
Notes: Strong stagger conversions and multi‑target coverage when spaced safely
Try it vs: Tight punish windows (e.g., bosses where you tag 1–2 hits per opening)

Wanderer Crest

Fast, compact slashes with a familiar cadence—closest to the Knight’s feel from Hollow Knight.

Region: Bonegrave (west of Bone Bottom)
Where: Chapel of the Wanderer
Access tips: Cling Grip makes the approach easier; route through nearby verticals and sealed door detours
Good for: Players who prefer classic, responsive strings and pogo‑style control

Beast Crest

Agile pressure with a mode‑swap feel that punishes downtime. Expect an early difficulty spike to claim it.

Region: Hunter’s March
Where: Chapel of the Beast (arena behind Savage Beastfly)
Tips: Bring survivability and add‑clear tools; Wind Gliding helps the route
Payoff: Excellent for burst windows and quickly converting wall‑bonks or slam stalls

FAQ

How do I swap crests? Rest at a bench, open the equipment menu, and select a crest.
Can I upgrade all crests? Hunter is confirmed via Eva in Weavenest Atla; additional upgrades are being verified.
Which crest is best for beginners? Hunter is safest early. Wanderer suits Knight‑style fans. Reaper rewards patience, Beast adds burst once unlocked.

Sources

PCGamesN — Every Hollow Knight Silksong crest and where to find them: https://www.pcgamesn.com/hollow-knight-silksong/crest-best
Nintendo Life — Crests Guide (Locations & Effects): https://www.nintendolife.com/guides/hollow-knight-silksong-crests-guide-all-crest-locations-and-effects