Shell Shards — Resource Guide

Spoiler‑light overview. Shell Shards power Hornet’s Tools: resting at a bench consumes shards to repair Tool durability, and shards are also used for crafting certain Tools. They are not lost on death.

What Shell Shards Are (Quick)

Tool economy: Repairs Tool durability at benches; some Tools are crafted from shards.
Persistence: Unlike Rosaries, shards are kept after death.
Capacity: Your Tool Pouch limits how many shards you can carry; upgrading the pouch raises shard and Tool‑ammo capacity over time.

How to Get Shell Shards

Defeat enemies: Most routes drip‑feed shards alongside Rosaries; enemy‑dense loops are efficient.
Break deposits: Shard deposits appear as statues/nodes—strike to collect.
Buy bundles: Some merchants sell shard bundles for Rosaries (e.g., a hidden shop in Hunter’s March).

Open Interactive Map (Plan shard routes)

Opens the full interactive Silksong map in a new tab.

Open Map

Fast Early Spots

Mosshome off The Marrow bench

From the The Marrow bench, step left into Mosshome. Clear nearby enemies and watch for early deposits.

Early Shell Shards near The Marrow bench

Deep Docks elevator line

From the bench beside the elevators in Deep Docks, ride down and clear the vertical; this loop yields both Rosaries and shards.

Deep Docks shard deposits and enemy loop

Underworks deposits

Push through Underworks vents and side rooms; deposits here offer burst shard pickups between fights.

Using Shards — Repairs & Crafting

Bench auto‑repairs: Resting at a bench automatically expends shards to refill your equipped Tool’s durability. Different Tools consume different amounts.
Crafting: Certain Tools require shards to craft or restock.
Tips: Keep a cushion of shards before boss runs; bench heals + Tool repairs together reduce wipe risk between attempts.

Capacity & Pouch Upgrades

Carry limit: Your starting Tool Pouch caps how many shards and Tool ammo you can hold.
Upgrades: As you progress, you can raise the pouch capacity, increasing both shard carry limit and Tool ammo ceiling.
Practical: If you hit the cap often, prioritize the capacity upgrade path so repairs don’t stall mid‑route.

FAQ

Do I lose shards on death? No; Shell Shards persist through death. You do need to reclaim Rosaries, though—see the Rosaries guide.
Where are deposits most common? Along industrial routes like Deep Docks and ventilation‑heavy Underworks; keep an eye on side alcoves.
Can I buy shards? Some merchants sell shard bundles for Rosaries later in progression—handy if you’re low before a boss gauntlet.

Sources

Game8 — Shell Shards Farming Guide and How to Use: https://game8.co/games/Hollow-Knight-Silksong/archives/548981
Polygon — What are Shell Shards in Hollow Knight: Silksong?: https://www.polygon.com/hollow-knight-silksong-shell-shards-use/
Game Rant — Increase Tool Ammo & Max Shell Shards (Pouch upgrades): https://gamerant.com/silksong-increase-max-shell-shards-get-more-tool-ammo-upgrade-tool-pouch/