Spoiler‑light movement unlock. This guide shows the White Key route to The Cauldron in Underworks, where to bind at the Weaver altar, and how to use Clawline effectively.
Overview
Clawline is Silksong’s grapple‑style movement ability. You unlock it by binding at a Weaver altar inside The Cauldron in the Underworks. The most consistent route goes through Choral Chambers using the White Key to access the Whiteward elevator, then descending to the Underworks.
Quick Facts
- Where: The Cauldron (Underworks) — bind at the Weaver altar.
- Route: Songclave (get White Key) → Whiteward elevator → Whiteward → Underworks → The Cauldron.
- Controls: Harpoon action — PC S, Xbox LT, PlayStation L2, Switch ZL.
- Resource: Costs Silk per cast; hitting enemies refunds Silk.
Requirements
- Reach the Citadel → Choral Chambers.
- Pick up the White Key in Songclave (northeast sector, near the First Temple fence). See Whiteward: How to Reach & Map for elevator details.
Step‑by‑Step: Fastest Unlock Route
- Get the White Key (Songclave). From Choral Chambers’ top‑right, enter Songclave and grab the key along the eastern walkway by the temple fence.
- Use the Whiteward elevator (bottom‑left Choral Chambers). Activate the white‑symbol panel with the key and ride down into Whiteward.
- Traverse Whiteward → Underworks. Loop right and descend; rest at the nearby bench before pushing hazards.
- Open the updraft and cross heated floors. Break the wheel switch to start a wind tunnel, ride it, then pace across heated floors. Flip the levered hatch to open the path toward lava rooms.
- Enter The Cauldron and bind. Platform across lava pools to the Weaver statue/altar and bind to learn Clawline.
Alt path: If Ventrica → Underworks is open, you can enter from there and route right/up to The Cauldron; you still bind at the same altar.
How Clawline Works
- Anchors: Grapple to rings, certain surfaces, and enemies. Rings let you suspend and chain climbs; enemy hits launch you forward for follow‑ups.
- Silk usage: Each cast costs Silk. Connecting on enemies refunds Silk (often 1–2), enabling aggressive movement loops.
- Controls: Harpoon action — S (PC), LT (Xbox), L2 (PlayStation), ZL (Switch).
- Cadence: Very short cooldown between casts; weave with dash, glide, and wall‑jumps for momentum routes.
Pro Movement Tips
- Ring ladders: Grapple → micro‑jump → wall‑grip repeats climb long shafts quickly; practice in The Cauldron.
- Enemy ziplines: Grapple fliers to gain height and a Silk refund when a ledge is just out of reach.
- Hazard pacing: Keep a steady hop cadence on heated floors; time grapples between lava drips.
- Synergy: Wind Gliding (Drifter’s Cloak) smooths jumps and updrafts but is not strictly required.
After You Unlock It
- Exit path: Grapple up/right using ring chains to leave The Cauldron and reconnect earlier routes.
- Progression: Required for certain traversal and useful for reaching later mobility upgrades.
FAQ
- Is the White Key mandatory? For the most reliable route, yes. Alt paths exist if you’ve opened Ventrica → Underworks.
- Where is the altar exactly? On a left‑side stone platform inside The Cauldron; interact to bind and learn Clawline.
- What does it cost to use? A small amount of Silk per cast; enemy hits refund Silk.
Sources
- Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSwOXYZ3cPc
- Press/community guides aligning on The Cauldron location and White Key → Whiteward → Underworks route, plus Clawline controls and Silk refund behavior.
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