Pale Oil — Second Needle Upgrade (Location, Route, Plinney)

Spoiler‑light weapon upgrade guide. Shows where to get Pale Oil, who upgrades the Needle, and a clean route through Cogwork Core → Whispering Vaults.

Overview

Hornet’s second Needle upgrade requires 1× Pale Oil. After you free Bellhart and visit Pinmaster Plinney (bellhouse with three white pins over the door), he asks you to bring Pale Oil for another sharpening. The fastest early source is in Whispering Vaults, accessed from Cogwork Core after pushing through Choral Chambers.

Quick Facts

First upgrade: Free at Plinney in Bellhart once the town is unlocked (after Widow).
Second upgrade: Give Plinney 1× Pale Oil; earliest copy is in Whispering Vaults.
Route summary: Choral Chambers → Cogwork Core → Whispering Vaults (block‑puzzle side room) → Pale Oil → back to Plinney.

Prerequisites

Unlock Bellhart by progressing through Shellwood and defeating Widow.
Talk to Pinmaster Plinney in Bellhart to receive the “bring Pale Oil” request after the free sharpening.
Reach the Citadel path through Choral Chambers into Cogwork Core.

Fast Route to Pale Oil (Step‑by‑Step)

From Cogwork Core’s main chamber, route down → right → up through a cog‑bounce section into the Whispering Vaults entrance.
In the Vaults’ main shaft, aim for the upper‑left side path (you can pogo a large sleeping enemy if needed).
Solve the block puzzle: Strike movable crates to create a passable gap, then wall‑route to a lever room; the Pale Oil pickup sits just beyond.
Return to Bellhart and hand the Pale Oil to Plinney to receive the second Needle upgrade.

Tips for the Vaults & Puzzle

Mobility helps: Aerial movement (double‑jump) makes the Vaults easier, though careful pogoing over cogs also works.
Bench first: Set a nearby bench before deep Core/Vaults attempts to cut down on runback.
If lost: The sought‑after side room branches off the Vaults’ upper‑left route.

Other Pale Oil Sources (Later)

Choral Chambers (Dining Hall): Complete the “Great Taste of Pharloom” wish for Loyal Mergwin to receive another Pale Oil.
Act 3 — Flea Caravan (Festival): Top three minigame leaderboards, then break the piñata above the stage for a Pale Oil.

FAQ

Do I need Rosaries for the 2nd upgrade? No—1× Pale Oil is the only cost to Plinney.
When is this realistically available? After freeing Bellhart and pushing through Choral Chambers → Cogwork Core → Whispering Vaults (late Act 1 to early Act 2 pacing).
Where is Plinney? Bellhart’s upper/right bellhouse marked by three white pins.

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Sources

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Na2-4uvfuUM
Press/wiki coverage noting Whispering Vaults Pale Oil, Plinney’s role in Bellhart, and additional Pale Oil sources in Choral Chambers and Act 3.

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