Overview
The Terrible Tyrant is a Grand Hunt wish posted on the Bonebottom wishboard. After unlocking Wall Jump/Climb (Cling Grip) in Shellwood, you can accept the wish and track down a Skull Tyrant deep in The Marrow. The fight hits hard, so learn the safe punish windows and use nearby benches/shortcuts to speed up retries.
This Grand Hunt represents one of Hollow Knight: Silksong's most challenging optional boss encounters, designed to test players' mastery of advanced combat techniques and movement abilities acquired throughout their journey. The Skull Tyrant serves as a formidable gatekeeper to valuable rewards while showcasing the game's commitment to meaningful optional content that enhances the core experience.
The quest's placement in Bonebottom's wishboard system demonstrates Silksong's evolved approach to side content, integrating community-driven requests with substantial gameplay challenges. Unlike simple fetch quests, The Terrible Tyrant demands strategic preparation, route optimization, and sustained combat performance, making victory genuinely rewarding for dedicated players.
Quick Facts
- Category: Grand Hunt (Quest)
- Giver: Wishboard (Bonebottom)
- Objective: Defeat a Skull Tyrant in The Marrow and return the proof
- Requirement: Wall Jump/Climb via Cling Grip (after Sister Splinter in Shellwood)
- Reward (turn‑in): Heavy Rosary Necklace — consumable worth 220 Rosaries
How to Start The Terrible Tyrant
- Defeat Sister Splinter in Shellwood to open the route to the Cling Grip shrine, then learn Wall Jump/Climb.
- Return to the Bonebottom wishboard and accept “The Terrible Tyrant.” If the Skull Tyrant isn’t spawning, double‑check that the wish is active.
Location & Fast Route (The Marrow)
- Region: Lower/eastern Marrow, trending toward the Deep Docks side.
- Key route: Approach the lava lake from the right, then climb the passages above using Cling Grip. Look for a cracked wall to break through and continue deeper.
- On the way: Expect tight tunnels with Kilik and Skull Brute packs—feel free to sprint past to preserve masks during learning runs.
- Make attempts faster: Before entering the arena, head left to open a shortcut and sit at the bench so future retries are quick.
TL;DR: Marrow fast‑travel → move toward Deep Docks → cross lava from the right → climb up, break a cracked wall → weave through tunnels → open left‑side shortcut + bench → enter the arena to the right.
Skull Tyrant — Moveset & Counters
Damage & armor
- High damage (often 2 masks per hit), so favor safe punishes over DPS races.
- Armor: Hits to the face/back connect reliably; pogoing the carapace won’t deal damage. Longpin pierces armor for full value.
Core moves
- Charge: Winds up, bulldozes across the floor. Jump over cleanly and reset spacing; don’t try to trade.
- Jump / Body Slam: Short hop or pounce to your last position. Rocks can fall on landing—take 1–3 hits, then back off.
- Roar → Falling Boulders: Drops rubble across the arena. Either hug the boss or dash to a safe pocket; punish only after the screen clears.
Step‑by‑Step Strategy
- Keep mid‑range and react—jump the Charge, then re‑center.
- Punish the landing after Jump/Body Slam with 1–3 quick hits.
- Treat boulders as dodge‑only; wait for the lull, then counter.
- Heal with Bind between patterns, not during them. Reset if you’re clipped.
- Be patient. The health bar is long; consistency beats greed.
Recommended Loadout
- Tools: Longpin (armor‑piercing for safe pokes), Silkspear for grounded reach.
- Crest: Reaper Crest helps sustain by spawning silk bundles after heals.
- Priority: Mobility/survival over raw damage until you master the timing.
Rewards & Turn‑In
- Boss drop: Crown Fragment/Horn (quest proof).
- Turn‑in: Return to the Wishboard for Heavy Rosary Necklace (220 Rosaries). It’s a consumable that persists through death—use it when you need a cash burst.
Tips & Common Mistakes
- Open the left shortcut and lock the nearby bench before your first serious attempts.
- Don’t pogo the shell. Aim for face/back or use Longpin.
- Heal only after the arena clears; falling rocks can snipe greedy binds.
FAQ
- Do I need the wish active for the boss to spawn? Yes—accept the wish first so the Skull Tyrant appears in The Marrow.
- Is it “Cling Grip” or “Clip Grip”? You’ll see both used; functionally it’s the Wall Jump/Climb unlock from Shellwood after Sister Splinter.
- Best tool? Longpin for full‑damage pokes through armor; pair with Silkspear and Reaper Crest for sustain.
- Is there another Skull Tyrant event? Some players report a separate Skull Tyrant event in Bonebottom that destroys a bench—this is distinct from the Grand Hunt in The Marrow and uses a larger arena. Trigger details are still being confirmed.
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Sources
Quest mechanics, route notes, loadout guidance, and rewards verified across early guides and launch coverage. Cross‑check in‑game logs for patch changes.