Clawline (Ancestral Art) Grappling Hook is one of the most important upgrades in Hollow Knight: Silksong. It lets Hornet throw her needle like a harpoon and pull herself toward it, working as both a Grappling Hook for movement and a tool for aggressive fights. You’ll see the world teasing its use long before you can claim it, mainly when the hanging grapple rings continue to appear in your way. But it takes some progress before you can get Clawline in Silksong, as you’ll have to push into the Underworks and survive one of the game’s hardest traversal gauntlets.
Where to Find the Clawline in Hollow Knight: Silksong
Clawline Grappling Hook can be found in The Cauldron chamber in the Underworks. Your path begins once you’re well into the Citadel during Act 2. The area is built vertically, with a lift at its base that’s locked when you first arrive. Around this same time, you’ll notice the suspicious hooks scattered across ceilings and walls. They’re unusable at this point, but they’re the game’s way of telling you an upgrade is near.
To unlock that lift and continue downward, you’ll need the White Key, which is somewhere inside the Citadel in the Choral Chambers. Read our dedicated guide on how to get this White Key to reach Whiteward. With the key in hand, return to the Citadel’s lower-left tower. Use the key on the sealed white lock to unlock the elevator and use it to go down to Whiteward.
It’s a small area but the connection between the Citadel and the Underworks. Descend along the right path and keep moving downward until you reach the Underworks’ eastern reaches. It’s better to get regular help from the map as the routes can be confusing in the underground.
Enter the Underworks
Underworks is a tough region like the White Palace from the first Hollow Knight. Lava pits, collapsing platforms, and aggressive Cogwork enemies force you to be best with your movement. Head east until you reach The Cauldron, a cavern of lava chambers that houses the Clawline’s altar. Along the way, make sure you rest at benches whenever possible — some require Rosaries to activate.
Survive the gauntlet and push to the far side of the chamber. There you’ll find a Weaver idol altar. Interact with it, and Hornet binds with the Clawline, which unlocks the Grappling Hook ability.
How to Use the Clawline in Silksong
Clawline is simple to trigger but highly versatile once you get the hang of it. To use it, press S on PC, LT on Xbox, L2 on PlayStation, and on Switch, it’s ZL. When the needle connects, Hornet immediately pulls herself toward the target. That works in three main ways:
- Rings and surfaces: Grapple onto the metal hoops around Pharloom or straight onto the walls. Hornet zips across gaps or clings to the wall, letting you climb and chain into more movement.
- Enemies: Striking an enemy drags Hornet directly into them, dealing damage and giving her a mid-air bounce that can reset your momentum.
After a short pause, the Clawline is ready to fire again, so you can weave it again into dashes and jumps without waiting around.
