The 10 Best Boss Fights in Hollow Knight: Silksong, Ranked

Hollow Knight: Silksong boss ranking highlights unforgettable encounters and masterful design, making Hornet's journey through Pharloom iconic.

Now in 2026, months after finishing Hollow Knight: Silksong, I still find myself replaying its bosses in my head. After fifty of the most glorious hours I have ever given to a video game, Team Cherry's adventure left me desperate to write about it until my fingers hurt. The bosses felt like the ideal starting point because they are not merely difficult obstacles; they are one of the highest quality collections of encounters I have ever experienced in this genre.

Below is my personal ranking of the ten best boss fights in Hollow Knight: Silksong, ordered from tenth to first. This is not a how-to guide, but rather a love letter to the encounters that made Hornet's journey through Pharloom unforgettable.

10. Forebrothers Signis and Gron

I met the Forebrothers quite late, which made the fight feel a little easier than it probably should have been. Even so, the encounter clicked because of how the two siblings work together. The game gives you time to learn one of them before throwing both at you, and from that moment it becomes a beautiful adaptation of the Mantis Lords from the original Hollow Knight, but with molten rain falling from above. Signis threatens the horizontal space while Gron covers vertical and diagonal lines, so my eyes had to stay sharp in every direction. It turned into a reflex challenge that felt genuinely fantastic.

9. Phantom

By the time I reached The Mist, I was stunned by the sheer size of the game and its ability to keep reinventing itself. Phantom is not an especially complex fight, but the buildup with the organ and the boss's entrance make the moments before the battle just as memorable as the clash itself. This encounter embodies what I love most about this type of duel: elegant movement, quick animations, attacks that feel ripped out of an anime, and plenty of parries. Phantom may be the least varied boss on this list, but its simplicity and superb presentation made me treasure it deeply.

8. Widow

Silksong begins with a noticeable difficulty spike compared to the original Hollow Knight, and the Widow goes beyond just being tougher. It was my personal introduction to the idea that beating the original game is not enough preparation for Pharloom. This boss throws multiple attacks from different directions at once, at speeds that made Soul Tyrant feel almost slow. The superb animations, wonderful introduction, and the lore tied to Bellhart's story all combined to convince me that even the best Hollow Knight bosses would fall below the average of this new creation. The Widow's design and arena are outstanding, so placing it this low only proves how absurd the overall quality is.

7. First Sinner

First Sinner feels like a boss that would have been locked away as a Pantheon 5 exclusive in the original game. From the aesthetics of its movements to the orientation and style of its attacks, this fight demands godlike precision while being extremely showy. I beat it on my second try, yet I still remember every pattern in minute detail, which is my biggest argument for its inclusion here. It summons runes like Pure Vessel, teleports like Grimm, and calls needles like Radiance. It works beautifully as an ode to its predecessor.

6. Shakra

I am a huge fan of humanoid fights that demand agile reaction times, and Shakra might be the fastest boss in the entire game. Wielding her iconic rings, she moves at the speed of light, throws them with pinpoint accuracy, and teleports in every direction like something straight out of Dragon Ball Z. Team Cherry seems to anticipate common player tactics and punishes you if you try to rely on them here. What gets me is that the fight is essentially a friendly sparring match between warriors before the end of time. There is no prize, no plot advancement, and nothing at stake. It is fighting for the art of it, and that adds a rare sense of solemnity and positive unproductiveness.

5. Second Sentinel

Aside from the Last Judge, I spent most of the first half of the campaign without facing any truly major challenge, so encountering the Second Sentinel was a much-needed reality check. Its entire questline is memorable, and I loved how I had to build its heart to activate it. It ranks highly because the fight itself is superbly designed. The Sentinel is fast, hits hard, strikes in every direction, and rarely leaves an opening. That is exactly the kind of boss I love to fight until I completely master it. When you learn its moveset, you understand when to go under it, when to pogo it, and when to dash back. It best embodies the philosophy that has given so many of us headaches and satisfactions over the years.

4. Lost Lace

Part of me feels that facing Lace three different times during the story could have diminished her final fight, and yet it remains among the best in the game. The entire scene is terrifying: fighting in the abyss while the Grand Mother Silk's daughter watches on, visually raising the stakes for Hornet and the whole kingdom. Lost Lace delivers one of the toughest fights in all of Silksong. She repeats her elegant and varied attacks while adding a repertoire of void moves that deal huge damage and are incredibly hard to dodge. Three phases, dark waves covering the screen, tentacles rising from the ground, and constant parries make this fight sensational.

3. Tormented Trobbio

The first time I faced Trobbio, I felt almost sad because I beat him on my first try and did not have the chance to properly appreciate him. Then Tormented Trobbio appeared, and it felt like a gift from the heavens. I got to fight him again at a harder level, with more time to enjoy the encounter. Somehow, he is so perfectly telegraphed and balanced that I defeated him on the first try again, but this time my heart was pounding and my senses were fully stimulated by the audiovisual spectacle. I still replay his colorful choreography and spectacular introduction in my mind, wishing for a boss rush mode just so I could fight him again and again.

2. Cogwork Dancers

It is curious that a boss who literally tells you what he is going to do next remains one of the hardest in the game. What first seems like a simple gimmick turns out to be one of the best fights in the entire genre. Each of the three phases is perfectly planned, giving you time to adjust to the increasing demands while positioning becomes vital for avoiding the overwhelming number of attacks they unleash together and individually. Their dance tells their story alongside that of their kingdom, suppressed by the Citadel like everything else. It is romantic and bleak, just like Hollow Knight: Silksong itself.

1. Skarrsinger Karmelita

In a game full of excellent bosses, choosing first place seemed difficult until I came across Skarrsinger Karmelita. Far Fields hides far more than meets the eye on a first playthrough, and I honestly did not expect the best boss in the entire franchise to be waiting there. Karmelita is both the hardest boss in all of Silksong and the most wonderful demonstration of why the game is a masterpiece. From her chants before entering to her unstoppable charges, her beautiful animations and smooth transitions make the fight flow like silk. Every parry she made, every projectile she hit me with from impossible angles, and every time I had to enjoy her tunes before getting my head kicked in convinced me: Skarrsinger Karmelita is the best boss in Hollow Knight: Silksong.

Whether Silksong is already sitting in your library or you have been waiting for the perfect excuse to dive into Hallownest's vibrant sequel, these boss fights alone are reason enough to pick up the game. Skarrsinger Karmelita's mesmerizing battle, the tragic dance of the Cogwork Dancers, and every other encounter on this list represent some of the most polished and memorable combat the genre has to offer—an experience that deserves to be felt firsthand rather than just read about.

If this ranking has convinced you to finally experience Hollow Knight: Silksong for yourself, you might want to check pricing across different stores before making the leap. Different platforms and regions can have surprisingly different rates, so it pays to [compare prices here]( before your journey into Pharloom begins.

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What Counts for 100% Completion in Silksong and What Doesn't

Hollow Knight: Silksong completion guide details checklist items, stat upgrades, and tools needed for the 100% achievement.

Tracking down a full completion run in Hollow Knight: Silksong can feel mysterious at first. The game does not openly explain what pushes its internal percentage higher, and many players only discover the system after obtaining a particular item. Once the Farsight item is found and placed inside Hornet's Bellhome, the current completion status becomes visible, but the exact requirements for the Completion achievement remain hidden. This guide walks through the categories that matter for a 100% run and clarifies which activities do not contribute.

In the original Hollow Knight, reaching 112% completion required collecting every Mask Shard, Vessel Fragment, Charm, Nail upgrade, equipment piece, and spell. Players also had to defeat progression-related bosses and clear miscellaneous challenges such as the Colosseum of Fools. Silksong follows a similar philosophy, though its own checklist has a few important differences.

As of the current version in 2026, the completion route remains focused on collectible categories rather than raw boss count. To earn 100% in Silksong, players must still find every stat increase item, every Needle upgrade, every ability including all Ancestral Arts and Silk Skills, every Crest, and every Tool in the game. Upgraded versions of base Tools are not counted separately, so acquiring the base Tool is enough.

The main difference from the original Hollow Knight is significant. Silksong does not require players to defeat every boss, nor does it require completing every Wish. The only bosses and Wish quests that matter for completion are those connected to one of the items on the checklist.

For example, the Broodfeast quest must be finished because it rewards the Longnail. The quest itself adds no percentage, but the Longnail does, so the quest becomes mandatory for a true 100% run. A similar rule applies to many side activities. Individual Fleas do not count toward completion, but finding 25 Fleas is one of the requirements to enter Act 3.

Progression goals follow the same logic. Players will not earn percentage for acquiring each piece of the Threefold Melody, nor does each collected Map provide any direct progress. However, because these objectives are required to reach Act 3, they are technically unavoidable on the road to 100% completion. In short, some tasks are mandatory because they unlock required items, even if the task itself does not move the percentage.

The table below summarizes what counts and what does not.

Category
Counts toward 100%?
Notes

Farsight item
No direct percentage
Unlocks the completion display in Bellhome

Stat increase items
Yes
Every one must be collected

Needle upgrades
Yes
All Needle upgrades are required

Abilities
Yes
Includes Ancestral Arts and Silk Skills

Crests
Yes
Every Crest is required

Tools
Yes
Base Tools count; upgraded versions do not add separately

Bosses
Only if tied to an item
Defeating every boss is not required

Wish quests
Only if tied to an item
Completing every Wish is not required

Individual Fleas
No
25 Fleas are needed for Act 3 progression

Threefold Melody pieces
No direct percentage
Required to reach Act 3

Maps
No direct percentage
Required for progression

Players looking to 100% Silksong should therefore focus on collecting every permanent upgrade and Tool rather than trying to clear every boss or complete every Wish. Keeping track of the Farsight display can help confirm whether a missing percentage is tied to a stat item, an ability, a Crest, or a Tool. The system rewards thorough exploration, but it does not punish players who leave optional bosses or side Wishes unfinished unless those activities guard a completion item.

A full completion journey still requires careful attention. The list of required collectibles is broad, but the distinction between direct percentage and mandatory progression is useful. By locating the Farsight item early and placing it in Hornet's Bellhome, players can monitor their status and plan routes through Act 3 more effectively. The path to 100% is not simply a boss rush. It is a scavenger hunt through every upgrade category, with a few progression roadblocks that must be cleared along the way.

For players who find this kind of meticulous completion tracking satisfying, the hunt doesn't have to end with Silksong. Many similar action-platformers reward the same level of thorough exploration, and building a library of such games can quickly add up. If you're looking to expand your collection without overspending, checking out the [cheapest steam keys]( at DealNest is a smart way to pick up new adventures for less.

After you've finally hit that 100% mark in Hornet's journey, having a few more games lined up at a budget-friendly price keeps the momentum going. Whether it's revisiting other metroidvanias or tackling entirely different completion challenges, saving on the games themselves just makes the next 100% run even sweeter.

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The Ford Probe Is the Forgotten Mazda-Based Sports Coupe Bargain Everyone Overlooked

Ford Probe sports car, a 1990s cult classic, offers bargain value and unique styling compared to the legendary Ford Mustang.

Ask just about any gearhead to name a Ford sports car, and the Mustang will probably roll off their tongue before they finish blinking. Fair enough—the Mustang has been a legend for decades. But between the late 1980s and late 1990s, Ford also had another two-door running around with a secret Japanese heartbeat. That car was the Ford Probe. It never set sales charts on fire, but by 2026 it has quietly peeled off its “unloved” sticker and started wearing a “bargain cult classic” badge instead.

A Shape That Screamed ‘90s

The first-generation Probe arrived for 1989, and it looked exactly like the era it was designed for. The second-generation car, produced from 1993 to 1997, went even further with a rounder, almost spaceship-like nose, a big triangular glasshouse, smooth sides, and a swooping hatchback rear end. Ford wasn’t just chasing style either. Designers worked hard to make the body as slippery as possible, which gave the Probe a futuristic look that still stands out at a 2026 cars-and-coffee meet.

The Unusual Recipe: Front Drive and No V8

For an American sports coupe, the Probe had a slightly surprising setup. It was front-wheel drive, and there was never a V8 under the hood. Instead, buyers got a mix of four-cylinder and V6 power.

First-generation engines (1989–1992)

Engine
Power
Torque

2.2L inline-4
110 hp
130 lb-ft

2.2L turbo inline-4
145 hp
190 lb-ft

3.0L Vulcan V6, 1990
140 hp
160 lb-ft

3.0L Vulcan V6, 1991–92
145 hp
165 lb-ft

Second-generation engines (1993–1997)

Engine
Power
Torque

2.0L inline-4
118 hp
127 lb-ft

2.5L V6, 1993–95
164 hp
156 lb-ft

2.5L V6, 1996–97
164 hp
160 lb-ft

Both generations could be had with a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic, and the manual was usually the enthusiast choice.

Quick Enough to Surprise People

None of those options were slow for their day. Car & Driver clocked the 2.2-liter turbo first-gen Probe at 7 seconds to 60 mph in 1989. The second-generation V6 with a 5-speed manual hit the same number. By today’s standards, that is not exactly a barn burner, but it was right at the top of the class back then. The top-dog 1991 Isuzu Impulse RS managed the same 0–60 time, which tells you the Probe could punch above its weight.

Cheaper Than the Mustang Without Feeling Cheap

The Probe also made a strong value argument. In 1989, a base Probe started around $13,600, while fully loaded examples ran about $16,500. A Fox Body Mustang GT of the same period cost around $17,512. So you could grab a loaded turbo or V6 Probe with modern looks and still spend less than a V8 Mustang. Unless someone had a serious need for V8 muscle, the Probe delivered a lot of bang for the buck.

The Almost-Mustang That Never Was

Here is a wild piece of history: the Probe was originally supposed to replace the Mustang. Ford planned it as the fourth-generation pony car, which makes sense from a cost standpoint because the Mazda-based platform was cheaper to develop than an all-new Mustang. When Ford announced that plan publicly, enthusiasts absolutely lost it. The idea of a smaller, front-wheel-drive Mustang with no V8 was too much for the faithful.

Ford actually listened. In a rare about-face, the company went back to the drawing board, created the SN95 Mustang, and repositioned the Probe as a smaller, more affordable sports coupe instead. That gave the Probe room to battle imported rivals like the Toyota Celica, Nissan 200SX, Acura Integra, and Isuzu Impulse while the Mustang kept swinging at the Chevrolet Camaro.

Global Citizen with Mazda Bones

The Probe wasn’t just an American market special. Because it was compact and built on Japanese underpinnings, Ford sold it in the UK, mainland Europe, and Australia too. In Europe it even filled part of the gap left by the much-loved Capri, though British buyers were never quite as smitten with it.

Under the skin, the first-generation Probe used Mazda’s GD platform, and the second-generation car used the GE platform. That meant the Ford Probe and Mazda MX-6 shared a huge number of mechanical parts, including most of the engines. The only major non-Mazda engine was the 3.0-liter Vulcan V6 in first-gen cars, which came from Ford’s own stable. The bodies and interiors were mostly Ford’s work, but the heartbeat underneath was all Mazda.

In North America, both the Probe and MX-6 were even built in the same Flat Rock, Michigan facility. That created a situation similar to the Mitsubishi 3000GT and Dodge Stealth, where buyers could pick the American or Japanese flavor of essentially the same sports coupe sundae.

Value and Reliability in 2026

Time has been kind to the Probe’s reputation. The old snobbery about front-wheel-drive sports cars has faded, and more people now see the Probe as seriously underrated. Its Mazda-sourced mechanical bits have also earned it a solid reputation for reliability. One former owner reported that her family’s Probe reached 250,000 miles before an accident took it off the road, with only the distributor and belt ever needing replacement.

That reputation makes the current pricing even sweeter. Classic.com estimates an average used value of around $10,569, but it’s still common to find good, presentable examples for under $7,000—and sometimes under $5,000. Project cars can cost even less. Fuel economy is decent for a sports coupe, and because so many parts came from Ford and Mazda’s 1980s and 1990s parts bins, normal maintenance remains relatively cheap and easy in 2026. Hard-to-find interior trim and Ford-specific body panels are the main things shoppers should check before buying, because aftermarket support remains niche.

The Ford Probe may have spent years flying under the radar, but that’s exactly why it still makes sense today. It’s practical enough to be a fun daily, rare enough to turn heads, and cheap enough that it won’t break the bank. For anyone who wants a 1990s sports coupe with Japanese bones and an American accent, this forgotten Ford is worth a long look.

The same instinct that leads someone to recognize the Ford Probe as a hidden gem—spotting genuine value where others see nothing special—tends to carry over into other parts of life. Once you’ve caught the deal-hunting bug, it’s hard to walk past a good bargain without at least stopping to consider it. Whether it’s sourcing parts for a restoration project, finding accessories for a weekend drive, or simply being smart about everyday purchases, that mindset pays off again and again.

That’s why resources like [DealNest]( are worth keeping in your bookmarks. It collects discounts and offers in one convenient place, making it easier to save money on the things you already enjoy—leaving more room in the budget for the next project, the next road trip, or perhaps another forgotten 1990s coupe waiting for a second chance. After all, the best deals are often the ones that require the least effort to find.

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The Co-op Horizon Is Calling Me After Falling Hard for Split Fiction

Split Fiction fueled my love for cooperative games; 2026 titles like Voyagers, Haunted Paws, and Stage Fright promise chaotic fun and dark thrills.

I have spent a large portion of 2025 glued to my couch with a controller in hand, and I can honestly say that Split Fiction ruined me in the best possible way. It was that rare title where the split-screen action felt cinematic, the storytelling hit every emotional beat, and the cooperative interactions never felt tacked on. But as the year wrapped up and the calendar flipped toward 2026, I started looking ahead. The gaming landscape is shifting, and a wave of cooperative games is threatening to swallow my free time whole. From whimsical LEGO adventures to claustrophobic horror, there is an impressive lineup designed to bring couples, friends, and small groups closer together than ever before.

Voyagers of the Tiny Block

There is something undeniably magnetic about LEGO, so when I first saw Voyagers, I felt an immediate rush of childlike glee. This game lets me and a partner take control of two tiny blocky explorers as they trek across vibrant lands to rescue an abandoned spaceship. It lacks the relentless intensity of Split Fiction, but that is precisely why I want it. The puzzles seem creative without being punishing, and the freedom to roam at my own pace feels welcoming. Sometimes I do not want adrenaline; I want a calming journey with someone I love, complete with surprises hidden behind every brick-built corner.

Haunted Paws and Wholesome Spooks

As a lifelong dog person, Haunted Paws immediately grabbed my attention by casting players as canines exploring a spooky yet endearingly childish world. The idea of solving puzzles and uncovering secrets with my coop partner while wagging a virtual tail sounds absolutely delightful. Its charming aesthetic makes it approachable for all ages, and the mechanics seem built around creativity rather than raw skill. I can already picture myself laughing at the silly animations while we use our canine abilities to ward off spirits and save humans in need. It is whimsical, engaging, and exactly the kind of shared experience I crave on a lazy weekend.

Orchestrated Chaos with Stage Fright

Coming from the creators behind Overcooked, Stage Fright has my full attention. I have vivid memories of screaming orders at my friend while our virtual kitchen burned down, so I know this team understands chaotic teamwork. Stage Fright promises more puzzles, more communication, and more scares, all wrapped in a problem-solving setting. The concept of environments splitting into two drastically different themes excites me. One moment I might be navigating a cheerful room while my partner stands in a distorted nightmare version of the same space. That kind of mind-bending absurdity requires constant verbal coordination, and I am absolutely here for the madness.

The Darker Side of Togetherness

Beyond the colorful chaos lies a shadowy corner of cooperative gaming that I find deeply compelling. Little Nightmares 3 is finally bringing a friend into that desolate, shrinking world. The same gloomy atmosphere that gave me goosebumps in previous titles now comes with a companion, and that changes everything. Solving puzzles while both of us are tiny, vulnerable figures in a cold environment sounds emotionally draining in the best way. It is not just a sidescrolling adventure; it is an unsettling exploration of fear itself. Knowing that a beloved franchise is finally embracing cooperative play makes me eager to revisit that world with someone brave enough to stand beside me.

Then there is Reanimal, coming from the same devious minds behind Little Nightmares. This one dials the tension to eleven by forcing both players to share a single claustrophobic camera space. I cannot imagine the stress of squeezing into one cramped perspective while avoiding giants. The 2.5D action looks simple on the surface, but I suspect it will demand razor-sharp timing and constant communication. The pure nerve-shredding potential here is unmatched. Meanwhile, Visk is pulling me toward a misty island with little guidance and no safety net. As an atmosphere-first experience, it promises doubt and dread, where working together is the only way forward.

Puzzling My Way through 2026

For my brainier coop sessions, Escape Simulator 2 feels like the next big thing. The replayability through player-created content is enormous, meaning my puzzle-solving partner and I will never run out of fresh challenges. Built from the ground up for cooperative play, it rewards observation, creative thinking, and the kind of descriptive communication that turns a simple room into a social event. Every group approaches problems differently, so I expect endless variety and plenty of 'aha' moments shared over voice chat.

The next twelve months look genuinely stacked for cooperative gaming. Whether I am wandering through brick-built meadows, wagging a spectral tail with a friend, braving dark hallways side by side, or decoding escape rooms together, the future feels bright and deeply social. 2025 gave me Split Fiction as a high-water mark, but 2026 looks ready to fill my calendar with shared adventures. I cannot wait to see which of these titles becomes the next unforgettable couch co-op obsession.

With so many promising co-op experiences on the horizon, my wishlist is already overflowing. Between Split Fiction's spiritual successor, the return to Little Nightmares' haunting world, and the endless puzzle rooms waiting in Escape Simulator 2, I know my gaming budget is going to feel the strain. That is why I have started planning ahead, keeping an eye on [PC game discounts]( so I can pick up these titles at the right moment. A good deal turns an already exciting launch into something I can justify without hesitation, especially when I know my co-op partner will want to jump in alongside me.

Building a shared library of cooperative adventures has never been easier when you shop smart, and that extra savings can go toward the next hidden gem we discover together. After all, 2026 is shaping up to be a year where every session brings something fresh, so staying prepared financially just means more time spent exploring those worlds with a friend.

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Guide: Top-Up Deals #3390a492

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