Wanderer Crest Dominates in Hollow Knight: Silksong Damage Analysis
The various Crests in Hollow Knight: Silksong shape the protagonist Hornet’s combat style by modifying her available attacks and tools. Recent analysis by YouTuber Visic, dubbed a “silk scientist” by fans, provides a comprehensive breakdown of the actual damage values for Hornet’s different attack types across every Crest. The key takeaway? The Wanderer Crest reigns supreme in terms of damage output and versatility.
Understanding Crests and Their Impact on Hornet’s Combat
In Hollow Knight: Silksong, Crests alter Hornet’s combat approach, adjusting the damage and mechanics of her needle attacks, charged attacks, and running attacks. This directly influences playstyle, with some Crests favoring aggressive melee strikes while others emphasize ranged combat or utility through special tools.
Damage Per Second (DPS) Testing by YouTuber Visic
Visic’s meticulous testing goes beyond surface-level assumptions by displaying real-time damage numbers and HP bar changes. Below are the key DPS numbers derived from Visic’s analysis, focusing exclusively on Hornet’s needle attacks without factoring in supplementary buffs or red tools (special powerful weapons):
- Hunter: 21/26/29 damage per hit for an estimated 50.9/63.1/69.4 DPS (assuming perfect buff uptime)
- Reaper: 21 damage per hit for 41.6 DPS
- Wanderer: 21 damage per hit for 68.3 DPS (critical hits not included)
- Beast: 21 / 26 damage per hit for 52.4/78.9 DPS (buffed attack after binding)
- Witch: 21 damage per hit for 45.7 DPS
- Architect: 23 damage per hit for 50.2 DPS
- Shaman: 21 damage per hit for 41.5 DPS
This data confirms that the Wanderer Crest delivers superior overall DPS, benefitting from rapid needle strikes at the expense of attack range and secondary red tools. Its fast attack speed not only enhances damage output but also provides a defensive edge by enabling quicker counterattacks and faster silk generation (a key resource in Silksong).
Deep Dive: Crest Strengths and Gameplay Strategies
While the DPS figures favor the Wanderer Crest, the analysis also highlights the strengths of other Crests, especially when combined with certain red tools like the Flintslate fire weapon buff.
Architect Crest’s Synergistic Playstyle
The Architect Crest stands out when paired with the Flintslate buff. Its charge attack benefits from repeated hits, amplifying DPS considerably in a build focused on charged attacks and ranged combat. The Witch Crest follows a similar pattern, excelling in charge attack builds thanks to Flintslate bonuses.
Witch Crest’s High Damage Sprinting Attack
The Witch’s sprinting attack deals notably high damage while generating silk points, supporting a playstyle that balances offense with resource management. This makes it an attractive choice for players who want a hybrid melee-ranged approach.
Versatility of Crests
Despite the Wanderer Crest’s damage supremacy, Team Cherry’s game design ensures all seven Crests have unique advantages that cater to different playstyles. The lively community debate around Crest effectiveness underscores the developer’s success in creating a well-balanced combat system.
Updated Player Insights and Community Analysis
Players who have completed extensive testing and speedruns corroborate the Wanderer Crest’s dominance, particularly when seamlessly integrating critical hits into fast needle attacks. Additionally, community-driven guides emphasize the importance of adaptability—switching Crests can unlock new strategies and enable efficient use of red tools like poison cogflies and power drills.
Moreover, analytics from speedrunning forums show that top-tier players often favor Wanderer for raw DPS during boss fights but switch to Architect or Witch styles for specialized encounters requiring ranged utility or burst damage.
Implications for Game Balance and Future Updates
Team Cherry’s attention to detail and balancing philosophy is evident not only in gameplay mechanics but also in nurturing a community where multiple playstyles remain viable. This dynamic balance may be further refined through patches as new player data emerges.
Summary: Why Wanderer Rules the Crests
- Highest normalized DPS: Wanderer outperforms other Crests, especially without relying on crits or buffs.
- Fast attack speed: Enables quick counterattacks and effective resource generation.
- Strong synergy with tools: Benefits from red tool buffs like Flintslate, though Architect and Witch excel too.
- Versatility: While best for melee aggressors, switching Crests allows adaptation to different combat scenarios.
- Community validation: Top players and content creators confirm Wanderer’s superiority in high-level play.
In conclusion, for players seeking the most potent DPS in Hollow Knight: Silksong, the Wanderer Crest remains the clear choice. However, the thoughtful balancing of all Crests supports diverse combat approaches that enrich the game’s strategic depth.
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