Skrills are found exclusively on the Surface of Pharloom, the highest reachable region in Hollow Knight: Silksong. To encounter these roach-like surface dwellers, you must progress to Act 3 and acquire the Silk Soar ability to ascend beyond The Cradle. Unlike the aggressive foes that dominate the Citadel below, the Skrill is a timid, silk-free creature that requires a stealthy approach to successfully hunt for the Hunter's Journal.

Where to Find Skrill in Pharloom

The primary location for Skrill is the Surface area situated directly above The Cradle and the Nameless Town. These creatures are specifically designed to inhabit the open, sandy vistas of the upper world, a stark contrast to the claustrophobic, silk-choked tunnels of the lower kingdom.

Precise Spawn Points on the Surface

  1. Above The Cradle: Once you emerge from the Border Caves and pass through the Nameless Town, the open sandy flats leading toward the edge of Pharloom are home to multiple Skrill spawns.
  2. Nameless Town Elevated Ledges: Look for small, isolated plateaus near the eastern edge of the town. These areas often contain one or two Skrills that burrow as soon as you step on the same platform.
  3. The Sandy Flats: The transition area between the Citadel's peak and the endless wastes beyond features the highest density of these crawlers.

Requirements to Reach the Skrill Location

You cannot find Skrills during the early or mid-game exploration of Pharloom. Because they are tied to the endgame state of the world, you must meet specific narrative and mechanical milestones.

Progressing to Act 3

During Act 1 and Act 2, the path to the Surface is physically blocked or non-existent. The lift system in the Cogwork Core only grants access to The Cradle. It is only after the events that trigger Act 3—where the haunting intensifies and the Citadel's structure begins to shift—that the side paths leading toward the Border Caves become accessible.

The Silk Soar Ability

The most critical tool for reaching the Skrill is the Silk Soar ability. This high-velocity upward movement skill is typically acquired late in the game, often within the Abyss or following a major boss encounter in the lower depths. You will need to use Silk Soar on the right side of the peak of The Cradle to bypass the rubble left by the grand battle with Mother Silk.

In our gameplay sessions, we found that trying to reach this area without a full Silk Meter is dangerous, as the platforming gauntlet in the Border Caves requires precise, consecutive uses of both Silk Soar and the Claw Line.

Navigating the Border Caves to the Surface

To reach the Skrill, start from the bench located in the ruined Cogwork Core. From here, follow the upper-right hallway into the Choral Chambers, then use Silk Soar to enter the recess leading to The Cradle.

The Ascent Gauntlet

The path through the Border Caves is a challenging platforming segment. You will encounter Pharlids and Pharlid Divers in the initial rooms. These enemies are resilient, but the real obstacle is the thorn-lined vertical shafts. Using the Needolin to bounce off environmental triggers while mid-air is the most effective way to maintain altitude until you reach the transition zone into the Nameless Town.

Entering the Nameless Town

The Nameless Town is a secluded, calm area just below the surface. Its inhabitants are largely unaffected by the haunting. Continue moving upward and to the right until you find the final ascent tunnel. This leads directly to the sandy Surface where the Skrills reside.

Skrill Behavior and Combat Strategy

The Skrill has a health pool of 17 HP, meaning Hornet can typically dispatch them in two or three hits depending on her current needle upgrades. However, the difficulty lies not in their durability, but in their skittish nature.

The Burrowing Mechanic

Skrills do not deal contact damage. Instead, they function as a "stealth check" for the player. They are sensitive to:

  • Approaching at high speed: Running toward them will cause them to burrow into the sand immediately.
  • Tool Usage: Using loud tools like the Pimpillo or explosive traps will scare them away.
  • Abilities: Activating Challenge or using the Needolin nearby triggers their retreat.

Tips for Successful Hunting

To successfully kill a Skrill before it vanishes, use the Needle Strike or a long-range tool like the Straight Pin. In our testing, the most consistent method was to dash toward them and immediately use a downward slash or a rapid tool throw. If a Skrill burrows, it is gone for that screen transition. You must move far enough away (usually two rooms over) or sit at a bench to force a respawn.

Completing the Hunter's Journal Entry

Completing the entry for the Skrill is mandatory for those aiming for 100% completion and the "Steel Heart" or "Speed Completion" achievements.

Journal Requirements

  • Kills Needed: 10
  • Lore Insight: The journal entry notes that these surface dwellers are "free of silk," suggesting that the Monarch's influence and the Weaver's song never quite reached the true surface of the world.
  • Journal Sequence: In the alphabetical and regional sorting of the Hunter's Journal, the Skrill typically appears after the Imoba and before the Squirrm.

Farming Route

The most efficient way to get your 10 kills is to use the shortcut near the Nameless Town that links back to the Border Caves bench. Kill the three Skrills on the immediate flats, drop back down to the bench to reset, and repeat the climb. This process takes roughly 10 to 15 minutes if your Silk Soar movement is optimized.

Hidden Items Near the Skrill Locations

While hunting for Skrills, there are two significant items you should collect to maximize your efficiency in Act 3:

  1. Surface Memento: In a decaying house at the far eastern edge of the Nameless Town (near the Skrill spawns), play the Needolin. This will cause the Surface Memento to drop from the ceiling, which is a required item for certain side quests.
  2. Pale Nails Skill: By ascending to the peak where Grand Mother Silk was fought and binding her cut arm, you can obtain the Pale Nails skill. This is in the same general vertical path as the route to the Skrill.

Summary of Skrill Data

Attribute Detail
Location The Surface (Above The Cradle)
Access Requirement Act 3 & Silk Soar Ability
Health 17 HP
Journal Kills 10
Behavior Skittish, Burrowing, Non-Hostile
Primary Drops N/A (Standard Rosaries)

FAQ

Can I find Skrill before Act 3?

No. The path to the Surface via the Border Caves is blocked by debris and narrative gates until the transition to Act 3 occurs. Even if you could glitch into the area, the Skrill spawns are tied to the world state of the haunting.

Why do Skrills keep disappearing before I hit them?

Skrills are programmed to burrow if Hornet enters a specific radius at high speed or makes loud noises. To catch them, try approaching by walking rather than dashing, or use long-range tools to snipe them from a distance.

Is the Skrill required for 100% completion?

Yes. Every enemy entry in the Hunter's Journal counts toward the total completion percentage. Since the Skrill is one of the 234 potential entries, you must defeat at least 10 of them to finalize your journal.

What is the best tool to use against Skrills?

The Straight Pin or the Threefold Pin are excellent choices. Their fast travel speed and horizontal trajectory allow you to strike the Skrill from outside its detection range, preventing it from burrowing.

Are there any bosses near the Skrill location?

The Surface is relatively peaceful, but you must pass through the arena where you fought Lace and Grand Mother Silk in Act 2 to reach it. In Act 3, these areas are ruined and generally free of bosses, though the platforming challenges are significantly harder.

By reaching the Surface and documenting the Skrill, you not only fill a vital gap in your Hunter's Journal but also witness the rare parts of Pharloom that remain untouched by the kingdom's silken curse. This endgame area offers a moment of reflection before the final descent into the heart of the haunting.