Mask Shards Collection Guide

Mask Shards are essential collectibles in Hollow Knight: Silksong that increase Hornet's maximum health. Each Mask Shard increases your health by one point, and collecting all four shards will maximize your survivability throughout the game.

Overview

Basic Information

• Category: Health Upgrades
• Rarity: Common
• Total Count: 4 Shards
• Effect: +1 Health per shard
• Required For: Maximum Health (8 total)

Importance

Mask Shards are crucial for surviving the challenging boss fights and dangerous areas in Pharloom. Having maximum health significantly improves your chances of success in difficult encounters.

All Mask Shard Locations

Mask Shard #1: Moss Grotto

Location: Deep within the Moss Grotto Requirements: Basic silk abilities Difficulty: Easy

How to Find:

1. Enter Moss Grotto from the main entrance
2. Navigate through the winding tunnels
3. Look for a hidden alcove behind a breakable wall
4. Use Silk Dash to reach the elevated platform
5. The shard is in a small chest

Tips:

• Break the wall with your needle
• Use Silk Climb if you can't reach the platform
• Watch out for Moss Knights in the area

Mask Shard #2: Silk Sanctum

Location: Upper chambers of Silk Sanctum Requirements: Silk Dash, Silk Climb Difficulty: Medium

How to Find:

1. Reach the upper levels of Silk Sanctum
2. Navigate through the silk-covered corridors
3. Find the room with spinning silk wheels
4. Time your Silk Dash between the wheels
5. The shard is hidden behind a silk barrier

Tips:

• Master Silk Dash timing
• The wheels move in predictable patterns
• Use Silk Climb to reach higher platforms

Mask Shard #3: Crystal Peaks

Location: Crystal mining area Requirements: Crystal Mastery, Silk Dash Difficulty: Hard

How to Find:

1. Enter the crystal mining section
2. Navigate through crystal formations
3. Find the room with falling crystal spikes
4. Use Crystal Mastery to create safe paths
5. The shard is in a crystal vault

Tips:

• Crystal spikes fall in patterns
• Use Crystal Mastery to manipulate crystals
• Time your movements carefully

Mask Shard #4: Shadow Realm

Location: Deepest part of Shadow Realm Requirements: All silk abilities, Shadow Mastery Difficulty: Expert

How to Find:

1. Reach the deepest area of Shadow Realm
2. Navigate through shadow barriers
3. Find the room with shadow clones
4. Defeat the shadow clones using Shadow Mastery
5. The shard is in the shadow altar

Tips:

• This is the most challenging shard to obtain
• Master all silk abilities first
• Shadow clones are dangerous but predictable

Collection Strategy

Recommended Order

1. Moss Grotto - Easiest to obtain early
2. Silk Sanctum - Requires basic silk mastery
3. Crystal Peaks - Needs crystal abilities
4. Shadow Realm - End-game content

Preparation Tips

• Upgrade your silk abilities before attempting
• Bring healing items for dangerous areas
• Learn the attack patterns of area enemies
• Save your game before attempting difficult shards

Benefits of Maximum Health

Combat Advantages

• Survive more hits from bosses
• Take risks in dangerous areas
• Complete challenging platforming sections
• Explore without constant fear of death

Gameplay Impact

• Access to more difficult areas
• Better chances against end-game bosses
• More confidence in exploration
• Completion of health-related achievements

Common Mistakes

1. Rushing Collection: Attempting difficult shards too early
2. Poor Preparation: Not upgrading abilities first
3. Ignoring Requirements: Not meeting area prerequisites
4. Giving Up: Not persisting through difficult sections

Advanced Tips

• Some shards require specific story progression
• Certain shards are easier with upgraded abilities
• Consider collecting shards during main story progression
• Use the map to track your collection progress

Collect all Mask Shards to maximize Hornet's survivability and conquer the most challenging areas of Pharloom!