Bosses are the backbone of any Metroidvania, challenging not just accuracy but also perseverance. Hollow Knight raised the bar for iconic boss battles, and Hollow Knight: Silksong aims to continue that heritage with an equally varied cast of adversaries. One of the early-game hurdles players will face is the Hunter’s March Guardian, also referred to as Skarrgard. Although his name is never mentioned at the time of battle, this battle is your proper introduction to the perils that lay within Hunter’s March.
Where to Find the Hunter’s March Guardian
Proceed from The Marrow by pushing steadily right. The path is fraught with danger: collapsing platforms require attentative stepping, while airborne foes assail constantly, usually at the most inopportune moments. You will eventually arrive in a chamber filled with peculiar red, bouncy objects. By slashing downward, you can bounce over these obstructions to the opposite side. Past this point is the gateway to Hunter’s March, where the Guardian lies.
Closest Bench and Runback Route
Luckily, there is a bench right under the boss arena, so the runback is easy. This is also the location where you initially encounter Grindle, requesting that you assist him in escaping his prison cell. Release him and you will be awarded the Straight Pin, an effective projectile attack that will give you some extra room to breathe in the fight ahead.
Skarrgard’s Attacks and How to Counter Them
The Guardian’s set is straightforward but brutal if read wrong. His rhythm is a reward for patience: bait the attack, parry, then punish.
- Double Slash: Skarrgard swings out his sword with two slashing blows. Dash back the moment the first swing starts, wait for the second to go by, then close in and score a free hit.
- Aerial Slam: A high jump is the indicator for this attack. When he goes up, sprint to the other side of the arena, with time to attack him when he recovers.
- Burrowing Relocate: The Guardian digs down into the ground, and smoke indicates where he will reappear. This is not an actual attack, but remaining at the point where he resurfaces will still deal damage, so move out of the way quickly.
Reward for Victory
Defeating the Hunter’s March Guardian has no direct item reward, but it unlocks access to Hunter’s March, a new zone with benches, vendors, and its own challenges. Above all, advancing further to the right eventually presents one of Silksong’s more challenging early bosses — although you will first need the Drifter’s Cloak from the Far Fields before being able to engage that battle.
