Hornet’s reliable Needle is her faithful companion throughout Hollow Knight: Silksong. While it begins well, players can upgrade it several times to remain in step with Pharloom’s most difficult foes. Following the initial upgrade, nonetheless, improvements demand a scarce material called Pale Oil, which is tied into the Pinmaster’s Oil mission. This guide describes how to get the mission, where to locate Pale Oil, and how to complete the puzzle that protects it.
How to Begin the Pinmaster’s Oil Quest
First, you need to remove the curse on Bellhart by killing the Widow. Afterward, when the curse is lifted, Bellhart changes into a thriving town that is occupied by NPCs and new possibilities.
Go up to the top part of the city and find the Pinmaster’s residence. Within, he will upgrade Hornet’s Needle for the first time. In the course of the dialogue, he says that a second, better upgrade is achievable—but only if you return to him with a vial of Pale Oil.
Where to Get Pale Oil
Pale Oil is secreted deep in the Choral Chambers, but to access it you will need to navigate through the Whispering Vaults.
- From the Whispering Vaults, go right through the main chamber, then go down the large vertical shaft.
- Enter the western room, which contains piled crates.
- There, you will need to solve a box-shifting puzzle in order to unlock the way into the Choral Chambers, in which the Pale Oil lies.
How to Reach the Whispering Vaults
The Whispering Vaults’ entrance is found in the Cogwork Core, the same area where players get The Architect’s Melody. Explore the place until you find a secret passageway heading right. Enter the passageway, hit a lever to turn a huge wheel bridge, opening the entrance to the Vaults.
Before venturing too deep, it’s advisable to get the Whispering Vaults map. This will greatly simplify the navigation process, particularly with its tiered puzzle rooms and secret passages.
Solving the Whispering Vaults Box Puzzle
The crate puzzle requires carefully moving boxes to create new pathways. The process involves sliding and striking crates in sequence until an exit opens at the top of the chamber. At the end of the sequence, you’ll be able to descend into a hidden room and hit a lever that unlocks the Choral Chambers.
Inside, the Pale Oil awaits. Claim it, and you’ll be able to return to the Pinmaster in Bellhart to continue the Needle’s enhancement.
Quest Reward
Transferring Pale Oil to the Pinmaster enables Hornet’s Needle to be upgraded further, increasing its strength and making fighting much easier against more challenging late-game enemies. Although the journey is tricky—requiring platforming finesse and puzzle-solving—it is certainly worth it for dedicated players looking to get their weapon upgraded to its maximum potential.
