Complete Mount Fay Walkthrough
Master Hollow Knight Silksong's most challenging platforming area and unlock the Faydown Cloak double jump ability
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🎮 Prerequisites & Preparation
1
Required Abilities
Before attempting Mount Fay, you must have the following abilities unlocked:
- Clawline - Found in The Cauldron (Underworks area). Mandatory for entering Mount Fay
- Drifter's Cloak - Glide ability required for long platforming sections
- Swift Step - Air dash for precise movement and corrections
- Basic wall jump and dash - Core movement abilities
- Ascendant's Grip - Allows sticking to any wall, invaluable for recovery
- Weavelight - Silk regeneration helps with extended platforming
- Maximum health - Extra mask shards for cold damage tolerance
2
Mental Preparation
Mount Fay is extremely challenging and requires patience. Expect multiple attempts and prepare mentally for setbacks. The key is learning from each failure and gradually improving your execution.
❄️ Cold Damage Mechanics
1
Understanding the System
Mount Fay's primary challenge is the cold damage system. Understanding this mechanic is crucial for success.
- 20-second grace period - You have exactly 20 seconds before taking your first damage
- Rapid deterioration - After the first hit, health drops every 3 seconds
- Water amplifies damage - Frigid water accelerates health loss significantly
- Heat sources reset timer - Campfires, lightbulbs, and certain areas provide warmth
2
Heat Source Strategy
Efficient use of heat sources is the key to survival. Plan your route to maximize warmth exposure while minimizing travel time.
- Some heat sources are destructible - be careful with combat near them
- Lightbulbs provide smaller warming radius than campfires
- Stay near heat sources until fully warmed (visual indicator will show)
- Plan 15-second maximum segments between heat sources for safety margin
🗺️ Route Planning & Strategy
1
Optimal Path Overview
The most efficient route balances speed with safety. We'll break down the climb into 5 major checkpoints, each with specific strategies and heat source locations.
- Base Camp - Entry point and preparation area
- First Ascent - Initial climbing section with tutorial-level difficulty
- Mid Section - Complex platforming with multiple heat sources
- Upper Climb - Advanced techniques required, sparse heat sources
- Final Push - Most challenging section leading to the summit
Checkpoint 1: Base Camp
Your journey begins at the base of Mount Fay. This area serves as your final preparation point before the challenging ascent.
🏕️ Base Camp Setup
- Large campfire provides unlimited warming time
- Practice wall-jumping and dash timing here
- Stock up on health if needed
- The cartographer NPC sells the Mount Fay map for 40 Rosaries
Spend time at base camp mastering your movement. The muscle memory developed here will be crucial for the more challenging sections ahead.
Checkpoint 2: First Ascent
The first real climbing section introduces you to Mount Fay's mechanics in a relatively forgiving environment.
🧗♂️ Climbing Strategy
- Use Clawline to reach the first elevated platform
- Small lightbulb provides warming - stay close for 3-5 seconds
- Practice dash-jump combinations on the easier terrain
- First bench location is behind a breakable wall to the left
- Don't rush - take time to warm up at each heat source
- Avoid the tempting shortcut path - it leads to a dead end
- Save your silk for emergency recoveries, not aggressive routing
Checkpoint 3: Mid Section Complex
The difficulty ramps up significantly here. This section requires precise platforming and optimal heat source management.
🎯 Critical Sequence
- Large campfire on left platform - mandatory stop
- Tricky Clawline sequence across the central chasm
- Hidden lightbulb behind false wall (dash through)
- Ice water section - minimize contact time
Use Swift Step dash immediately after Clawline release for extra distance. This technique allows you to skip some dangerous ice platforms in the central chasm.
Checkpoint 4: Upper Climb Gauntlet
One of the most challenging sections. Heat sources become scarce, and platforming demands near-perfect execution.
🏔️ High-Altitude Challenges
- 20+ second gap between heat sources - plan carefully
- Ascendant's Grip becomes essential for wall-resting
- Second bench requires 90 Rosary toll to unlock
- Wind currents affect gliding - adapt your timing
This is where most runs fail. If you don't have Ascendant's Grip, consider backtracking to obtain it. The ability to rest on walls can save your run multiple times in this section.
Checkpoint 5: Final Summit Push
The ultimate test. This section requires everything you've learned and perfect execution under pressure.
👑 Summit Strategy
- No heat sources - you have exactly 20 seconds maximum
- Use air currents strategically for upward momentum
- Final Clawline sequence requires frame-perfect timing
- Emergency silk usage for last-chance recoveries only
Take the air current on the left side when wind direction is favorable. If you make it to the final platform, take a moment to breathe - you're about to claim the Faydown Cloak!
👘 Faydown Cloak - Double Jump Reward
1
Claiming Your Reward
Upon reaching Mount Fay's summit, you'll witness a cutscene where a bird swoops down to grant you the Faydown Cloak.
- Double Jump - Perform a second jump in mid-air
- Cold Immunity - No longer take damage from Mount Fay's cold
- Enhanced Mobility - Opens up new traversal options throughout Silksong
2
Using Double Jump Effectively
The double jump is a game-changing ability. Practice combining it with your existing movement options for maximum mobility.
- Jump → Double Jump → Dash for maximum distance
- Wall Jump → Double Jump for extended vertical reach
- Clawline → Double Jump for emergency recoveries
- Double Jump → Drifter's Cloak for precision landings
💎 Brightvein Hidden Area
1
Finding the Secret
Brightvein is Mount Fay's hidden area containing valuable rewards. Access it from the right bench area.
- From the right bench, go down and left
- Look for ice water room with large chasm
- Use Silk Soar on floating rock in the ice water
- Navigate the bright, icy cave system
2
Brightvein Rewards
The secret area contains a challenging platforming section leading to a Mask Shard - essential for increasing your health capacity.
🔧 Troubleshooting Common Issues
❌ Frequent Failure Points
- Rushing between heat sources - Take time to warm up completely
- Poor silk management - Save silk for emergencies, not convenience
- Attempting without proper abilities - Ensure you have Clawline and Drifter's Cloak
- Panic movement in difficult sections - Stay calm and execute practiced sequences
💡 Recovery Strategies
- If you fall, don't panic - analyze what went wrong
- Use practice runs to memorize heat source locations
- Break the climb into smaller goals to reduce mental pressure
- Consider getting additional health upgrades if struggling with cold damage