Hollow Knight Silksong’s Terrible Tyrant Wish: Crushing Skull Tyrants Into Bone Ash

The first Hollow Knight Silksong Skull Tyrant lurks in The Marrow’s eastern reaches, specifically in that area marked with bones on your map – because apparently, subtle environmental storytelling isn’t this guy’s strong suit. You’ll need the Cling Grip skill even to reach this bony bully, so don’t go charging in there without it unless you enjoy disappointment.

Here’s the thing, though – while some brave (or foolish) souls claim you can fight this thing as soon as you unlock wall-climbing, I’m going to save you some headaches and suggest waiting. Trust me, you’ll want to grab the Terrible Tyrant quest from Bellhart’s wish board first. By then, you’ll have at least one needle upgrade, which makes this fight go from “nightmare fuel” to merely “moderately terrifying.” When you finally reach the arena, you’ll see a massive skull sleeping there like a decoration. Give it a good whack to wake it up and get ready because this thing is gonna wake up grumpy.

The Bone Bottom Showdown

The second Hollow Knight Silksong encounter happens in Bone Bottom, and boy, does this one know how to make an entrance. After you turn in the “An Icon of Hope” wish quest, this skeletal show-off comes charging in from the right side, charging in full stampede mode. It’ll absolutely demolish most of the dwelling, including the bench! Say goodbye to your convenient respawn point.

You can actually fight both Skull Tyrants back-to-back if you’re feeling particularly masochistic. Complete the Terrible Tyrant quest in The Marrow, then head back to Bone Bottom and cough up those Shell Shards at the wish board. Just be ready for some serious property damage. This Skull Tyrant is a wild beast that breaks bones and rules.

The Skull Tyrants’ Attack Patterns

Both Hollow Knight Silksong Skull Tyrant fights are identical (oh, sweet merciful consistency). The bony behemoth twins have exactly three tricks up their non-existent exoskeletal sleeves. (Another merciful blessing) So once you know their moves, the fight becomes significantly less panic-inducing. For something called a tyrant, compared to the other bosses, this sounds like a walk in the park (or grotto? Tunnel? Cave? Either way, a nice stroll)

The Charge Attack: Bowling for Bones

When you see this calcium catastrophe shaking its body and lifting its legs like it’s doing some weird prehistoric dance, it’s about to turn you into a bug pancake. Sometimes it’ll scuttle backward first (because even skeletons need a running start), but not always. The key here is maintaining distance – think of it as social distancing, but with more mortal peril.

The Jump Slam: Death from Bellyflop

If the Skull Tyrant shakes without the fancy footwork, it’s preparing to launch itself into the air like a bony wrestler. It’ll come crashing down diagonally, and just to add insult to injury, it’ll knock two boulders loose from the ceiling. Because apparently, one source of crushing death isn’t enough for this overachiever.

The Roar: Screaming Fit

When this fossil starts howling, the arena will experience a massive rumble. This roar is a powerful quake and is accompanied by the beast bouncing up and down three times. With each landing, ceiling debris will be coming down with it. It’s basically a tantrum with potentially fatal consequences – peak Hollow Knight design philosophy right there.

Combat Strategy: How to Turn Bones to Dust

The Skull Tyrant can only take damage from the front, back, and underside (and pogo-ing off its skull won’t do squat). Most tools just bounce off that thick skull (relatable, honestly), but the Longpin is your secret weapon here. This beauty can pierce armored targets, making it absolutely perfect for turning this bone pile into calcium powder. You can find the Longpin in a hidden area in eastern Shellwood, directly above the entrance from Bellhart. While you’re in Shellwood, grab the Pollip Pouch from the Rite of the Pollip quest to inflict some decent poison damage.

The fight itself is all about patience and timing. When boulders aren’t raining down near its face, close the gap during the roar attack for some free hits. As soon as it finishes charging, smack that skull. Follow the same approach when it lands after it jumps. The Skull Tyrant doesn’t have phases to worry about, so this isn’t the time to be conservative with your resources.

After finally blasting that calcium nightmare to smithereens, you can collect and turn in its horn at the Bellhart wish board. You will be rewarded with a Heavy Rosary Necklace worth 220 Rosaries. Not exactly a king’s ransom, but considering you just defeated what amounts to a museum exhibit with anger issues, it’s a decent payday.

Final Thoughts on Conquering the Skull Tyrant

The Hollow Knight Silksong Skull Tyrant might look intimidating with its boulder frame and obvious death wish, but it’s really just a big, slow target with predictable patterns. Once you learn to read its telegraphs and find your rhythm, this fight becomes less about survival and more about patience. Sure, it hits like a freight train made of nightmares (those 2-mask damage attacks are no joke), but every attack is clearly signaled. Stay alert, keep your distance when needed, and remember – you’re basically fighting a very angry pile of calcium. You’ve got this.