Hollow Knight Silksong is designed as a single-player experience, much like its predecessor. Players are left to explore, survive, and progress without much help.
However, the difficulty can feel overwhelming at times, especially during boss fights or tough areas. Considering that the sequel is much harder than the original game, it is only natural that many players may want to experience the game in co-op.
Since the developers have not included an official multiplayer option, the community has stepped in to fill the gap. A few mods now allow you to play alongside a friend, adding a new way to enjoy the game.
Hollow Knight Silksong: Best Multiplayer Mods
At the moment, two main multiplayer mods are available for Silksong. These are SilklessCoop and the Silksong Steam Multiplayer Mod. Both can be found on Nexus Mods, though they work best on the Steam version of the game.
Each mod has its own installation process and features, but both allow players to load into the same world and see each other in-game. While neither mod offers full co-op in the traditional sense, they still make it possible to move through the world with another player visible on-screen.
SilklessCoop Mod
SilklessCoop is the more technical option, but also the most flexible. It lets you connect through Steam peer-to-peer or by setting up a small standalone server.
Once active, you’ll be able to see another player’s character moving around your game. Combat and sound may not always sync correctly, but the mod does its job of letting you share the space.
How to Install SilklessCoop and Play Multiplayer in Hollow Knight Silksong
SilklessCoop is one of the first community-made mods that brings basic co-op features into Silksong. It takes a bit of setup, but once installed, it allows you and a friend to explore the game world together.
- Download and install BepInEx (a Unity mod loader) and MelonLoader patcher for Silksong. These are required for the mod to work.
- If both players are on Steam, you can connect directly. Otherwise, one player will need to set up a server. The server tool can be downloaded from the mod page or GitHub.
- Download the SilklessCoop mod zip file.
- Extract the files into the Mods folder inside the game’s root directory. If there isn’t a Mods folder yet, create one. A typical path for Steam looks like:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Hollow Knight Silksong\Content\Mods. - Launch Silksong, load your save, and press F5 to activate multiplayer.
- If you are using Steam, one player can simply join the other through the friends list.
For non-Steam players or when peer-to-peer fails, you can use the server option. This requires setting the server IP and port in the config file, and it can work through VPNs, port forwarding, or a public server. The default port is 45565.
Silksong Steam Multiplayer Mod
The Silksong Steam Multiplayer Mod is simpler to set up and doesn’t require BepInEx. It’s limited to the Steam version of the game but comes with built-in room creation and invite options. There’s also a basic PvP toggle included for friendly duels.
How to Install the Steam Multiplayer Mod and Play Multiplayer in Hollow Knight Silksong
This mod focuses on keeping things quick and straightforward, making it a good choice if you don’t want extra setup. It uses Steam’s built-in features to handle most of the connection work for you.
- Download the Silksong Steam Multiplayer Mod zip file from Nexus Mods.
- Extract the files into the Mods folder inside the game’s root directory. Create one if it doesn’t exist.
- Start the game and load the mod.
- One player should select Create Room in the main menu, then use Invite Players to bring in others.
- After invites are accepted, each player can load their own save to appear in the same world.
You can adjust some settings in the config file, including enabling or disabling PvP. Map sync is basic at the moment, and you may need to reopen the map for position markers to update.
How to use Mods and Play Multiplayer in Hollow Knight Silksong
Both mods currently offer a lightweight form of multiplayer. They let you see your friend in the game world, but interaction is limited.
Boss fights may not always work correctly, and some animations or attacks can look out of sync. Audio is also not synchronized. Bugs like duplicated characters or frozen animations may appear, especially after a disconnect.
Despite these issues, the mods are a fun way to explore Hollow Knight Silksong together. They add new energy to the game, even if they are not yet polished. Developers of these mods are continuing to improve them, with future updates planned for better syncing, bug fixes, and possibly public servers.
Safety Tips Before Installing Mods
Along with the general tips for playing Hollow Knight Silksong, you should also keep a few precautions in mind before installing mods on your PC.. Before installing any mod, always back up your save files. This ensures you don’t lose progress if something goes wrong.
Only play with trusted friends, especially if you are using server setups or port forwarding. If you encounter problems, you can remove the mod files and verify your game files to restore the original version of Hollow Knight Silksong.
