Hornet, the hero of Hollow Knight: Silksong, has a way more acrobatic and versatile movement kit than the Knight from the first game. One of her main new moves is the Downward Pogo, which is a huge part of her combat and exploration.
It’s not simple to find, but it can be something you do more often once you realize how to unlock it. Luckily, there is a way, but it is very unconventional.
How to Get the Downward Pogo Move in Hollow Knight: Silksong
While this isn’t the Downward Pogo that you see in the original, it looks and acts almost exactly the same in Hollow Knight Silksong. It’s also called a “downward attack” or just “pogo,” and it lets Hornet bounce off enemies, environmental stuff like spikes, and even some projectiles by striking down. This acrobatic move is huge for boosting her agility, which is super useful for reaching new heights, getting across tricky spots, or just staying in the air during crazy boss fights.
To actually do the downward Pogo, Hornet needs a specific ability that works with her crest system. The game has a bunch of different crests, and they each give you different perks and change up her abilities. For the downward Pogo, you’ll need the Reaper Crest. This crest is all about playing aggressively and gives Hornet the special downward attack that makes pogoing possible.
Once you’ve got the Reaper Crest on, you can do the downward Pogo by hitting the attack button while aiming down in the air. Hornet will lunge with her needle, hitting whatever is below her and sending her flying back up. Using the downward Pogo well is all about being precise and having good timing. When you’re in the air, you need to aim right below an enemy or something like a spike and hit the attack button. This will shoot Hornet back up, basically resetting her jump or letting her get more height.
What to Press to Do Downward Pogo in HK Silksong
In Hollow Knight: Silksong, to Pogo, you just have to attack downward. With the default hunter crest, Hornet will dash downward with an attack, but with the reaper crest, she performs a Downward Pogo. Hornet’s moveset is way more expansive, and even though the classic down Pogo from the first game isn’t spelled out, the mechanics described totally hint at how you could pull off something similar. Unlike the Knight, who used Soul, Hornet uses Silk for a lot of her more advanced moves.
Her offensive attacks, which are tied to the Crest system, are also a big part of how she fights and gets around. The game is all about acrobatics and being super mobile, with Hornet getting abilities like mantling, wall climbing, and bouncing off specific tools.
Can You Do the Downward Pogo in Silksong?
You can do a Downward Pogo, but it’s not the same as in the original. The quintessential downward Pogo, a cornerstone of acrobatic combat and intricate platforming in Hollow Knight, is being profoundly reimagined for Hornet in Silksong. While the core concept of striking downwards to gain height remains, Hornet’s specific skillset and available tools reshape it into a distinct, yet similarly flexible, mechanic.
Hornet’s heightened agility and acrobatic flair are immediately noticeable, fundamentally changing how the downward strike operates. Where the Knight’s Pogo was more grounded, Hornet’s fundamental abilities provide more extensive air control and a better capacity for recovery, even following a downward strike. This is compounded by her new mantling skill, which allows her to grab ledges after striking an opponent, creating additional avenues for chaining movements.
The recently introduced Silk gauge from Silk Hearts and the crest system also have an indirect effect on the downward Pogo. Although the strike itself does not consume Silk, the resources gained from dealing damage can be utilized for a variety of skills and offensive tools. Consequently, a well-executed downward pogo can help accumulate the Silk gauge, which in turn powers other potent abilities. In the end, while the essence of the downward Pogo persists, it is now envisioned as an active part of Hornet’s larger collection of movement and combat choices in Hollow Knight: Silksong.
