🏔️ Mount Fay Complete Guide

Where is Mount Fay in Silksong? Complete walkthrough on how to climb Mount Fay, how to not freeze in Mount Fay, with detailed Mount Fay map locations, flea collection, and bench positions. Master Mount Fay in Hollow Knight Silksong today!

🎥 Video Guide Tutorials

📖 Area Introduction

Mount Fay is a treacherous mountain area in Hollow Knight: Silksong known for its challenging platforming, high-difficulty terrain, and a unique cold damage mechanic. For many players seeking a challenge, it marks a significant milestone in their journey. The difficulty of Mount Fay doesn't stem from traditional boss battles, but from pushing a player's movement skills to their limit while managing a critical survival resource. The ultimate reward for conquering this mountain is the essential ability—the Faydown Cloak, or "double jump"—which will fundamentally change Hornet's exploration and combat.[1][2][3]

Due to its complex platforming and high-stakes survival mechanics, Mount Fay has sparked widespread discussion within the player community. Some players compare its difficulty to the infamous Path of Pain from the original Hollow Knight, arguing that the constant cold damage and time pressure are more frustrating than simple spike traps[4]. However, others believe that once the rhythm and techniques are mastered, Mount Fay becomes one of the most rewarding areas in the game[5][6][4]. This report aims to provide a comprehensive and in-depth guide to help players conquer this challenge, from entry methods and detailed routes to unique cold mechanics, hidden items, and an analysis of characters, enemies, and community experiences, offering the ultimate resource for every explorer.

🚪 Entrance & Prerequisites

Mount Fay Entrance Path

Mount Fay is located to the left of the area known as The Slab, with its entrance closely connected to The Slab's Bellway fast travel station.[7] Players can quickly reach the entrance by traveling to The Slab's Bellway and passing through one area to the left. An alternative route to Mount Fay is to descend from The Slab's fast travel point, head left into a room with enemies and a door requiring an "Apostl Key," continue downwards, pass another fast travel point, and then head left through another area to enter Mount Fay[8][9].

Core Abilities Required for the Challenge

To successfully tackle Mount Fay, players must first acquire two essential movement abilities: the Clawline and the Drifter's Cloak.[7][9] The Clawline, a grappling hook ability, is crucial for traversing most of the area. Community video guides and discussions also repeatedly mention the use of a grappling hook (harpoon), which aligns with the Clawline's functionality[6][9]. The Drifter's Cloak grants Hornet the ability to glide, which is indispensable for navigating the expansive vertical sections and long jumps of Mount Fay.[7][10]

Insight: Ability Dependence and Game Design Philosophy

The design of Mount Fay is not an isolated challenge; it is the ultimate test of the core movement abilities a player gains in the mid-game. The area's placement in the game, and its strict requirement for specific abilities like the Clawline and Drifter's Cloak, reveals the developers' intention to make Mount Fay a technical "skill gate." These abilities are not found within Mount Fay but are unlocked in other areas earlier in the game, such as Shellwood.[11][10] This design philosophy ensures that players have already mastered and can skillfully use these core movement tools before entering Mount Fay. By turning platforming itself into a form of "combat," with the environment rather than enemies as the primary opponent, Mount Fay's design forces players to hone their mechanical skills. Consequently, when a player finally conquers Mount Fay and obtains the vital "double jump" ability, it is not just an in-game reward but a testament to their skill and perseverance. This progressive challenge model ensures that players are fully equipped to handle the immense exploration advantages that the final reward provides.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

🎯 Core Walkthrough Strategy

Detailed Climbing Route and Platforming Sequences

Upon entering Mount Fay, players must immediately use the Clawline and Drifter's Cloak to traverse the frozen lake, moving quickly to the left.[12][9] The water inflicts cold damage, forcing players to maintain a fast pace. At the first rest stop, players can interact with the NPC Shakra and purchase a map of Mount Fay, which is helpful for the subsequent climb.[13][9] From here, the true platforming challenge begins.

The walkthrough is a continuous upward journey where players will face a series of crumbling platforms, moving enemies, and grappling sequences that demand precise timing.[12][5] Throughout the climb, players must move quickly from one heat source to the next while flexibly using wall jumps and dashes to avoid obstacles like spikes.[12][5] In the final area at the summit, players will find the Faydown Cloak and unlock the double jump ability.[1][2][3]

Advanced Platforming Techniques

In Mount Fay, simple jumps and dashes are not enough. The community has developed several advanced techniques to handle the challenge. One of the most crucial is the "Clawline Pogo." Players can use the Clawline to bounce off enemies or walls to maintain aerial momentum and height, which is vital for clearing certain long platforming sections.[6][5] Some players even stated that discovering this technique completely changed their experience in the area.[6]

Another key detail involves the grappling jump. Players have discovered that after a grappling action is completed, the game automatically triggers a jump to achieve maximum height. If a player manually presses the jump button at this moment, it will override the automatic jump, preventing them from reaching the necessary height.[6][5] Mastering this small detail is essential for overcoming some of the height-demanding platforming challenges.

Insight: Difficulty Curve and Player Feedback

The platforming difficulty of Mount Fay does not increase linearly but instead layers platforming challenges with "time-based" and "high-punishment" mechanics, creating a unique sense of tension. Many players feel that the constant cold damage forces them to "speedrun an already difficult platforming section" that is also difficult[6][4]. This design results in a high-punishment experience where "one mistake might require restarting the whole sequence," leading to significant frustration[6][4].

This design is an intentional choice by the developers (Team Cherry) to create a challenge different from the original Hollow Knight. It tests not only a player's mechanical precision but also their ability to plan routes and manage stress under pressure. It forces players to pre-plan their entire jumping sequence in their minds, rather than being able to pause or wait for platforms as in Hollow Knight[4]. This design reinforces the differences between Silksong and the original game, encouraging a more aggressive and proactive play style. Players who successfully complete the area generally express that this high difficulty and the ultimate reward make Mount Fay one of their favorite areas.[6][5]

❄️ Cold Mechanics Explained

Mechanism Breakdown and Core Principles

The cold mechanic is the central challenge of Mount Fay. In outdoor areas, Hornet will continuously take cold damage if she stays away from a heat source for too long.[7][14] This mechanism is controlled by a "cold value" or "timer," which, when filled, causes Hornet to freeze and take damage. In icy water, the cold value builds up significantly faster, making movement in these areas particularly dangerous[14].

Heat Source Types and Positional Strategies

To combat the cold damage, players must strategically use heat sources along the path. Mount Fay's heat sources are mainly divided into three types:

• Static Heat Sources: The most common are campfires and metal lamps; players can simply stand near them to warm up.[7][12]
• Destructible Heat Sources: Some heat sources can be destroyed, so players must be extra cautious. If a heat source is broken, a section may become impassable without a reset.[7]
• Temporary Heat Sources: Some video guides mention that red mining nodes can also provide a brief warming effect when mined, helping players temporarily avoid cold damage[14].

Survival Tips and Advanced Strategies

In Mount Fay, the art of survival lies in route planning and time management. Players need to move quickly from one heat source to the next, planning their path to avoid staying in cold areas for too long[5][12]. An advanced tip shared by a community member is to use room transitions to reset the cold timer.[12] If a player makes a mistake during a difficult platforming section but is close to a room transition, they can quickly enter and exit to reset the cold timer, giving them a precious moment to catch their breath.[12]

When players finally reach the summit and obtain the Faydown Cloak, a major benefit is that Hornet will no longer be affected by the cold mechanic.[6][15] This allows players to easily return and explore previously inaccessible areas or find missed items.

💎 Hidden Items & Secret Areas

Mask Shards

A Mask Shard is hidden within the Mount Fay area, and it is the ninth Mask Shard in the game.[16] To get it, players must first complete the Mount Fay climb, reach the summit, and obtain the crucial Faydown Cloak, which unlocks the double jump ability.[16][2][3] After getting the ability, players need to return to a small "tower cubby" near the first rest stop at the bottom of the mountain.[16] Using the new double jump and wall jump, players can climb to the top of the cubby to find and collect the Mask Shard.[16] The community highly recommends grabbing this shard before leaving Mount Fay to avoid regret.[2]

Secret Area: Brightvein

Mount Fay also contains a secret sub-area called Brightvein.[7] To enter this area, players need to go down and left from the right Bench, then using "Silk Soar" on a rock floating in the ice water in the room to the left of the large chasm to enter. Brightvein's interior is a platforming section that leads to another hidden Mask Shard. Additionally, to the left of the Brightvein entrance, players can find a "Materium" entry for Magnetite.[7]

Other Hidden Items

Besides the Mask Shards, other items can be found in Mount Fay. Community players have shared an important shortcut: after obtaining the Faydown Cloak, a permanent bench checkpoint can be unlocked by going outside to the left, heading down, and breaking a wall. This costs 90 Rosaries but provides a convenient checkpoint.[6][5] Additionally, players may find items like the "Frayed Rosary String" during their climb.[8]

The table below details all known hidden items in Mount Fay, along with their locations and prerequisites:

👤 Characters & NPCs: Mask Maker

Character Profile and Function

The Mask Maker is a significant NPC in Mount Fay, whose workshop is located in the northwestern part of the mountain near the summit.[17] He plays a dual role: he is both a "lore NPC" who guards the game's secrets and a "late-game craftsman" who provides a crucial upgrade for Hornet.[17]

The Mask Maker's main function is to help Hornet upgrade the Silkshot to its final form, "Silkshot III."[17] To complete this upgrade, players must follow a specific process: first, acquire the "Ruined Tool" in the Bilewater area. Then, have the "Forge Daughter" repair it to Tier I, the "Twelfth Architect" upgrade it to Tier II, and finally, bring it to the Mask Maker in Mount Fay for the ultimate repair and upgrade.[17]

Mask Maker's Dialogue

Interacting with the Mask Maker is an important way to deepen the understanding of the game's lore. Players can speak with him multiple times. Upon their first meeting, he will pose philosophical questions about "masks" and "faces."[18] However, his most captivating dialogue is unlocked in a unique way: by using one of Hornet's "Silk Skills" or a charged attack to hit the mask on his face from the side, which removes it.[17] This triggers a series of more "lucid" and philosophical dialogues, revealing his profound insights into existence and identity.[17]

A selection of the Mask Maker's dialogue:

• Normal Dialogue:
  • “Is it mask or face upon the creature? In Hallownest, a difficult thing it can be to decipher.”[18]
  • “A wonderful thing to have, a face. Not a thing with which we all are blessed. For this kingdom's faceless, I shall provide.”[18]
• Unmasked Dialogue (First Time):
  • “It sees the face beneath! Or could it be just another mask? Truth in Hallownest is always buried deep. How many layers will it pry through?”[18]
  • “To change a face; to conceal it fully within another... A powerful protection that is, but one with sad consequence. The original mind is destroyed, though those of striking will may still retain a sliver of that concealed self.”[18]
• Dream Nailed Dialogue:
  • “...Does it know of the face that hides beneath? Such remarkable contrast the Wyrm conceived.”[18]

Insight: Character Connections and Intertwined Lore

In the research on the Mask Maker, a notable discrepancy in information exists. Some sources place the Mask Maker clearly in the "Deepnest" area of the original Hollow Knight[18][19], while another source explicitly states he is in Mount Fay in Silksong[17]. This difference is not a simple contradiction but an important narrative hint. It suggests that the Mask Maker in Silksong may not be the same character from the first game, but a new one who has inherited the identity, philosophy, and craft of the original. Both Mask Makers are dedicated to creating masks and ponder the philosophical relationship between "mask," "face," and "existence."[18][19][17] This setup provides an important lore thread, hinting at a connection between Pharloom and Hallownest, possibly linked by the central concept of "masks." The Mask Maker's presence is not merely a part of the game's mechanics but a crucial clue that links the two kingdoms and delves into the philosophical theme of "identity and existence," adding depth to the overall narrative.

⚔️ Enemy Guide & Weakness Analysis

The core challenge of Mount Fay is its platforming rather than combat, but the enemies along the way are still a threat and are often integrated into the platforming puzzles. Many general guide websites provide enemy lists for the game as a whole, but their information is not specific to particular areas.[20][21] This report will focus on the specific enemy types found within the Mount Fay area[22].

The table below lists the enemies you may encounter in Mount Fay, along with their known information and suggested strategies.

Due to the relative scarcity of enemy data for the Mount Fay area in existing research, especially regarding specific attack patterns and weaknesses, the strategies in the table above are primarily based on speculation regarding enemy design in platforming areas. In Silksong, many enemies are designed to work in conjunction with environmental mechanics (like the cold) to disrupt the player's movement. For example, the "Clawline Pogo" technique mentioned in community discussions proves that using enemies as part of the platforming puzzle is an effective strategy.[6] Therefore, when facing these enemies, players should first view them as environmental obstacles that need to be managed, rather than just simple combat targets.

🎬 Video Resources & Community Highlights

Featured Video Guides

Although many community video links may have expired due to their early nature, their titles and descriptions still provide valuable information. For example, some videos specifically show the route from The Slab area into Mount Fay and point out that you can purchase a map from the NPC Shakra at the entrance.[13][9] Other videos focus on demonstrating how to obtain the Faydown Cloak (double jump)[1][3][15], giving players a visual reference for the walkthrough. The existence of these videos proves the widespread challenge of Mount Fay and provides visual learning resources for players.

Player Experience Sharing

Community forums like Reddit are essential for players to share their experiences and insights. Discussions about Mount Fay often reveal a polarized player base. Many consider it the "worst area in the game" because the cold mechanic forces them into a "timed speedrun" that deprives them of the ability to "pause and breathe."[6][4] This design, with its high pressure and high punishment, frustrates many players.[4]

However, through community communication, many players have shared important tips and discoveries, such as:

• Clawline Pogo: Some players in the community shared the technique of using the Clawline to bounce off enemies and walls, which "changed the game" for them and helped them get through the area.[6]
• Permanent Bench Shortcut: A community member discovered that after obtaining the Faydown Cloak, a permanent bench checkpoint can be unlocked by going outside to the left, heading down, and breaking a wall, then paying 90 Rosaries. This greatly reduces the penalty for death and having to repeat the area.[6][5]
• The Joy of the Final Reward: Players who successfully conquer Mount Fay and obtain the double jump ability are universally thrilled and point out that the cold mechanic no longer affects them, making subsequent exploration easy and enjoyable.[6]

🏆 Challenges & Rewards

Mount Fay is a microcosm of Silksong's core design philosophy: it combines classic platforming elements with an innovative survival mechanic, creating a high-level challenge that requires players to master "speed, precision, and adaptability." By imposing time pressure, it forces players to move beyond simple memorization and reflexes into a more aggressive and forward-thinking gameplay flow.

Conquering Mount Fay is not just about gaining a new ability; it is a comprehensive test of a player's skill, perseverance, and mental fortitude. The "Faydown Cloak" (double jump) that is ultimately earned not only changes the way the game is explored but also serves as the best possible recognition for a player's hard-earned effort. It symbolizes that the player has mastered the new rhythm of the game and is ready for the adventures that lie ahead. This guide provides every brave explorer with all the tools needed to conquer this wintry trial and ultimately enjoy the rewards of victory.