Pharloom Areas Overview: Regions, Routes, and Tips

Author: Silksong Map Team • Updated: 2025-09-30

Summary: A practical overview of key Pharloom regions (names and details subject to change). Use this to plan routes and reduce backtracking.

Confirmed/teased regions

The Kingdom of Pharloom is a vast, vertically-structured world distinct from Hallownest. Based on official trailers, gameplay previews, and community analysis, we can identify several key regions, each with unique environmental challenges and traversal requirements.

Core Hub Regions

1. Moss Grotto (Early Game Hub)

Environment: Lush, overgrown caverns with bioluminescent flora. Features vertical shafts and horizontal tunnels.

Traversal Requirements: Basic movement abilities only. Safe introduction to Silksong's mechanics.

Key Features:

• Tutorial-like structure teaching thread mechanics
• First charm vendor location
• Access to 2-3 early boss encounters
• Multiple exits leading to mid-game areas

Recommended Visit Timing: Beginning of game (0-2 hours in)

Collectibles Density: Medium (8-12 major items)

2. Bonebottom (Underground Network)

Environment: Ancient ossuary with skeletal architecture. Dark atmosphere with limited visibility zones.

Traversal Requirements: Wall climb ability recommended; lantern or light source helpful

Key Features:

• Connects multiple biomes as a central hub
• Contains fast-travel unlock station
• High-value charm hidden in eastern wing
• Optional boss guarding shortcut

Recommended Visit Timing: Mid-game (3-6 hours in)

Collectibles Density: High (15-20 major items)

Thematic Biomes

3. Coral Cascades (Waterfall Region)

Environment: Humid caves with rushing water features. Slippery platforms and current-based hazards.

Traversal Requirements: Timed jumps, water navigation ability (mid-game tool)

Hazards:

• Strong currents pushing Hornet off platforms
• Water-dwelling enemies with ranged attacks
• Collapsing platforms on 15-second timers

Notable Items:

• Silk Shard upgrade (+1 tool capacity)
• Mask Shard (eastern pool, behind hidden wall)
• Defensive charm reducing knockback by 50%

Routing Tip: Clear lower section first, then use upgraded jump to access upper waterfalls. The hidden Mask Shard requires bombing a specific wall - listen for hollow sounds.

4. Citadel Outskirts (Urban Decay)

Environment: Crumbling architecture, once-grand buildings now in ruin. Vertical towers and horizontal plazas.

Traversal Requirements: Double jump, dash upgrade, wall climb

Enemy Composition:

• Armored sentries (shield-breaking attacks required)
• Aerial patrols (ranged tools effective)
• Elite guards near treasure rooms

Major Checkpoints:

• West Gate Bell (fast-travel point)
• Plaza Safe Room (rest point, charm bench)
• Tower Summit (boss arena entrance)

Recommended Visit Timing: Late mid-game (7-10 hours in)

5. Deep Docks (Industrial Zone)

Environment: Abandoned port facilities, rusted machinery, toxic pools.

Traversal Requirements: Immunity charm for acid/poison areas, grapple ability

Unique Mechanics:

• Cargo crane puzzles (use thread to redirect hooks)
• Timed acid rises/falls (30-second cycles)
• Conveyor belt platforming sections

Hidden Area: Eastern maintenance tunnels contain a secret boss and powerful late-game charm (requires 3 specific keys found in other regions)

6. Gilded City (Capital District)

Environment: Opulent palaces, gold-leafed structures, grand staircases. Pharloom's former seat of power.

Traversal Requirements: All movement abilities; some areas require specific tool combinations

Story Significance: Major lore hub with NPCs, environmental storytelling, and key plot revelations

Boss Density: High (3-4 major bosses, 2 optional mini-bosses)

Collectibles:

• Rare charms exclusive to this region
• Multiple Mask Shards (total of 3)
• Silk Shard in throne room
• Lore tablets revealing Pharloom history

Challenge Zones

7. The Shattered Plains (Late-Game Area)

Environment: Fractured landscape with floating debris. Low gravity sections.

Difficulty: Very High - recommended after 80% completion

Requirements:

• All major movement abilities
• 8+ mask upgrades recommended
• Optimized charm loadout

Rewards: End-game charms, final story content, achievement unlocks

Region Connectivity Map

Suggested early routes

Route optimization reduces backtracking and ensures steady progression. Below are proven pathways for different playstyles.

Route A: Story-Focused Progression (Recommended for First Playthrough)

Goal: Experience narrative beats in intended order while maintaining steady power growth.

1. Moss Grotto (0-1.5 hours)
   • Complete tutorial sequences
   • Defeat first boss (Moss Mother)
   • Collect 3 charms from initial vendors
   • Find hidden Mask Shard in northeast cavern
2. Bonebottom West (1.5-3 hours)
   • Unlock fast-travel bell
   • Acquire wall climb ability from mini-boss
   • Return to Moss Grotto for previously inaccessible items
3. Coral Cascades (3-5 hours)
   • Obtain water navigation tool
   • Clear 2 mid-game bosses
   • Collect Silk Shard upgrade
4. Deep Docks (5-7 hours)
   • Solve crane puzzles for charm rewards
   • Defeat boss for Citadel Key
5. Citadel Outskirts → Gilded City (7-12 hours)
   • Major story revelations
   • Multiple boss gauntlets
   • Prepare for end-game

Route B: Power Gamer Path (Maximum Upgrades Early)

Goal: Rush key upgrades to trivialize mid-game content.

1. Moss Grotto → Immediate wall climb rush (skip Moss Mother boss initially)
2. Bonebottom → Grab fast-travel, ignore optional content
3. Speed to Deep Docks using sequence-breaking techniques
4. Collect 2 early Mask Shards using advanced jumps
5. Return to clear skipped bosses with overpowered build

Pros: Easier boss fights, faster completion time
Cons: Misses story context, requires advanced movement skills

Route C: 100% Completionist Path

Goal: Collect every item while minimizing backtracking.

Method: Sweep each region fully before progressing

1. Enter new region → Enable all map markers on interactive map
2. Visit every checkpoint to unlock map visibility
3. Systematically clear quadrants using map filters:
   • Filter: "Charms" → Collect all
   • Filter: "Mask Shards" → Mark any requiring tools you lack
   • Filter: "Bosses" → Clear all accessible
4. Mark inaccessible items on map for later return
5. Only progress to next region when current region is 95%+ cleared

Estimated Time: 20-30 hours for full completion

Routing Principles

Regardless of chosen route, follow these core principles:

• Hub Unlocking Priority: Activate fast-travel bells immediately. Travel time adds up significantly over a playthrough.
• Alternate Difficulty Types: After a tough platforming section, tackle a combat-focused area next. This prevents skill fatigue.
• Mark and Return System: Use the map's pin feature to mark:
  • Items requiring abilities you don't have
  • Suspicious walls (potential secrets)
  • Tough enemies to avoid now, farm later
• Resource Awareness: Before entering boss-heavy regions like Gilded City, stock up on:
  • Mask Shards (aim for 7+ masks)
  • Offensive charms
  • Soul refill items if available

Notable items and checkpoints

Strategic item collection dramatically affects difficulty curve. Prioritize these high-impact upgrades.

Critical Path Items (Must Collect)

High-Priority Survivability Upgrades

Mask Shard Locations (First 4 Recommended):

1. Moss Grotto Northeast: Behind breakable wall after first boss
2. Coral Cascades East Pool: Underwater, requires brief dive
3. Deep Docks Crane Puzzle: Redirect 3 cargo hooks to unlock cage
4. Citadel Outskirts West Tower: Defeat optional mini-boss

Silk Shard Locations (Tool Capacity Upgrades):

• Bonebottom Secret Vault: Wall jump puzzle, no combat required
• Coral Cascades Upper Falls: Requires double jump + dash combo
• Gilded City Throne Room: Story-gated, unlocks after mid-game plot event

Checkpoint Strategy

Checkpoints (benches) serve multiple functions beyond saving:

• Charm swapping: Change loadout before tough sections
• Fast-travel anchor points: Some benches are bell-linked
• NPC encounters: Certain characters only appear at specific benches

Recommended Checkpoint Unlocks (Priority Order):

1. Bonebottom Central (hub location)
2. Coral Cascades Lower (pre-boss positioning)
3. Deep Docks Safe Room (mid-dungeon recovery)
4. Citadel Plaza (Gilded City access point)

Charm Priority Guide

Early-game charm acquisition makes significant difference:

Useful links

• Interactive Map - Full Pharloom region coverage with filters
• Getting Started Guide - Learn map navigation
• Boss Strategy Primer - Combat fundamentals
• Collectibles Guide - 100% completion tracking

External Resources

• MapGenie Source Data: Official map database
• Community Wiki: Cross-reference item locations and routing strategies