Talk to Pinmaster Plinney in Bellhart to upgrade Hornet’s Needle once the town is freed from the Widow. This upgrade increases base attack damage, which reduces the number of swings needed to defeat common enemies and also improves damage on Needle-based skills such as Silkspear.

1) Permanent damage upgrade (Sharpened Needle)

Step 1: Obtain the wall jump in Shellwood. This movement ability is on the main path and is required to reach the route into Bellhart and the boss arena that unlocks the upgrade.

Step 2: Travel to Bellhart, which lies to the east of Shellwood. Use the lift toward the northeast from Shellwood and continue into the settlement.

Step 3: Defeat the Widow boss to liberate Bellhart. Clearing this fight restores the town and makes its services available, including the NPC who sharpens your Needle.

Step 4: Find Pinmaster Plinney’s bellhouse on the right side of Bellhart. Look for the doorway marked by three white pins above it to locate the correct building.

Step 5: Speak to Plinney and select the prompt Sharpen Needle?. Accepting this applies the upgrade for free and grants the Sharpened Needle.

Step 6: Verify the result by testing on nearby enemies. You should notice fewer hits required to defeat basic foes; Needle-scaling skills like Silkspear also deal more damage after the upgrade.

  • The first upgrade is permanent and does not require Rosaries or materials.
  • You cannot access the sharpening service on your first pass through Bellhart; freeing the town is required.
  • This upgrade raises damage only; it does not change attack speed, range, or Hornet’s moveset.

2) Check for further upgrades from Plinney (player-verified + guide-reported)

Step 1: Speak to Plinney again after obtaining the Sharpened Needle. Ask about additional work or sharpening opportunities.

Step 2: Accept the task titled “Pinmaster’s Oil” if it appears in your tasks list. This objective becomes available after the first sharpening for some players.

Step 3: Complete the task requirements as described in your in-game notes. Some guides report that Plinney’s tasks can involve collecting rare materials (for example, Iron Silk), though the exact request can vary as you progress.

Step 4: Return to Plinney and inquire about sharpening again. Community reports and guide coverage indicate subsequent Needle upgrades may unlock after completing Plinney’s tasks; check back if the option does not appear immediately.

  • Availability and prerequisites for later upgrades can depend on story progress and tasks completed.
  • If you do not see “Pinmaster’s Oil,” advance other objectives and revisit Plinney periodically.
  • Patch changes may adjust task requirements or timing; rely on your in-game task log first.

3) Optional temporary damage boost (player-reported, not permanent)

Step 1: Reach the Deep Docks after you have wall jump. This area opens up as you progress and offers various tools.

Step 2: Explore the upper-left section of the Deep Docks and search large vertical rooms with multiple platforms. Players have reported a red tool here that temporarily boosts Needle damage.

Step 3: Equip the tool once acquired. Read its description to understand duration and activation conditions so you can plan its use during tough encounters.

Step 4: Trigger the tool before arenas or boss phases where a short damage spike will matter most. Treat this as a stopgap to speed up fights until permanent Needle upgrades are secured.

  • This option does not replace the permanent Needle upgrade and may be gated by progression.
  • Exact room placement can be easy to miss; if you cannot locate it, return later with additional movement options.

If Plinney’s door is shut or the prompt is missing, you still need to free Bellhart by defeating the Widow. Once upgraded, combat flows faster and resource usage drops because enemies fall in fewer hits; check back with Plinney as you advance for potential follow-up upgrades.