Hollow Knight: Silksong is built around big, demanding encounters — and there are a lot of them. The official line is simple: the release trailer touts “over 40” bosses in the full game, and the game’s store page positions it as a full-scale sequel rather than a small side project. If you want the source for that number, it’s right in the release trailer.

Why the count isn’t as straightforward as it sounds

Boss numbers in this series depend on what you include. Silksong follows the same broad structure as Hollow Knight, which means some fights blur the lines between “main boss,” “optional boss,” and “mini-boss.” A few common gray areas can push the total up or down:

  • Rematches and escalations: recurring rivals that reappear in tougher variants are often listed separately, even if mechanics overlap.
  • Duos and multi-phase fights: some encounters swap forms or add partners partway through; guides may split these, others won’t.
  • Mini-bosses: substantial arena fights that gate a room, reward an item, or cap a quest may be counted in one list and not in another.

That’s why you’ll see player-made lists differ by a handful of entries even when they agree on the big set pieces.

How it stacks up to Hollow Knight

The original Hollow Knight is commonly quoted at 47 boss fights — but that tally includes expansions, multiple upgraded forms, and joke or variant encounters. If you look only at the base game, the figure sits closer to the mid-30s, and it drops further if you strip out rematches. By that yardstick, Silksong’s “40+” in its base release puts it in the same ballpark or higher, with room left for the series’ usual mix of optional detours and revisited duels.

What “over 40” likely covers

Expect a blend of mandatory roadblocks, optional hunts, and questline finales spread across Pharloom. Silksong also brings back the series’ recurring duelist archetype — the kind of nimble rival who returns later in a sharper form — and it isn’t shy about set-piece scale (think huge arenas, environmental hazards, and multi-target fights).

Without spoiling specifics, here’s a representative slice of the roster you’ll encounter:

  • Moss Mother
  • Bell Beast (which doubles as your fast travel mount after you subdue it)
  • Lace (reappears later in a tougher rematch)
  • Fourth Chorus
  • Widow
  • Last Judge
  • Moorwing
  • Cogwork Dancers
  • Sister Splinter
  • Skull Tyrant
  • Great Conchflies (duo)
  • Trobbio
  • Seth
  • Sharpe
  • Carmelita
  • Grand Mother Silk

Some of these are optional, a few are rematches or variants, and several sit behind movement tools or quest progression. That mix is why the headline number and your personal count may differ even on a complete save.

What to keep in mind as you play

  • Your route changes your tally. Pharloom is wide and layered; it’s easy to miss optional bosses on a first pass.
  • Expect repeat performances. Rival encounters evolve — you’ll see familiar names again with faster patterns, extra moves, or a new arena.
  • Don’t skip the “small” fights. Mini-bosses often unlock tools, shortcuts, or side quests that lead to bigger encounters later.

The takeaway. If you’re just here for the number: Silksong has over 40 bosses in its base release. If you want the why: the game’s structure — optional routes, recurring rivals, and questline finales — means boss lists will always be a little elastic. However you count, the sequel lands in the same league as Hollow Knight’s complete tally, with a roster dense enough to anchor long runs and multiple endings.