You only get one Ruined Tool in Hollow Knight: Silksong, and it determines which version of Silkshot you can build. This guide shows you where to recover the Ruined Tool, how to repair it three different ways, and what changes between variants so you can commit with confidence.

Find the Ruined Tool (Weavenest Murglin, Bilewater)

The Ruined Tool sits in a hidden Weavenest Murglin chamber in the southeast of Bilewater. You’ll need Needolin to open the door and Cling Grip to scale the room.

Step 1: Drop into the maggot-filled water at the bottom of the screen in Bilewater and swim right to a locked door.

Step 2: Use Needolin to open the door and proceed into the next room.

Step 3: Take the first downward drop into more maggot-filled water, continue right, and look for a vertical climb.

Step 4: Use Cling Grip to wall-jump up into a dark room and inspect the table to collect the Ruined Tool.

This variant fires a charged, piercing beam that deals heavy damage in a straight line and briefly holds Hornet in mid-air when fired during a jump. It requires Craftmetal but no Rosaries to build, making it cost-efficient. Ammo capacity is the lowest of the three, but each shot does significant work.

Step 1: Reach the upper sections of Mount Fay, below the spot where you obtained the Faydown Cloak. From the peak, drop to the right onto a ledge leading into a tucked-away room with a bench.

Step 2: Inspect the ancient table in this room and choose to repair the Ruined Tool using Craftmetal. Confirm to forge Silkshot in its railgun form.

Step 3: Equip Silkshot. Hold to charge, then release to fire a piercing beam. Use the brief mid-air suspension to reposition safely over ground-based attacks.

Key details: High damage, piercing beam; lowest ammo (around 14 shots); costs Craftmetal only; brief air stall on fire.

Alternative: Repair with Forge Daughter (single-shot firearm)

Forge Daughter in Deep Docks repairs the Ruined Tool into a single-shot Silkshot with the highest ammo capacity. It’s straightforward to use and reliable at range, but it does not pierce.

Step 1: Visit Forge Daughter in Deep Docks with the Ruined Tool in your inventory.

Step 2: Pay the repair fee (240 Rosaries) to have the tool restored.

Step 3: Equip Silkshot. Tap to fire one strong projectile per shot; use the larger ammo pool to apply consistent pressure in longer encounters.

Key details: Single projectile per trigger; highest ammo (around 26 shots); costs Rosaries; no pierce.

Alternative: Repair with the Twelfth Architect (three-shot burst)

The Twelfth Architect in Underworks crafts a burst-fire Silkshot that launches three projectiles in an ascending spread. It’s cheaper than Forge Daughter’s option and useful against clustered or airborne targets, but you’ll get fewer rounds overall and need to land multiple pellets for full value.

Ways to reach Underworks include:

  • From White Ward via an elevator you can unlock after obtaining the White Key.
  • Using a lift near The Stage in the Whispering Vaults.
  • Traversing The Mist from the Bilewater side.

Step 1: Locate the Twelfth Architect in the right-hand side of Underworks and speak to them with the Ruined Tool.

Step 2: Pay the repair fee (130 Rosaries) to create the burst variant.

Step 3: Equip Silkshot. Fire in controlled bursts and adjust spacing to connect all three shots when possible.

Key details: Three-shot burst in an upward spread; mid-range ammo (around 21 shots); lower cost in Rosaries; excels at tagging multiple small targets.

Silkshot variants at a glance

  • Mount Fay (railgun): Charged, piercing beam; roughly 14 shots; uses Craftmetal, no Rosaries; briefly suspends Hornet mid-air.
  • Forge Daughter (single-shot): One strong projectile per fire; roughly 26 shots; 240 Rosaries; simple, consistent ranged damage.
  • Twelfth Architect (burst): Three-round ascending burst; roughly 21 shots; 130 Rosaries; good for groups and flyers when pellets land.

Important limits and decision tips

Silkshot is a one-time decision per save. The Ruined Tool can only be repaired once, and the choice is irreversible. Plan ahead.

  • If you can comfortably progress to Mount Fay, the railgun’s damage, piercing, and mobility utility make it the strongest all-round pick.
  • Need a ranged tool earlier and have Rosaries on hand? Forge Daughter’s single-shot version offers the most ammunition and a simple firing pattern.
  • On a tighter Rosary budget or fighting frequent swarms, the Twelfth Architect’s burst can cover multiple elevations but demands accuracy to realize its damage.
  • All Silkshot variants consume Hornet’s Silk in addition to ammo, so weave ranged shots into your route planning and resource management.

Pick the Silkshot that best matches your current progression and resource plan. If you can wait, the Mount Fay railgun delivers the most damage per shot and valuable pierce.