How to fix Ruined Tool and get Silkshot in Hollow Knight Silksong
Here's what to do with the Ruined Tool
Wondering what to do with the Ruined Tool in Hollow Knight: Silksong? One of the more cryptic items you can acquire in Hollow Knight: Silksong is the Ruined Tool, which has little description beyond the fact that it'll take a skilled craftsbug to repair it. This humble bit of scrap is necessary for building the Silkshot - the Hollow Knight equivalent of a gun. Powered by shell canisters and the strength of Hornet's own Silk, the Silkshot is pretty darn awesome. However, there's not one, nor two, but three different Silkshots you can make, and since the Ruined Tool is a one-time use item, you've only got one chance to give Hornet the best firearm possible.
In this guide, we'll explain exactly how to fix the Ruined Tool and get the Silkshot in Hollow Knight: Silksong. We'll also break down the three Silkshot variants and explain which one offers the most effective firepower.
How to fix the Ruined Tool and get the Silkshot in Hollow Knight Silksong
To get the Silkshot, you must first find the Ruined Tool in the southeastern stretch of Bilewater, in the hidden Weavenest Murglin area, behind a door that can only be opened with your Needolin. Reaching this door requires you to drop down into the maggot-filled water at the bottom of the screen and go right. After opening the next room with your Needolin, go down the first drop you see into more maggot-filled water, keep moving right, and then wall jump your way upwards with the Cling Grip into a dark room where the Ruined Tool lies on a table.
Once you have the Ruined Tool, you can go to the following NPCs/places for repairs. You have three different options, each of which offers up a different variant of the Silkshot. You can only get one Silkshot, so you'll have to weigh your options carefully.
Forge Daughter: Located in Deep Docks, Forge Daughter will repair the Ruined Tool as long as you pay her 240 Rosaries. She'll make a Silkshot that shoots like a pistol. It has the most ammo (26 shots), but only fires a single shot.
Twelfth Architect: Located in Underworks, Twelfth Architect can craft a Silkshot that shoots like a burst shotgun for 130 Rosaries. This Silkshot fires off three rounds at once, but has less ammunition than Forge Daughter's version (21 shots).
Mount Fay Crafting Table: This is a crafting table located by a hidden Bench in Mount Fay, beneath where you find the Faydown Cloak double jump skill. Inspect it and you'll get a message describing an old Weaver weapon. Without paying any Rosaries, you can use this table to forge a Silkshot that shoots like a railgun. This single laser-like shot is very powerful, but this version of the Silkshot has the least ammo (14 shots).
Which Silkshot is the best?
The Mount Fay Silkshot is the best out of the three Silkshot options. It deals more damage than the other two, pierces enemies, and temporarily suspends Hornet in mid-air when she fires while jumping, which can be useful for mobility when fighting bosses who are on the ground.
If you prefer one steady shot of good damage, then Forge Daughter's Silkshot is fine, albeit not as powerful as the Mount Fay railgun version. Meanwhile, the burst capabilities of Twelfth Architect's Silkshot can be useful against groups, since two out of the three bullets are angled slightly upwards and downwards. This is especially handy against flying enemies - but keep in mind that the damage you'll deal is significantly lesser.
Remember, you can only get one Silkshot during your playthrough of Hollow Knight: Silksong. So choose wisely!
Now you know how to fix the Ruined Tool and get the Silkshot in Hollow Knight: Silksong. For more on other cryptic parts of Hornet's quest, take a look at our guides on how to get the Crest of Wanderer, how to get through the Mist, or how to unlock act 3. Our Silksong walkthrough and bosses list are also key resources to refer to as you proceed to explore every inch of Pharloom.
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