Alexandre Jollier
Cracked Mask Hollow Knight Silksong: How to Get It
In brief
The Cracked Mask is the most powerful defensive gear in Hollow Knight: Silksong, allowing Hornet to survive a fatal blow by negating it once. Obtained from the hidden merchant Mottled Skarr in the Hunter's Path for 260 Rosaries during Act 1, this item breaks after activation and must be restored at a bench.
In Hollow Knight: Silksong, defensive tools are a major factor in Hornet's survival. Among these precious pieces of equipment, the Cracked Mask undoubtedly stands out as the most powerful item, granting a second chance to survive often perilous situations.
Where to Get the Cracked Mask
The Cracked Mask is not obtained through progression in the main story. It's a hidden treasure that only the most observant players will manage to discover. It is, however, accessible relatively early in the game, during Act 1 of Silksong, to be precise.
To get it, you'll need to head to the Hunter's March region. It's in this area that you'll meet a hidden merchant named Mottled Skarr. This secret trader sells the unique Cracked Mask for 260 Rosaries.
Finding Mottled Skarr is no easy task. After obtaining the Drifter's Cloak, head to the air current shown on the Hunter's March map, which takes you to the top of a long vertical pipe that you can use to access an empty space on your left.
In this last room, hug the left wall and leap toward it to gain access to a secret corridor leading to Mottled Skarr, taking care to avoid numerous traps, until you come face to face with the merchant sitting at the bottom left of the room.
Important note
Be careful though, as Mottled Skarr will disappear permanently once Act 2 begins. If you come back later, you'll find his body on the ground, along with a Bent Claw. The Cracked Mask will no longer be available here, which is why it's worth getting it during Act 1.
How the Cracked Mask Works and Why It's Useful
The Cracked Mask is a blue defensive tool whose in-game description states that it
"protects against critical damage but shatters on impact. If broken, the mask will be repaired by resting on a bench."
In practice, this item allows you to absorb a fatal blow. By "fatal blow" we mean one of the following two situations:
- Attacks that inflict 2 hearts/masks of damage to Hornet
- Attacks that would destroy Hornet's last heart/mask
If the attack would prove fatal, the Cracked Mask can cancel out all damage once before being broken. In the case of 2 hearts of damage, the item absorbs the equivalent of one extra heart of damage before the attack affects Hornet normally. In both cases, the distinctive feature of the Cracked Mask is that it activates once before breaking, after which a bench is needed to restore it.
When the item is equipped, it's shown on the first heart, indicating that the item is active!
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Frequently asked questions
Where exactly is the Cracked Mask located in Hollow Knight: Silksong?
The Cracked Mask isn't found on the ground but sold by the hidden merchant Mottled Skarr in the Hunter's Path. To reach it, you must first obtain the Drifter's Cloak, then use the air current to climb a long vertical pipe, before finding the secret corridor by following the left wall.
How much does the Cracked Mask cost and how do I buy it?
The Cracked Mask costs 260 Rosaries and can only be bought from Mottled Skarr. However, this merchant is only accessible during Act 1, as he disappears permanently at the start of Act 2.
What happens if I don't buy it before the end of Act 1?
If you wait too long, Mottled Skarr will vanish and the Cracked Mask will become unobtainable. You'll only find his corpse and a Bent Claw in his place, making the item permanently inaccessible.
How exactly does the Cracked Mask work in combat?
The Cracked Mask negates a fatal blow (an attack dealing 2 mask points of damage or destroying the last mask) once, then breaks. You must then rest at a bench to repair it and reactivate its protection.
How can I tell if the Cracked Mask is active and ready to help me?
When the item is equipped and active, it's visually indicated on Hornet's first health mask, letting you see at a glance that your protection is available.
Key takeaways
- The Cracked Mask can negate a fatal blow and breaks after use
- It's obtained from Mottled Skarr in the Hunter's Path for 260 Rosaries
- Available from Act 1, it becomes impossible to obtain after Act 2 begins
- The merchant disappears permanently upon transitioning to Act 2, making early acquisition essential
- After activation, the mask must be restored by resting at a bench to regain its effects
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