Silksong Lace (Deep Docks) boss strategy

Lace (Deep Docks) boss strategy for Hollow Knight Silksong

Lace's moveset in Deep Docks is actually quite similar to Hornet's in Hollow Knight: Silksong, which makes her an interesting opponent and possibly a difficult one if you're a newcomer to the series. Thankfully, all of her attacks are telegraphed quite well giving you enough time to prepare for them.

Here's a rundown of the Lace's six moves, along with some tips on how to avoid them:

• Forward sword thrust - Lace will pull her sword back horizontally before thrusting forward and covering a good amount of distance. This attack can be dodged by either jumping over Lace as she attacks or by making sure you're out of range. If you hit her directly after this attack ends, Lace will be forced back slightly with the exact distance reducing as the battle progresses. Depending on where she takes the stance to begin this attack, you can also hit her with a simple downwards attack while jumping over her.
• Dive (pogo) - Lace will crouch down, pulling her sword back diagonally before jumping into the air and descending onto the ground. Her aim should make it clear where she's going to land, so it's a good idea to dash out of this location. Don't go too far though as there's a small window to hit her once after this attack.





• Three sword slash attack - Lace will raise her sword upwards before slashing three times while moving forward. Be very careful of this attack, because Lace will pull her sword backwards during it. This means you can easily be hit even if you're behind her!
• Block / parry - Lace has the ability to block your attacks and will take a similar pose to the buildup for her dive / pogo attack before doing so. Listen carefully too - a metallic sound is the sign she's blocked an attack. Lace can also use this move when you're jumping over her when the said jump is too low. Other than preventing her from taking damage, you'll want to pay attention to when Lace blocks because…





• Flurry attack - By far Lace's most deadly attack as there's barely any telegraph and it can take two masks if you're hit. Thankfully, Lace will only use this attack if you've caused her to block recently. In my experience, it usually occurred when I'd caused her to block two times in a row. The trick to avoiding is to dash out of Lace's range after causing her to attack - whether you think you've activated this attack or not.
• Circle attack - Lace using this attack means you've entered Phase Two of the fight! Thankfully, it's one of the most telegraphed attacks and the easiest to dodge. It begins with Lace summoning a circle white circle in the air before descending to the ground. It can be dodged by simply ensuring you're out of the circle's range. Though this can be difficult if she summons it above you when Hornet is standing at either end of the platform. If this does occur, you'll have to make a mad dash to the other side. Thankfully, this attack is a good time to heal and, once Lace has fallen to the ground, there will be a short window in which you can get one hit in.

The other foe you'll have to deal with during this fight is the lava either side of the platform. Since many of Lace's attacks can be avoided by dashing, you're at risk of accidentally falling in! Thankfully, lava diving won't automatically end the fight but it will take health. (Well, it will end the fight if lava-swimming causes you to run out of masks.)

It is possible to hit Lace into the lava, which I managed once while she was stunned. It was unclear, however, whether she took any damage though as she returned right back to the platform. Since she was right back to attacking me upon this return - and I'd just stunned her too - I do not recommend including this as part of your strategy.

What I do recommend, however, is having the Straight Pin Tool equipped. These kunai are a good way to attack Lace from a distance. Just keep in mind that you only have 12 and she can parry or deflect these attacks.

One last thing before the detailed strategies - Lace moves very quickly. Not just during her attacks, but across the platform as well. Be prepared for her to quickly move forward in an attempt to pin you to the edge of the platform. Using the dash attack combined with a jump to escape her is a must! Just try to avoid accidentally activating her parry by jumping so low. It might take you a while to get used to her speed, especially compared to the enemies you've faced so far, but you can do it!

With all of that out of the way, here are the two different strategies you can use against Lace in Deep Docks. One does depend on how skilled you are at pogoing though…

Pogoing strategy

If you've mastered pogoing, then using Hornet's dive attack is a great way to defeat Lace. You may even be able to hit her with a number of successive pogo attacks if you're truly skilled, but still be wary of activating her flurry attack if you attempt this.

As you can probably tell, this is a simple strategy - just keep hitting Lace with pogo attacks until she leaves the fight. You'll still need to dodge any attacks that come your way, but, since Hornet will spend most of her time in the air, there's a good chance you'll automatically miss a few anyways.

The Lace attack you should definitely look out for is her own dive / pogo attack, but not from being hit directly by it. Instead, this strategy puts you at risk of being hit when Lace ascends to the sky as you'll most likely be descending onto her as she prepares this most. Just keep a close eye on her attack tells and, if it looks like she's about to jump, get on out of there!

Even if you're not a pogo master, then you might want to use Lace as a good opponent to practise pogoing on. Yes, this will most likely mean you'll die a couple more times than necessary but these are worthy deaths! Pogoing will become more important as you progress through Silksong and getting a good handle on it will help out in the long run. Lace is an excellent opponent to practise due to how similar her moveset is to Hornet's and how Hollow Knight newcomers might find her far harder compared to the Bell Beast.

One-hit-at-a-time strategy

If you're not skilled at pogoing or have found that the above strategy isn't working for you, then you can try what I've 'creatively' called the one-hit-at-a-time strategy. It will take longer compared to the one above and relies on some careful manoeuvring, but it will win you the fight.

As you can probably tell from the name, this whole strategy revolves around getting one singular hit on Lace before getting well out of her way. This ensures that you're one) avoiding any incoming attack and two) avoiding causing her to block, which, in turn, should help prevent activating her flurry attack.

The best time to get these one hits in is after she's performed a lunge attack and landed from either a dive (pogo) or circle attack. During these few seconds, Lace will be vulnerable and you'll be able to get that singular hit in. Just make sure you're escaping her range as soon as possible!

Alongside this, you need to put your efforts into dodging her attacks. This will become easier the longer a fight progresses as you'll start to pick up her tells quicker. Just be prepared to sacrifice one of your attack moments to stay in the fight for longer. Like I said, this strategy relies in part on your personal patience but it will bring you victory. Eventually.

Best of luck defeating Lace in Deep Docks! If you're looking for more help, visit our Hollow Knight: Silksong walkthrough.