The crests
🏹 Hunter
The starter. Balanced needle, a combo that rewards continuous hitting, and two upgrades over the game that add slots and a stronger finisher. Most people finish with it.
💀 Reaper
Chapel of the Reaper, far west of Greymoor, after its arena. A slow, wide horizontal swing that harvests extra silk; wonderful against groups and big bosses, bad against Lace.
🏃 Wanderer
Chapel of the Wanderer, in Bonegrave west of Bone Bottom through the Wormways (a Simple Key). Fast, light, more mobile.
🐾 Beast
Chapel of the Beast, in the cave east of Hunter’s March, after the Savage Beastfly. Builds rage on hits for a damage state; a Bind that costs less silk. Aggressive.
🧙 Witch
Infestation Operation for Yarnaby in Greymoor, after Greyroot’s curse. Its Bind drains enemies; strong for people who like to trade.
🔧 Architect
Chapel of the Architect in the Cauldron, Underworks. The drill: a needle that bores in place, and a layout with more red slots. A tool-user’s crest.
🔮 Shaman
The Ruined Chapel in act 3, back where the game began. Magic-heavy, the last crest, and the one Bind Eva does not need.
Choosing
- Bosses that move a lot (Lace, Karmelita, Lost Lace): Hunter or Wanderer.
- Bosses that stand still and take it (Groal, Broodmother, Bell Eater): Reaper, and watch the silk pour in.
- Platforming areas: Wanderer, for the speed, or Hunter for its familiarity.
- Consumed is all six non-starter crests; Binding Eva requires 32 unlocked crest slots.
Still to verify
Cross-checked on 17 September 2026 against Nintendo Life’s and PC Gamer’s crest guides and the Hollow Knight Wiki’s crest list, which agree on the seven crests, their locations and their broad styles; the play advice is theirs, not from a playthrough. What is still unverified is the only thing reading cannot settle — nobody here has played it.