In the 2026 version of Hollow Knight: Silksong, few encounters test a player's nerve quite like the armored centipede known as the Bell Eater. The first time a player tries to summon the Bell Beast from a bell fast travel system after waking up in The Citadel, this creepy crawler makes a brief and unsettling cameo. From that moment on, the fast travel tunnels are locked down, and the only way to get things back on track is to start the quest Beast in the Bells and take the fight to the Bell Eater. This guide breaks down the whole shebang—preparations, phase-by-phase tactics, and the heartwarming reunion that follows.

⚔️ At a Glance

Preparations

Before leaping into the bell tunnels, it pays to gear up properly. The Bell Eater is not the kind of boss that rewards half-baked loadouts. Since fast travel remains blocked until the quest is completed, players should knock this out as soon as Act 3 begins. The quest automatically pops into the wish tracker after the first Bell Eater sighting.

Crest Suggestions

• 🩸 Reaper's Crest – The Bell Eater only has two main weak points, so heavy damage is worth its weight in gold.

• 🏗️ Architect's Crest – Trap-focused players can equip more tools and bank silk for healing, especially since some silk abilities will not affect the Bell Eater.

Tool Suggestions

Silk Ability Suggestions

• 🌪️ Thread Storm – Excellent for high damage output on the Bell Eater's vulnerable areas.

• 🎯 Sharpdart – Propels Hornet forward for blade and silk damage; use quick in-and-out dives for value.

Boss Fight: The Bell Eater

Phase 1

The Bell Eater has a handful of tricks up its sleeve to keep Hornet on her toes. Its body is covered in armor, leaving only the rear and head open to damage. It will hang down from the ceiling or pop up from the ground, swinging its scythe-like limbs around in a small radius. Players can use that moment to pogo off its head with a downward strike and deal damage.

The Eater also disappears and drops heavy bells from the ceiling. Looking up reveals dust that telegraphs where each bell will fall. Much like the Bell Beast fight, the bells bounce once before leaving the screen. At other times, the Eater shows its rear and spits red orbs that ricochet around the room. These can be parried, and the rear weak point can be punished before the boss retreats. On rare occasions, the Bell Eater rumbles underground, forcing Hornet to glide over long spines that erupt from the ground in arcing waves. Once the boss is staggered, it screeches and shifts into Phase 2.

Phase 2

In Phase 2, the Eater's long body blocks off the left and right sides of the arena, which makes the whole fight feel a lot more claustrophobic. The red orb attacks speed up, and the boss starts combining the ground arc attack with bell drops. When the Eater lifts its head and strikes at Hornet's last position, players should get out of dodge and use the opening to toss Shakra's Rings or let Conch Cutter ricochet around the arena.

This phase requires at least two more staggers. Downward pogo attacks on the rear weak point are the name of the game, because the head is often harder to reach while the rear offers a bigger opening for aerial hits and orb parries. A flea brew can also boost movement speed to help dodge the faster red orb launches. Just as the Bell Eater tries to shift again, the Bell Beast appears and tackles it into the sea of bells, taking care of the end of the fight.

Reunited with the Bell Beast

After the Bell Eater is soundly defeated, Hornet can finally speak with the Bell Beast. The creature lets out a loud purr before small baby Bell Beasts pop out of the ground beside their mother. Hornet can then take out the Needolin and play a song with the Bell Beast and its young, which unlocks a new melody called the Beastling Call.

The Beastling Call is a fitting reward for a fight that asks so much of Hornet, and it caps off one of Silksong's most memorable encounters. For players who want to experience this moment for themselves, the wait for a release date—or a good time to pick the game up—can feel just as tense as the boss fight itself.

Tracking down a solid deal on Hollow Knight: Silksong can save you a few Geo, and using this price tracking tool makes it easy to see when the price drops to a comfortable range. That way, you can focus on learning the Bell Eater's patterns instead of worrying about your wallet.