In a stunning display of skill and innovation, speedrunner Nebula has become the first to complete Hollow Knight: Silksong’s Any% category in under one hour, clocking in at 58 minutes and 52 seconds. This feat, achieved mere weeks after the game’s release, showcases the rapid evolution of its speedrunning scene.
The Rise of Silksong Speedrunning
Hollow Knight: Silksong, the highly anticipated sequel to the beloved metroidvania, launched to critical acclaim for its expansive world and intricate mechanics. Speedrunners wasted no time diving in, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. Nebula’s run marks a pivotal moment, transforming what many saw as a daunting 20+ hour exploration into a blistering sub-hour sprint.
Any% speedruns focus on reaching the credits as quickly as possible, often bypassing collectibles and optional content. In Silksong, this involves mastering Hornet’s agile movement set, including dashes, pogos, and diving attacks, to traverse vast biomes at breakneck speeds.
Breaking Down Nebula’s Record Run
Nebula’s video, streamed on Twitch and uploaded to YouTube, reveals a meticulously optimized path. Key highlights include:
- Diving Attack Propulsion: Instead of walking, Nebula uses diving attacks for superior horizontal speed, clipping through obstacles and maintaining momentum.
- Boss Pattern Mastery: Encounters like Moscato are dismantled in under 2:30 by predicting attacks and chaining strikes seamlessly.
- Route Revolution: The traditional Mist route is obsolete; Nebula’s Last Judge path saves ~40 seconds via high-risk skips, demanding pixel-perfect execution.
These techniques build on early discoveries, such as short dash resets and pogo-dash combos that eliminate ground downtime.
Advanced Movement Tech Explained
Silksong’s mobility is Hornet’s core strength. Top runners exploit the short dash’s initial burst by chaining it with jumps and pogos. A prime example: replacing air dashes with instant ground pogos followed by dashes, executed in under 0.5 seconds.
| Technique | Description | Time Save |
|---|---|---|
| Dive Walk | Diving attack for faster ground traversal | 5-10s per section |
| Pogo-Dash | Jump-pogo-dash in rapid sequence | Eliminates landing lag |
| Last Judge Skip | High-difficulty clip to bypass Mist | ~40s overall |
| Mini Skips | Platform shortcuts via momentum | 2-5s each |
This table summarizes core strats, with runners like Nebula stacking them for cumulative gains.
Community Response and Leaderboard Evolution
The speedrunning community erupted post-Nebula’s upload. Sites like Speedrun.com quickly listed it as the inaugural sub-hour WR. Challengers emerged: BlueSR smashed a 1:26:20 early record, while others like OnakuTV hit 1:01:48, signaling sub-50 ambitions.
- BlueSR’s runs emphasize 100% categories, blending speed with completionism.
- Practice videos deconstruct PB improvements, like 1:09:33 to 1:01:46 with zero deaths.
Discord servers and Twitch chats buzz with route debates, tech shares, and PB hunts.
Game Updates Boosting Speed Potential
Team Cherry’s patches enhance viability. Hornet’s charge attack now generates silk on hits, aiding resource management mid-run. Crest choices vary: Wanderer for raw speed, Architect for buffs in tricky spots.
Steam guides offer 5-hour casual speedrun routes, bridging noobs to elite play.
Challenges of Elite Silksong Speedrunning
Sub-hour runs demand hundreds of hours. Risks include RNG bosses, mistimed skips leading to resets, and muscle memory for 0.5s inputs. Nebula notes Last Judge’s skips as ‘difficult,’ yet plans further optimizations.
Mental fortitude shines in deathless golds and PB chases, as seen in practice logs.
Why Silksong Excels in Speedrunning
Silksong’s design fosters exploits: nonlinear maps reward skips, fluid controls enable tech, and boss fights emphasize patterns over gear. Compared to Hollow Knight’s 25-minute WRs post-years, Silksong’s rapid progress underscores its polish.
Future of Silksong Speedruns
Expect sub-50s soon. Nebula teases faster routes, while categories like 100% (5+ hours) and glitchless emerge. Community tools, split trackers, and leaderboards will accelerate innovation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current Silksong Any% world record?
Nebula holds 58:52 as the first sub-hour, with improvements ongoing.
How does the Last Judge route work?
It skips Mist via tough clips, saving 30-40s but raising execution bar.
Best beginner tips for Silksong speedrunning?
Practice dive walks, dash resets, and boss patterns. Use Wanderer crest.
Is Silksong harder than Hollow Knight for speedruns?
Debatable; larger scope but snappier tech balances it.
Where to watch top runs?
YouTube (Nebula, BlueSR) and Twitch for lives.
References
- Hollow Knight Silksong speedrunner becomes the first person in the world to smash through the enormous metroidvania in less than an hour — GamesRadar. 2026 (approx). https://www.gamesradar.com/games/action/hollow-knight-silksong-speedrunner-becomes-the-first-person-in-the-world-to-smash-through-the-enormous-metroidvania-in-less-than-an-hour-and-theyre-already-planning-a-faster-route/
- Hollow Knight: Silksong Fan Beats The Game In 58 Minutes — TheGamer. 2026 (approx). https://www.thegamer.com/hollow-knight-silksong-speedrun-under-an-hour/
- Silksong’s Any% speedrun is already below 1 hour — PC Gamer. 2026 (approx). https://www.pcgamer.com/games/action/silksongs-any-percent-speedrun-is-already-below-1-hour-in-case-you-were-worried-this-game-would-be-too-hard-to-clown-on/
- Hollow Knight Silksong Any% 58:52, First Sub Hour — YouTube (Nebula). 2026 (approx).
- How Hard is it to Beat Silksong in Under 1 Hour? — YouTube. 2026 (approx).