Have you noticed the Twisted Bud in Hollow Knight: Silksong in your inventory? If you have then there’s a good chance you were confused as to how it got there. The twisted bud doesn’t make much sense at first. However, later on the game it can be a big difference maker. The Twisted Bud isn’t just a random collectible. It’s tied to a secret storyline that can unlock either a new crest (called the Witch Crest) or an alternate Act 2 ending known as Twisted Child. But to see that ending, you’ll have to infect yourself with the Bud which turns the game into a nightmare mode for sometime. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about the Twisted Bud.

Where to Find the Twisted Bud in Silksong

You’ll find the Twisted Bud hidden in a chamber in the northwest corner of Bilewater. There are two ways to get there:

• From Sinner’s Road, if you’ve already progressed far enough in the area
• Or by dropping down from the Whispering Vaults above If you’re coming from the Whispering Vaults, look for a hidden passage in the corner of the room. When you get there, jump across a few moving cogs. After which you then drop down a long shaft that leads into a pit full of worms. Once you get to the the bottom:
  1. Go right.
  2. Drop down again.
  3. Then head left, cutting through vines and following that eerie crying sound. At the end of the tunnel, you’ll find the Twisted Bud sitting quietly on a pedestal. It’s easy to miss, so keep your eyes open. And if you didn’t grab it earlier, it’ll still be there in Act 3 quest.

How to Use the Twisted Bud in Silksong

You can’t actually use the Twisted Bud right away. To do that, you first have to complete the Rite of the Pollip quest for Greyroot in Shellwood. Once you deliver all six pollips to her, she’ll open up a new quest called Rite of Rebirth — that’s when she offers to infuse you with the Twisted Bud. When you accept, your crest will be removed. You won’t be able to equip tools anymore. Your silk becomes limited, so you can’t bind to heal like before. And on top of that, your moveset changes. Hornet now fights differently under the influence of the Bud. Without mincing words, it’s a very difficult phase but if you manage to power through, defeat the final boss of Act 2, and finish the game while still infected, you’ll unlock the rare Twisted Child ending. If that sounds too risky, there’s good news. You can remove the Bud later and earn a new crest instead.

How to Remove the Twisted Bud

Before starting the Rite of Rebirth quest, make sure you’ve got 260 Rosaries (preferably as Rosary Strings). You’ll need them later for a certain trade. Once Greyroot infests you, Hornet wakes up in the Chapel of the Witch. From here, you can move up into the top half of The Marrow or back into Shellwood, whichever feels safer. Your next stop is Greymoor. Look for the tall tower that houses the Chapel of the Reaper. You won’t have access to your compass anymore, so it’s best to start from somewhere familiar, like Bellhart, and move carefully until you reach the tower. Once there, climb up and take the upper-left passage. You’ll find a bellhome with a door. Knock on it. Inside, you’ll meet Yarnaby, who gives you a new quest called Infestation Operation. He’ll ask you to get Steel Spines from Crull and Benjin, who are located on Sinner’s Road. To find them, start from the Sinner’s Road bench, go right across the shaft, and climb up through the area with the hanging cages and worm pits. You’ll meet them in the top-right corner. They’ll charge 260 Rosaries for the Steel Spines. However, if you’re already in Act 3, they’re dead. In that case, you can loot the Steel Spines from their bodies. Once you’ve got them, return to Yarnaby, and he’ll remove the Twisted Bud. In exchange, you’ll get the Witch Crest. It’s a new item that changes the way you heal.

What the Witch Crest Does

The Witch Crest looks confusing at first. You might think it stops you from healing completely but that’s not the case. It actually replaces your normal healing with something more aggressive. When you bind to heal, Hornet sends out roots that lash at nearby enemies. If those roots hit anything, you’ll regain health. So, you’re still able to heal, just not the easy way. Now you’ll have to earn your health through battle. It has risks attached to using it. But if you’re the kind of player that likes to be aggressive, then go for it. It completely changes the rhythm of combat, giving you faster, more intense fights instead of long moments of dodging and waiting.

Should You Keep or Remove the Twisted Bud?

That depends on your playstyle. If you enjoy punishing challenge runs and want to experience every ending Silksong has to offer, keep it and go for the Twisted Child ending. But if you’d rather keep your tools, heal normally, and not suffer through every battle, then feel free to remove it and take the Witch Crest instead. Both paths are rewarding. One just hurts more than the other.

Quick Tip for Players Using ScalaCube Servers

If you like testing mods, replaying storylines, or checking out custom versions of Silksong with friends, a good server host makes all the difference. ScalaCube offers simple one-click setups, fast response times, and stable uptime. It’s fast and reliable. It also takes the stress out of setup so you can focus on playing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

The Twisted Bud is one of those strange yet brilliant items that make Silksong what it is: mysterious, challenging, and deeply rewarding. Whether you decide to embrace the infection for the Twisted Child ending or cure yourself for the Witch Crest, both paths push you to experience the game in new ways. It’s classic Hollow Knight. It’s full of risk, mystery, and the satisfaction of discovering something completely unexpected.