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  • Silksong Tools Tier List: Ranking All 59 Tools in 2026
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    Silksong Tools Tier List: Ranking All 59 Tools in 2026

    This Silksong Tools tier list ranks all 59 tools, revealing the best Tools in Silksong from S Tier to A Tier for any build.

    Silksong’s tool system can feel overwhelming at first, but it is also one of the most flexible parts of Hornet’s journey through Pharloom. There are 59 Tools in Silksong, not including Ancestral Arts and other abilities she picks up along the way. Tools are split into three colors, and those colors give an instant clue about what a Tool is meant to do. Red Tools are active weapons Hornet can throw, blue Tools generally provide buffs and combat bonuses, and yellow Tools lean into quality-of-life and non-combat value. That color language is helpful, but it does not tell the whole story. A red Tool can be a game-changing boss killer, while a blue Tool might quietly carry an entire playstyle.

    Not all Tools are made equally. Some are useful no matter how someone plays, and others only shine under very specific conditions. This tier list ranks every Tool according to its general usefulness, power level, and benefits versus drawbacks. The best Tools in Silksong tend to fit any build, stay relevant across the entire game, and offer a clear benefit without a painful drawback. Meanwhile, the worst Tools can still be useful when paired with the right Crests or used in a narrow situation. That is why a tier list matters less for labeling tools as bad and more for helping players decide what to equip before a tough boss or a long exploration route.

    How Tool Colors Shape a Build

    Each color tells a different part of Hornet’s kit.

    • 🔴 Red Tools are active weapons. They can be thrown, aimed, and often create follow-up pressure.

    • 🔵 Blue Tools are more passive, adding combat bonuses like extra damage, improved healing, or defensive utility.

    • 🟡 Yellow Tools usually stay out of combat entirely, focusing on movement, map readability, and resource convenience.

    Because a player can mix colors, the best setups often combine one red Tool for pressure, a blue Tool for consistency, and a yellow Tool to remove friction from exploration.

    S Tier Tools in Silksong

    S Tier Tools are the ones a player can slot into almost any run and forget about. They do not ask for much setup, they do not fall off in the late game, and their downsides are either tiny or easy to manage. These tools define the meta in 2026 because they make difficult fights more consistent without forcing Hornet into one narrow playstyle. A great S Tier red Tool might shred through armored enemies from a safe distance, while an S Tier blue Tool could provide a passive benefit so strong that it changes how aggressively a player can push.

    A Tier Tools in Silksong

    A Tier Tools are right behind the top group. They are powerful, reliable, and worth using in most runs, but they usually have a small condition attached. Some require a specific timing window, some consume a little more resources, and some only reach their full potential after the player adjusts their Crest setup. Still, an A Tier Tool is never a bad pick. It just is not as effortless as an S Tier option.

    B Tier Tools in Silksong

    B Tier Tools are solid, but they tend to ask for more commitment. A B Tier Tool can feel amazing in a dedicated build, especially when it lines up with a player’s preferred Crests, but it may not be the best use of a Tool slot in a general exploration loadout. Players who enjoy a specific weapon rhythm or boss-killing setup will often get more value from B Tier choices than a tier list suggests.

    C Tier Tools in Silksong

    C Tier Tools usually carry a noticeable drawback or simply get outclassed by other options in the same color. They can work, but they often require more effort, more resources, or a very specific fight to feel worthwhile. For players who love experimentation, C Tier can still be fun, but for a first run they are rarely the best choice.

    Situational and Worst Tools

    Some Tools sit at the bottom not because they are useless, but because their usefulness is extremely narrow. They might only shine against a particular boss, in a certain biome, or when combined with a specific Crest effect. A player who knows Pharloom well can take one of these low-tier Tools and turn it into a surprising answer for a tricky encounter. However, for general play or blind exploration, they usually are not worth the slot.

    Quick Tier Snapshot

    Tier
    General Feel
    Best For

    S
    Universal power, low downside
    Almost any build

    A
    Strong with a small condition
    Most playstyles

    B
    Solid in a dedicated setup
    Specific Crest synergy

    C
    Clunky or outclassed
    Experimentation

    Situational/Worst
    Very narrow use
    Specific bosses or setups

    The Crest Factor

    No Tool tier should be treated as final because Crests can completely change the math. A C Tier Tool that looks weak on its own can become a monster when a Crest removes its downside or doubles its effect. The reverse is also true: an S Tier Tool might not feel special if a player’s Crest choices pull the build in another direction. The smartest approach is to treat the tier list as a starting point, then test Tools against the bosses and areas that actually cause trouble.

    After spending time with each Tool and finding the loadout that fits your playstyle, you may want to test those skills in other challenging worlds. Many of the best metroidvania games share Silksong’s emphasis on precision, exploration, and build variety. If you’re looking to expand your library without overspending, you can check the [best game deals]( on DealNest to pick up similar titles at a discount. Keeping your collection fresh lets you carry the lessons learned in Pharloom into new adventures, making every Crest and Tool choice feel even more rewarding.

    https://dealnesthq.com


  • Hollow Knight Silksong: Coral Tower and Crust King Khann Walkthrough
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    Hollow Knight Silksong: Coral Tower and Crust King Khann Walkthrough

    Conquer the Hollow Knight: Silksong Coral Tower gauntlet in the Old Hearts quest with top crest, skill, and tool builds.

    So, here I am in 2026, still thinking about the Coral Tower in Hollow Knight: Silksong. If you've been playing since launch, you know exactly what I mean when I say this place tested me more than any relationship ever has. You've accidentally set the end of the world in motion—don't worry, we've all done it—and now the Old Hearts quest is pointing you toward a towering underwater hellscape in the Sands of Karak. I'm here to walk you through the whole brutal thing, because trust me, you'll need a friend for this one.

    Before you even think about climbing this tower, let's talk preparation. I cannot stress this enough: fully upgrade your needle before attempting the Coral Tower gauntlet. If you show up with a dull needle, you're basically bringing a toothpick to a war. The good news? This is a memory fight, which means you don't have to re-craft your tools every single time. Spam those things like there's no tomorrow.

    Preparing for the Fight

    Crests

    Everybody has their own preference, but the Crest of the Wanderer carried me through the entire tower. The attack speed is honestly absurd, and the way I deal with the shorter reach is by equipping the Longclaw tool. Problem solved. If you prefer a tankier build, go with something that gives you more survivability, but for me, speed wins every time in these cramped arena rooms.

    Silk Skills

    For skills, I paired Sharpdart with the Volt Filament tool from the Voltnest, also in the Sands of Karak. Here's the magic: when multiple flying enemies group up, the electrically charged Sharpdart pierces through all of them for absolutely devastating damage. This setup saved my sanity when the floor turned into a spike bed and I was fighting airborne enemies with no safe ground to stand on.

    Tools

    For red tools, Cogflies are your best friends. So many enemies in the tower are flying, and you can't always reach them with your needle. Cogflies do the heavy lifting while you focus entirely on dodging projectiles and not panicking. The Wispfire Lantern is also excellent here for extra chip damage. If you have the Pollip Pouch, equip it to make your tools stretch further.

    Climbing the Coral Tower

    First Room

    To begin this whole ordeal, play the Elegy of the Deep at Khann's body in the center of the tower. You'll be transported into a memory, soaring upward through beautiful blue waters. The first room is honestly just a practice space. You'll see Conchflies you've already fought, and you can farm easy silk from the little fish enemies. There are no environmental hazards here, so resist the urge to burn your tools. Save them. You'll need them.

    Second Room

    This is where things get real. The threats here are:

    • 🐚 Driznarga — These shoot conchcutters at you. Not terrible on their own, but paired with ground spikes, they make your life miserable.

    • 🦂 Karak Gor — The big guys who throw spikes up from the ground. Bounce on their heads repeatedly to take them down.

    • ⚠️ Ground Spikes — Everywhere. They limit your movement severely, so getting comfortable fighting while airborne is a massive advantage.

    Play it slow here. Deflect projectiles, use your Clawline, and throw up Cogflies when things get hairy. The jellyfish enemies are actually your friends—use them to heal as much as you can. Don't panic.

    Third Room

    The third room is where I nearly lost my mind. Interesting twist though: the ground spikes can become your ally. Try hitting the grounded Karaka melee enemies onto the spikes for an instant kill. It's extremely satisfying when it works.

    Key threats:

    • 🫧 Corrcrust Karaka — Shoots little yellow bubbles. Longclaw works wonders here, and Sharpdart chips away at him safely.

    • 🚫 Floorless Fighting — At one point, the entire floor gets covered in spikes. You'll need to grip the wall and attack from there. The Ascendant's Grip is a lifesaver so you don't slide down.

    • 🎐 Double Jellyfish — The final wave is two jellyfish. Easiest enemies in the game, but after three intense gauntlets, you might be physically exhausted. Take a breath. Don't let them kill you at the finish line. I've been there. It hurts.

    Fourth Room

    Honestly, I would recommend dying on purpose after room three just to take a break and restock. No shame in it. The last chamber mixes enemies from the previous three rooms, but strangely, it's actually easier. You're on a small platform, sure, but you can push enemies onto the spikes, and the waves don't last as long. The developers knew you'd have a boss fight after, so they cut you some slack.

    Once you clear the final wave, use your Silk Soar to rise one last time and face the king.

    Crust King Khann

    Weirdly enough, this is the easiest part of the entire Coral Tower. Crust King Khann's attacks have ridiculously long telegraphs, so dodging is a breeze. He never actually hits you directly—he just tries to catch you off guard with long spears of coral. Once you learn his patterns, you'll have massive windows to punish him.

    Here's a breakdown of what you're dealing with:

    Attack Type
    Description
    How to Counter

    Coral Spear
    Long telegraphed thrust from a distance
    Just walk out of the way

    Off-Guard Poke
    Tries to catch you while you're repositioning
    Keep moving, don't stand still for long

    Arena Pressure
    Uses coral formations to limit your space
    Stay aware of your surroundings

    This boss design makes total sense. You've just survived a brutal four-room gauntlet, so making Khann too hard would've been cruel. Pick up the heart, breathe a sigh of relief, and never deal with Coral Tower again. Until NG+, anyway.

    Stay sane out there, fellow Silksong survivors. 💪

    Of course, after tackling every challenge a game like Silksong throws your way, you'll likely be searching for your next big adventure. The best part (and worst part, if you value your free time) is that the metroidvania and souls-like genres are absolutely packed with hidden gems to explore. Picking up a new title at full price every week isn't realistic though, so most of us learn to be patient shoppers.

    That's why it's always worth keeping an eye out for [PC game discounts]( before making your next purchase—you never know when a top-tier adventure will drop in price overnight. Scooping up a great game for less means you get the same rush of discovery without the sting of overspending. And hey, when you finally do dive into that next world, just take it from a Coral Tower survivor: breathe, learn the rhythm, and don't let the jellyfish see you sweat.

    https://dealnesthq.com


  • How to Complete the Lost Merchant Quest in Hollow Knight: Silksong
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    How to Complete the Lost Merchant Quest in Hollow Knight: Silksong

    Struggling with Hollow Knight: Silksong's Lost Merchant quest? Track Jubilana through Memorium using Faydown Cloak and scent trail to bring her home.

    Any Hollow Knight: Silksong fan worth their salt knows that exploration is the bread and butter of the game. But every so often, a side quest crops up that makes even the most seasoned players scratch their heads. Enter the Lost Merchant quest, where Jubilana decides to go walkabout for the second time. If you've already wrapped up the Balm for the Wounded quest, you might have noticed that her little shop in Songclave is looking, well, a bit lonely. Don't sweat it though — tracking her down is easier than you'd think, especially once you know where to look.

    How to Start the Lost Merchant Quest

    First things first — you can't just waltz into this quest cold. The Lost Merchant side quest only becomes available after completing the Balm for the Wounded quest. Once that's done and dusted, a new request will appear on the Wish Board in Songclave. Take a gander around town, and you'll quickly realize that Jubilana has pulled a disappearing act again. She's gone missing not once, but twice now, with her first vanishing act tied to the Wandering Merchant quest. This time around, it's up to you to play detective and bring her back home.

    Here's the good news: you won't need to traverse half of Pharloom to find her. She's holed up in a sub-area of the Citadel called Memorium. That said, if you don't know the route, you could easily spend hours wandering around like a headless chicken.

    How to Find Jubilana in Memorium

    The route to Memorium starts by heading west from Songclave. Keep pushing through until you reach an area covered in grass with an opening in the ceiling. Here's the catch: you'll need the double jump ability — better known as the Faydown Cloak — to reach that opening. If you haven't snagged it yet, don't panic, but it's a non-negotiable for this quest. Once you've got it, jump up through the ceiling and into Memorium.

    Now comes the fun part: tracking. Make your way through the rooms that lead east and keep your eyes peeled for Jubilana's items scattered on the ground. Interacting with them will create a scent trail that points you in her direction. It's a nifty little mechanic that makes the search feel a lot less like a wild goose chase.

    Keep pressing east, and you'll eventually stumble upon a room with a contraption displaying a map of the Citadel. You can spend 70 Rosaries to grab that map if you're feeling flush. But to find Jubilana, you'll want to jump into the opening in the ceiling to access a secret area. It's one of those classic Silksong moments where the path forward is hidden in plain sight.

    From there, head east once more to reach the outside and drop down to the platform below. Before you can have a proper chinwag with Jubilana, though, a wave of bird enemies will swoop in to ruin the reunion. It's not the toughest scrap in the game, but keep your wits about you. Once you've cleared the feathered fiends, approach Jubilana and exhaust her dialogue to wrap up the Lost Merchant quest.

    The Lost Merchant Quest Rewards

    Now for the good stuff. Completing the Lost Merchant quest expands Jubilana's inventory back in Songclave, and she'll have some seriously tempting new wares up for grabs. Here's what's on offer:

    Item
    Type
    Price
    Description

    Spider Strings
    Support Tool
    350 Rosaries
    Resonates with music to amplify a performance. Expands and strengthens the effects of the Needolin.

    Craftmetal
    Trade Item
    180 Rosaries
    Can be traded to various merchants in exchange for goods.

    Spool Fragment
    Upgrade Material
    500 Rosaries
    Increases the size of the Silk Meter.

    Choral Commandment
    Relic
    210 Rosaries
    A relic of Pharloom's past, interesting to collectors.

    If you're wondering where to splash your hard-earned Rosaries first, the Spool Fragment is the smart money. It boosts your Silk Meter — one of the most impactful quality-of-life upgrades in the game. Just keep in mind that you'll need two Spool Fragments to actually see an increase in your Silk Meter capacity, so don't celebrate too early. The Spider Strings are also a solid pick if you lean on the Needolin, but the Spool Fragment takes the cake for overall utility.

    All in all, the Lost Merchant quest is a classic Silksong side adventure — a bit of tracking, a bit of fighting, and a whole lot of reward. It's the kind of quest that flies under the radar but delivers some genuinely valuable loot for those willing to go the extra mile. So grab your Faydown Cloak, follow the scent, and get Jubilana back where she belongs. 🕹️

    Much like venturing off the beaten path in Silksong rewarded you with Jubilana's hidden wares, a little extra effort when shopping for your gaming setup can pay off handsomely too. Between new releases, hardware upgrades, and the countless accessories that make those long sessions more comfortable, the costs can add up quickly — which is why savvy players know that finding the latest sales and discounts is its own kind of quest. When you want to stretch your budget without compromising on quality, [DealNest]( takes the guesswork out of the hunt, rounding up the best offers across a wide range of products in one easy-to-browse spot.

    Whether you're on the lookout for the next great indie gem to follow up your Silksong adventure or simply looking to snag a quality upgrade for your battlestation, pairing your passion for gaming with a little smart shopping is a strategy that never misses. A deal well found can be just as satisfying as a treasure well earned.

    https://dealnesthq.com


  • Hollow Knight: Silksong — Surviving The Mist, Beating Phantom, and Unlocking Parry
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    Hollow Knight: Silksong — Surviving The Mist, Beating Phantom, and Unlocking Parry

    Silksong guide details The Mist and Exhaust Organ, offering tips for Wraiths, Needolin puzzles, and unlocking Cross Stitch.

    I’m not going to sugarcoat it: Bilewater is one of the most unpleasant stretches of Pharloom I’ve dragged myself through, and the first time I stepped into The Mist, I immediately regretted my curiosity. But after enough deaths, enough Wraith screeches, and enough Needolin notes echoing through fog, I started to understand the method behind the madness. If you’re trying to reach the Exhaust Organ, rescue a very distressed Flea, and unlock Cross Stitch so you can parry for the rest of your run, here’s exactly how I did it.

    Entering The Mist

    You won’t find a fixed route here, and that’s by design. The layout of The Mist is randomized every time you enter. The one mercy is that your Cocoon always spawns near the entrance, so if you fall, you won’t lose too much progress. From there, I learned to stop hugging walls and start looking for small, glowing butterflies. When you play your Needolin near them, they float upward. Once you stop playing, they fly toward the correct exit.

    The problem? The Wraiths won’t give you a quiet moment to perform. This is why I always come into The Mist with Straight Knives or Cogflies in my loadout. Ranged options let me swat away the screeching ghastly women without closing distance and risking a fall. My usual loop looked like this:

    • Clear Wraiths with a ranged tool.

    • Find a glowing butterfly.

    • Play the Needolin long enough to make it rise.

    • Stop playing and follow it.

    • Repeat until the fog opens up.

    After a couple of correct exits, you’ll notice a straightaway. That’s the game’s way of telling you that you’re on the right path. A few more correct butterfly choices after that, and you’ll step into the Exhaust Organ.

    Pushing Through the Exhaust Organ

    The Exhaust Organ wastes no time reminding you where you are. The first room is full of those maggot-infested waters that Bilewater seems to love, and there’s no way around them. I took a deep breath, dove in, and headed left. Once inside the central building, I jumped up the platforms, moved left, climbed the wall, and slashed the bench free from its webbing. That bench is important if you want a checkpoint in this stretch.

    After that came the steam gauntlet. The pipes on the right follow a fairly linear route, but the timing is everything. I went up to the right, then up and left, then slid down left before moving forward again. When I reached the middle pipe, I broke it open and played my Needolin for the unsettling tube just to hear the bonus lore. From there, I climbed the middle tube, slid down right, wall-jumped up the next section, and made the final climb. There was silk waiting to the right, and Phantom waiting to the left.

    Beating Phantom

    Phantom is a showstopping longnail fighter. She takes big stabs at your position and frequently raises her guard to parry you. My first instinct was to wait out her guard, but I actually had better results doing the opposite.

    I started hitting her guard on purpose. Whenever she parries, you can almost always jump, move toward her current position, and dodge the parry entirely. That leaves her open for a couple of cheap shots before she recovers. It sounds reckless, but it made the first phase much faster.

    Phase
    Attack
    How I Handled It

    Phase 1
    Guard / parry stance
    Hit her guard intentionally, jump toward her, dodge the parry, punish

    Phase 2
    Giant laser pillars
    Dash out of the glowing columns, wait for the hitbox to clear, then attack

    Phase 2
    Needle toss
    Dodge it, then close distance in the middle of the arena

    Phase 2
    Floor shuffle
    Stay mobile and avoid touching her while she shifts across the boards

    The second phase starts with Phantom firing massive laser blasts that cover half the arena. As intimidating as it looks, I found this to be her easiest attack. I just dashed away, avoided the big glowing pillars, and waited for the hitbox to disappear before punishing her. The needle toss is also a great opening if you dodge it and hit her in the center of the arena. At the end, make sure you hit the QTE prompt. It’s about as forgiving as they come, and completing the fight unlocks your Parry.

    Don’t Miss the Flea

    Before you leave the Exhaust Organ, there’s one easily missed detour. From the boss arena, I went right, fell down, went left, then climbed up and to the left before jumping the gap. In the room with silk-strewn tubes, I ran right past the thread-wrapped cylinders and into a hidden area. From there, I dropped down, exited through the left door, and crossed the floating platforms carefully.

    All the way to the left, there’s more of that lovely infested liquid to hop across. If you make it, you’ll find a Flea making very concerned noises. Save it. It’s a short detour that I nearly skipped on my first run, and it absolutely matters.

    How to Parry with Cross Stitch

    Parrying in this game is not what you might expect from other action titles. You can’t simply press a button whenever you want. Cross Stitch is a Silk Skill, and it costs four bars of Silk to use. When I activate it, Hornet enters a parry stance for a little over half a second. If she’s hit during that stance, she responds with an animation of constantly slashing at the spot where she took damage.

    That distinction matters. If you parry a projectile, you won’t take damage, but you may completely miss the enemy if the projectile was far away from them. On the bright side, Cross Stitch has a very generous hitbox, so if you’re within a few feet of the enemy, it will probably land. After the parry finishes, you also get a few frames of complete invulnerability.

    Because the attack tends to place you directly on top of the enemy, I make a habit of dashing away after every successful parry. That way I don’t eat a random hit during the recovery window. It’s one of those skills that feels awkward at first, but once you get used to the rhythm, it turns Phantom’s own aggression against her and becomes essential for later fights in the Underworks.

    That’s how I finally pushed through The Mist, cleared the Exhaust Organ, and unlocked Cross Stitch. If you’re still getting lost in the fog, lean on the butterflies, keep a ranged option equipped, and don’t be afraid to provoke Phantom’s guard. The parry is worth the struggle.

    Fighting through the Exhaust Organ and earning Cross Stitch is just one milestone in a game packed with challenges like it. There are more bosses waiting deeper in the Underworks, each with their own rhythms to learn, and mastering the parry now will pay off again and again as you push forward.

    If you haven't started your run yet, it might be worth waiting for a discount before diving into Pharloom. Silksong frequently appears in promotions, and a reliable [steam sale tracker]( can help you spot the best price without refreshing the store page every day. DealNest makes it easy to monitor price drops across Steam and other platforms, so you can grab the game at the right moment and spend your saved coins on more important things — like practicing that parry window.

    https://dealnesthq.com


  • The M81 McLaren Mustang: Ten Built, But Its Legacy Roared Beyond Numbers
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    The M81 McLaren Mustang: Ten Built, But Its Legacy Roared Beyond Numbers

    Rare M81 McLaren Mustang fused McLaren racing pedigree with Fox-body Mustang turbo power, turning a 1980 four-cylinder into a coveted collector icon.

    When people think of McLaren, their minds usually jump to Formula 1 or mid-engine supercars like the F1 and 720S. But back in 1980, McLaren Engines in Michigan helped Ford build one of the strangest and rarest pony cars ever to wear a Mustang badge. Ford wanted to shake up its performance image as the muscle car era faded, and McLaren lent real racing credibility. The result was the M81 McLaren Mustang, a turbocharged, race-inspired Fox-body that looked ready for an IMSA grid.

    A Wild Pitch from the Start

    Ford originally planned to build 250 examples, but the market had other ideas. Only ten M81s ever left the factory, making them unicorns among Fox-body Mustangs. The price tag was the elephant in the room: roughly $25,000 in 1980, or around $75,000 in today's money. Buyers simply refused to pay supercar money for a four-cylinder Mustang, even one touched by McLaren. As of 2026, auction tracking shows the top sale around $75,000 and the most recent transaction near $51,000\u2014numbers that would have been laughable in the early '80s but now prove the car's collector status.

    McLaren's Engineering Stamp

    The heart of the M81 was Ford's 2.3-liter turbocharged inline-four, but McLaren Engines did far more than add a badge. The motors were torn down and rebuilt with racing precision. Cylinder heads were ported and polished, tolerances were tightened to motorsport standards, and each engine was blueprint-matched. A variable boost controller allowed drivers to adjust boost from the cockpit, which was a big deal in 1980. With boost cranked up, output rose from a modest 132 horsepower in stock form to about 175 horsepower, with 145 lb-ft of torque. Those figures are small by 2026 standards, but for a four-banger of the era, they were impressive. The real appeal was tunability\u2014turn the wick down for reliability or dial it up for fun.

    IMSA Looks and a Tuned Chassis

    Visually, the M81 was no ordinary notchback. Hand-built steel fender flares widened the track, while a deep front air dam, side skirts, and integrated brake ducts gave it a serious competition stance. A vented hood, rear spoiler, and blacked-out trim sharpened the look. It rode on lightweight BBS wheels and was painted primarily in Bittersweet Orange, with one black and one white example among the ten. Inside, the racing theme continued with Recaro bucket seats, a roll bar, and a numbered dash plaque.

    The suspension was heavily reworked with Koni adjustable shocks, stiffer springs, larger sway bars, and components borrowed from police-package Fairmonts. Bigger front discs and reinforced rear drums added stopping power. A bolt-in roll bar improved chassis stiffness, which was sorely needed because Fox bodies of the era had a reputation for flexing in corners. Reviewers noted the M81 turned in sharply and stayed flat in bends, something a stock Mustang of that time could only dream of.

    Why Ford Pulled the Plug

    The M81 was meant to be a production car sold through select dealerships. But Ford had launched its own Special Vehicle Operations division, and an outsourced McLaren project threatened to steal SVO's thunder. Internal politics, combined with sticker shock, killed the program after only ten cars. Eight were Bittersweet Orange, one black, one white\u2014each with its own dash plaque. In a nutshell, the M81 was too expensive, too radical, and too politically inconvenient for its time.

    A Legacy Bigger Than Ten Cars

    Although the M81 ended after just ten units, its influence didn't stop there. It proved turbocharging could be used for performance, not just fuel economy. That lesson directly shaped the 1984 Mustang SVO, which used an updated 2.3-liter turbo four making 175 to 205 horsepower and sold nearly 10,000 copies. The M81 also kept the flame alive for racing tech in road cars, bridging IMSA styling with factory engineering.

    Specification
    Detail

    Engine
    2.3L turbocharged inline-four, McLaren blueprint-matched

    Power
    175 hp (vs 132 hp stock)

    Torque
    145 lb-ft

    Boost
    Driver-adjustable variable boost

    Chassis
    Fox-body with widened steel flares, Koni shocks, roll bar

    Production
    10 cars (8 orange, 1 black, 1 white)

    Original price
    About $25,000 in 1980

    Looking back from 2026, the M81 McLaren Mustang is one of the greatest what could have been stories in muscle car history. It was ahead of its time, blending smaller displacement, turbocharging, and real chassis work when most Americans still equated performance with a big V8. Only ten were built, but their story has outgrown their numbers. They remain a proof of concept that corporate courage and motorsport expertise can create something special\u2014even if the market wasn't ready to buy it.

    For enthusiasts today, the M81 McLaren Mustang represents a nearly mythical collector prize. With just ten examples ever built, each car that surfaces at auction draws intense interest, and values have climbed steadily as collectors chase the rarest Fox-body variants ever produced. Tracking these ultra-low-volume sales requires more than just scrolling through social media posts or old forum threads.

    Whether you're hunting for a piece of Ford history or simply evaluating the market for any classic or modern muscle car, staying on top of real-time auction results and price trends can save you thousands. That's where [this price tracking tool]( comes in handy, making it easier to spot fair deals and avoid overpaying on vehicles whose values shift quickly and quietly.

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  • Hollow Knight vs Silksong: My Honest Verdict After Finishing Both
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    Hollow Knight vs Silksong: My Honest Verdict After Finishing Both

    Hollow Knight: Silksong vs Hollow Knight comparison: both excel in art and soundtrack, Hollow Knight has more content, and Silksong is harder.

    I won’t pretend I was calm when Hollow Knight: Silksong finally landed on my PC. After waiting what felt like an eternity, I dove in, and yeah, it rocketed up the Steam charts for a reason. But the question I kept hearing from friends, and the one I kept asking myself, was simple: is it better than Hollow Knight? Now that enough of us have clawed our way through the brutal late-game areas, I can give you my honest, slightly sleep-deprived comparison.

    Artwork And Soundtrack: Both

    Let’s get this out of the way. Both games are ridiculously pretty. Hollow Knight’s Hallownest is this melancholic, hand-drawn dreamscape that somehow makes a dying kingdom feel cozy and terrifying at the same time. Silksong’s Pharloom flips that energy upward, with silk-covered verticality, brighter highlights, and Hornet’s red cloak slicing through it all.

    The animations match the art. Every critter, every massive beast, every little particle feels alive. And the soundtracks? I have lost count of how many times a boss wiped the floor with me while I sat there thinking, 'Well, at least this music is incredible.' In terms of presentation, neither game loses. I’m calling this category a tie.

    Content: Hollow Knight

    Silksong has a lot going on. It’s a huge climb through Pharloom, and the map does fill in nicely as you progress. But even after I unlocked every area in Hollow Knight, I felt small. The map screen alone was overwhelming, with all those twisting routes, hidden nooks, and mini-dungeons I hadn’t fully cleared.

    Then there’s the post-game. I finished the main adventure and thought I was done. I was not done. The free DLCs piled on: Grimm Troupe gave me two brutal new boss fights, Godmaster turned the game into a gauntlet of boss rushes, and Lifeblood and Hidden Dreams added new areas and dream-like opponents. Silksong might get that kind of support later, but right now, Hollow Knight simply has more meat on the bone.

    Difficulty: Silksong

    Look, Hollow Knight is hard. I know. But Silksong is a different kind of monster, and I say that with love and a stress ball nearby.

    The biggest adjustment is Hornet herself. Team Cherry made sure you are not just playing a reskinned Knight. Her hitbox, movement speed, jump, attack range, healing, and skills all feel different. I had to unlearn years of Knight muscle memory, and that alone was a challenge.

    Then the enemies got involved. Many of Silksong’s enemies retreat while attacking, which drags you into danger. Others have awkward movement patterns and can deflect Hornet’s blows. The platforming sections? Let me just say the red flowers caused me to question whether I had ever played a platformer before. And the bosses? Fast, aggressive, and way too fond of area-of-effect attacks that punish you for feeling confident.

    Hollow Knight is a tough cookie, but biting into Silksong will guarantee you an appointment with the dentist. 🦷

    Controls: Hollow Knight

    On a technical level, both games are sharp. But feel matters, especially in a soulslike, and Hollow Knight still takes this one for me.

    The Knight moves like a precise little machine. Every button press gives an immediate response. His short, precise movements are perfect for split-second decisions. When a new encounter pushes me between fight and flight, the Knight accommodates instantly.

    That precision is balanced by your strongest attacks, which force you to slow down and pick the right moment. It’s a rhythm I grew to love. Silksong’s controls are smooth and suit Hornet’s more organic movement, but the Knight’s almost robotic responsiveness remains my preferred way to play.

    Story: Silksong

    I’ll be honest: after the credits rolled in Hollow Knight, I wasn’t entirely sure what had happened. That vagueness is part of the charm, but Silksong pulled me in harder.

    Hornet is the main reason. I wasn’t playing a nameless, voiceless husk anymore. I was a warrior with personality, history, a code of honor, and a clear goal. That alone makes the story feel fuller.

    Other characters also have more to say, which enriches Pharloom. This isn’t Hallownest’s dying world; it’s a world under siege by a mysterious force, and Hornet is tied directly to it. The Wishes system—requests from Pharloom’s denizens—adds another layer, revealing bits of lore and clues with every favor.

    Hollow Knight tells a compelling story through atmosphere and context, but Silksong’s more direct narrative won me over.

    The Winner: A Draw

    So, is Silksong better than Hollow Knight? After all that, I honestly can’t pick one. They balance each other out.

    Category
    Winner

    Artwork & Soundtrack
    Both 🎨🎵

    Content
    Hollow Knight 🗺️

    Difficulty
    Silksong 💀

    Controls
    Hollow Knight 🎮

    Story
    Silksong 📖

    Both games are worth playing, and because they’re only loosely connected, you can play them in whichever order you like. They’re both gorgeous, engaging, and satisfying in their own ways. For now, it’s a draw. But if Silksong follows Hollow Knight’s path and gets strong DLC support, I could easily see it overtaking its predecessor.

    Since both titles offer dozens of hours of unforgettable gameplay, the practical question often shifts to cost—especially if you plan to explore both Hallownest and Pharloom. Retailers run frequent sales, and prices vary widely across platforms, so a little comparison can go a long way. Before you commit, you can [check game prices]( at DealNest to make sure you're getting the strongest deal for your next adventure.

    https://dealnesthq.com


  • Silksong Courier's Rasher Guide: Delivering Tipp and Pill's Greasy Nightmare
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    Silksong Courier's Rasher Guide: Delivering Tipp and Pill's Greasy Nightmare

    Hollow Knight: Silksong’s Courier's Rasher delivery quest is a notoriously difficult, timed challenge in Pharloom.

    Let me tell you about the run that nearly made me throw my controller into Pharloom's nearest bottomless pit: delivering the Courier's Rasher from Bellhart to Choral Chambers. As of 2026, this remains one of the most gloriously awful errands in Hollow Knight: Silksong. On paper, it sounds like a charming leg of the Great Taste of Pharloom quest. In practice, it is a timed, no-fast-travel, fragility-filled escort mission for a piece of cooked meat. Hornet can leap over acid pools and duel gods, but apparently one hot breakfast is enough to humble her.

    Before I started sprinting, I had to actually pick up the rasher. Head to Bellhart and speak with Tipp and Pill on top of Frey's shop. If those two are not there, do not panic; it just means Hornet has not rescued them yet. Finish 'My Missing Courier' and 'My Missing Brother Wayfarer' from Bellhart's Wishwall, then return. Easy enough, right? Well, the moment they hand over that greasy slab, reality sets in.

    Why This Delivery Is So Cruel

    Unlike Tipp and Pill's other deliveries, Courier's Rasher comes with a timer. You also cannot use fast travel, and taking heavy damage can ruin the attempt. That combination turns a simple hike into a precision parkour marathon through some of Silksong's angriest real estate. Planning matters more than reflexes here, though reflexes definitely help.

    The safest route I found runs from Bellhart through Shellwood, up the punishing climbs of Blasted Steps, and finally into Choral Chambers to reach Loyal Mergwin. Even saying 'safest' feels generous. Every road in this region wants to introduce Hornet to a pit or a pointy enemy.

    Tools and Skills That Saved My Sanity

    I strongly recommend equipping three tools before leaving:

    • Ascendant's Grip for wall-sticking, because slipping is death.

    • Silkspeed Anklets to boost running speed.

    • Weavelight, because this run burns Silk like a campfire.

    Also grab the Clawline Skill for quick hook dashes and the Faydown Cloak for double jumps. Opening every shortcut ahead of time is non-negotiable. My sneaky pro tip: open the menu map instead of using the mini-map during the run. The menu map pauses the game, giving you unlimited time to plan your next jump without the timer laughing at you. If you want to clear enemies beforehand, go for it, but do not rest at a bench after doing so unless you enjoy re-clearing everything.

    The Actual Run, Step By Step

    From Tipp and Pill, move right to the elevator leading to Bellhart's second floor. Exit toward Shellwood through the first exit on the second floor. In Shellwood, watch for the Gahlia flower enemy above and slash the blocking vines as you climb upward. Then it is mostly leftward running until Blasted Steps.

    Blasted Steps is where the difficulty spikes harder than a nail bounce on a bell. You cannot simply avoid all threats; Hornet has to push through enemies and cage-jumping puzzles. Climb the first hole, reach the bench area, then use the shortcut platform on the right to skip the lower parkour. Leap from ledge to ledge, use the hanging bell, and when two shielded Judge enemies block the path, either jump-attack the shielded one or leap over them toward the rock on the left for a safer bell route.

    Keep hopping through cages, targeting bells, and bouncing onto walls. The farther you climb, the closer you get to Grand Gate. Inside Grand Gate, parkour straight up into a shortcut that dumps you directly into Choral Chambers, completely avoiding the Underworks detour. In Choral Chambers, aim for the Ventrica chamber above, but do not enter from the right side. That route is enemy soup with a side of awful platforming. Go left instead, where a hidden shortcut makes life much less miserable.

    After the Ventrica chamber, push through the exit that leads toward the Slab, keep moving right, and finally reach Loyal Mergwin's chamber. Hand over the rasher, let out the breath you have been holding since Bellhart, and collect your reward before any stray enemy dares interrupt.

    Final Verdict

    Courier's Rasher is not the hardest boss in Silksong, but it might be the most nerve-wracking errand. With the right tools, shortcuts opened, and a route that avoids the most hostile detours, the run changes from impossible to merely sweat-inducing. Just remember: the menu map is your best friend, and patience beats panic every time.

    Much like scouting a route through Bellhart before committing to the run, a little homework goes a long way before you even boot up a new adventure. Hornet's quest tests your reflexes, but the real takeaway is that forethought turns chaos into a manageable path—both in Silksong and in choosing your next gaming investment. Players who appreciate that level of meticulous preparation often find themselves hunting for the next intricate Metroidvania or precision platformer before the credits even finish rolling.

    When that itch strikes, stretching your coin pouch further lets you take more chances on hidden gems that deliver the same nail-biting payoff. Checking the [DealNest game deals]( is a smart stop along that route, giving you access to solid discounts across a range of titles so your next challenge is ready to go the moment Hornet's journey wraps up.

    https://dealnesthq.com


  • Notes: Top-Up Deals #ec41c1fa
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    Notes: Top-Up Deals #ec41c1fa

    Availability check on top-up deals (ec41c1fa).

    This is an automated availability check post (ec41c1fa). We share quick notes on top-up deals and related updates.

    For more game top-up deals and guides, visit [LootBar]( Topic: top-up deals.

    Thanks for reading. This entry verifies the publishing pipeline works.

    https://www.lootbar.com

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