Important Notice
This guide is compiled from early gameplay information and community sources. Some specific details, quest names, or NPC dialogue may differ in the final release version. We will update this guide as more accurate information becomes available.
Critical Upgrade Item
Pale Oil is one of the most important Needle upgrades that boost weapon damage in Silksong. Finding these early can give you a significant advantage against mid-to-late game bosses.
Watch this complete visual guide to all three Pale Oil locations, then read the detailed instructions below
Location Overview Map Image placeholder '" />
Visual overview of all three Pale Oil locations across Pharloom
What You Need to Know:
- There are exactly 3 Pale Oils in Silksong
- First 2 are accessible after beating Last Judge (Act 1)
- Third requires Act 3 access
- Trade to Pinmaster Plinney in Bellhart
Core Requirements:
Accept "Pinmaster's Oil" quest from Plinney
Defeat Last Judge boss (Act 1 completion)
Access to Choral Chambers & Whispering Vaults
Act 3 unlock for the final Pale Oil
Access Route & Prerequisites
The first Pale Oil is located in a secret room in Choral Chambers, but you must access it through the Whispering Vaults. This requires defeating the Cogwork Dancers first.
Access Requirements:
- Defeat Cogwork Dancers boss
- Access to Whispering Vaults area
- Platform traversal abilities
Step-by-Step Guide:
Whispering Vaults Entrance Image placeholder '" />
Entrance to the Whispering Vaults where the first Pale Oil is hidden
1
Enter Whispering Vaults: After defeating Cogwork Dancers, head down through the Cogwork Core and proceed right, or take the shortcut south of Songclave if opened
2
Navigate to the Central Room: Head down the central room and take the first path on the left
3
Climb and Pogo: Climb up the wall on the far left, then pogo off the guard to reach the ledge leading to the left path
4
Solve the Box Puzzle: Enter the dingy room containing a box puzzle. Manipulate the boxes to create a route: up right side → across → then to the left
Puzzle Before
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Before solving
Puzzle Solved
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After solving
5
Claim the Pale Oil: Take the upper left corridor to reach the suspended platform over Choral Chambers. Pick up the Pale Oil on the left, then hit the floor lever for a quick escape
The first Pale Oil on the suspended platform
Pro Tip: The box puzzle requires careful positioning. Take your time to plan the route before moving boxes, as incorrect placement can block your progress.
Loyal Mergwin & Great Taste of Pharloom Quest
The second Pale Oil is obtained from Loyal Mergwin in the abandoned dining hall, northeast of the Citadel Spa area. You must complete the "Great Taste of Pharloom" side quest first.
Location: Abandoned dining hall (northeast of Citadel Spa)
Loyal Mergwin in the abandoned dining hall
Great Taste of Pharloom Quest Requirements:
Visual guide to all required food items for the quest
Food Items to Collect:
- Crustnut from Sands of Karat
- Mossbery Stew from Moss Druid (Bone Bottom)
- Pickled Muckmaggot from Lugoli (Sinner's Road)
- Vintage Nectar from Halfway-Home's cellar
Special Requirements:
- Give Creige Rosaries for Vintage Nectar (amount may vary)
- Complete "My Missing Courier" & "My Missing Brother" quests
- Get Courier's Rasher from Tipp & Pill
Critical Courier's Rasher Delivery:
The final objective requires a timed delivery from Bellhart to Mergwin:
Route: Bellhart → Shellwood → Blasted Steps → Grand Gate → Choral Chambers → Mergwin
Important: Sprint through each area and avoid ALL enemies. Fighting will waste time and force you to restart the delivery!
Quest Completion: After delivering all delicacies to Mergwin, pick up the Pale Oil from the pedestal on the right side of his dining hall.
Act 3 & Ecstasy of the End Quest
The third and final Pale Oil requires Act 3 access and completion of the "Ecstasy of the End" side quest. This also requires completing the Lost Fleas side quest first.
Prerequisites:
- Act 3 unlocked
- Lost Fleas side quest completed
- "Ecstasy of the End" quest from Bellhart wishwell
Fleatopia in Putrified Ducts - location of the third Pale Oil
Flea Festival Challenge:
1
Accept Quest: Get the "Ecstasy of the End" quest from the Bellhart wishwell
2
Travel to Fleatopia: Go to Putrified Ducts and find the Flea Caravan in Fleatopia on the eastern side of the area map
3
Meet Fleamaster Mooshka: Speak to Fleamaster Mooshka to begin the Flea Festival
4
Master All Three Minigames: Participate in and top the leaderboards for:
The three minigames at the Flea Festival
- Juggle - Keep objects in the air
- Dodge - Avoid incoming attacks
- Bounce - Platform jumping challenge
5
Break the Piñata: After topping all leaderboards, break the piñata above the festival stage to release the final Pale Oil
Festival Victory: This is the most challenging Pale Oil to obtain, requiring skill mastery in multiple mini-games. Practice each game before attempting to top the leaderboards.
Pinmaster Plinney in Bellhart - trade your Pale Oils here
Where to Find Plinney:
- Location: Bellhart town
- NPC: Pinmaster Plinney
- Quest: "Pinmaster's Oil"
- Trade each Pale Oil for upgrades
Upgrade Benefits:
Increased Needle damage output
Better performance against tough enemies
Significant advantage in boss battles
Progressive damage scaling
Trading Process:
Return to Plinney in Bellhart after collecting each Pale Oil. You can trade them individually as you find them - you don't need to collect all three before starting upgrades. Each trade provides an immediate damage boost to your Needle weapon.
Optimal Collection Order:
- Whispering Vaults - Easiest to obtain early
- Choral Chambers - Requires quest completion
- Putrified Ducts - Act 3 endgame content
Trade each Pale Oil immediately after finding it for progressive damage boosts
Common Mistakes:
Courier Delivery: Fighting enemies during the timed Courier's Rasher delivery will fail the quest
Box Puzzle: Poor box placement in Whispering Vaults can block progression
Festival Games: Practice mini-games before attempting leaderboard runs
This guide is compiled from multiple reliable gaming sources and community findings:
Primary Sources:
- GameSpot Official Guides
- PCGamesN Reviews & Walkthroughs
- GameRant Strategy Articles
- Official Hollow Knight Community
Additional References:
- Steam Community Discussions
- Reddit r/HollowKnight Community
- YouTube Video Walkthroughs
- Early Access Player Reports We continuously update this guide as new information becomes available from official sources.