DLC Overview
After Silksong absolutely dominated 2025 with over 7 million copies sold and a Game Awards win, Team Cherry dropped a surprise announcement: Sea of Sorrow, the game's first expansion, is coming in 2026 - and it's completely free.
The expansion is nautical-themed, focusing on ocean, saltwater, and shore environments that were hinted at in early trailers but didn't make it into the base game. Community speculation suggests this is Team Cherry bringing back cut content they didn't have time to finish, similar to how the original Hollow Knight's DLCs expanded on ideas from development.
Quick Facts
- Price: Free for all Silksong owners
- Theme: Nautical / Ocean
- New Save Required: No - continue your existing game
- Difficulty: Expected to be harder than base game
Release Date & Platforms
Team Cherry has only confirmed a 2026 release window - no specific date yet. Given their track record of "announcing when ready," expect more details closer to launch.
Platform Availability
PC (Steam/GOG)
PlayStation 5
Xbox Series X|S
Nintendo Switch
Nintendo Switch 2
Pro Tip: The DLC will auto-download when released if you own Silksong. No separate purchase or installation needed.
New Areas
Pharloom Bay
The star of the expansion is Pharloom Bay, an area glimpsed in Silksong's very first trailer but cut from the final game. Based on datamined map data from April 2021, Pharloom Bay sits southeast of Bilewater, above Verdania.
The area has a distinctive bright blue background on the map (likely indicating water) and features:
- Saltwater hot springs
- Metallic and iron architecture
- Wave-themed visual elements
- Shore/beach environments
Other Possible Areas
Community speculation suggests we might also see:
- Snail Village - Another cut area mentioned in early development
- The LAB - A mysterious location linked to Plasmium research
- Underwater sections or flooded caves
New Bosses & Content
Team Cherry's teaser confirmed "new areas, bosses, tools, and more." While specific details are scarce, here's what we're expecting based on community analysis:
New Bosses
Community estimates suggest 3-6 new bosses themed around sea creatures and nautical elements. Given Pharloom Bay's residents are sea-themed, expect bosses inspired by:
- Crustaceans (crabs, lobsters)
- Mollusks (snails, possibly octopi)
- Deep sea creatures
- Potentially Lovecraftian/cosmic horror elements tied to Plasmium
New Tools
The trailer mentions new Tools. These could include water-themed abilities or upgrades to existing mechanics. There's also speculation about new Crests.
New NPCs
Expect new characters to meet in Pharloom Bay, potentially including merchants, quest-givers, and lore-relevant NPCs that expand on Pharloom's history.
Plasmium Connection
Here's where it gets interesting. Lore hunters have pieced together that Pharloom Bay might be where Plasmium was first discovered. The blue substance that powers the Plasmium Phial could have oceanic origins.
Theory: Some community members speculate Team Cherry is "going for a Lovecraftian, cosmic horror thing with Plasmium" coming from the ocean depths. This could explain the strange properties of the substance and its connection to Lifeblood.
The expansion could significantly expand on Plasmium mechanics, possibly including:
- New Plasmium-related upgrades
- Expanded Plasmification mechanics
- Lore explaining Plasmium's origins
- New Plasmium sources in Pharloom Bay
How to Access
Good news: you won't need a new save file to access Sea of Sorrow. The DLC will integrate directly into your existing Silksong game.
Expected Requirements
While not officially confirmed, based on Hollow Knight's DLC pattern:
- Own Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Reach a certain point in the main game (likely after Bilewater)
- Find the entrance to Pharloom Bay (probably southeast of Bilewater)
Preparing Your Save
If you want to be ready when the DLC drops:
- Complete the main story (or get close to it)
- Explore Bilewater thoroughly
- Stock up on Rosaries and upgrade your Tools
- Master the Plasmium Phial mechanics
Wrapping Up
Sea of Sorrow is shaping up to be a substantial expansion that brings back content Team Cherry couldn't fit in the base game. The fact that it's free shows their commitment to the community that waited years for Silksong.
We'll update this guide as more information drops. In the meantime, focus on mastering the base game and keep an eye on Team Cherry's official channels for announcements.
The depths of Pharloom await. Prepare for Sea of Sorrow!