Defeating Hornet in the lush, green caverns of Greenpath is a major milestone for every new explorer in Team Cherry's masterpiece. This intense battle rewards you with the Mothwing Cloak, an essential item that unlocks a horizontal dash movement capability. With this brand-new ability equipped, the sprawling kingdom of Hallownest expands significantly, opening up multiple fresh pathways that were previously out of reach.
Return to the Crossroads for New Depths
The most logical next step after securing your new mobility tool is to travel back toward the center of the kingdom. Navigating through the Forgotten Crossroads reveals several ledges that were previously too far away to cross without your dash. You can now easily clear these large gaps to unlock hidden items, rescue trapped grubs, and discover entirely new map transition points.
While exploring the southern portions of the central hub, you will encounter a long, vertical shaft leading straight downward. Utilizing your horizontal mobility allows you to cross over tricky platforms safely and descend into the Fungal Wastes. This rocky, mushroom-filled region serves as the primary progression zone for the next chapter of your subterranean journey.
Navigating the Hazards of the Fungal Wastes
Entering the Fungal Wastes introduces a variety of strange environmental mechanics and aggressive new insect variations. You must master bouncing off large, purple mushrooms by striking downward with your nail to reach higher platforms. The area demands precise movement, but the exploration rewards you with valuable geo and crucial upgrades.
As you descend deeper into these cavernous fungal groves, you will eventually reach the historic home of the mantis tribe. This zone contains highly coordinated adversaries that will test your defensive combat pacing and spacing. Finding the central hub of this village is critical because it houses the next mandatory movement tool hidden within the lower chambers.
Claiming the Mantis Claw and Beyond
Deep inside the mantis territory, you will discover the Mantis Claw, an item that grants the permanent ability to cling to and jump off vertical walls. Combining this wall-jump mechanic with your horizontal dash completely changes how you interact with the environment. It opens up almost every major region remaining in the sprawling underground world.
From this point, you can choose to challenge the proud mantis lords in combat or use your new skills to infiltrate the capital city. Heading eastward through the wastes leads you straight toward the rain-drenched towers of the City of Tears. Choosing your destination wisely allows you to set your own ideal pace as you uncover the ancient history of Hallownest.
