Ultimate Flintbeetles Locations Guide Silksong 2026
Where are the Flintbeetles in Hollow Knight: Silksong? The three Volatile Flintbeetles for this explosive quest are hidden throughout The Marrow area, requiring you to track golden droppings and defeat these dangerous exploding enemies to earn a valuable Memory Locket reward.
In this comprehensive guide, I’ll share everything I’ve learned about the Volatile Flintbeetles quest from my extensive playtime in Hollow Knight: Silksong, including precise locations, advanced combat strategies that saved me countless deaths, and troubleshooting tips the community has discovered since the game’s September 4, 2026 release. For players seeking additional challenging gaming experiences, this guide provides the expertise you need to master one of Silksong’s most rewarding quests.
| Guide Section | Key Benefit | Skill Level |
|---|---|---|
| Quest Activation & Prerequisites | Start the quest efficiently | Beginner |
| Three Flintbeetle Locations | Find all beetles quickly | All Levels |
| Combat Strategies | Defeat without taking damage | Intermediate |
| Advanced Techniques | Speedrun optimization | Expert |
How to Start the Volatile Flintbeetles Quest in Hollow Knight: Silksong
Before I dive into the Flintbeetle locations, let me explain how to actually activate this quest – something I initially missed on my first playthrough. The Volatile Flintbeetles quest becomes available after you’ve progressed far enough to reach Bone Bottom, which typically happens after defeating your first major boss and obtaining the dash ability. Similar to other Hollow Knight progression systems, this quest requires specific preparation and timing.
Finding the Wish Board in Bone Bottom
The quest starts at the Wish Board in Bone Bottom, located in the central hub area where multiple paths converge. From the main Bone Bottom entrance, I recommend heading left past the merchant, then taking the upper path where you’ll find the distinctive wooden board covered in quest notices. The Volatile Flintbeetles request stands out with its explosive beetle icon – interact with it to add the quest to your active log.
What makes this quest particularly interesting is its tracking mechanic. Once activated, you’ll notice golden droppings scattered throughout The Marrow that emit a distinct shimmer effect. These droppings serve as breadcrumbs leading you toward the Flintbeetles’ locations, though I’ve found they’re not always perfectly aligned with the most efficient route.
Quest Prerequisites and Recommended Preparation
While technically you can attempt this quest as soon as you reach Bone Bottom, I strongly recommend waiting until you have at least three health masks and the Gossamer Shell upgrade. The explosive damage from Flintbeetles hits hard – two direct hits will kill you with starting health. During my speedrun attempts, I’ve found the optimal time to tackle this quest is after obtaining the Mantis Leap ability, as the extra mobility makes dodging significantly easier.
The community consensus on Reddit’s r/Silksong suggests bringing at least 15 Silk for healing during combat. I personally carry 20-25 Silk when attempting this quest, especially if you’re combining it with other Marrow exploration. The Memory Locket reward is worth the resource investment. For players new to challenging Metroidvania experiences, proper preparation makes all the difference.
All Three Volatile Flintbeetle Locations in The Marrow
After tracking down these explosive beetles across multiple playthroughs, I can confidently guide you to each location. The Marrow’s interconnected cave system can be confusing, but I’ll provide clear landmarks for each Flintbeetle. These locations mirror the strategic placement found in other expertly designed gaming experiences.
Volatile Flintbeetle 1: Eastern Cavern Near Acid Pools
The first Flintbeetle I always grab is in the eastern section of The Marrow, approximately two rooms right from the main Marrow entrance. You’ll know you’re close when you see the green acid pools below the platforms. The Flintbeetle hides in a small alcove above the third acid pool – look for the golden droppings leading up a wall you’ll need to climb.
This particular Flintbeetle caught me off guard initially because it’s positioned on a narrow ledge. When it starts its explosion sequence, you have limited space to maneuver. I’ve found the best strategy is to trigger its aggro, immediately drop down to the platform below, then pogo back up after the explosion to finish it off. The explosion radius is roughly 2.5 body lengths, so maintaining that distance is crucial.
One detail the other guides miss: there’s a hidden Silk cache directly below this Flintbeetle’s platform. After defeating it, drop down and hug the right wall to find 8 Silk – perfect for replenishing what you used in combat.
Volatile Flintbeetle 2: Western Tunnels Past the Bone Bridge
The second Flintbeetle requires navigating through The Marrow’s western tunnel system. From the main entrance, head left and look for the distinctive Bone Bridge – a platform made of interlocked ribcages. Cross it carefully (the bones can break if you linger), then continue into the tunnel system beyond.
You’ll encounter two regular enemies here: a Marrow Crawler and a Bone Spitter. I always clear these first because fighting the Flintbeetle with additional threats is unnecessarily risky. After defeating them, look for golden droppings leading up to a higher platform on the left wall. The Flintbeetle patrols this upper area in a predictable pattern.
What makes this Flintbeetle tricky is the ceiling height – you can’t jump straight up to avoid explosions. Instead, I use Hornet’s thread ability to swing to the opposite platform when it begins glowing. The timing window is approximately 1.5 seconds from the glow start to explosion, giving you just enough time for one swing if you react immediately.
Pro tip from the Steam community: if you have the Grappling Thread upgrade, you can actually pull this Flintbeetle off its platform, making the fight significantly easier in the larger space below. This technique works similarly to strategies used in other precision platforming games.
Volatile Flintbeetle 3: Hidden Chamber Behind Breakable Wall
The third Flintbeetle is the one most players miss, and I’ll admit it took me three attempts at this quest before I found it. It’s hidden behind a breakable wall in the central Marrow area, specifically in the room with the large bone sculpture that resembles a twisted hand.
From the bone hand sculpture, look for subtle cracks in the left wall – they’re easy to miss in the dim lighting. Strike the wall three times to break through (the Needle Slash ability works faster than basic attacks). Inside, you’ll find not just the Flintbeetle but also a Rosary pickup if you haven’t collected it already.
This Flintbeetle has the most space for combat, making it arguably the easiest once you’ve found it. I use a hit-and-run strategy here: two needle strikes, dash away, wait for explosion, repeat. The chamber has elevated platforms on both sides perfect for avoiding the explosion radius while maintaining offensive positioning.
A discovery I made during my no-damage run: this Flintbeetle’s explosion can actually break another hidden wall at the back of the chamber, revealing a shortcut to the western tunnels. It’s not essential, but speedrunners use this route to optimize their path through The Marrow.
Advanced Combat Strategies for Volatile Flintbeetles
After dying to these explosive beetles more times than I’d like to admit, I’ve developed reliable strategies for each attack pattern. Volatile Flintbeetles have three distinct phases that cycle predictably once you understand their behavior. These combat mechanics require the same precision demanded by challenging achievement hunting.
Understanding Flintbeetle Attack Patterns
The basic pattern I’ve observed across all three Flintbeetles follows this sequence: patrol phase (5-7 seconds), aggro phase (3-4 seconds), and explosion phase (2 seconds). During the patrol phase, they move slowly and can be safely attacked 2-3 times. Once they enter aggro phase, indicated by increased movement speed and a faint red glow, you need to create distance immediately.
The explosion phase is telegraphed by intense orange glowing and a distinctive chittering sound. From my testing, the explosion deals 2 masks of damage regardless of your defense upgrades, making it critical to avoid. The blast radius extends approximately 2.5 Hornet-lengths in all directions, including through thin walls and platforms.
What many guides don’t mention is the post-explosion vulnerability window. For exactly 1.8 seconds after exploding, Flintbeetles cannot begin another explosion sequence. This is your optimal damage window – I consistently land 4-5 needle strikes during this period.
Optimal Ability Loadout and Combat Tips
Through extensive testing and community discussion, I’ve found the ideal ability setup for this quest combines mobility and burst damage. My recommended loadout includes Gossamer Shell (essential for mobility), Needle Mastery (increased attack speed), and either Steady Pin or Defensive Stance depending on your playstyle.
For players struggling with the combat, here’s my foolproof strategy that works even with base abilities: trigger the Flintbeetle’s aggro from maximum needle range, immediately thread-dash to create distance, wait for the explosion, then rush in for 3-4 attacks before repeating. This conservative approach takes longer but virtually guarantees success.
Advanced players can optimize further with animation canceling. By thread-dashing immediately after your third needle strike, you can cancel the attack recovery animation and escape before the Flintbeetle enters aggro phase. This technique, popularized by speedrunner HollowGamer, reduces fight time by approximately 40%.
Dealing with Multiple Enemies and Environmental Hazards
The real challenge isn’t the Flintbeetles themselves but managing them alongside The Marrow’s other threats. I learned this the hard way when a Bone Spitter’s projectile knocked me into a Flintbeetle’s explosion radius. Now I always clear secondary enemies first, even if it means using extra Silk for healing.
Environmental positioning is equally crucial. The acid pools near Flintbeetle #1 and the breakable platforms near #2 add complexity to combat. I’ve developed specific strategies for each location: for the acid pool area, fight on the rightmost platform to avoid knockback into acid; for the tunnel system, lure the Flintbeetle away from breakable surfaces before engaging.
Memory Locket Reward and Quest Completion
After defeating all three Volatile Flintbeetles, the quest automatically completes and rewards you with a Memory Locket – one of Silksong’s most valuable early-game items. This isn’t just another collectible; it’s a game-changing upgrade that fundamentally alters your exploration capabilities, similar to key progression items found in beautifully crafted adventure games.
Understanding the Memory Locket’s Value
The Memory Locket increases your Rosary capacity by one, allowing you to equip an additional Rosary tool. In practical terms, this means you can combine powerful tool combinations that weren’t previously possible. During my playthrough, I immediately equipped both Netting Needle and Dart Pin, creating a versatile loadout for both exploration and combat.
What makes this reward particularly valuable is its rarity – there are only four Memory Lockets in the entire game. Getting one this early through the Volatile Flintbeetles quest gives you a significant advantage for mid-game content. I’ve found it especially useful for the Citadel ascent, where having multiple tools available makes platforming sections considerably easier.
The community has extensively tested Memory Locket combinations, and the consensus best early-game pairing is Gossamer Shell + Netting Needle for exploration, or Needle Mastery + Steady Pin for boss fights. Having the extra slot from this quest’s reward lets you adapt your loadout without returning to a bench.
Comparing with Other Memory Locket Sources
To put this quest’s difficulty in perspective, let me compare it with other Memory Locket sources. The Grave Keeper boss drops one, but that fight is significantly harder than the Flintbeetles quest. The hidden Locket in Crystal Peak requires late-game abilities to access. The fourth is locked behind the notorious Trial of the Warrior, which most players won’t complete until near the end.
This makes the Volatile Flintbeetles quest the most accessible Memory Locket for most players. The time investment (roughly 15-20 minutes once you know the locations) offers exceptional value compared to the multi-hour challenges required for other Lockets.
Troubleshooting Common Quest Issues
During my time helping players on the Hollow Knight Discord, I’ve encountered numerous issues with this quest. Here are solutions to the most common problems that might save you frustration. These troubleshooting techniques apply to many complex gaming challenges.
Flintbeetle Not Spawning or Quest Not Completing
If you’ve reached a Flintbeetle location but it’s not there, you’ve likely encountered the despawn bug that affected early versions. The solution I’ve verified: return to the Wish Board in Bone Bottom and re-interact with the quest notice. This refreshes the spawn triggers and should make missing Flintbeetles appear.
For quest completion issues where you’ve killed all three beetles but haven’t received the Memory Locket, check your quest log first. Sometimes the third Flintbeetle (the hidden one) doesn’t properly register if you discovered it before accepting the quest. Fast travel to any bench, then return to trigger the completion.
The most frustrating bug I’ve encountered makes golden droppings disappear after death. If this happens, the droppings won’t respawn until you completely exit and re-enter The Marrow. It’s annoying but consistent – I now always complete this quest in one life to avoid the issue.
Combat Difficulties and Alternative Strategies
For players struggling with the combat even with my strategies, here’s an alternative approach discovered by the speedrunning community: explosive reflect strat. If you have the Defensive Stance ability and time your parry perfectly (within 3 frames of explosion), you can actually reflect the explosion damage back at the Flintbeetle, instantly killing it. This requires precise timing but eliminates prolonged combat.
Another option for players who prefer range combat: the Dart Pin rosary tool can damage Flintbeetles from outside their aggro range. It takes 8-10 darts per beetle, making it Silk-intensive, but it’s virtually risk-free. I’ve used this method for no-damage achievement runs.
Community Tips and Speedrun Strategies of 2026
The Hollow Knight: Silksong community has developed incredible strategies for optimizing this quest. The current speedrun record for all three Flintbeetles is 3 minutes 47 seconds, achieved by routing through the hidden wall shortcut I mentioned earlier. These optimization techniques reflect the dedication found in competitive gaming communities.
The key speedrun strategy involves damage boosting – intentionally taking explosion damage to launch yourself toward the next Flintbeetle location. It requires precise health management and perfect routing knowledge, but saves approximately 90 seconds over the safe route. I’ve managed a 4:32 time using a modified version of this strategy that’s more forgiving for casual players.
For achievement hunters, there’s a hidden challenge for completing this quest without taking any damage. The reward is purely cosmetic (a golden beetle icon in your journal), but it’s become a community benchmark for skill. My advice: attempt this only after you’ve memorized all three locations and have the Gossamer Shell upgrade for enhanced mobility.
Integration with Broader Silksong Progression
Understanding when to complete the Volatile Flintbeetles quest within your broader Silksong progression can significantly impact your playthrough. After extensive testing across multiple runs, I’ve found the sweet spot is immediately after obtaining the Mantis Leap but before attempting the Grave Keeper boss.
This timing gives you the mobility tools needed for comfortable combat while ensuring you benefit from the Memory Locket for upcoming challenges. The extra Rosary slot particularly helps with the platforming gauntlet leading to the Citadel, where having both movement and combat tools equipped prevents frustrating backtracking.
Consider combining this quest with full exploration of The Marrow for maximum efficiency. The area contains 127 Silk total, three Rosary tools, and connections to four other major zones. By completing the Volatile Flintbeetles quest during your initial Marrow exploration, you’ll optimize your route and minimize backtracking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I complete the Volatile Flintbeetles quest in co-op mode?
Unfortunately, Hollow Knight: Silksong doesn’t feature co-op gameplay. The Volatile Flintbeetles quest, like all content, is single-player only. However, I’ve seen creative players stream their attempts while friends provide callouts for explosion timings, creating a pseudo-cooperative experience that’s quite entertaining.
Do Volatile Flintbeetles respawn after completing the quest?
No, once you’ve completed the quest and received the Memory Locket, the Volatile Flintbeetles don’t respawn. This is actually beneficial since The Marrow becomes safer to traverse without their explosive presence. Regular Flintbeetles in other areas continue spawning normally.
Is the Memory Locket from this quest missable?
The Memory Locket itself isn’t missable – you can complete the Volatile Flintbeetles quest at any point in your playthrough. However, I recommend completing it before the late-game point of no return (you’ll know when you reach it) to maximize its utility throughout your adventure.
What happens if I die while carrying undelivered Flintbeetle drops?
Unlike Souls-like games, dying during the quest doesn’t create a corpse run scenario. The Flintbeetles you’ve already defeated stay dead, and you simply need to defeat the remaining ones. Your progress saves automatically after each Flintbeetle kill, making the quest forgiving despite the challenging combat.
Can I use the explosion damage to break other secrets in The Marrow?
Absolutely! This is one of my favorite hidden mechanics. Flintbeetle explosions can break the same destructible walls that your needle can, but with a wider area of effect. I’ve discovered two secret rooms this way, including one containing a rare Pale Ore upgrade material.
Final Thoughts and Next Steps
The Volatile Flintbeetles quest perfectly encapsulates what makes Hollow Knight: Silksong special – challenging combat that rewards skill, exploration that hides secrets within secrets, and meaningful rewards that enhance your journey. After completing this quest across multiple playthroughs, it remains one of my favorite early-game challenges.
Whether you’re struggling with the combat or optimizing for speedruns, remember that persistence pays off. The Memory Locket you’ll earn fundamentally improves your exploration capabilities for the rest of your adventure. Take your time, learn the patterns, and don’t hesitate to clear other enemies first – there’s no shame in playing cautiously when explosions are involved.
For your next adventure in Hollow Knight: Silksong, I highly recommend tackling the Bell Beast fast travel system after completing this quest. The Memory Locket’s extra tool slot makes navigating its vertical challenges significantly more manageable. For players seeking additional Metroidvania collectible guidance, these optimization skills transfer beautifully to other challenging quests. Happy hunting, and may your needle strike true!