Hollow Knight is a hand-drawn Metroidvania set in the vast, interconnected underground kingdom of Hallownest. With over 40 hours of content across the base game and four free DLC packs, it offers one of the most generous packages in indie gaming. The combat revolves around your Nail (a small sword) and spells powered by Soul, a resource gathered by hitting enemies. What makes Hollow Knight special is its oppressive atmosphere, tight boss fights that rival Dark Souls in intensity, and a charm system that lets you completely customize your playstyle. The game respects your intelligence — it never holds your hand, and every discovery feels earned.
Resource management and crafting determine how quickly your power scales. This guide covers what to prioritize, where to farm, and how to avoid wasting resources on the wrong upgrades.
Crafting Priority List
The order you should invest resources:
| Priority | Target | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Primary weapons | Biggest damage increase per resource spent |
| 2 | Core build gear | Enables your role's key synergies |
| 3 | Defensive upgrades | Survivability for boss fights |
| 4 | Secondary weapons | Situational options for specific content |
| 5 | Consumables | Temporary boosts for hard content |
Resource Farming by Area
Forgotten Crossroads
Key resources: Gruz Mother (Geo), Sly (shop access), Salubra (charm shop), Ancestral Mound (Vengeful Spirit spell) Farming efficiency: Low value per run, but safe and consistent
Focus on gathering materials for Pure Nail upgrades here. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Greenpath
Key resources: Mothwing Cloak (dash), Hornet boss fight, Charm Notch, Thorns of Agony charm Farming efficiency: Good early-game farming spot
Focus on gathering materials for Pure Nail upgrades here. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Crystal Peak
Key resources: Crystal Heart (super dash), Pale Ore, Descending Dark spell, Crystal Guardian boss Farming efficiency: Best mid-game farming, worth revisiting
Focus on gathering materials for Pure Nail upgrades here. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Deepnest
Key resources: Pale Ore (Nosk reward), Sharp Shadow charm, Tram Pass, access to Beast's Den Farming efficiency: High-value materials for late-game upgrades
This is where you farm materials for Coiled Nail max upgrades. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
The Abyss
Key resources: Shade Cloak (void dash), Abyss Shriek spell, Lifeblood Core charm, Void Heart (required for true ending) Farming efficiency: Best resources in the game, requires strong build
This is where you farm materials for Coiled Nail max upgrades. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Upgrade Path
Early Game (Forgotten Crossroads — Greenpath)
- Upgrade your starting weapons to functional level
- Craft basic defensive gear
- Save specialty materials — you'll need them later
- Focus on Pure Nail once accessible
Mid Game (Crystal Peak)
- Push Pure Nail to mid-level upgrades
- Start collecting materials for Coiled Nail
- Craft situational consumables for boss fights
- Upgrade build-specific gear pieces
Late Game (Deepnest — The Abyss)
- Max out Coiled Nail — this is your top priority
- Complete your build's core gear set
- Craft endgame consumables
- Optional: upgrade secondary weapons for variety
Crafting Mistakes to Avoid
- Spreading upgrades across multiple weapons — Focus one weapon to max before diversifying.
- Hoarding materials — Use them. The game provides enough if you farm efficiently.
- Upgrading the wrong gear — Check our builds guide before investing.
- Ignoring Crystal Peak farming — This area has the best resource-to-time ratio in mid-game.
- Crafting consumables too early — Save specialty materials for late-game recipes.
Resource Efficiency Tips
- Equip Gathering Swarm (1 notch charm from Sly) from the start — it automatically pulls dropped Geo toward you, preventing losses from missed pickups and dangerous collection spots.
- Farm Crystal Peak during mid-game for the best return on time
- Check the walkthrough to know when each resource becomes available
- Match your farming route to your build — some classes farm faster in certain areas
More Hollow Knight Guides
- Hollow Knight Hollow Knight Overview
- Hollow Knight Best Builds
- Hollow Knight Tier List
- Hollow Knight Walkthrough
- Hollow Knight Beginner's Guide
- Hollow Knight Tips & Tricks
- Hollow Knight Weapons Guide
- Hollow Knight Combat Guide
- Hollow Knight Boss Guide
- Hollow Knight Maps & Locations
- Hollow Knight Classes & Characters
Similar Games
If you enjoy Hollow Knight, check out these related guides:
- Helldivers 2 Crafting Guide — action game with similar mechanics
- Black Myth: Wukong Crafting Guide — action game with similar mechanics
- Monster Hunter Wilds Crafting Guide — action game with similar mechanics
