Hollow Knight Walkthrough — Start to Endgame

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.

This walkthrough takes you from your first session to endgame content. Each phase has specific goals, priorities, and milestones. Follow this path to avoid common traps that stall most players.

Quick Progression Summary

Phase 1: Getting Started — Forgotten Crossroads

The starting area of Hallownest connecting to most early-game zones. Contains the Gruz Mother boss, Sly's shop, and access to Greenpath, Fungal Wastes, and Crystal Peak. Later in the game it becomes Infected Crossroads with harder enemies and different item placements.

Level/Difficulty: Level 1-2 (starting area) Key Rewards: Gruz Mother (Geo), Sly (shop access), Salubra (charm shop), Ancestral Mound (Vengeful Spirit spell)

What to Do in Forgotten Crossroads

1. Learn nail combat. Your Nail is a short-range melee weapon that can slash in four directions. Spend your first session getting comfortable with this.
2. Pick Nail Build as your starting role. It's the most forgiving option.
3. 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.
4. Acquire your first weapons upgrade — Pure Nail or whatever's available.
5. Clear all main content before moving on.

Phase 1 Checklist

• Understand nail combat fundamentals
• Nail Build selected and functional
• Forgotten Crossroads main content cleared
• Ready for Greenpath

Phase 2: Early Game — Greenpath

A lush, overgrown area west of the Crossroads. Home to Hornet's first boss fight which drops the Mothwing Cloak (dash ability). The platforming here teaches dash timing which is essential for the rest of the game. Moss Knights and Squits are the main threats.

Level/Difficulty: Level 2-3 Key Rewards: Mothwing Cloak (dash), Hornet boss fight, Charm Notch, Thorns of Agony charm

What to Do in Greenpath

1. Work on charm system. Charms are equippable passive abilities using notches (you start with 3 and can find up to 11). This system becomes critical from here on.
2. Farm for Pure Nail if you haven't already. It's the key upgrade for this phase.
3. Pogo-bouncing (down-striking on enemies or hazards) is essential for platforming and combat. Hitting a hazard like spikes from above bounces you up without taking damage.
4. Complete all objectives before pushing to Crystal Peak.
5. Consider whether Spell Build might suit your playstyle better than Nail Build.

Phase 2 Checklist

• charm system integrated into gameplay
• Pure Nail acquired
• Greenpath fully cleared
• Ready for Crystal Peak

Phase 3: Mid Game — Crystal Peak

A dangerous vertical area filled with crystal-shooting enemies and conveyor belt platforming. Contains the Crystal Heart (super dash) ability and a Pale Ore for nail upgrades. Crystal Guardian is a moderately difficult boss. The Crystallized Mound holds the Descending Dark spell upgrade.

Level/Difficulty: Level 3-5 Key Rewards: Crystal Heart (super dash), Pale Ore, Descending Dark spell, Crystal Guardian boss

What to Do in Crystal Peak

1. Master soul meter. Soul is generated by hitting enemies with your Nail (11 soul per hit at base). This unlocks a new layer of gameplay.
2. Start working toward Coiled Nail. It's the best weapon and becomes accessible around now.
3. When fighting bosses, learn one attack pattern at a time. Don't try to dodge everything initially — identify the safest opening and exploit only that until you're comfortable.
4. This area is the main skill check. If you can clear it, you're ready for late game.
5. Start investing in dream nail for the tactical depth you'll need going forward.

Phase 3 Checklist

• soul meter mastered
• Coiled Nail acquired or in progress
• Crystal Peak fully cleared
• Ready for Deepnest

Phase 4: Late Game — Deepnest

The most terrifying area in the game — dark, claustrophobic, and filled with spiders, parasites, and ambush enemies. Deepnest has very few benches, making death extremely punishing. Contains Nosk (a boss that mimics your character) and a Pale Ore. Most players dread this area.

Level/Difficulty: Level 5-7 Key Rewards: Pale Ore (Nosk reward), Sharp Shadow charm, Tram Pass, access to Beast's Den

What to Do in Deepnest

1. Finalize your build. You should be running Spell Build or Nail Build with optimized gear.
2. Coiled Nail should be your primary. If you don't have it yet, prioritize getting it.
3. Dream Nail staggered bosses to instantly refill your Soul meter. Bosses like the Mantis Lords have long stagger windows that give you 2-3 Dream Nail hits (132+ Soul).
4. platforming optimization starts here. Small improvements compound into massive advantages.
5. Farm this area for the resources needed to push into The Abyss.

Phase 4 Checklist

• Build fully optimized
• Coiled Nail upgraded to max
• Deepnest fully cleared
• Ready for The Abyss

Phase 5: Endgame — The Abyss

A deep, dark void area below the Ancient Basin. Requires the King's Brand to access. Contains the Shade Cloak (shadow dash through enemies and projectiles) and the Abyss Shriek spell upgrade. The lighthouse puzzle and Lifeblood Core charm are hidden here.

Level/Difficulty: Level 7-9 (late game) Key Rewards: Shade Cloak (void dash), Abyss Shriek spell, Lifeblood Core charm, Void Heart (required for true ending)

What to Do in The Abyss

1. The Abyss tests everything. Come prepared with your best build and gear.
2. The Fragile charms from Leg Eater (Fragile Strength, Heart, Greed) break on death but can be made Unbreakable by the Grimm Troupe's Divine for 12,000-15,000 Geo each. The Unbreakable versions are best-in-slot.
3. The endgame loop: run The Abyss, optimize gear, push harder content.
4. Experiment with Speedrun Build for a fresh take once you've mastered the standard builds.
5. This is where platforming mastery separates good players from great ones.

Phase 5 Checklist

• Endgame content on farm
• Best-in-slot gear acquired
• The Abyss fully cleared
• Ready for challenge content

Common Progression Mistakes

• Spending all your Geo on map pins and relics instead of saving 800-4000 Geo for nail upgrades at the Nailsmith — nail damage is your most important progression.
• Ignoring the charm system and running with empty notches — even the weakest charms provide meaningful combat advantages.
• Trying to rush through Deepnest without a bench location memorized — dying in Deepnest means a brutal corpse run through dark, hostile territory.
• Not learning to pogo-bounce early — downward nail strikes on enemies and hazards is a core movement tech used in nearly every area of the game.
• Fighting the Mantis Lords and Hornet without the Mothwing Cloak dash — these bosses require dash-timing to dodge reliably, so get the cloak first.

Key Tips for Smooth Progression

1. 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.
2. Pogo-bouncing (down-striking on enemies or hazards) is essential for platforming and combat. Hitting a hazard like spikes from above bounces you up without taking damage.
3. When fighting bosses, learn one attack pattern at a time. Don't try to dodge everything initially — identify the safest opening and exploit only that until you're comfortable.
4. Dream Nail staggered bosses to instantly refill your Soul meter. Bosses like the Mantis Lords have long stagger windows that give you 2-3 Dream Nail hits (132+ Soul).
5. The Fragile charms from Leg Eater (Fragile Strength, Heart, Greed) break on death but can be made Unbreakable by the Grimm Troupe's Divine for 12,000-15,000 Geo each. The Unbreakable versions are best-in-slot.

For detailed build optimization, see Hollow Knight builds. For quick wins, check tips & tricks.