Hollow Knight is one of the most richly layered Metroidvania games ever made, with secrets hidden in nearly every corner of Hallownest. Achieving 100% completion requires finding all Charms, uncovering hidden bosses, defeating optional encounters, and exploring difficult end-game zones. This guide provides a full breakdown to help you uncover every Charm, locate all hidden bosses, and secure true 100% completion (or 112% for Godmaster).
Introduction
Hollow Knight rewards curiosity, precision, and exploration. While players can finish the story without venturing into deeper paths, the game’s richest content—Charms, secret bosses, hidden lore rooms, and late-game expansions—is found far off the beaten track. This guide walks through all major secrets, ensuring you experience the full scope of Team Cherry’s masterpiece.
All Charms – Full Breakdown & Locations
1. Core Utility Charms
These Charms enhance mobility, survivability, and resource management.
- Soul Catcher: Early Soul-gain boost located above the False Knight arena.
- Soul Eater: Enhanced version hidden in the Resting Grounds.
- Grubsong: Rewards you for taking damage; unlocked by rescuing Grubs.
- Wayward Compass: Essential early-game navigation tool sold by Iselda.
2. Nail & Combat Charms
Increase your overall damage and combat skill.
- Unbreakable Strength: Final upgrade of Fragile Strength; purchased from Divine.
- Mark of Pride: Extends Nail reach; found in Mantis Village.
- Quick Slash: One of the most powerful Charms, hidden deep in the Kingdom’s Edge.
- Longnail: A smaller Nail range boost found in Mantis Village.
3. Spell-Focused Charms
For players who specialize in magic-based builds.
- Shaman Stone: Increases spell damage; found in the Ancestral Mound.
- Spell Twister: Reduces Soul cost for spells; hidden in a secret area of Soul Sanctum.
- Dream Wielder: Boosts Essence generation.
- Dreamshield: Blocks projectiles and enhances spell safety.
4. Movement Charms
Boost exploration and platforming.
- Dashmaster: Near Greenpath’s southern area.
- Sprintmaster: Available from Sly’s shop.
- Hiveblood: Located in the Hive; regenerates lost health over time.
- Deep Focus: Found in Crystal Peak; slows healing but increases its potency.
5. Charm Synergy Tips
- Mark of Pride + Quick Slash + Unbreakable Strength creates a devastating melee build.
- Spell Twister + Shaman Stone is the strongest magic-centric combination.
- Hiveblood + Grubsong helps sustain health and Soul in long battles.
Hidden Bosses – Where to Find Them & What They Drop
1. White Defender
- Found beneath the Dung Defender’s arena after completing his story arc.
- Rewards: Lore insights + Defender’s Crest synergy content.
2. Zote the Mighty (Grey Prince Zote)
- Appears only after rescuing Zote multiple times.
- Arena: Dirtmouth basement (Bretta’s home).
- Boss features: Difficulty increases each time you defeat him.
3. Nightmare King Grimm
- An end-game, ultra-difficult boss required for 100% (dependent on your Grimm Troupe choice).
- Rewards: Badge upgrades, final Grimm Troupe lore.
4. Pure Vessel
- Godmaster DLC boss; considered one of the game’s hardest fights.
- Required for 112% completion.
5. Hidden Pantheon Bosses
- Absolute Radiance
- Sisters of Battle
- Great Nailsage Sly
These appear only in the Hall of Gods and the Pantheons, contributing major percentages toward total completion.
100% Completion Secrets
1. Map Completion
- Visit every area and purchase map pieces from Cornifer.
- Fully explore Fog Canyon, Ancient Basin, and Hidden rooms in Crystal Peak.
2. Grub Rescue
- All Grubs must be saved for 100% and several rare rewards, including:
- Massive Geo payouts
- Grubberfly’s Elegy Charm
- Lore-exclusive endings
3. Dreamers & Dream Nail Upgrades
- Locate all Dreamers (Monomon, Lurien, Herrah).
- Collect 1,800 Essence for Dream Nail upgrades.
- Complete all Spirit Battles in Resting Grounds and beyond.
4. Secret Areas & Hidden Interactions
- Deepnest Hidden Tunnel Network – multiple breakable wall paths.
- Ancient Basin Abyss Passages – required for True Ending.
- White Palace & Path of Pain – precision platforming zones that drastically increase completion.
- Queen’s Garden Roots – contains several hidden rooms tied to lore endings.
5. Required Endings for Completion %
- Sealed Siblings
- Dream No More
- Embrace the Void
Tracking all endings ensures you obtain every lore entry and unlock all Godmaster content.
Progression Tips for 100% / 112%
Focus on Movement Upgrades Early
- Mantis Claw
- Monarch Wings
- Crystal Heart
These opens up most optional zones.
Master Nail Upgrades
- Four Nail Smith upgrades improve combat drastically.
- Required to tackle hidden bosses efficiently.
Dream Nail Everything
- Many hidden interactions and lore secrets appear only through the Dream Nail.
- Certain enemies and NPCs grant essence toward Godmaster progress.
Revisit Older Zones
- New movement abilities unlock hidden paths in Forgotten Crossroads, Greenpath, and Fog Canyon.
- Several Charms require late-game abilities to access.
Conclusion
Hollow Knight is packed with hidden bosses, Charms, lore secrets, and challenging end-game content. Reaching 100% completion means mastering exploration, revisiting areas with new abilities, and pushing through difficult optional encounters like White Palace, Nightmare King Grimm, and the Pantheons. With this guide, you’ll have everything you need to uncover every secret Hallownest has to offer.
GGC