Hollow Knight Beginner’s Guide: Journey Through Hallownest

Welcome, wanderer, to the hauntingly beautiful world of Hallownest! Hollow Knight, developed by Team Cherry, is a critically acclaimed Metroidvania known for its challenging combat, intricate exploration, and deeply atmospheric world. This guide is designed to help new players navigate the early game, understand core mechanics, and make informed decisions to set them up for success on their quest.

What is Hollow Knight?

Hollow Knight is an action-adventure game set in the decaying kingdom of Hallownest, a land once thriving but now plagued by a mysterious infection known as the Infection. You play as the Knight, a silent protagonist who must uncover the source of the Infection and save Hallownest from its doom. The game features:

• Exploration: A vast, interconnected world to explore, filled with hidden areas, secrets, and challenging platforming sections.
• Combat: Precise and demanding combat against a variety of enemies and challenging bosses.
• Upgrades: A wide range of upgrades, abilities, and charms that enhance the Knight’s combat prowess and exploration capabilities.
• Lore: A rich and mysterious lore that unfolds through environmental storytelling, cryptic dialogue, and hidden secrets.
• Atmosphere: A hauntingly beautiful art style, a melancholic soundtrack, and a pervasive sense of isolation that creates a truly unforgettable experience.

Getting Started: Controls and Basic Mechanics

Before diving into the depths of Hallownest, it’s essential to understand the basic controls and mechanics. The controls are relatively simple but mastering them is crucial for survival.

Controls (Default):

• Movement: Left Stick / D-Pad
• Jump: A / Spacebar
• Attack: X / Z
• Focus (Heal): B / X (Hold to focus)
• Dash: Left Bumper / Shift
• Cast Spell: Right Bumper / Ctrl
• Map: Right Stick Click / Tab
• Journal: Select / Q

Basic Mechanics:

• Health (Masks): The Knight’s health is represented by masks. Taking damage reduces the number of masks.
• Soul: Soul is a resource used for healing and casting spells. It’s obtained by striking enemies.
• Geo: Geo is the currency of Hallownest. It’s used to purchase items, upgrades, and services from various NPCs.
• Benches: Benches are save points where you can restore your health, refill your Soul, and respawn after death. Resting at a bench respawns all enemies in the area.
• Death: When the Knight dies, they leave behind a Shade at the location of their death. You must defeat the Shade to recover your Geo and Soul. Dying twice without recovering your Shade will result in a permanent loss of Geo.

The Early Game Walkthrough: A Step-by-Step Guide

This walkthrough will guide you through the initial areas of the game, providing tips and strategies to help you get started.

1. Dirtmouth

You begin your journey in Dirtmouth, a desolate town perched above the ruins of Hallownest. There isn’t much to do here initially, but it serves as a central hub.

• Explore Dirtmouth: Talk to the Elderbug, the only resident of Dirtmouth, to learn a bit about the history of Hallownest and receive some basic advice.
• Descend into the Well: Jump down the well in the center of Dirtmouth to begin your descent into Hallownest.

2. Forgotten Crossroads

The Forgotten Crossroads is the first major area you’ll encounter. It’s a sprawling network of tunnels filled with hostile enemies.

• Navigate the Crossroads: Explore the Crossroads carefully, defeating enemies and collecting Geo. Be mindful of your health and use benches to heal and save your progress.
• Acquire the Vengeful Spirit: Head to the right from the entrance and follow the path upwards. You’ll eventually encounter a Shaman who will grant you the Vengeful Spirit spell. This is a powerful ranged attack that will be invaluable in combat.
• Defeat the Gruz Mother: After acquiring Vengeful Spirit, continue exploring the Crossroads. You’ll eventually find a large, infected Gruz Mother. Defeating her will open up new paths. Use Vengeful Spirit to damage her from a distance and avoid her attacks.
• Find Cornifer the Cartographer: Cornifer is a friendly bug who sells maps of each area. He’s usually located in a hidden room, marked by rustling paper. In the Forgotten Crossroads, he’s located near the entrance to Greenpath. Purchase his map to help you navigate the area.

3. Greenpath

Greenpath is a lush, overgrown area filled with hostile plants and insects. It’s a significant step up in difficulty from the Forgotten Crossroads.

• Explore Greenpath: Greenpath is characterized by its verticality. Take your time to explore each section thoroughly.
• Avoid the Hunter: The Hunter is a powerful enemy that can easily overwhelm you early in the game. Avoid him if possible, or use Vengeful Spirit to damage him from a distance.
• Defeat the False Knight: The False Knight is the first major boss you’ll encounter. He’s a large, armored bug who attacks with a giant mace. Learn his attack patterns and use Vengeful Spirit to damage him from a distance. When he falls to the ground, strike him repeatedly.
• Acquire the City Crest: After defeating the False Knight, you’ll acquire the City Crest. This item is required to access the City of Tears.
• Find Cornifer: As with the Forgotten Crossroads, find and purchase the map from Cornifer to aid in navigation.

4. Return to Dirtmouth

• Purchase the Quill: Return to Dirtmouth and speak to Iselda, Cornifer’s wife, who has opened a shop. Purchase the Quill. This allows you to update your maps at benches, making exploration much easier.

5. The Path to the City of Tears

• Head to the Forgotten Crossroads Entrance to the City: With the City Crest, you can now access the City of Tears. Return to the Forgotten Crossroads and find the sealed gate. Use the City Crest to open it.

Essential Tips for Beginners

Here are some essential tips to help you survive in Hallownest:

• Explore Thoroughly: Hallownest is filled with secrets and hidden areas. Take your time to explore each area carefully, and don’t be afraid to deviate from the main path.
• Learn Enemy Patterns: Understanding enemy attack patterns is crucial for survival. Pay attention to their movements and learn how to dodge or block their attacks.
• Upgrade Your Equipment: Geo is essential for purchasing upgrades that will significantly improve your combat prowess. Look for opportunities to earn Geo, such as defeating enemies, selling relics, and completing quests.
• Collect Charms: Charms are equippable items that provide various benefits, such as increased attack power, faster healing, and improved defense. Experiment with different charm combinations to find what works best for your playstyle.
• Use Benches Wisely: Benches are your lifeline in Hallownest. Use them to heal, refill your Soul, and save your progress. Be aware that resting at a bench respawns all enemies in the area.
• Don’t Be Afraid to Die: Death is a common occurrence in Hollow Knight. Don’t get discouraged by dying. Learn from your mistakes and try again.
• Listen to the Music: The soundtrack is amazing and often hints at the mood or upcoming dangers in an area.
• Talk to NPCs: Many NPCs offer valuable information, quests, or items. Take the time to talk to them and learn about their stories.
• Use Your Map: Cornifer’s maps are invaluable for navigating Hallownest. Remember to update them at benches to keep track of your progress.
• Practice Patience: Hollow Knight is a challenging game that requires patience and perseverance. Don’t give up if you’re struggling. Keep practicing and you’ll eventually overcome the obstacles in your path.

Understanding Charms

Charms are equippable items that grant the Knight passive abilities. You’ll find them scattered throughout Hallownest, either hidden in secret locations, purchased from vendors, or awarded for completing quests. Equipping charms requires notches, and the Knight has a limited number of notches available. Choosing the right charm combination is crucial for tailoring your playstyle and overcoming specific challenges.

Here are some recommended charms for early game:

• Gathering Swarm: Automatically gathers Geo dropped by enemies. Very useful for collecting currency early on, especially for beginners.
• Stalwart Shell: Makes you invulnerable for a longer period after taking damage, giving you more time to react and reposition. Great for learning enemy attack patterns.
• Soul Catcher: Increases the amount of Soul gained from striking enemies. This helps you heal more often and use spells more frequently.
• Thorns of Agony: Retaliates with thorns when you take damage, dealing damage to nearby enemies. Can be useful for dealing with groups of weaker enemies.

Combat Strategies

Hollow Knight’s combat is precise and demanding, requiring careful timing and strategic decision-making. Mastering the Knight’s moveset and understanding enemy attack patterns are crucial for survival.

Basic Combat Tips:

• Learn to Pogo: Striking downwards while jumping (pogoing) allows you to bounce off enemies and objects. This is essential for traversing platforming sections and attacking enemies from above.
• Use Your Spells: Spells are powerful ranged attacks that can deal significant damage to enemies. Vengeful Spirit is especially useful for damaging enemies from a distance.
• Focus on Healing: Healing is crucial for survival. Find safe moments to focus and restore your health. Be aware that healing leaves you vulnerable to attack.
• Dash Effectively: The dash allows you to quickly evade enemy attacks and traverse gaps. Use it strategically to avoid damage and reposition yourself in combat.
• Counterattack: After dodging an enemy attack, quickly counterattack to punish their aggression.
• Manage Your Soul: Keep an eye on your Soul gauge and use it wisely. Don’t waste Soul on unnecessary healing. Save it for crucial moments in combat.

Boss Strategies:

Each boss in Hollow Knight has unique attack patterns and weaknesses. Learning these patterns is essential for defeating them.

• Observe Their Attacks: Before attacking, take some time to observe the boss’s attack patterns. Learn how to dodge or block their attacks.
• Find Weaknesses: Some bosses have specific weaknesses that you can exploit. Experiment with different strategies to find what works best.
• Stay Patient: Boss fights can be lengthy and challenging. Stay patient and don’t get discouraged if you die. Learn from your mistakes and keep trying.
• Use Charms Strategically: Some charms are more effective against certain bosses than others. Experiment with different charm combinations to find what gives you the best advantage.

Exploration and Navigation

Hallownest is a vast, interconnected world with many hidden areas and secrets to discover. Exploration is a key part of the Hollow Knight experience. Here are some tips for effective exploration and navigation:

• Use Your Map: Cornifer’s maps are invaluable for navigating Hallownest. Remember to update them at benches to keep track of your progress.
• Look for Hidden Paths: Hallownest is filled with hidden paths and secret areas. Look for cracks in walls, breakable floors, and other clues that might indicate a hidden passage.
• Listen for Rustling Paper: The sound of rustling paper indicates the presence of Cornifer. Follow the sound to find him and purchase his map.
• Use the Map Markers: Use map markers to mark areas of interest, such as locations with locked doors, difficult enemies, or potential secrets.
• Explore Every Nook and Cranny: Don’t be afraid to deviate from the main path and explore every nook and cranny. You never know what you might find.
• Revisit Areas: As you acquire new abilities, revisit previously explored areas to access previously inaccessible areas.

Upgrades and Abilities

Throughout your journey, you’ll acquire new abilities that enhance the Knight’s combat prowess and exploration capabilities. These abilities are essential for progressing through the game and overcoming challenging obstacles.

Essential Abilities:

• Mothwing Cloak: Allows you to dash horizontally, enabling you to cross gaps and evade enemy attacks.
• Mantis Claw: Allows you to cling to walls and wall jump, enabling you to access vertical areas and traverse challenging platforming sections.
• Crystal Heart: Allows you to perform a super dash, enabling you to travel long distances and access previously inaccessible areas.
• Monarch Wings: Allows you to double jump, enabling you to reach higher platforms and traverse challenging platforming sections.
• Isma’s Tear: Allows you to swim in acid without taking damage.

Upgrading Your Nail:

The Knight’s nail (sword) can be upgraded at the Nailsmith in the City of Tears. Upgrading your nail increases its damage output, making you more effective in combat. Upgrading the nail requires Geo and Pale Ore, which can be found throughout Hallownest.

Dealing with Death

Death is an inevitable part of the Hollow Knight experience. When the Knight dies, they leave behind a Shade at the location of their death. You must defeat the Shade to recover your Geo and Soul. Dying twice without recovering your Shade will result in a permanent loss of Geo.

Tips for Dealing with Death:

• Remember Your Shade’s Location: Pay attention to where you died so you can easily find your Shade.
• Prepare for the Journey: Before attempting to recover your Shade, make sure you’re adequately prepared. Heal to full health, refill your Soul, and equip charms that will help you survive.
• Be Cautious: Approach the area where you died cautiously. There may still be enemies in the area.
• Focus on Defeating Your Shade: Your Shade is a powerful enemy that can be difficult to defeat. Focus on dodging its attacks and counterattacking when possible.
• Don’t Give Up: If you die again while trying to recover your Shade, don’t give up. Learn from your mistakes and try again.

The World of Hallownest

Hallownest is a vast and interconnected world, divided into several distinct regions, each with its own unique atmosphere, enemies, and challenges. Exploring these regions is a key part of the Hollow Knight experience.

Notable Areas:

• Forgotten Crossroads: The starting area of the game, filled with hostile enemies and basic platforming challenges.
• Greenpath: A lush, overgrown area filled with hostile plants and insects.
• City of Tears: A grand, decaying city filled with powerful enemies and challenging platforming sections.
• Crystal Peak: A shimmering, crystal-filled mountain range.
• Resting Grounds: A peaceful area where the spirits of the dead reside.
• Ancient Basin: A dark, desolate area filled with ancient ruins and powerful enemies.
• Deepnest: A dark, claustrophobic area filled with grotesque insects.
• Kingdom’s Edge: A desolate, windswept area at the edge of Hallownest.

Advanced Tips and Strategies

Once you’ve mastered the basics, you can start exploring more advanced tips and strategies to further enhance your Hollow Knight experience.

• Perfecting Movement: Mastering advanced movement techniques, such as wall jumping, dashing, and pogoing, can significantly improve your traversal skills and combat effectiveness.
• Optimizing Charm Builds: Experiment with different charm combinations to find what works best for your playstyle and specific challenges.
• Learning Boss Attack Patterns: Memorizing boss attack patterns allows you to anticipate their moves and react accordingly, making boss fights much easier.
• Speedrunning Techniques: If you’re interested in speedrunning, learn advanced techniques such as skips, glitches, and optimized routes to complete the game as quickly as possible.

Final Thoughts

Hollow Knight is a challenging but rewarding game that offers a truly unforgettable experience. With its intricate world, demanding combat, and rich lore, it’s a game that will stay with you long after you’ve finished playing. This guide has provided you with a solid foundation to begin your journey through Hallownest. Now, it’s time to venture forth and uncover the secrets of this hauntingly beautiful world. Good luck, Knight!