Best Early Charms To Get In Hollow Knight

Summary

Fragile Strength is a must-buy with a 50% damage boost for nail attacks.
Quick Slash offers 54% attack speed boost in Kingdom’s Edge.
Shaman Stone increases spell damage and AoE for only 220 Geo.

The anticipation for the next installment by Team Cherry following their 2017 Metroidvania game “Hollow Knight” grows stronger each day. Although “Silksong” may still be a while off, it’s an ideal moment for newcomers to revisit the game and understand why fans eagerly await its sequel. The 2018 version of the game, named “Voidheart,” comes equipped with all post-release downloadable content, offering players a sprawling Metroidvania map teeming with secrets, new powers, and challenging boss battles to conquer.

For novice players, it’s crucial to be aware that Hollow Knight is not a simple game. As you progress, the levels become increasingly challenging, requiring precise maneuvers in platforming, combat, and smart use of movement abilities. It’s beneficial to know which items to look for to boost your strength. Charms function as passive enhancements that players can equip on their character, and having the appropriate ones can significantly aid in various scenarios.

You can find charms either in your surroundings or buy them from NPC merchants. Some are straightforward to get hold of, while others require a bit more effort. These charms can be acquired early on and offer new players an advantage if they make the effort to find them. However, this discussion will also cover some charms that become available later, but are still worth seeking out as soon as you gain access to them.

1. Fragile/Unbreakable Strength

Must-Have Damage Bonus

Geo Cost: 600/480
Notches: 3
Location: Fungal Wastes (Leg Eater NPC vendor)
Effect: 50% more attack damage with the nail

As a gamer, I stumbled upon a hidden gem in this game – the Fragile Strength charm. It might seem weak at first glance, but its passive bonus is truly remarkable, boosting my nail attack damage by a substantial 50%.

Leg Eater’s humble abode, nestled near the Fungal Wastes entrance from the Forgotten Crossroads, houses this valuable charm. I managed to acquire it for 600 Geo, but if you’re lucky enough to have the Defender’s Crest equipped, you can snag it for a cool 480 Geo instead!

As a gamer, I’ve got this fragile trinket that could shatter if I kick the bucket while carrying it. Luckily, ol’ Leg Eater can fix it for a fee. Later down the line, I can even upgrade this charm to Unbreakable Strength, ensuring it won’t crack, no matter how many times I meet my maker with it on me.

2. Quick Slash

Attack Speed Boost

Geo Cost: None
Notches: 3
Location: Kingdom’s Edge (Below Nailmaster Oro’s hut)
Effect: 54% more attack speed with the nail

As a gamer, I can tell you that grabbing the Quick Slash charm isn’t a walk in the park early on. You’ll find yourself venturing all the way to the farthest corner of the map, Kingdom’s Edge. But that’s not all! To reach this elusive charm, you’ll need the Desolate Dive skill under your belt. And here’s the catch: to unlock Desolate Dive, you’ve got to conquer Soul Master in the Soul Sanctum first.

The Quick Slash charm is definitely worth exploring, given its impressive 54% attack speed boost that harmonizes superbly with several other charms. To locate it, gamers should smash the floor near the training dummy east of Nailmaster Oro’s hut, then traverse the pathway to discover the remains of an old Nailmaster hidden at its end.

3. Shaman Stone

Magic Magnifier

Geo Cost: 220
Notches: 3
Location: Forgotten Crossroads (Charm Lover Salubra NPC vendor)
Effect: 33% more spell damage, larger spell AoE

A character named Salubra, known for her charm, is an essential Non-Player Character (NPC) that new adventurers should aim to meet right from the start. Luckily, she lives in one of the initial areas you’ll visit – the Forgotten Crossroads. To find her store, you’ll need either the Mothwing Cloak, which grants a double jump, or the Mantis Claw, useful for wall jumping – abilities that players usually unlock very early on their journey.

As a spell-wielder enthusiast, I must say that once you get your hands on it, the Shaman Stone is an exceptional charm to acquire. It significantly boosts not only the potency but also the scale of my magical spells, making each cast even more impactful!

4. Longnail/Mark of Pride

Bigger Reach

Geo Cost: 300
Notches: 2
Location: Forgotten Crossroads (Charm Lover Salubra NPC vendor)
Effect: Larger attack radius with the nail

Besides being obtainable from Charm Lover Salubra, Longnail is another essential early-game charm. It expands the scale of your attacking nails, offering extended reach and a broader impact area. This feature aids players in keeping a safe distance from enemies, thereby minimizing contact damage received from them.

At a later stage, you can swap out this enchantment for the Mark of Pride, which increases the reach of your attacks even more. However, you’ll need to vanquish the Mantis Lords first in order to gain access to the region where this item is located.

5. Steady Body

Stand Your Ground

Geo Cost: 120
Notches: 1
Location: Forgotten Crossroads (Charm Lover Salubra NPC vendor)
Effect: No knockback (self) when attacking with the nail

Players might not initially prioritize buying Steady Body from Charm Lover Salubra, but it’s a charm that shouldn’t be overlooked due to its affordable price. This seemingly ordinary charm prevents players from being pushed back when attacking an enemy, a detail that new players will soon discover as they notice their character bounces slightly after striking an opponent with the nail.

Standing firmly in place while attacking makes it tough for enemies to counter-attack consecutively, allowing for multiple strikes more effortlessly. The Body charm is ideal for this purpose, as it enables players to keep their ground during an assault. This trait complements other charms like Quick Slash and Strength, maximizing the force of each attack.

6. Quick Focus

Fast Healing

Geo Cost: 800
Notches: 3
Location: Forgotten Crossroads (Charm Lover Salubra NPC vendor)
Effect: Double casting speed for focus healing

The priciest attraction offered by Charm Seller Salubra is Quick Focus, but it’s a valuable investment for players seeking healing capabilities in high-stress scenarios. Quick Focus significantly increases the pace at which healing occurs with focus, providing numerous opportunities to heal during challenging boss battles and complex arenas like the Fools’ Colosseum. This charm works particularly well with other protective charms such as Stalwart Shell, Shape of Un, and Deep Focus later on, making it a smart early purchase.

7. Soul Catcher/Soul Eater

Increased Soul Generation

Geo Cost: None
Notches: 2
Location: Ancestral Mound
Effect: More soul is generated when hitting enemies with the nail

Following your victory over the False Knight at the Forgotten Crossroads, you’ll find the Ancestral Mound on its left side. Defeat Elder Baldur there, and you’ll be able to progress further to acquire the Soul Catcher charm. This trinket enhances the amount of soul generated when you strike an enemy with your weapon, which is crucial for both offensive spells and healing. Therefore, obtaining it early in the game can prove very beneficial.

After acquiring the Desolate Dive and gaining access to the Resting Grounds, consider switching it out with Soul Eater for enhanced results. However, be aware that Soul Eater requires 4 notches to be equipped.

8. Spell Twister

Cheaper Spells

Geo Cost: None
Notches: 2
Location: Soul Sanctum
Effect: Lowered spellcasting costs (33 soul reduced to 24)

Prior to battling the Soul Master’s boss in the Soul Sanctum, players may discover a hidden room located above them. Ascending this area by overcoming several adversaries leads them to the Spell Twister, an item that will prove beneficial for those focusing on magical abilities.

The Charm Twister cuts down the price of every enchantment by approximately one-third, making it a substantial savings. A trio of essential charms – Spell Twister, Shaman Stone, and Soul Catcher – are ideal for those focusing on spell-casting.

9. Fury Of The Fallen

High Risk, High Reward Charm

Geo Cost: None
Notches: 2
Location: King’s Pass
Effect: Large attack damage bonus with the nail (and nail arts) on low life

The enigmatic power known as Fury of the Fallen lies concealed in the opening stage of the game, the King’s Pass. In the initial cave system, players will stumble upon a seemingly insurmountable spike trap. But don’t be deterred! By using the nail to perform a pogo jump (striking downwards to bounce off the spikes), you can cross the pit from the very beginning. However, players might need to return later with either the Mothwing Cloak or Mantis Claw for other passageways.

This enchantment boosts your damage output twice, but that happens only when you’re down to your last Life Mask. Using this charm can be daring, but when coupled with the Strength charm, the increased damage at one mask amounts to an impressive 162.5%!

2025-01-14 02:05