How to Start Every Hollow Knight DLC

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Over the past ten years since its debut, Hollow Knight has been expanded with a total of four significant expansion packs. In late 2017, Team Cherry introduced the Hidden Dreams DLC, which was followed by The Grimm Troupe later in the same year. Lifeblood came out early in 2018, and Godmaster was released towards the end of that year.

Each expansion pack for the game “Hollow Knight” has unique prerequisites for starting. For instance, “Hidden Dreams” contains content that can be found during your adventure as you progress, whereas “Godmaster” demands players to fulfill certain criteria before it becomes accessible.

This tutorial covers step-by-step instructions on launching every downloadable content (DLC) expansion for the game “Hollow Knight”. It also offers a quick summary of all the new features that each Hollow Knight DLC has introduced.

How to Download Hollow Knight DLCs

Players don’t have to take any extra steps to install Hollow Knight DLCs because each DLC pack was distributed as a free content update. Consequently, regardless of the platform you choose, Hollow Knight includes all four DLCs pre-installed along with the main game.

Hidden Dreams

Released: August 3, 2017

Mighty new foes emerge! New Boss fights. New Upgrades. New Music.

New Content Added in the Hidden Dreams DLC

  • All Hidden Dreams Bosses
    • Grey Prince Zote: A beefed-up version of Zote. Accessed by striking a statue in Bretta’s basement with the Dream Nail.
    • White Defender: The knightly version of the Dung Defender. Accessed via the sleeping Dung Defender beneath his boss room.
  • Hidden Dreams DLC Charms, Abilities, & Items
    • Dreamgate: Allows the Knight to teleport to a set point. Unlocked after collecting 900 Essence, then talking to the Seer in the Resting Grounds.
  • Achievements & Trophies Added in Hidden Dreams
    • Memory: Defeat the White Defender.
    • Dark Romance: Defeat Grey Prince Zote.
  • New Locations in Hidden Dreams DLC
    • Hidden Station: Stag Station, located to the right of the Palace Grounds.

How to Start Hidden Dreams DLC in Hollow Knight

To begin the Hidden Dreams DLC content in Hollow Knight, players first need to acquire the Dream Nail, and subsequently, utilize it at either of the two specified locations to engage in battles with the newly introduced bosses.

  • To fight the Grey Prince, you must rescue Bretta and beat Zote in the Colosseum first, then use the Dream Nail on the statue in Bretta’s basement.
  • To fight the White Defender, find the Dung Defender’s secret bedroom to the right of his boss room, then use the Dream Nail on him as he sleeps.

The new Stag Station is located to the right of the Palace Grounds within the Ancient Basin. Once you gather 900 Essence, head back to the Seer in the Resting Grounds to gain the ability to teleport through Dreamgates.

The Grimm Troupe

Released: October 26, 2017

Ignite the Phantasmal Lamp. Gather the Performing Company. Fresh Main Storyline Quest. New Boss Encounters. New Talismans. New Adversaries. New Allies.

New Content Added in The Grimm Troupe DLC

  • All The Grimm Troupe DLC Bosses
    • Troupe Master Grimm: The leader of the Grimm Troupe
    • Nightmare King Grimm: If you choose to complete the ritual, you will have to fight Nightmare King Grimm, a souped-up version of the Troupe Master fight.
  • The Grimm Troupe DLC Charms, Abilities, & Items
    • Carefree Melody: Contains a song of protection that may defend the bearer from damage.
    • Dreamshield: Conjures a shield that follows the bearer and attempts to protect them.
    • Grimmchild: The main mechanic of the DLC. Equip this follower charm, then beat specific enemies throughout Hallownest to feed it Flames.
    • Sprintmaster: Increases the running speed of the bearer, allowing them to avoid danger or overtake rivals.
    • Unbreakable Greed: Upgraded version of the Fragile Greed charm, granting its full benefits without the chance of breaking.
    • Unbreakable Heart: Upgraded version of the Fragile Heart charm, granting its full benefits without the chance of breaking.
    • Unbreakable Strength: Upgraded version of the Fragile Strength charm, granting its full benefits without the chance of breaking.
    • Weaversong: Summons weaverlings to give the lonely bearer some companionship and protection.
  • Achievements & Trophies in The Grimm Troupe
    • Grand Performance: Defeat Troupe Leader Grimm.
    • Ritual: Defeat the Nightmare King and complete the ritual.
    • Banishment: Banish the Grimm Troupe from Hallownest.
  • The Grimm Troupe New NPCs
    • Troupe Master Grimm: The leader of the Grimm Troupe.
    • Brumm: A member of the Grimm Troupe who wears a jester mask. Later in the DLC, Brumm will offer the chance to banish the Grimm Troupe.
    • Divine: Found in the left Grimm Troupe Tent, Divine can eat Fragile charms to turn them into Unbreakable charms for Geo.
    • Grimmsteeds: Two large riding bugs that sit outside the main tent entrance.
    • Nymm: A member of the Grimm Troupe who plays an accordion like Brumm. Grants the Carefree Melody charm if you banish the Grimm Troupe.
  • New Locations in The Grimm Troupe DLC
    • The Grimm Troupe: Arrives to the left of Dirtmouth after being summoned, placing several tents that the Knight can enter.
    • The Path of Pain: A secret, and extremely difficult, challenge area hidden behind a breakable wall in the White Palace.

How to Start The Grimm Troupe DLC in Hollow Knight

To initiate the content for The Grimm Troupe DLC in Hollow Knight, players need to discover a concealed wall at the base of the chasm on the left side of the Howling Cliffs. On the map, this secret passage lies beneath Joni’s Repose entrance. After using the Dream Nail on a large insect corpse situated in the room furthest right, proceed towards the left and ignite the brazier with your Nail repeatedly. Once done, the Grimm Troupe will materialize in Dirtmouth.

Lifeblood

April 20, 2018

A Kingdom Upgraded! New Boss. Upgraded Bosses. Tweaks and Refinements across the whole game.

New Content Added in the Lifeblood DLC

  • All Lifeblood DLC Bosses
    • Hive Knight: A new boss found at the far right end of The Hive, an area hidden behind a breakable wall beneath the Kingdom’s Edge zone.
  • Lifeblood DLC Charms, Abilities, & Items
    • Map Markers: Added custom Map Markers for sale in Iselda’s shop in Dirtmouth. The Gleaming, Scarab, Shell, and Token markers can be placed in custom locations on your Map.

How to Start the Lifeblood DLC in Hollow Knight

To initiate the Lifeblood DLC in Hollow Knight, players need to delve deep into The Hive and locate the new boss room of the Hive Knight situated on the extreme right side. From the outset of the game, after gaining access to Iselda’s shop, you will have map markers at your disposal. Each marker costs 100 Geo, except for the Gleaming Marker that requires 210 Geo.

Godmaster

Released: August 23, 2018

Take your place amongst the Gods. New Characters and Quest. New Boss Fights. Epic New Music!

New Content Added in the Godmaster DLC

  • All Godmaster DLC Bosses
    • Every boss from the base game across four challenging Pantheons
    • Upgraded versions of several bosses from the base game, including Brothers Oro and Mato, Paintmaster Sheo, Sisters of Battle, Winged Nosk, Pure Vessel, and Absolute Radiance
  • Godmaster DLC Charms, Abilities, & Items
    • Godtuner: Quest item gained upon starting the Godmaster DLC. Tracks defeated bosses throughout Hallownest to unlock Pantheons.
    • Extra Simple Key: Dropped by the Pale Lurker, a secret boss to the rigtht of the Colosseum of Fools
  • ​​​​​​​Achievements & Trophies in Godmaster
    • Brotherhood: Complete the Pantheon of the Master
    • Embrace the Void: Ascend the Pantheon of Halllownest and take your place at its peak.
    • Focus: Complete the Pantheon of the Sage
    • Inspiration: Complete the Pantheon of the Painter
    • Soul & Shade: Complete the Pantheon of the Knight
    • Pure Completion: Achieve 112% game completion, then finish the game.
  • Godmaster New NPCs
    • Fluke Hermit: A Fluke enemy in the Junk Pit that can be seen collecting junk.
    • Godseeker: After unlocking its cocoon, the Godseeker will give the Knight the Godtuner and begin the Godmaster DLC.
  • New Locations In Godmaster DLC
    • Junk Pit: Found to the left of the Royal Waterways.
    • Godhome: The hub area of the Godmaster DLC, where the Knight can access various Pantheon challenges.
    • New Boss Arenas: All-new boss arenas for most of the game’s bosses during each Pantheon boss rush.
    • Hall of Gods: An area with statues for every defeated boss.
    • Land of Storms: A secret area, where the Godseeker came from. Can only be accessed after beating every Pantheon with all Bindings.

How to Start the Godmaster DLC in Hollow Knight

As a Hollow Knight gamer, I’ve been itching to dive into the Godmaster DLC content. To kickstart this exciting new journey, I first need to lay my hands on a Simple Key. Luckily, Sly’s got one for sale at his shop for 950 Geo. Once in possession of this key, I’ll head to the Junk Pit, a place you can reach from the bench in the Royal Waterways.

To find my way there, take a step down into the next room and make an immediate left turn. From there, just keep heading all the way to the far-left side of the area. When I say far left, I mean as far as you can go! You’ll eventually come across a wide, junk-filled room – that’s the Junk Pit.

Once inside, look for the golden cocoon on the left shore of this junk-filled pit, and voila! I’m all set to unlock the DLC content with it.

Best Order To Beat All Hollow Knight DLCs

Hidden Dreams & Lifeblood, Then Grimm Troupe & Godmaster

In simpler terms, two additional storylines for the game “Hollow Knight” can be found during regular gameplay. The content from “Hidden Dreams” and the new boss and map markers in “Lifeblood” can naturally appear while playing. It’s recommended to finish these additions before facing the final boss in “Hollow Knight.

In simpler terms, “The Grimm Troupe” introduces a fresh story and challenging boss battles that you might want to tackle once you reach the Howling Cliffs region. By the time your Knight gains the necessary skills to access this area, it would be ideal if you’ve prepared yourself for this additional content.

Among all Hollow Knight DLC packs, Godmaster stands out as unique because you need to defeat every game boss first before challenging them again within the Godmaster Pantheons. Therefore, it’s advisable for players to tackle Godmaster after they have completed the rest of the game.

To access the last group of deities, you need to first defeat the ultimate boss. Once you’ve triumphed over the Hollow Knight, feel free to revert back to a saved game, and afterwards, make your way down to the Junk Pit where you’ll face off against the gods themselves.

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2025-08-26 23:14