Unlock Hollow Knight’s Ultimate Secrets Before Silksong’s Arrival

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Summary

  • Achieve 112% completion by tackling achievements, secrets, and side quests.
  • Upgrade fragile charms for unbreakable power in late-game.
  • Complete Mr. Mushroom’s quest for a bonus ending and potential tie-in with Silksong.

With Hollow Knight: Silksong now officially confirmed and slated to release in 2025, fans of the original Hollow Knight have numerous opportunities to maximize their gaming experience before the sequel debuts. Apart from conquering the main game’s boss battles, there are many challenges left in the deteriorating kingdom waiting to be explored.

For both newcomers and seasoned players, there are 10 essential tasks to accomplish before diving into the upcoming game Silksong. These remaining activities within Hollow Knight offer an engaging way to pass the time as you prepare for the next adventure. They include exploring optional side quests, achieving 112% completion, and climbing the ranks of Hallownest’s toughest warriors through various methods.

10. Achievement Hunting

A Simple Checklist

To maximize your experience with Hollow Knight, it’s beneficial to adhere to the suggested list of additional tasks, which is essentially the achievement list. Achieving straightforward objectives such as gathering all charms in one playthrough, acquiring every mask and soul vessel, and other collection-focused tasks presents an inherent challenge. However, these challenges serve as a stepping stone for more advanced ones.

Mysterious accomplishments frequently match their enigmatic name, often expanding the narrative and folklore within the remaining parts of this world. The assorted Trials from the Fool’s Colosseum, shaping the destinies of both Zote and the Nailsmith, along with numerous battles drawn from the DLCs, serve as an excellent foundation for uncovering every hidden aspect in each nook of Hallownest.

9. Hunter’s Mark

Complete The Bestiary

Exploring this forgotten kingdom filled with dangerous adversaries and creatures hidden at every corner, it’s essential to engage or gather intel on as many potential enemies as possible – this not only assesses your gaming skills but also helps you learn effective strategies against these various menaces. The Hunter’s Journal completion tally provides a clear objective too.

Completing the journal doesn’t require every creature or character you encounter. For instance, some dream and DLC battles don’t contribute to the total. Moreover, certain creatures can be considered logged when spotted in the background art, sparing you the need to defeat invincible adversaries multiple times. Thus, the task may not be as challenging as it seems at first glance.

8. Upgrade Fragile Charms

Unbreakable Power

It’s highly recommended from both a practicality and power perspective for players to enhance the three fragile charms – Greed, Heart, and Strength – into their indestructible versions. This change will enable the player to pass away without having to revisit Leg Eater for repairs.

Following the Grimm Troupe’s occupation of Dirtmouth, Divine offers a significant exchange opportunity at a high cost, ranging between 9000 and 15000 Geo. Despite being primarily beneficial for later stages of gameplay, this trade is undeniably worth the investment.

7. Delicate Flower Quest

The Fragility Of Care

In the game Hollow Knight, one noticeable side mission involves carefully transporting the Fragile Blossom to a grave situated in the Queen’s Garden. This task calls for exceptional platforming accuracy, technical prowess, and strategic thinking from players. Though there are multiple viable strategies for completing this objective, it demands a player with patience and carefulness as the blossom shatters instantly upon receiving any damage, and fast-travel is prohibited for its safe transportation.

After avoiding thorns and false allies, also known as mantis traitors, and planting the Flower on the grave, new Flowers grown here can be transported to different NPCs in other locations, prolonging the challenge for at least three more instances. Additionally, there are two unique dialogue-based encounters where the bonus lies in the conversation itself.

6. Complete Mr Mushroom

Passing The Age

An unusual, hidden assignment that involves locating and conversing with the eccentric Mr. Mushroom on seven separate occasions following the defeat of the primary antagonists could appear insignificant or perplexing as an optional quest. However, encountering this Messenger every time adds up to an alternate, rewarding ending for the game.

In essence, most of Mr. Mushroom’s unusual expressions and remarks are hidden references to the game “Hungry Knight,” which is a precursor to “Hollow Knight.” However, the achievement associated with assisting Mr. Mushroom and the ending sequence hint at a potential comeback for this fungal character in “Silksong,” as a new era has dawned in a different kingdom.

5. Earn All Endings

Perpetuation Or Resolution

The central theme of the game’s narrative centers around the persistent existence of Hallownest, a place that seems unnatural and is populated by zombies, contagion, and dreams. In the game Hollow Knight, the player has the power to determine the ultimate destiny for this kingdom, where tomorrow never comes. This could be a desired outcome or simply the easiest path for a realm that remains trapped in an endless day.

Although all endings can be considered valid, what truly matters is whether the player finds each of the three primary conclusions equally satisfying. Additionally, reaching a specific ending can sometimes prove difficult, but the most challenging one provides a clear resolution, making it an enticing challenge to bring everything to an end.

4. Secret Dream Fights

Strength Only Dreamed Of

In this game, as you vanquish numerous bosses along your journey and encounter some characters following the storyline advancement, a challenging rematch against those initial adversaries becomes accessible due to the Dream Nail. These fights reward ample essence when won, in addition to granting entry to DLC areas and achievements. These battles are designed to gauge how proficient players are at tackling specific bosses.

In dreams, these battles don’t carry any tangible repercussions if you lose; instead, you just have to restart the fight. This differs from having to locate the Knight’s spirit to recover Geo and soul capacity in reality. Essentially, these dream battles function as a trial of the player’s abilities, self-assurance, and accuracy, testing them against everything a boss might do.

3. Grimm Troupe Complete

A Nightmarish Performance

Completing the Grimm Troupe storyline is often seen as one of the most challenging battles within the game. Players are given an option: either bypass this potentially perilous encounter entirely, or bravely engage with the core of this terrifying ordeal.

Although the primary duties assigned to the Grimm Troupe aren’t exceptionally challenging (managing map locations and the initial Grimm battle being the main tasks), it’s the Nightmare King Grimm that truly tests players. It’s possible for players to finish this storyline without defeating Nightmare King Grimm, opting instead to permanently banish the Grimm Troupe. Both outcomes present unique benefits, but the sense of achievement from vanquishing this terrifying foe is significantly greater. Moreover, considering how Silksong seems to be advancing certain storylines, there’s a possibility that the Grimm Troupe may return, given the Ritual ending’s implication.

2. Defeat The Pantheons (Godmaster)

Ascension For True Power

The primary objective of the Godmaster DLC lies in overcoming the four dominant Pantheons within Godhome, a tough test suited for players who have already mastered everything in the game’s world of Hallownest. This grueling boss gauntlet is designed to polish their skills to an absolute pinnacle.

As each Pantheon becomes progressively harder, only skilled and well-prepared players will be able to conquer these clusters of bosses. Notably, there is a fifth Pantheon that can be accessed once players have defeated an upgraded and improved version of the main character. This fifth Pantheon is essentially a marathon battle against 53 bosses from the game, culminating in an even more powerful final boss. Fortunately, this Pantheon doesn’t contribute to the game’s completion percentage, but it does grant access to two additional endings and some serious bragging rights.

1. 112% Completion

Nothing Left Untouched In Hallownest

In the game Hollow Knight, there are two degrees of accomplishment you can reach: the standard and full 100% completion, and, thanks to additional content from the DLCs, a 112% completion. Both levels reward players with an achievement, but achieving 112% is unquestionably the ultimate objective.

In Hollow Knight, you can attain a 100% completion by focusing on the DLC elements rather than the main game tasks. Most bosses (except for the final two) contribute to an 112%, along with gathering all charms and character enhancements. However, the real challenge lies in concluding the Grimm Troupe in either manner and completing at least the Pantheon of the Knight. Only then will you have fully explored the world of Hollow Knight.

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2025-04-29 12:39