Finding all eight charm notches is challenging; here is a quick guide to get you started on your journey.
In Hollow Knight, you play as a Knight, a quiet and mysterious warrior who journeys through the desolate kingdom of Hallownest, where the remnants of a once-vibrant world of insects and valorous heroes linger in the shadows.
Hollow Knight is a 2D side-scrolling Metroidvania game, meaning there is a significant emphasis on storytelling through exploration. Players have the freedom to navigate diverse paths and objectives, encountering challenging environmental puzzles and enemies, all of which require an inventive use of abilities and keen attention to detail.
The cornerstone of the Knight's abilities comes from charms that gift special powers ranging from increased strength to unleashing a deadly hoard of worms that tackle any foe with ease. Charms can be bought from various merchants in-game, won in battle, or found scattered throughout Hallownest and can be combined to create unique abilities. The drawback to charms is that each one requires a certain amount of space to be equipped, known as charm notches. Some charms require one notch, while others need four. There are a total of eleven notches in the game, and the player starts with three. Finding the other eight notches is challenging; however, doing so early in the game allows for more creative freedom in terms of one's chosen playstyle and, most importantly, more fun while navigating the world of Hallownest.
Notch1-4: Charm Lover Salubra
The first four charms are relatively easy to acquire. Pay a visit to the slightly delusional merchant Salubra at the Forgotten Crossroads. You can purchase the first two notches for 120 geos and 500 geos, respectively. The third notch costs 900 geos and requires that the player own 18 charms already. The fourth notch costs 1400 geos and requires that the player own 25 charms already. So, although these notches are readily available, they will require substantial exploration to purchase; that's the fun part.
Notch 5: Shrumal Ogres in Fungal Waste
You can find the fifth notch in fungal waste (circled in yellow) by defeating two Shrumal Ogres. Shrumal Ogres are relatively easy to kill and will drop a notch when defeated.
Notch 6: Fog Canyon Secret Entrance
You can find the sixth notch through a secret entrance in the Fungal Waste that takes you to Fog Canyon. Isma's Tear is required to get through the acidic water at the hidden entrance and the rest of the terrain beyond the entrance.
Once through, bounce on the purple mushrooms by nail jumping to get to the top entrance (hold down and attack with the nail to bounce). Continue straight through the Fog Canyon into another area (shown with the yellow arrow).
You'll enter the final area, where you must navigate challenging terrain full of dangerous Ooma squid and explosive eggs. At the end, you'll find the sixth notch.
Notch 7: Colosseum of Fools
The seventh notch, as well as 1000 geos, is earned from completing the first trail of the warrior in the Colosseum of Fools. If you haven't already discovered the Colosseum, it can be found by traversing to the top of Kingdoms Edge.
Once there, talk to the unfortunate warrior suspended from the ceiling and accept the trial of the warrior challenge; this will cost 100 geos. From there, head into the Colosseum and complete the trail.
The trial involves a sequence of battles with various enemies and is more tedious than difficult. Set your spawn point on the bench below the colosseum to avoid a painstaking journey back upon multiple deaths that are likely to occur. Once completed, you'll win the seventh notch.
Notch 8: Unlock The Grimm Troupe
The eighth notch is the hardest to get and will take some time - and many deaths - to earn. If you have already unlocked Grimm Troupe, skip this step and go to the next one.
To unlock Grimm Troupe, head over to Greenpath and make your way up to the Howling Cliffs. You'll find a treasure chest, jump in it, and fall through to a secret cavern.
Once there, find a secret room by breaking through a wall, break through a second wall, and you'll find another room with a giant dead bug.
Use the dream nail on the dead bug and it'll spawn an alter in the room you just came from. Hit the torch to light it, and you'll summon the Grimm Troupe, which will appear in a carnival tent back at Dartmouth.
Defeat Grimm Troupe
Head into the carnival tent and find Grimm, the Troupe Master. He'll give you the Grimmchild charm, which is also his child; don't think about it too hard. Equip the charm, and it'll reveal three areas in Hallownest. Each area contains a Grimmkin Novice, which you'll need to defeat. Once completed, head back to Grimm and he'll upgrade your Grimmchild charm; again, don't think about it too hard. From there, the Grimmchild will reveal three more locations on the map where you'll fight three Grimmkin Masters; this time, the Grimm child will help you fight.
Once you defeat all the Grimmkin Masters, return to Grimm to challenge him to a fight. Grimm is a tough boss to beat, so make sure you have your best charms equipped and an upgraded nail, unless you prefer making things hard for yourself. Once you defeat Grimm, you'll get the last notch - and a new child to care for.
Chasing down all eleven notches in Hollow Knight is not just about the challenge; it's a deep dive through the nooks and crannies of Hallownest. Each notch you find not only gives you fantastic new abilities but also takes you on a journey through the strange places and secret stories hidden throughout the game.
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