Hollow Knight: 10 Tips Every New Player Should Know
Things the game never tells you — from managing your Shade to using benches strategically.
1. You Can Dream Nail Your Own Shade
If you're stuck on the path back to your Shade, remember the Dream Nail deals no damage to your own ghost — you can recover it risk-free if you have the weapon.
2. Rest at Every Bench You Find
Benches save your respawn point AND refill your Soul gauge. Never pass one up, even if you feel confident — the next room might hold a surprise.
3. Nail Arts Are Worth Mastering
The Great Slash (hold attack) deals 2.5× normal nail damage. In boss fights, a single well-timed Great Slash during an opening can shorten the fight significantly.
4. Use the Journal
The Hunter's Journal tracks every enemy you've encountered and how many you've killed. Completing entries unlocks the Hunter's Mark — a late-game reward worth pursuing.
5. Resting Clears Infected Crossroads
After a story event mid-game, the Forgotten Crossroads becomes the Infected Crossroads. Resting at Benches in that zone does NOT respawn enemies — take advantage of this for safe traversal.
6. Charm Notches Are Expandable
You start with three Charm Notches. You can buy more from Salubra in the Crossroads, and find others hidden throughout Hallownest. Prioritize increasing your notch count early.
7. Fragile Charms Break on Death
Fragile charms (Fragile Strength, Greed, Heart) shatter when you die outside a boss fight. The Divine NPC in Dirtmouth can repair them — for a steep Geo price. Either play carefully or avoid these until late-game.
8. Fog Canyon Leads to the Teacher
Fog Canyon connects several mid-game areas and houses the Uumuu boss guarding a critical ability. It's easy to miss the path in. Look for openings above acid pools.
9. Map Completion Pays Off
Cornifer's final map location (Deepnest) unlocks a vendor in Dirtmouth. Full map completion also contributes to certain endings.
10. There Are Multiple Endings
Hollow Knight has four endings. The true ending requires completing specific questlines and acquiring the Dream Nail upgrades. Don't rush the final boss if you want the full story.