"Top Builds for Defeating Grimm in Hollow Knight"

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• Best Charm Builds For Troupe Master Grimm

• Best Charm Builds For Nightmare King Grimm

Grimm, an iconic figure in Hollow Knight and the broader metroidvania genre, captivates players with his enigmatic persona and stylish design. As the leader of the Grimm Troupe, he adds depth to the Knight's quest to save Hallownest by offering a compelling side story that brings closure to the troupe's narrative.

Players will encounter Grimm at least once during their journey, facing off against both Troupe Master Grimm and the more formidable Nightmare King Grimm to fully complete the Grimm Troupe DLC. These battles are among the toughest in Hollow Knight, demanding precise movement, swift reactions, and unwavering determination. Selecting the right charms is crucial for success against both versions of Grimm.

All charm builds for these encounters require the Grimmchild charm, which occupies two notches.

Best Charm Builds For Troupe Master Grimm

Facing Troupe Master Grimm offers players their first glimpse into his attack patterns, setting the stage for a fast-paced and elegant dance rather than a brute-force brawl. Here are some charm builds designed to help players navigate this challenging battle successfully. Defeating Troupe Master Grimm unlocks the final Charm Notch, essential for tackling Nightmare King Grimm with optimal builds.

Nail Build

• Unbreakable/Fragile Strength
• Quick Slash
• Longnail
• Grimmchild (Mandatory)

This build maximizes Nail damage output during the gaps in Grimm's attacks. Given the slower pace compared to Nightmare King Grimm, a Nail-focused build allows for multiple hits thanks to Quick Slash. Unbreakable or Fragile Strength is essential to boost Nail damage, and players should ideally have the Coiled Nail or Pure Nail to handle Grimm's health pool effectively. Longnail replaces Mark of Pride due to the two notches taken by Grimmchild, offering a slightly reduced range but still enabling hits during the tail end of Grimm's attacks like the Diving Dash and Uppercut.

Spell Build

• Shaman Stone
• Grubsong
• Spell Twister
• Unbreakable/Fragile Heart
• Grimmchild (Mandatory)

Ideal for players who prefer Spell-based combat or are less confident with the Nail, this build leverages upgraded spells like Descending Dark, Abyss Shriek, and Shade Soul to swiftly defeat Grimm. Shaman Stone significantly enhances spell damage, making it a must-have in Spell-focused builds. Spell Twister allows for more spell casts per rotation, supplemented by Nail hits for Soul replenishment. Grubsong helps maintain Soul levels by generating Soul on hits taken, while Unbreakable/Fragile Heart adds extra masks, ensuring more Soul is available for spells.

Best Charm Builds For Nightmare King Grimm

Nightmare King Grimm is a significantly tougher challenge than Troupe Master Grimm, with doubled damage output and increased speed that demands even more from players. He introduces new attacks, including flame pillars that can be exploited with Abyss Shriek for massive burst damage. Below are the best charm builds to conquer one of the hardest bosses in metroidvania gaming.

Best Build

• Unbreakable/Fragile Strength
• Shaman Stone
• Mark of Pride
• Grimmchild (Mandatory)

A pure Nail build isn't viable against Nightmare King Grimm due to his speed and damage. A hybrid Nail/Spell build, utilizing powerful spells like Abyss Shriek and Descending Dark, proves more effective. Shaman Stone is essential for maximizing spell damage, while Unbreakable/Fragile Strength and Mark of Pride enhance damage output during brief windows where spells are risky or impractical.

Alternate Build

• Grubsong
• Sharp Shadow
• Shaman Stone
• Spell Twister
• Nailmaster's Glory
• Grimmchild (Mandatory)

This defensive-oriented build focuses on Spell usage and the often-overlooked Nail Arts, providing tools to evade Nightmare King Grimm's deadly attacks. Shaman Stone and Spell Twister are crucial for boosting spell damage, with Grubsong ensuring a steady Soul supply. Sharp Shadow, paired with the Shade Cloak, allows players to dash through attacks while dealing damage, and Nailmaster's Glory enhances the effectiveness of Nail Arts, helping chip away at Nightmare King Grimm's health alongside strategic spell use.