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Grimm is an iconic character in Hollow Knight, captivating players with his enigmatic presence and unique aesthetic. As the leader of the Grimm Troupe, he introduces a compelling side quest that enriches the journey through Hallownest. To fully experience the Grimm Troupe DLC, players must confront both Troupe Master Grimm and the formidable Nightmare King Grimm. These encounters are among the most challenging in the game, demanding precision, quick reflexes, and strategic charm selection to survive the intense "death dance."
All charm builds for these boss fights in the base game require the Grimmchild charm, which occupies two charm notches.
Best Charm Builds For Troupe Master Grimm
Troupe Master Grimm serves as the initial encounter, allowing players to learn his moves and patterns. This battle is fast-paced yet rhythmic, more akin to a dance than a brawl. Players must strike at opportune moments rather than endure his attacks head-on. The following builds are designed to help you navigate this challenging fight successfully.
Completing the Troupe Master Grimm fight unlocks the final Charm Notch, crucial for optimizing builds against Nightmare King Grimm.
Nail Build
- Unbreakable/Fragile Strength
- Quick Slash
- Longnail
- Grimmchild (Mandatory)
This build maximizes Nail damage output, allowing players to capitalize on brief windows between Grimm's attacks. The slower pace of this fight compared to Nightmare King Grimm makes a Nail build viable, with Quick Slash enabling more frequent hits.
Unbreakable or Fragile Strength is essential, amplifying Nail damage. Players should aim for at least the Coiled Nail or Pure Nail to efficiently reduce Grimm's health. Longnail, a suitable substitute for Mark of Pride due to Grimmchild's two-notch occupancy, extends the Nail's reach, facilitating hits during the tail end of Grimm's moves like the Diving Dash and Uppercut.
Spell Build
- Shaman Stone
- Grubsong
- Spell Twister
- Unbreakable/Fragile Heart
- Grimmchild (Mandatory)
For those favoring spell-based combat or less adept with the Nail, the Spell build is ideal. By this stage, players should possess the Descending Dark, Abyss Shriek, and Shade Soul upgrades, with the former two being highly effective against tough bosses.
Shaman Stone, a staple in Spell builds, significantly boosts spell damage. Spell Twister complements this by allowing more frequent spell casts before needing to recharge via Nail hits. Grubsong aids in maintaining a full Soul gauge, crucial for avoiding hits, while Unbreakable/Fragile Heart provides additional masks, enabling focused spell usage.
Best Charm Builds For Nightmare King Grimm
Nightmare King Grimm escalates the challenge, dealing double damage and moving at an increased speed. Even minor errors can end the fight swiftly. His arsenal now includes flaming trails on most attacks and a new flame pillar attack, which, despite its threat, offers opportunities for significant damage with Abyss Shriek. Here are the best charm builds to tackle this formidable metroidvania boss.
Best Build
- Unbreakable/Fragile Strength
- Shaman Stone
- Mark of Pride
- Grimmchild (Mandatory)
A pure Nail build is less effective against Nightmare King Grimm, necessitating a hybrid approach that leverages both Nail and Spell capabilities. Shaman Stone remains crucial for boosting spell damage, particularly with Abyss Shriek and Descending Dark. Unbreakable/Fragile Strength and Mark of Pride enhance damage output during moments when spell use is risky or impractical.
Alternate Build
- Grubsong
- Sharp Shadow
- Shaman Stone
- Spell Twister
- Nailmaster's Glory
- Grimmchild (Mandatory)
This defensive build focuses on spells and the often overlooked Nail Arts, providing means to evade Nightmare King Grimm's lethal attacks. Shaman Stone and Spell Twister are vital for maximizing spell damage. Grubsong ensures a steady Soul supply, while Sharp Shadow, requiring the Shade Cloak, allows players to dash through attacks and deal damage. Nailmaster's Glory enhances the effectiveness of Nail Arts, offering another avenue to chip away at Nightmare King Grimm's health alongside strategic spell use.
