Complete Guide to Charm Locations in Hollow Knight

In the captivating world of Hollow Knight, Charms serve as pivotal tools that significantly influence gameplay. These unique accessories provide a range of benefits, from passive buffs to enhanced mechanics, and even summon temporary allies to aid the player on their journey.

Charms can be thought of as integral to the Knight’s identity, enriching the combat experience beyond the basic nail attacks and spells. Whether you’re in need of additional healing, enhanced damage output, or improved mobility as you traverse Hallownest, there’s a Charm designed to cater to your specific needs.

Total Inventory of Charms: 45 (including those from free DLC expansions like Hidden Dreams, The Grimm Troupe, Lifeblood, and Godmaster).It’s crucial to note that five of these Charms transform later in the game, which is why the inventory space is limited to 40 slots.

Charms are equipped via a Notch system that sets a “cost”for each Charm, requiring a certain number of notches (ranging from 1 to 5) to be available for use. Players begin their journey with only a few Charm Notches, but the capacity can be expanded as they progress.

Charms are distributed throughout the map, often tucked away in obscure locations, offered for sale in shops, or rewarded through specific challenges and quests. This guide aims to help you locate each Charm effectively.

To simplify your search, Charms are categorized according to their notch requirements. This organization helps you quickly navigate to the section that best fits your current build. Note that images for purchasable Charms from the same vendor have not been included.

1-Notch Charms

A selection of 10 Charms only requires one Charm Notch, making them accessible early in the game. Many of these are linked to merchants, bosses, and areas you’ll frequently encounter throughout the main story.

From my experience, the Wayward Compass, Steady Body, and Dream Wielder are invaluable for new players, significantly aiding navigation and mastery of game mechanics. Additionally, I highly recommend the Sprintmaster for those collecting Grubs and other Charms, as it boosts your running speed substantially.

Charm’s Name	Effect	Location	Instructions
Defender’s Crest	Emits a toxic cloud dealing 1 damage per second to nearby enemies.	Royal Waterways	Defeat the boss Dung Defender.
Dream Wielder	Accelerates charging of the Dream Nail (2.4 seconds to 0.9 seconds) and collects +33 Souls.	Resting Grounds	Purchase from the Seer for 500 Essence.
Gathering Swarm	Automatically collects Geo from fallen enemies.	Dirtmouth	Purchase from Sly for 300 Geo.
Grubsong	Gains Soul upon taking damage.	Forgotten Crossroads	Received from the Grubfather after rescuing 10 Grubs.
Nailmaster’s Glory	Reduces the charge time of Nail Arts by approximately 44%.	Dirtmouth	Given by Sly after learning all three Nail Arts from Nailmasters.
Spore Shroom	Releases a cloud of damaging spores when using Focus.	Fungal Wastes	Near a secret path leading to Queen’s Gardens (requires Mantis Claw ability).
Steady Body	Reduces recoil from attacks and prevents knockback.	Forgotten Crossroads	Purchase from Salubra for 120 Geo.
Thorns of Agony	The Knight sprouts thorny vines upon getting hit, damaging nearby foes.	Greenpath	In the maze of thorns on the eastern side (requires Mothwing Cloak).
Wayward Compass	Acts as a compass, indicating the Knight’s position on the map.	Dirtmouth	Available at Iselda’s shop for 220 Geo (after encountering Cornifer).
Sprintmaster	Boosts running speed by approximately 20%.	Dirtmouth	Purchase from Sly for 400 Geo (after giving him the Shopkeeper’s key).

2-Notch Charms

This guide’s most extensive section features 18 Charms requiring two Notches each, making them a balanced option for various builds.

However, a couple of caveats are in order. The Fragile Greed and Fragile Heart Charms can shatter upon the Knight’s death, necessitating repair at the Leg Eater’s location for a fee. These can also be upgraded to their unbreakable variants in the Grimm Troupe DLC territory.

Recommended combinations include Dashmaster and Sharp Shadow, which together reduce dash cooldown and enhance walking speed. The Heavy Blow and Longnail pair is effective against swift bosses, providing a power boost to Nail damage and range. Additionally, the Baldur Shell is excellent for novices seeking to refine their strategic gameplay.

Charm’s Name	Effect	Location	Instructions
Baldur Shell	Protects from damage while using Focus.	Howling Cliffs	Defeat two Elder Baldurs in the southwest cave.
Dashmaster	Reduces the dash cooldown by 50% and allows a downward dash.	Fungal Wastes	Interact with the statue below Mantis Village.
Fragile Greed	Boosts Geo dropped by enemies by 20-60%, but breaks upon death.	Fungal Wastes	Purchase from Leg Eater for 250 Geo.
Fragile Heart	Increases health by two Masks, but breaks upon death.	Fungal Wastes	Available from Leg Eater for 350 Geo.
Unbreakable Greed	Boosts Geo from enemies by 20-60% (does not break).	Dirtmouth	Talk to Divine after acquiring the Grimm Troupe DLC for the upgrade.
Unbreakable Heart	Increases health by two Masks (does not break).	Dirtmouth	Purchase from Divine after activating the Grimm Troupe DLC.
Fury of the Fallen	Enhances Nail damage by 75% when only one health Mask is left.	King’s Pass	Use Mothwing Cloak or Mantis Claw to reach the charm.
Glowing Womb	Summons hatchlings that attack enemies.	Forgotten Crossroads	Defeat enemies in the False Knight’s arena.
Heavy Blow	Increases knockback from nail strikes by 75%.	Dirtmouth	Purchase from Sly for 350 Geo.
Lifeblood Heart	Adds 2 extra health Masks at a Bench.	Forgotten Crossroads	Buy from Salubra for 250 Geo.
Longnail	Increases the range of the Nail’s basic attack by 15%.	Forgotten Crossroads	Buy from Salubra for 300 Geo.
Shape of Unn	Transforms the Knight into a snail during Focus for mobility.	Lake of Unn	Talk to Unn after acquiring Isma’s Tear ability.
Sharp Shadow	Increases dash length by 39% and deals damage to enemies.	Deepnest	Behind a Shade Gate near a Hot Spring.
Soul Catcher	Increases Soul gained by striking enemies.	Ancestral Mound	Defeat the Elder Baldur using Vengeful Spirit.
Spell Twister	Reduces Soul cost for spells (from 33 to 24).	Soul Sanctum	Find in a secret room just before fighting the Soul Master.
Stalwart Shell	Extends invincibility after taking damage.	Dirtmouth	Purchase from Sly for 200 Geo.
Grimmchild	Displays all red flames to collect in the Grimm Troupe DLC.	Dirtmouth	Given by Troupe Master Grimm at the start of the DLC.
Weaversong	Summons three weaverlings to attack nearby enemies.	Weaver Den	Defeat a Stalking Devout to access the Charm.

3-Notch Charms

Now we enter the realm of 11 Charms that require three Charm Notches each—these Charms better justify their cost!

Both Quick Focus and Quick Slash are particularly valuable against tough bosses and the trials at the Colosseum of Fools. Quick Focus allows for faster healing, while Quick Slash enhances attack speed dramatically. Meanwhile, Mark of Pride increases the Nail’s range, making it a great combat enhancement.

Be aware of Fragile Strength, another breakable Charm that significantly boosts Nail damage. If the Knight falls in battle while equipped with it, repairs will be necessary, available at the Leg Eater for a fee. This Charm can also be upgraded to an unbreakable version in the Grimm Troupe DLC.

Charm’s Name	Effect	Location	Instructions
Fluke’s Nest	Replaces Vengeful Spirit spell with flukes.	Royal Waterways	Defeat the boss Flukemarm.
Fragile Strength	Boosts Nail damage by 50% (breaks upon death).	Fungal Wastes	Purchase from Leg Eater for 600 Geo.
Unbreakable Strength	Boosts Nail damage by 50% (does not break).	Dirtmouth	Talk to Divine after activating the Grimm Troupe DLC for the upgrade.
Grubberfly’s Elegy	Allows shooting fire beams from the Nail when at full health.	Forgotten Crossroads	Receive from Grubfather after rescuing 46 Grubs.
Lifeblood Core	Grants 4 extra health Masks at a Bench.	The Abyss	Requires at least 15 Lifeblood Masks to gain access to the Charm.
Mark of Pride	Increases Nail range by 25%.	Mantis Village	Located after defeating the Mantis Lords.
Quick Focus	Increases healing speed.	Forgotten Crossroads	Purchase from Salubra for 800 Geo.
Quick Slash	Boosts Nail attack speed by 54%.	Kingdom’s Edge	In a Nailmaster’s home; utilize Desolate Dive ability to reach.
Shaman Stone	Enhances spell power by 33%.	Purchased from Salubra for 220 Geo.
Carefree Melody	Has a chance to block incoming damage.	Talk to Nymm after completing the Grimm Troupe DLC.
Dreamshield	Conjures a shield that orbits the Knight, damaging upon contact.	Resting Grounds	Found below the Seer’s area.

4-Notch Charms

This section highlights 4 Charms that demand four Charm Notches each. Due to their high cost, players should consider their usage carefully.

These Charms primarily offer passive advantages, particularly in healing. They can be especially advantageous in specific scenarios or boss encounters. For instance, the Hiveblood Charm provides continuous healing, ideal for exploration, while Deep Focus excels against slow-moving bosses. However, the Joni’s Blessing is a risky choice, as it prevents any healing through focusing—something players should keep in mind.

The remaining option, Soul Eater, focuses entirely on enhancing Soul gain, making it a great tool for grinding.

Charm’s Name	Effect	Location	Instructions
Deep Focus	Doubles healing effect but decreases focusing speed.	Crystal Peak	Complete a platforming challenge in Husk Miner’s area.
Hiveblood	Provides healing over time without focusing Soul.	The Hive	After defeating Hive Knight, access the room below the arena.
Joni’s Blessing	Transforms health masks into Lifeblood Masks, preventing recovery.	Joni’s Repose	Found near Cornifer, in a grotto with blue flowers.
Soul Eater	Increases Soul gained from enemy strikes.	Resting Grounds	Use Desolate Dive under the Stag Station to discover the hidden passage.

5-Notch Charms

Hollow Knight All Charm Locations Kingsoul

With a single Charm costing an impressive five Notches, we have the Kingsoul Charm. This powerful accessory bestows an intriguing passive ability, allowing unlimited Soul absorption over time. However, its hefty Notch cost limits available combinations with other Charms.

Nonetheless, the Kingsoul Charm is essential for unlocking specific game endings and plays a critical role in accessing the Abyss’s depths to retrieve the Void Heart.

Charm’s Name	Effect	Location	Instructions
Kingsoul	Recovers 4 Soul at a slow rate and is key to the Abyss’s Birthplace.	Queen’s Gardens and White Palace	Find both halves; one from the White Lady, the other from the Pale King’s body.

Zero-Notch Charms

Hollow Knight All Charm Locations Void Heart

The last Charm, the Void Heart, doesn’t require any Notches. Although it offers no distinct gameplay advantages, it plays a crucial role in unlocking several of the game’s endings.

Charm’s	Effect	Location	Instructions
Void Heart	Transforms certain enemies into passive, while unlocking multiple endings.	Birthplace (Abyss)	With Kingsoul, access the Birthplace and use the Awoken Dream Nail.