One of the standout features of Hollow Knight is its ability to spark player curiosity, offering an array of secrets, hidden realms, optional bosses, and multiple endings that enhance the game’s immersive experience. Developed by Team Cherry, this metroidvania boasts a total of six distinct endings, each providing a unique conclusion to the Knight’s quest while unveiling deeper insights into the overarching narrative and the memorable characters encountered throughout the journey.
Achieving each ending demands more than merely vanquishing formidable foes or following a straightforward plotline. Players must delve into the secluded nooks of Hallownest, gather peculiar items, and unlock various abilities while demonstrating the endurance required to overcome some of the toughest challenges the game has to offer. This guide will outline the necessary steps to unlock every ending in Hollow Knight and elaborate on what each ending signifies for the fate of Hallownest.
Can You Unlock All Endings in a Single Playthrough?
Yes, it is feasible to unlock all six endings in one playthrough, provided that you complete the standard ending first. Completing certain events will prevent you from obtaining this initial ending, so strategize accordingly.
In the following sections, we will present a step-by-step guide to achieving all endings organized in the most manageable order. Ready your needle and let’s embark on this journey!
Ending 1: The Hollow Knight
The initial ending is relatively straightforward, with just two prerequisites:
- You must not possess the Void Heart.
- Defeat the Hollow Knight in the Black Egg.
Progress through the main story while steering clear of the Void Heart, located at the Abyss’s depths—avoid venturing there!
Once you have defeated all three Dreamers, head directly to the Temple of the Black Egg to confront the Hollow Knight—your ultimate adversary. Defeat them to complete the game and unlock Ending 1.
Meaning of Ending 1
In Ending 1, the Knight defeats the Hollow Knight, ultimately killing them in combat. This act leads to the Knight absorbing the Infection and taking their sibling’s rightful place within the Black Egg—transforming into a new Vessel tasked with containing the Radiance.
This resolution, while temporarily alleviating the Infection troubling Hallownest, suggests that it is merely a stopgap solution, unable to prevent its eventual resurgence.
Ending 2: Sealed Siblings
Now things begin to complicate. Ending 2 necessitates the possession of the Void Heart, along with three key requirements:
- You must possess the Void Heart.
- You need to have the Awoken Dream Nail.
- Don’t use the Dream Nail on the Hollow Knight during Hornet’s restraint.
Progress through your quest to the Temple of the Black Egg, ensuring you have obtained the Awoken Dream Nail (you can purchase it from the Seer for 1800 Essence).Now, turn your attention to acquiring the Void Heart.
Acquiring the Void Heart
To obtain the Void Heart, follow these steps to gather both halves of the Kingsoul:
- First, acquire the King’s Brand located in the Cast-Off Shell within Kingdom’s Edge by defeating Hornet at the end of Wyrm’s carcass (1). Use this to open the Abyss in the Ancient Basin (2).
- Fall to the Abyss’s bottom, travel right, utilize the lighthouse, and Crystal Heart to navigate to the black pool (3) to unlock the Shadow Cloak upgrade.
- Visit the Queen’s Gardens and interact with the White Lady (4) to obtain the first half of the Kingsoul. Employ the Shadow Cloak to reach her. Then, venture to the White Palace through the secret Stag Station in the Ancient Basin (5) and ascend to secure the other half of the Kingsoul.
- Return to the Abyss’s depths (equipped with the Kingsoul charm) and use Desolate Dive on the corpse pile to uncover a hidden passage. Proceed onward and use the Awoken Dream Nail on the mysterious egg revealing the Knight’s reflection.
Congratulations! Your Kingsoul charm transforms into the Void Heart—unlocking two new endings (Ending 2 and Ending 3) for you!
Now, focus back on Ending 2. Head back to the Black Egg and converse with Hornet before entering. Face the Hollow Knight once more, and when Hornet restrains them, refrain from using the Dream Nail. Allow the conflict to unfold and emerge victorious.
Meaning of Ending 2
Upon the defeat of the Hollow Knight, the outcome mirrors that of Ending 1; the Knight absorbs the Infection. Notably, Hornet is knocked unconscious during the struggle, leaving her sealed within the Temple of the Black Egg alongside the Hollow Knight.
Ending 3: Dream No More
This ending is widely regarded as the “True Ending”of Hollow Knight, serving as a variation of Ending 2 with slightly altered requirements. These include:
- You must possess the Void Heart.
- You need to have the Awoken Dream Nail.
- Use the Dream Nail on the Hollow Knight during Hornet’s restraint.
- Defeat the Radiance.
Enter the Black Egg equipped with the Awoken Dream Nail and the Void Heart (refer to Ending 2 for guidance on obtaining these).When Hornet restrains the Hollow Knight, use the Awoken Dream Nail directly on them to transport the Knight into the dream realm where The Radiance resides. Defeating her will trigger Ending 3.
Meaning of Ending 3
By vanquishing The Radiance, the Infection is entirely eradicated from Hallownest, leading to the disappearance of the Black Egg from the temple. However, this victory comes at a cost, as the Knight also vanishes.
Hornet awakens to discover the Knight’s shell lying shattered on the ground, leaving an ambiguous fate—has the Knight perished, or have they returned to the Void?
The scene transitions to The Abyss, where the Siblings finally find rest as they sink into the earth following the Radiance’s defeat.
Ending 4: Embrace the Void
Ending 4 marks a significant shift in complexity, as it takes place within the Pantheon of Hallownest rather than the Black Egg. The requirements are more demanding:
- Complete the Pantheon of Hallownest (from the Godmaster DLC).
- Do not deliver the Delicate Flower to the Godseeker.
- Defeat the Absolute Radiance.
To access the Godmaster DLC, you will need to navigate through a series of Pantheons that present progressively more challenging foes until you unlock the Pantheon of Hallownest.
Before entering this Pantheon, it is imperative to entirely ignore the Godseeker—an NPC introduced in the expansion.Make sure not to give him any items!
Once you are prepared, conquer the Pantheon of Hallownest, culminating in a confrontation with a powerful version of Radiance named Absolute Radiance. Successfully defeating her will grant you Ending 4.
Meaning of Ending 4
Upon the defeat of the Absolute Radiance, the Knight’s shell shatters, swallowed by the Void Entity, which obliterates any trace of the boss. The Void’s presence ultimately consumes Godhome, taking the Godseeker along with it.
Subsequently, Hornet appears within the Temple of the Black Egg, gazing at the Infection’s vines. A mysterious figure emerges, prompting her to raise her defenses, and the scene cuts to black, leading to the credits.
The identity of this enigmatic figure is speculated to be the Hollow Knight, now liberated from their role in containing the Radiance, leaving their future uncertain.
Ending 5: Delicate Flower
Ending 5 serves as an alternate interpretation of Ending 4, with nearly identical requirements but one key differentiation:
- Complete the Pantheon of Hallownest (from the Godmaster DLC).
- Deliver the Delicate Flower to the Godseeker.
- Defeat the Absolute Radiance.
Start by gaining access to the content in the Godmaster DLC to complete the Pantheon of Hallownest (see Ending 4 for more details).Prior to tackling this challenge, ensure you’ve completed the Delicate Flower questline. If you haven’t yet, here’s a concise guide:
Completing the Delicate Flower Quest
- Head to the Resting Grounds and use Descending Dark to break the coffin at the base of the area (1)—this leads to a passage where you’ll encounter the Grey Mourner.
- Engage with her and accept the quest to deliver a Delicate Flower to a grave located in the Queen’s Gardens. Travel there and plant the flower directly in front of the grave (2).
- Leave the area, wait a few minutes, and return to the grave to collect the newly sprouted flower.
Equipped with the Delicate Flower, return to the Pantheon area, give it to the Godseeker, and defeat the Absolute Radiance to earn Ending 5.
Meaning of Ending 5
As with Ending 4, once the Absolute Radiance is defeated, the scenario unfolds similarly, with the Void obliterating the boss. The key difference lies in the Godseeker’s fate; she is again engulfed by darkness, but notably, she clutches the Delicate Flower. As both her and the Void vanish, they leave behind only the flower, now marked with a faint black hue on its petals.
The implications of this ending are ambiguous, inviting various fan theories about its significance, with many theorizing that the survival of the flower symbolizes the Void’s destruction (or at least its retreat).
Secret Ending: Passing of the Age
The sixth and final ending serves as a bonus, which can be achieved alongside any other ending and requires one specific condition:
- Complete Mister Mushroom’s questline.
- Achieve any other ending.
First, obtain the Spore Shroom Charm, located in the Fungal Wastes near a pool of acid (near the entrances to the Queen’s Gardens and Deepnest).Utilize the Mantis Claw ability to reach this area.
Next, fulfill Mister Mushroom’s questline by equipping the Spore Shroom Charm and speaking with him in seven distinct locations and in a specific sequence:
- AREA 1: In the Fungal Wastes, where Cornifer offers his map.
- AREA 2: In Kingdom’s Edge, a small cave between the tram station and the main area.
- AREA 3: In Deepnest, directly below the failed tramway.
- AREA 4: In the Howling Cliffs, inside Mato’s dwelling.
- AREA 5: In the Ancient Basin, in a room right after the Broken Vessel confrontation.
- AREA 6: In the Fog Canyon, just below the overgrown mound.
- AREA 7: In King’s Pass, where the Knight begins their journey.
After conversing with him at all locations, complete the game (the fastest route is to defeat the Hollow Knight at the Black Egg for either Ending 1 or 2) and wait for a unique scene.
Meaning of the Secret Ending
The secret ending simply depicts Mister Mushroom soaring into the sky with a vacant expression, concluding with the phrase “To be continued” across the screen. While likely serving as a humorous addition, it leaves the door open for Mister Mushroom’s possible return in Hollow Knight: Silksong.
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