In the enchanting world of Hollow Knight, every health point matters. It might just be the difference between successfully navigating a treacherous platforming section or vanquishing a tough boss, preventing the desire to hurl your controller in frustration.
Fortunately, players can enhance the Knight’s health bar, symbolized by an array of masks, by collecting special items called Mask Shards that are dispersed throughout the game’s extensive map. This system resembles the Hearth Pieces found in The Legend of Zelda series; for every four shards collected, an Ancient Mask is completed, granting an additional health point permanently.
Starting the adventure with five health masks, players can acquire up to four extra ones, allowing for a maximum of nine health points. This significant boost undoubtedly provides players with an enhanced sense of security as they engage in their quests.
To discover all 16 Mask Shards—hidden in chests, sold by merchants, or defended by formidable foes—check out this comprehensive guide for tips to ensure you don’t overlook any valuable masks.
Acquiring Shards from Sly
You can initially purchase four Mask Shards from Sly, a merchant located in Dirtmouth, after locating and conversing with him in the abandoned village at the base of the Forgotten Crossroads following your victory over the Gruz Mother boss.
He offers two shards at the outset for 150 Geo and 500 Geo respectively. Additionally, by finding the Shopkeeper’s Key—which is located in Crystal Peak—and handing it to Sly, you can unlock two more shards for 800 Geo and 1, 500 Geo.
Vanquishing Brooding Mawlek
One of the easier shards to obtain requires you to defeat the hidden boss Brooding Mawlek, found at the western edge of the Forgotten Crossroads. Although labeled as a “hidden boss, ” players are likely to encounter him organically while progressing through the main storyline.
Defeating him is straightforward: simply dodge his claw attacks and capitalize on openings. Upon victory, you will receive a Mask Shard as your reward.
Assisting the Grubfather
While traversing Hallownest, you’ll encounter numerous Grubs confined in jars. Breaking these jars will set them free, allowing them to return to the Grubfather’s lair located west in the Forgotten Crossroads.
To claim a Mask Shard, you need to rescue only 5 of the total 46 Grubs. Once you have done so, visit the Grubfather to collect your reward.
Exploring Forgotten Crossroads
Head to the Bench located beneath where you fight the False Knight boss early in the game. Use the left exit to enter a platformed area inhabited by an Aspid Hunter. Move to the bottom right passage and navigate through a maze filled with Goams, utilizing the Mantis Claw ability to reveal a hidden passage above the first Goam to locate a Mask Shard.
Discovering in Royal Waterways
Equipped with the Mothwing Cloak ability, venture to the northwest of the Royal Waterways where Cornifer can first be found, below the primary route. Once you reach the Geo deposit, look down and leap left to a concealed platform before touching the water to acquire your Mask Shard.
Finding Shard in Queen’s Station
This easily accessible Mask Shard requires merely the Mantis Claw ability. Travel to Queen’s Station, which connects the Fungal Wastes and Fog Canyon. Move right until you discover narrow spiked corridors; follow these to retrieve your Mask Shard.
Rescuing Bretta
To obtain the next Mask Shard, you must save Bretta, an overlooked beetle stranded in the lower right portion of the Fungal Wastes. Navigate through the area and interact with her after surviving the platforming sequence. Following your rescue, Bretta will appear outside her home in Dirtmouth, rewarding you with a Mask Shard.
Mask Shard in Stone Sanctuary
To acquire this shard, head to the far right of Greenpath, below a Bench, and venture into the Stone Sanctuary where you will face No Eyes, a formidable adversary cursed by the Infection. Utilize your dodging skills to overcome him and once he’s defeated, follow the upper right path leading to a cherished Mask Shard.
Navigating Deepnest
To find this shard, make your way towards Mantis Village but detour before entering and follow the upper left path. This section requires the Monarch Wings ability. Continue downward until you discover a Mask Shard waiting at the bottom.
Conquering the Enraged Guardian
A Mask Shard can be acquired by defeating an optional boss located in the Crystal Peak. You will need the Monarch Wings ability to access this battle. Engage the first mini-boss Crystal Guardian at the Bench area and then ascend to the right to confront the Enraged Guardian, who is more challenging yet retains the same attack patterns. Emerging victorious rewards you with a brand new Mask Shard.
Locating Shard in The Hive
This Mask Shard is concealed behind a wall in The Hive. You will require an enemy to break it. Enter The Hive through the Ancient Basin train and navigate to a large room filled with platforms and Hive Guardians. Ignore them, head up, and to the right to reach another area. Defeat all but one of the large Hive Guardians, then lure him into the bottom left wall to break it, unveiling a passage housing the Mask Shard.
Claiming from the Seer
After gathering a total of 1, 500 Essence, visit the Seer found in the Resting Grounds to receive a Mask Shard as a token of your achievement.
Completing the Delicate Flower Quest
This Mask Shard is perhaps the most challenging to acquire, as it entails completing the Delicate Flower side quest, renowned as the toughest in the game and linked to multiple endings. Initiate the quest by speaking with the Grey Morner in the eastern Resting Grounds area. Utilize the Desolate Dive ability to break a tomb and navigate the narrow corridors while defeating enemies.
Upon reaching a dead end, break through the wall with your Nail to continue. After finding a chest, destroy the ceiling above it to unveil another hidden route that leads back to the Grey Morner, who will instruct you to deliver a delicate flower to a grave in the Queen’s Gardens. Ensure to complete this delivery without utilizing fast travel or sustaining damage to earn your Mask Shard.
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