When it comes to the Metroidvania genre, few titles can match the compelling experience offered by Hollow Knight. Yet, during my initial gameplay, I found the story to be quite ambiguous, leaving me confused about the plot and mechanics.
However, after multiple playthroughs, the game captivated me, ultimately becoming my all-time favorite indie title. With its expansive universe and an engaging combat system, it features intense and exhilarating boss battles, with the Pure Vessel and the Nightmare King standing out as my personal favorites.
One gameplay element that I initially struggled to comprehend was the Dream Nail and its associated resource: Essence. In this guide, I will elucidate what Essence is, how it can be acquired, and its various uses within the game.
Understanding Essence: Purpose and Usage
Essence serves as a unique form of currency in Hollow Knight. Unlike conventional currencies, it is not utilized for purchases but is instead gathered to earn rewards from the Seer located in the Resting Grounds.
The only instance where you might find your Essence depleting is when using the Dreamgate ability, which allows for teleportation between two set locations.Nevertheless, running out of Essence is unlikely unless you decide to warp an excessive 3200 times.
I recommend prioritizing the unlocking of achievements and rewards before using the Dreamgate excessively. This approach will save you from the frustration of grinding through tougher boss fights to complete the Ascension achievement later on.
Essence Rewards: What You Can Unlock
After accumulating the specified amounts of Essence, players can receive various rewards from the Seer:
| Essence Required | Rewards |
|---|---|
| 100 Essence | Hallownest Seal |
| 200 Essence | Sub-area Spirits’ Glade opens |
| 300 Essence | Pale Ore |
| 500 Essence | Dream Wielder Charm |
| 600 Essence | Unlocks the Attunement achievement |
| 700 Essence | Vessel Fragment |
| 900 Essence | Unlocks the Dreamgate ability |
| 1200 Essence | Arcane Egg |
| 1500 Essence | Mask Shard |
| 1800 Essence | Awakens the Dream Nail, allowing access to the White Palace, also unlocks the Awakening achievement |
| 2400 Essence | Unlocks the Ascension achievement |
To explore one of the game’s unique optional endings, players must awaken the Dream Nail by collecting 1800 Essence, unlocking access to the enigmatic White Palace.
The introduction of the Grimm Troupe DLC added the Path of Pain, an intense new section within the White Palace, which is frankly one of the most challenging areas in Hollow Knight, testing even the most seasoned players.
Undertake this ordeal at your own risk if you seek a fleeting, lore-revealing moment as your reward!
Essence Collection: Best Strategies
To gather Essence, players can utilize the Dream Nail on Whispering Roots and other spirits spread throughout the game world. While defeating regular enemies offers a minimal Essence drop rate, these methods may become inefficient as the game progresses. The most effective way to earn larger quantities of Essence is by defeating the Dream Warriors and Dream Bosses.
The Dream Warriors reside at various locations across the map, while Dream Bosses present a more formidable version of the main bosses previously encountered, boasting heightened health and aggression.You can access these challenging encounters by using the Dream Nail at their respective locations.
List of Dream Warriors and Dream Bosses
| Enemy Type | Name | Location | Reward |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dream Warrior | Elder Hu | Eastern part of Fungal Wastes | 100 Essence |
| Dream Warrior | Galen | Western part of Deepnest | 200 Essence |
| Dream Warrior | Gorb | Northeast part of Howling Cliffs | 100 Essence |
| Dream Warrior | Markoth | Past the void wall in Kingdom’s Edge (requires Shade Cloak) | 250 Essence |
| Dream Warrior | Marble | West of the Stag Station in Queen’s Garden | 150 Essence |
| Dream Warrior | No Eyes | Inside the Stone Sanctuary in Greenpath | 200 Essence |
| Dream Warrior | Xero | Western part of Resting Grounds | 100 Essence |
| Dream Boss | Failed Champion | Past the breakable wall in the original False Knight arena | 300 Essence |
| Dream Boss | All Grey Prince | Located in Bretta’s basement in Dirtmouth (access after saving Zote and Bretta) | 300 Essence |
| Dream Boss | White Defender | Requires Desolate Dive on a weak floor in Dung Defender’s boss room | 300 Essence |
| Dream Boss | Soul Tyrant | Use Dream Nail at Soul Master corpse in the Soul Sanctum | 300 Essence |
| Dream Boss | Lost Kin | Use Dream Nail at Broken Vessel corpse in Ancient Basin | 400 Essence |
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