Top Builds for Grimm in Hollow Knight

Within the rich landscape of Hollow Knight and the larger metroidvania genre, Grimm stands out as an extraordinary character. As the enigmatic leader of the Grimm Troupe, he captures the attention of players on their quest to rescue Hallownest while providing an intricate side quest that adds depth to the game’s lore.

Players will confront Grimm in two significant battles: first with Troupe Master Grimm and then with Nightmare King Grimm, each presenting its unique challenges. These encounters are celebrated for their difficulty, demanding not only precise controls and quick reflexes but also a solid strategy. The right charm setup is crucial for success against both versions of Grimm.

Before facing either Grimm, players must equip the Grimmchild charm, which occupies two charm notches, and is essential for initiating these boss fights.

Optimal Charm Builds for Troupe Master Grimm

Facing Troupe Master Grimm marks the first opportunity for players to learn his diverse attack patterns and moveset. Unlike traditional bosses, this encounter feels more like an elegant dance. Players must navigate carefully and select their openings to dodge rather than simply absorbing damage. To overcome this initial trial, consider the following charm configurations.

Defeating Troupe Master Grimm not only progresses the story but also rewards players with a final Charm Notch that is vital for effectively combating Nightmare King Grimm.

Nail Build

Unbreakable/Fragile Strength
Quick Slash
Longnail
Grimmchild (Mandatory)

This charm loadout is designed for high damage output through Nail strikes between Grimm’s attacks. The pace of this battle allows players to utilize Quick Slash effectively, ensuring they can deal damage without compromising their defense.

It is imperative to include either Unbreakable or Fragile Strength in any Nail build, as it significantly boosts damage per hit. Players should ideally approach the battle with either the Coiled Nail or Pure Nail to maximize their chances against Grimm’s health pool.

Though Mark of Pride is commonly included in Nail builds, using Longnail is a strategic choice here due to the charm constraints. Longnail provides extended range for Nail attacks, enabling players to land hits during the openings created by Grimm’s movements.

Spell Build

Shaman Stone
Grubsong
Spell Twister
Unbreakable/Fragile Heart
Grimmchild (Mandatory)

For those who prefer a magical approach, the Spell build presents a compelling option to swiftly defeat Grimm. By this stage, players should have access to powerful spells such as Descending Dark, Abyss Shriek, and Shade Soul, which are instrumental in overcoming difficult bosses.

Shaman Stone is imperative in any spell-oriented build as it enhances spell damage, facilitating quick victories over tough adversaries. Pairing it with Spell Twister allows for efficient spell rotations, followed by Nail hits for energy replenishment.

Given the high stakes of the battle, Grubsong is a helpful addition, as it replenishes the Soul gauge with each hit taken. Rounding out the build, Unbreakable or Fragile Heart provides additional masks, enabling more frequent spell casting.

Optimal Charm Builds for Nightmare King Grimm

Nightmare King Grimm Flame Pillar Attack

Nightmare King Grimm elevates the challenge, delivering double damage compared to Troupe Master Grimm. This firebrand moves at an accelerated pace, requiring players to be on their toes. A few missteps can result in a swift defeat.

Nightmare King Grimm introduces new attacks, including fire trails and flame pillars, which significantly enhance his threat level. However, these flame pillars can also grant opportunities to unleash Abyss Shriek for devastating damage. Below are the optimal charm configurations to tackle this formidable foe.

Best Build

Unbreakable/Fragile Strength
Shaman Stone
Mark of Pride
Grimmchild (Mandatory)

Taking down Nightmare King Grimm efficiently requires a hybrid build that combines both Nail and Spell damage. Pure Nail builds alone will struggle against this boss. By including powerful spells such as Abyss Shriek and Descending Dark, players can consistently rack up damage.

Ensuring Shaman Stone is part of the build is essential for optimizing spell damage. Coupling it with Unbreakable/Fragile Strength and Mark of Pride allows for maximum efficiency during moments when spellcasting poses a higher risk of taking damage.

Alternate Build

Grubsong
Sharp Shadow
Shaman Stone
Spell Twister
Nailmaster’s Glory
Grimmchild (Mandatory)

This more defensive charm setup focuses on combining spell casting with Nail Arts while providing substantial mobility to evade Nightmare King Grimm’s devastating attacks. As with most spell builds, Shaman Stone and Spell Twister are crucial for maximizing damage output.

In addition, Grubsong provides essential Soul regeneration, offering much-needed survivability. Sharp Shadow pairs effectively by allowing players to dash through many attacks, provided they possess the Shade Cloak, and deliver damage simultaneously. Nailmaster’s Glory rounds out this build, enhancing Nail Arts to become a serious threat to Nightmare King Grimm while benefiting from well-timed spell usage.

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