"Top Builds for Conquering Grimm in Hollow Knight"

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• Best Charm Builds For Troupe Master Grimm
• Best Charm Builds For Nightmare King Grimm

Grimm stands out as one of the most iconic and beloved characters in Hollow Knight, captivating players within the metroidvania genre. With his enigmatic presence and striking appearance, the leader of the Grimm Troupe not only enthralls the Knight during their quest to save Hallownest but also offers a compelling side quest that brings closure to the troupe's narrative.

Throughout these adventures, players are challenged to confront Grimm at least once, paving the way to battle an even more formidable version of him to complete the Grimm Troupe DLC. Both Troupe Master Grimm and Nightmare King Grimm present some of the game's toughest challenges, demanding precise movement, swift reactions, and unwavering determination to survive their deadly dance. Equipping the right charms is crucial for overcoming these encounters.

To access these boss fights, players must equip the Grimmchild charm, which occupies two charm notches.

Best Charm Builds For Troupe Master Grimm

Troupe Master Grimm introduces players to his general moveset and attack patterns. This battle is fast-paced and more akin to a dance than a brawl, requiring elegance and strategic timing rather than brute force. The following charm builds are designed to help players navigate this challenging encounter successfully.

Defeating Troupe Master Grimm unlocks the final Charm Notch, essential for tackling Nightmare King Grimm with optimal builds.

Nail Build

• Unbreakable/Fragile Strength
• Quick Slash
• Longnail
• Grimmchild (Mandatory)

This charm build maximizes Nail damage output, allowing players to strike effectively between Grimm's attacks. Given the slower pace compared to Nightmare King Grimm, a Nail build is viable for landing numerous hits, thanks to Quick Slash.

Unbreakable or Fragile Strength is essential for boosting Nail damage. Players should aim to have at least the Coiled Nail or the Pure Nail to efficiently deplete Grimm's health. While Nail builds typically include Mark of Pride, Longnail serves as a solid alternative due to Grimmchild's two-notch requirement. Although it offers less range than Mark of Pride, Longnail can still be effective for hitting Grimm at the end of his attacks, such as the Diving Dash and Uppercut.

Spell Build

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

For those who prefer spell-based combat or are less confident with the Nail, the Spell build offers a swift path to victory. By this stage, players should have access to the Descending Dark, Abyss Shriek, and Shade Soul spell upgrades, with the former two being particularly effective against tough bosses.

Shaman Stone is a must-have for any Spell build, significantly enhancing spell damage. Combined with Spell Twister, players can cast multiple spells in a single rotation before recharging with Nail hits. Grubsong helps maintain a full Soul gauge, crucial for dodging Grimm's attacks, while Unbreakable/Fragile Heart provides additional masks, allowing more Soul to be dedicated to spells.

Best Charm Builds For Nightmare King Grimm

Nightmare King Grimm is a formidable upgrade from Troupe Master Grimm, dealing double damage and moving at an accelerated pace. A single mistake can end the fight quickly. Additionally, he introduces new attacks with flaming trails that also deal double damage, including a flame pillar attack that can be exploited for significant burst damage with Abyss Shriek. Here are the best charm builds to conquer this challenging metroidvania boss.

Best Build

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

A pure Nail build is not effective against Nightmare King Grimm. Instead, a hybrid Nail/Spell build is recommended, leveraging the power of Abyss Shriek and Descending Dark. Shaman Stone is essential for consistent spell damage, while Unbreakable/Fragile Strength and Mark of Pride enhance damage output during windows where using spells is risky or not feasible.

Alternate Build

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

This more defensive build focuses on spells and the often-overlooked Nail Arts, providing tools to evade Nightmare King Grimm's lethal attacks. Shaman Stone and Spell Twister are crucial for boosting spell damage, while Grubsong ensures a steady Soul supply. Sharp Shadow allows players to dash through most of Grimm's attacks with the Shade Cloak, dealing damage in the process. Nailmaster's Glory enhances the effectiveness of Nail Arts, making them a viable option for chipping away at Grimm's health alongside strategic spell use.