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Grimm is a standout character in Hollow Knight and the broader metroidvania genre, captivating players with his enigmatic presence and stylish design. As the leader of the Grimm Troupe, he engages the Knight in a compelling side quest that adds depth and closure to the journey through Hallownest. Players will encounter Grimm in battle, facing first Troupe Master Grimm and then, upon choice, the formidable Nightmare King Grimm. These encounters are among the toughest in the game, demanding precise timing, swift reactions, and resilience. Equipping the right charms is crucial for success in both fights.
All charm builds for these battles require the Grimmchild charm, which occupies two charm notches.
Best Charm Builds For Troupe Master Grimm
Troupe Master Grimm introduces players to his signature moves and attack patterns. This battle is a fast-paced dance rather than a straightforward brawl, requiring players to be nimble and strategic in choosing moments to strike. Below are effective builds to conquer 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 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 multiple 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 good substitute here 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)
Ideal for players who prefer spell-based combat or are less confident with the Nail, this build leverages spells to quickly defeat Grimm. By this stage, players should have access to Descending Dark, Abyss Shriek, and Shade Soul, with the former two being particularly effective against tough bosses.
Shaman Stone is a must-have for any Spell build, significantly enhancing spell damage. Spell Twister complements this by allowing more frequent spell use, with Nail hits recharging Soul.
Given the challenge of dodging Grimm's attacks, Grubsong helps maintain a full Soul gauge. Unbreakable/Fragile Heart adds extra masks, enabling players to focus Soul primarily on casting spells.
Best Charm Builds For Nightmare King Grimm
Nightmare King Grimm presents a significantly tougher challenge than Troupe Master Grimm. He deals double damage, moves much faster, and introduces new attacks, including flame pillars that can be exploited for high burst damage with Abyss Shriek. Here are the best charm builds to face this formidable metroidvania boss.
Best Build
- Unbreakable/Fragile Strength
- Shaman Stone
- Mark of Pride
- Grimmchild (Mandatory)
A pure Nail build isn't effective against Nightmare King Grimm. Instead, a hybrid Nail/Spell build is recommended, utilizing the powerful Abyss Shriek and Descending Dark spells.
Shaman Stone is essential for maximizing spell damage. 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 underutilized Nail Arts, offering tools to evade Nightmare King Grimm's lethal attacks. Shaman Stone and Spell Twister are crucial for boosting spell damage.
Grubsong ensures a steady Soul supply. Sharp Shadow, when paired with the Shade Cloak, allows players to dash through many of Grimm's attacks while dealing damage. Nailmaster's Glory enhances Nail Arts, making them a significant threat to Nightmare King Grimm when combined with strategic spell use.
