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Grimm, a captivating and iconic figure in Hollow Knight and the metroidvania genre, presents a compelling side quest and challenging battles. His enigmatic presence and unique design add to the game's allure. Confronting Grimm, first as Troupe Master Grimm and later as the formidable Nightmare King Grimm, requires skill, precision, and strategic charm selection. These fights are notoriously difficult, demanding precise movements, quick reflexes, and unwavering determination. Choosing the right charms is crucial for success.
All charm builds for both Grimm fights necessitate equipping Grimmchild, occupying two charm notches.
Best Charm Builds For Troupe Master Grimm
Troupe Master Grimm provides an introduction to Grimm's moveset and attack patterns. This fast-paced battle demands elegance and calculated opportunities rather than brute force. The following builds offer effective strategies for overcoming this challenging boss. Defeating Troupe Master Grimm unlocks the final charm notch, essential for optimal Nightmare King Grimm builds.
Nail Build
- Unbreakable/Fragile Strength
- Quick Slash
- Longnail
- Grimmchild (Mandatory)
This build maximizes nail damage between Grimm's attacks. The fight's slower pace allows for effective hit placement with Quick Slash. Unbreakable or Fragile Strength is vital for increased nail damage. Aim for at least the Coiled Nail or Pure Nail for reliable damage output. Longnail serves as a solid alternative to Mark of Pride, offering increased range to capitalize on attack openings like the Diving Dash and Uppercut, despite the slightly reduced range compared to Mark of Pride.
Spell Build
- Shaman Stone
- Grubsong
- Spell Twister
- Unbreakable/Fragile Heart
- Grimmchild (Mandatory)
For spell-focused players, this build provides a swift victory. Assuming you possess Descending Dark, Abyss Shriek, and Shade Soul upgrades, Shaman Stone significantly amplifies spell damage. Spell Twister maximizes spell casts, while Grubsong maintains soul reserves. Unbreakable/Fragile Heart provides additional mask health, further supporting spell usage.
Best Charm Builds For Nightmare King Grimm
Nightmare King Grimm presents a significantly greater challenge. He inflicts double damage, making mistakes costly. His increased speed and new flame pillar attack demand adaptation. The flame pillar attack, however, presents a strategic weakness, allowing for potent Abyss Shriek bursts.
Best Build
- Unbreakable/Fragile Strength
- Shaman Stone
- Mark of Pride
- Grimmchild (Mandatory)
A pure nail build is inefficient against Nightmare King Grimm. This hybrid nail/spell build leverages the power of Abyss Shriek and Descending Dark. Shaman Stone is crucial for consistent damage. Unbreakable/Fragile Strength and Mark of Pride maximize damage during opportune moments.
Alternate Build
- Grubsong
- Sharp Shadow
- Shaman Stone
- Spell Twister
- Nailmaster's Glory
- Grimmchild (Mandatory)
This defensive build emphasizes spells and nail arts, mitigating Nightmare King Grimm's attacks. Shaman Stone and Spell Twister remain essential for damage output. Grubsong ensures consistent soul supply. Sharp Shadow allows for safe dashes through attacks (with Shade Cloak), while Nailmaster's Glory enhances nail art damage, complementing spell usage.
