"Top Builds for Grimm in Hollow Knight"

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• Best Charm Builds For Troupe Master Grimm

• Best Charm Builds For Nightmare King Grimm

Grimm, an iconic figure within Hollow Knight and the broader metroidvania genre, captivates players with his enigmatic charm and stylish appearance. As the leader of the Grimm Troupe, he presents the Knight with a compelling side quest that adds depth to the journey through Hallownest. Players must engage with Grimm at least once, and for those who dare, a second, more formidable battle awaits against the Nightmare King Grimm. Both encounters rank among the game's toughest challenges, demanding precision, quick reflexes, and resilience. To conquer these battles, equipping the right charms is crucial. Note that all charm builds for both fights require the mandatory Grimmchild charm, which occupies two charm notches.

Best Charm Builds For Troupe Master Grimm

Facing Troupe Master Grimm for the first time, players get a chance to learn his attack patterns and movements. This encounter is less about brute force and more akin to a dance, requiring elegance and strategic timing to exploit openings. The following builds are designed to help players navigate this challenging yet rewarding battle successfully. Completing this fight unlocks the final Charm Notch, essential for tackling Nightmare King Grimm with optimized builds.

Nail Build

- Unbreakable/Fragile Strength

• Quick Slash
• Longnail
• Grimmchild (Mandatory)

This build focuses on maximizing Nail damage during the brief windows between Grimm's attacks. With a pace slower than that of Nightmare King Grimm, utilizing a Nail build with Quick Slash allows for numerous hits. Unbreakable or Fragile Strength is essential to boost Nail damage, and players should aim to wield at least the Coiled Nail or the Pure Nail. While Mark of Pride is typically preferred, Longnail serves as an effective substitute due to Grimmchild's notch requirement, offering a slight range increase useful for striking during the end of Grimm's moves like the Diving Dash and Uppercut.

Spell Build

- Shaman Stone

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

For those who favor spellcasting or are less confident with the Nail, this Spell build offers a swift path to victory against Troupe Master Grimm. By this stage, players should have access to upgraded spells like Descending Dark, Abyss Shriek, and Shade Soul, which are key to tackling tough bosses. Shaman Stone is vital in any Spell build, significantly enhancing spell damage, while Spell Twister allows for more frequent spell usage. Grubsong helps maintain a full Soul gauge, crucial for spellcasting, and Unbreakable/Fragile Heart provides additional masks, ensuring more Soul is available for spells rather than healing.

Best Charm Builds For Nightmare King Grimm

Nightmare King Grimm presents a stark escalation in difficulty from Troupe Master Grimm. Dealing double damage, his attacks are lethal, and his increased speed challenges even seasoned players. New flame trails add to his arsenal, and a devastating flame pillar attack offers a window for players to deal significant damage with Abyss Shriek. Here are the top charm builds to overcome this formidable metroidvania boss.

Best Build

- Unbreakable/Fragile Strength

• Shaman Stone
• Mark of Pride
• Grimmchild (Mandatory)

A pure Nail build is less effective against Nightmare King Grimm due to his heightened speed and damage. A hybrid Nail/Spell build, incorporating powerful spells like Abyss Shriek and Descending Dark, proves more successful. Shaman Stone is essential for boosting spell damage, while Unbreakable/Fragile Strength and Mark of Pride enhance damage output during brief windows where spells are risky or impractical.

Alternate Build

- Grubsong

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

This 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 key for maximizing spell damage. Grubsong ensures a steady Soul supply, crucial for spellcasting. Sharp Shadow, combined with the Shade Cloak, allows for safe dashes through Grimm's attacks while dealing damage. Nailmaster's Glory elevates Nail Arts, making them a viable damage source alongside strategic spell use.