"Grimm's Top Builds in Hollow Knight"

Best Charm Builds For Troupe Master Grimm

Grimm, the charismatic leader of the Grimm Troupe in Hollow Knight, captivates players with his enigmatic charm and unique aesthetic. As players journey through Hallownest to save it from peril, they encounter the enthralling side quest involving the Grimm Troupe. This quest culminates in a thrilling battle against Grimm himself, offering a significant challenge that requires precise movement and quick thinking.

Players will face Troupe Master Grimm first, which serves as an introduction to his general moveset and attack patterns. This encounter is a fast-paced dance rather than a straightforward brawl, requiring elegance and strategic timing to exploit windows of opportunity. The right charm builds can make all the difference in overcoming this formidable foe. Note that all charm builds for both Grimm fights necessitate the use of Grimmchild, which occupies two charm notches.

Troupe Master Grimm is the initial encounter where players can get accustomed to Grimm's attack patterns. Successfully defeating him unlocks the final Charm Notch, crucial for tackling the tougher Nightmare King Grimm.

Nail Build

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

This build focuses on maximizing Nail damage output during the brief moments between Grimm's attacks. Quick Slash allows for rapid strikes, making it viable to deal significant damage in this relatively slower-paced fight compared to its Nightmare King counterpart. Unbreakable or Fragile Strength is essential to enhance the Nail's damage, and players should ideally wield at least the Coiled Nail or the Pure Nail.

While Mark of Pride is a common choice in Nail builds, Longnail serves as an effective alternative here due to Grimmchild's two-notch requirement. Although Longnail offers less range than Mark of Pride, it's still beneficial for landing hits at the tail end of Grimm's attacks like the Diving Dash and Uppercut.

Spell Build

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

For those who prefer spellcasting or are less confident with the Nail, the Spell build is ideal for swiftly defeating Troupe Master Grimm. By this stage, players should have access to the powerful Descending Dark, Abyss Shriek, and Shade Soul spells. Shaman Stone is a must-have in any Spell build, significantly boosting spell damage, while Spell Twister allows for more frequent spell use.

Given the challenge of dodging Grimm's attacks, Grubsong helps maintain a full Soul gauge, essential for continuous spellcasting. Unbreakable/Fragile Heart adds extra masks, enabling players to focus more Soul on spells rather than healing.

Best Charm Builds For Nightmare King Grimm

Nightmare King Grimm presents a significantly tougher challenge than Troupe Master Grimm. He deals double damage, moves at a breakneck pace, 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 conquer this daunting 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 due to his speed and damage output. Instead, a hybrid Nail/Spell build is recommended, leveraging the power of Abyss Shriek and Descending Dark. Shaman Stone is crucial for maximizing spell damage, while Unbreakable/Fragile Strength and Mark of Pride enhance Nail damage during windows where spellcasting is risky.

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 essential for boosting spell damage, while Grubsong ensures a steady Soul supply. Sharp Shadow, when paired with the Shade Cloak, allows players to dash through attacks and deal damage, and Nailmaster's Glory enhances the effectiveness of Nail Arts, making them a viable option alongside strategic spell use.