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Grimm is a standout character in Hollow Knight and the broader metroidvania genre, captivating players with his enigmatic presence and striking design. As the leader of the Grimm Troupe, he draws the Knight into a fascinating side quest that brings closure to the Troupe's narrative. During these adventures, players face Grimm not once, but twice—first as Troupe Master Grimm, and then as the more formidable Nightmare King Grimm. Both encounters are among the game's toughest challenges, demanding precise movement, quick reflexes, and unwavering determination. The right charm builds can significantly enhance your chances of success in these intense battles.
All charm builds for both Grimm fights require the Grimmchild charm, which occupies two charm notches and is essential for accessing these boss fights.
Best Charm Builds For Troupe Master Grimm
Troupe Master Grimm introduces players to his distinctive moveset and attack patterns. This fight is fast-paced, more akin to a dance than a brawl, requiring elegance and precision in seizing attack opportunities. Below are effective charm builds to conquer this challenging battle.
Completing the Troupe Master Grimm fight unlocks the final Charm Notch, crucial for tackling Nightmare King Grimm with optimized builds.
Nail Build
- Unbreakable/Fragile Strength
- Quick Slash
- Longnail
- Grimmchild (Mandatory)
This build maximizes Nail damage output during windows between Grimm's attacks. As the fight is slower than the Nightmare King version, a Nail build allows ample opportunities to land hits, especially with Quick Slash.
Unbreakable or Fragile Strength is essential for increasing Nail damage. Aim to enter the fight with at least the Coiled Nail or the Pure Nail to efficiently deplete Grimm's health.
Longnail serves as a good alternative to Mark of Pride due to the space taken by Grimmchild. It offers a slight range increase, beneficial for hitting Grimm during the tail end of his moves like the Diving Dash and the Uppercut.
Spell Build
- Shaman Stone
- Grubsong
- Spell Twister
- Unbreakable/Fragile Heart
- Grimmchild (Mandatory)
For players favoring spell-based combat or less confident with the Nail, this build offers a swift path to victory. By this stage, players should have access to powerful spell upgrades like Descending Dark, Abyss Shriek, and Shade Soul.
Shaman Stone is a must-have in any spell-focused build, significantly boosting spell damage. Spell Twister complements this by allowing more frequent spell casts before needing to recharge via Nail hits.
Grubsong helps maintain a full Soul gauge, crucial for dodging Grimm's tricky attacks. Unbreakable/Fragile Heart adds extra masks, ensuring Soul is primarily used for casting spells.
Best Charm Builds For Nightmare King Grimm
Nightmare King Grimm elevates the challenge with doubled damage output and increased speed, making every misstep potentially fatal. He also gains new attacks, including flame pillars that players can exploit for massive damage with Abyss Shriek. Here are the top charm builds for facing this formidable foe.
Best Build
- Unbreakable/Fragile Strength
- Shaman Stone
- Mark of Pride
- Grimmchild (Mandatory)
A pure Nail build isn't viable against Nightmare King Grimm. Instead, a hybrid Nail/Spell build is essential, utilizing powerful spells like Abyss Shriek and Descending Dark.
Shaman Stone is crucial for maximizing spell damage. Unbreakable/Fragile Strength and Mark of Pride enhance Nail damage, useful in moments when spell casting is risky.
Alternate Build
- Grubsong
- Sharp Shadow
- Shaman Stone
- Spell Twister
- Nailmaster's Glory
- Grimmchild (Mandatory)
This more defensive build leverages spells and the often-overlooked Nail Arts to counter Nightmare King Grimm's lethal attacks. Shaman Stone and Spell Twister are staples for boosting spell damage.
Grubsong ensures a steady Soul supply, while Sharp Shadow (with Shade Cloak) allows dashing through Grimm's attacks while dealing damage. Nailmaster's Glory empowers Nail Arts, making them a potent tool alongside strategic spell use.
