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• Best Charm Builds For Troupe Master Grimm

• Best Charm Builds For Nightmare King Grimm

Grimm, the charismatic leader of the Grimm Troupe, is a beloved character in Hollow Knight and the broader metroidvania genre. With his enigmatic charm and distinctive style, Grimm captivates players as they journey through Hallownest, offering a compelling side quest that enriches the game's narrative and brings closure to the Troupe's saga.

Facing Grimm is no small feat; players must first battle Troupe Master Grimm before challenging the more formidable Nightmare King Grimm to complete the Grimm Troupe DLC. Both encounters are among the game's toughest, demanding precise movement, quick reflexes, and unwavering determination. Equipping the right charms is crucial to successfully navigating these intense confrontations.

To access these boss fights, players must equip the Grimmchild charm, which occupies two charm notches.

Best Charm Builds For Troupe Master Grimm

Troupe Master Grimm introduces players to his attack patterns in a fast-paced battle that feels more like a dance than a brawl. Players need to be nimble and strategic, seizing opportunities to strike rather than enduring his attacks head-on. The following charm builds are designed to help you conquer this challenging fight.

Successfully defeating Troupe Master Grimm unlocks the final Charm Notch, essential for tackling the even tougher Nightmare King Grimm.

Nail Build

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

This build maximizes your Nail's damage output, allowing you to deal significant hits between Grimm's attacks. Given the slower pace compared to Nightmare King Grimm, a Nail build is ideal for landing multiple quick strikes, thanks to Quick Slash.

Unbreakable or Fragile Strength is essential for boosting your Nail's damage. Aim for at least the Coiled Nail or Pure Nail to effectively deplete Grimm's health. While Nail builds typically feature Mark of Pride, Longnail serves as a good substitute here due to Grimmchild occupying two slots. Longnail's slightly reduced range extension is still invaluable for hitting Grimm during the tail 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 those who prefer spellcasting or feel less confident with the Nail, this build enables quick victories through magical prowess. By this stage, players should have mastered Descending Dark, Abyss Shriek, and Shade Soul, with the first two being exceptionally effective against tough bosses.

Shaman Stone is indispensable for any Spell-based build, amplifying the damage of your spells. Combined with Spell Twister, you can cast more spells per rotation and quickly recharge them with Nail hits. Dodging Grimm's attacks can be tricky, making Grubsong a valuable addition to keep your Soul gauge replenished. Unbreakable/Fragile Heart adds extra masks, allowing you to reserve your Soul primarily for casting spells.

Best Charm Builds For Nightmare King Grimm

Nightmare King Grimm is a significantly tougher adversary than Troupe Master Grimm. He not only deals double damage but also moves at a faster pace, making him a formidable challenge even for seasoned players. Moreover, he gains new attacks, including flame pillars that can be exploited for massive damage using Abyss Shriek. Here are the best charm builds to conquer this daunting boss.

Best Build

• Unbreakable/Fragile Strength
• Shaman Stone
• Mark of Pride
• Grimmchild (Mandatory)

A pure Nail build isn't viable for efficiently defeating Nightmare King Grimm. A hybrid Nail/Spell build is the way to go, leveraging the power of Abyss Shriek and Descending Dark. Shaman Stone is crucial for maximizing spell damage. Unbreakable/Fragile Strength and Mark of Pride enhance your Nail's effectiveness during windows where casting spells is risky or impossible.

Alternate Build

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

This more defensive build focuses on using spells and the often-overlooked Nail Arts to counter Nightmare King Grimm's lethal attacks. Shaman Stone and Spell Twister are essential for boosting spell damage. Grubsong ensures a steady Soul supply. Sharp Shadow, when paired with the Shade Cloak, allows you to dash through most of Grimm's attacks while dealing damage. Nailmaster's Glory enhances your Nail Arts, making them a potent tool alongside strategic spell use to whittle down Grimm's health.