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• Best Charm Builds For Troupe Master Grimm

• Best Charm Builds For Nightmare King Grimm

Grimm, a standout character in Hollow Knight and the broader metroidvania genre, captivates players with his enigmatic charm and distinctive style. As the leader of the Grimm Troupe, he plays a pivotal role in the Knight's quest to save Hallownest, offering a rich side quest that concludes the troupe's narrative.

During these adventures, players must confront Grimm at least once, facing the option to battle an enhanced version of him to fully complete the Grimm Troupe DLC. Both Troupe Master Grimm and Nightmare King Grimm present some of the toughest challenges in the game, demanding precise movements, swift reactions, and unwavering determination. The right charm combinations are crucial for overcoming these formidable foes.

All charm builds for both versions of Grimm require the Grimmchild charm, which occupies two charm notches, to access the boss fights.

Best Charm Builds For Troupe Master Grimm

Troupe Master Grimm introduces players to his core moves and patterns, setting the stage for a fast-paced encounter that feels more like a dance than a brawl. Success hinges on elegance and timing, making these charm builds essential for mastering this challenging fight.

Defeating Troupe Master Grimm unlocks the final Charm Notch, crucial for tackling Nightmare King Grimm with optimal builds.

Nail Build

- Unbreakable/Fragile Strength

• Quick Slash
• Longnail
• Grimmchild (Mandatory)

This build maximizes Nail damage, allowing players to strike effectively between Grimm's attacks. Given the slower pace compared to Nightmare King Grimm, a Nail-focused strategy is viable, with Quick Slash enabling more frequent hits.

Unbreakable or Fragile Strength is essential for boosting Nail damage, while players should aim for at least the Coiled Nail or the Pure Nail to manage Grimm's health pool efficiently.

Although typically paired with Mark of Pride, Longnail serves as a suitable substitute due to the two notches taken by Grimmchild. It offers a slight range increase, useful for hitting Grimm during the end phases of his attacks like the Diving Dash and Uppercut.

Spell Build

- Shaman Stone

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

Ideal for players favoring spell-based combat or less confident with the Nail, this build accelerates Grimm's defeat using upgraded spells like Descending Dark, Abyss Shriek, and Shade Soul.

Shaman Stone is indispensable for enhancing spell damage, while Spell Twister ensures more frequent spell casts, complemented by Nail hits for Soul regeneration.

Given the difficulty of dodging Grimm's attacks, Grubsong helps maintain a full Soul gauge. Unbreakable/Fragile Heart adds extra masks, allowing players to focus Soul on spellcasting.

Best Charm Builds For Nightmare King Grimm

Nightmare King Grimm escalates the challenge, dealing double damage and moving at a breakneck speed. A single mistake can be fatal, and his enhanced moveset, including new flame pillar attacks, demands a strategic approach. Here are the best charm builds to conquer this formidable metroidvania boss.

Best Build

- Unbreakable/Fragile Strength

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

A pure Nail build isn't viable against Nightmare King Grimm. Instead, this hybrid Nail/Spell build leverages the power of Abyss Shriek and Descending Dark.

Shaman Stone is crucial for maximizing spell damage, while Unbreakable/Fragile Strength and Mark of Pride boost damage output during windows where spell use is risky or impossible.

Alternate Build

- Grubsong

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

This defensive build focuses on spells and underutilized Nail Arts, providing tools to evade Nightmare King Grimm's lethal attacks. Shaman Stone and Spell Twister amplify 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, while Nailmaster's Glory enhances Nail Arts, making them a significant threat when combined with strategic spell usage.