"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 is an iconic and beloved character in the world of Hollow Knight and the broader metroidvania genre. Known for his enigmatic presence and striking appearance, Grimm, the leader of the Grimm Troupe, captivates the Knight throughout their journey to save Hallownest. He offers a compelling side quest that brings closure to the adventures of the Grimm Troupe.

During these adventures, players must face Grimm at least once before confronting a more formidable version of him to complete the Grimm Troupe DLC. Both Troupe Master Grimm and Nightmare King Grimm are among the toughest battles in the game, demanding precise movements, rapid reactions, and unwavering tenacity. Choosing the right charms for these encounters is crucial to overcoming both versions of Grimm.

All charm builds for both Grimm fights in the base game require the mandatory use of Grimmchild, which occupies two charm notches.

Best Charm Builds For Troupe Master Grimm

Troupe Master Grimm introduces players to his general moveset and attack patterns. This battle is notably fast-paced, more akin to a dance than a brawl. Players must be agile and strategic, seizing windows of opportunity rather than simply enduring attacks. Here are some effective charm builds to tackle this challenging boss fight.

Completing the Troupe Master Grimm boss fight unlocks the final Charm Notch, which is essential for using some of the best builds to confront Nightmare King Grimm.

Nail Build

- Unbreakable/Fragile Strength

• Quick Slash
• Longnail
• Grimmchild (Mandatory)

This charm build is designed to maximize damage output with the Nail between Grimm's attacks. Given the fight's relatively slower pace compared to Nightmare King Grimm, a Nail build allows for numerous hits, enhanced by Quick Slash.

Unbreakable or Fragile Strength is essential for any Nail build, boosting the damage dealt by the Nail. Players should aim to have at least the Coiled Nail or the Pure Nail to effectively reduce Grimm's health.

While Nail builds typically include Mark of Pride, Longnail serves as a solid substitute here due to Grimmchild's two-notch requirement. Though it offers a slightly lesser range increase, Longnail can be particularly useful for landing hits at the end of Grimm's attacks, such as the Diving Dash and the Uppercut.

Spell Build

- Shaman Stone

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

For players who prefer spell-based combat or are less confident with the Nail, the Spell build is ideal for quickly defeating Grimm. By this stage, players should have access to upgraded spells like Descending Dark, Abyss Shriek, and Shade Soul, with the former two being particularly effective against tough bosses.

Shaman Stone is indispensable for any Spell build, significantly increasing the damage of the Knight's spells. Combined with Spell Twister, this setup allows for multiple spell casts before needing to recharge with Nail hits.

Given the challenge of avoiding hits in this battle, Grubsong is highly beneficial for keeping the Soul gauge replenished. Unbreakable/Fragile Heart completes this build by providing additional masks, enabling players to focus their Soul primarily on casting spells.

Best Charm Builds For Nightmare King Grimm

Nightmare King Grimm is a formidable upgrade from Troupe Master Grimm. He deals double damage, making him a deadly adversary where even minor mistakes can end the fight quickly. His increased speed and new attacks, including flame trails and flame pillars, heighten the challenge.

The flame pillars, however, present a significant opportunity for players to use Abyss Shriek for massive burst damage. Here are the best charm builds to tackle one of the toughest metroidvania bosses.

Best Build

- Unbreakable/Fragile Strength

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

A pure Nail build is not viable against Nightmare King Grimm for efficient takedowns. Instead, a hybrid Nail/Spell build proves most effective, leveraging powerful spells like Abyss Shriek and Descending Dark.

Shaman Stone is essential for maximizing spell damage against Nightmare King Grimm. Unbreakable/Fragile Strength and Mark of Pride enhance damage output during windows where casting spells is risky or not possible.

Alternate Build

- Grubsong

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

For a more defensive approach against Nightmare King Grimm, this build focuses on utilizing spells and the often-overlooked Nail Arts, with additional tools for evading lethal attacks. Shaman Stone and Spell Twister remain crucial for boosting spell damage.

Grubsong ensures a steady supply of Soul, while Sharp Shadow, when paired with the Shade Cloak, allows players to dash through many of Nightmare King Grimm's attacks while dealing damage. Nailmaster's Glory makes Nail Arts a potent threat, chipping away at Grimm's health alongside strategic spell use.