Over the last decade since its release, Hollow Knight has received a total of four major DLC updates. In late 2017, Team Cherry launched the Hidden Dreams DLC, followed by The Grimm Troupe later in the year, Lifeblood in early 2018, and Godmaster later that year.
Hollow Knight: Where To Find Every Dream Warrior Grave
On the search for more Essence? Here’s everything players need to know about the Warrior Dreams in Hollow Knight.
Every DLC in Hollow Knight has different start requirements. Some, like Hidden Dreams, add content that can be encountered naturally along your journey, while Godmaster requires players to complete specific steps to be unlocked.
This guide explains how to start all Hollow Knight DLCs, and provides a brief overview of all the content that each DLC for Hollow Knight added.
How to Download Hollow Knight DLCs
Players do not need to take any special steps to install Hollow Knight DLCs. Every Hollow Knight DLC pack was released as a free content update. As such, no matter your platform, Hollow Knight comes with all four DLCs installed alongside the base game.
Hidden Dreams
Released: August 3, 2017
Mighty new foes emerge! New Boss fights. New Upgrades. New Music.
New Content Added in the Hidden Dreams DLC
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All Hidden Dreams Bosses
- Grey Prince Zote: A beefed-up version of Zote. Accessed by striking a statue in Bretta's basement with the Dream Nail.
- White Defender: The knightly version of the Dung Defender. Accessed via the sleeping Dung Defender beneath his boss room.
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Hidden Dreams DLC Charms, Abilities, & Items
- Dreamgate: Allows the Knight to teleport to a set point. Unlocked after collecting 900 Essence, then talking to the Seer in the Resting Grounds.
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Achievements & Trophies Added in Hidden Dreams
- Memory: Defeat the White Defender.
- Dark Romance: Defeat Grey Prince Zote.
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New Locations in Hidden Dreams DLC
- Hidden Station: Stag Station, located to the right of the Palace Grounds.
How to Start Hidden Dreams DLC in Hollow Knight
To start Hidden Dreams DLC content, Hollow Knight players must get the Dream Nail, then use it on one of two locations to fight the two new bosses.
- To fight the Grey Prince, you must rescue Bretta and beat Zote in the Colosseum first, then use the Dream Nail on the statue in Bretta's basement.
- To fight the White Defender, find the Dung Defender's secret bedroom to the right of his boss room, then use the Dream Nail on him as he sleeps.
You can find the new Stag Station to the right of the Palace Grounds in the Ancient Basin. Collect 900 Essence, then return to the Seer in the Resting Grounds, to unlock the Dreamgate teleport ability.
The Grimm Troupe
Released: October 26, 2017
Light the Nightmare Lantern. Summon the Troupe. New Major Quest. New Boss Fights. New Charms. New Enemies. New Friends.
New Content Added in The Grimm Troupe DLC
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All The Grimm Troupe DLC Bosses
- Troupe Master Grimm: The leader of the Grimm Troupe
- Nightmare King Grimm: If you choose to complete the ritual, you will have to fight Nightmare King Grimm, a souped-up version of the Troupe Master fight.
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The Grimm Troupe DLC Charms, Abilities, & Items
- Carefree Melody: Contains a song of protection that may defend the bearer from damage.
- Dreamshield: Conjures a shield that follows the bearer and attempts to protect them.
- Grimmchild: The main mechanic of the DLC. Equip this follower charm, then beat specific enemies throughout Hallownest to feed it Flames.
- Sprintmaster: Increases the running speed of the bearer, allowing them to avoid danger or overtake rivals.
- Unbreakable Greed: Upgraded version of the Fragile Greed charm, granting its full benefits without the chance of breaking.
- Unbreakable Heart: Upgraded version of the Fragile Heart charm, granting its full benefits without the chance of breaking.
- Unbreakable Strength: Upgraded version of the Fragile Strength charm, granting its full benefits without the chance of breaking.
- Weaversong: Summons weaverlings to give the lonely bearer some companionship and protection.
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Achievements & Trophies in The Grimm Troupe
- Grand Performance: Defeat Troupe Leader Grimm.
- Ritual: Defeat the Nightmare King and complete the ritual.
- Banishment: Banish the Grimm Troupe from Hallownest.
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The Grimm Troupe New NPCs
- Troupe Master Grimm: The leader of the Grimm Troupe.
- Brumm: A member of the Grimm Troupe who wears a jester mask. Later in the DLC, Brumm will offer the chance to banish the Grimm Troupe.
- Divine: Found in the left Grimm Troupe Tent, Divine can eat Fragile charms to turn them into Unbreakable charms for Geo.
- Grimmsteeds: Two large riding bugs that sit outside the main tent entrance.
- Nymm: A member of the Grimm Troupe who plays an accordion like Brumm. Grants the Carefree Melody charm if you banish the Grimm Troupe.
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New Locations in The Grimm Troupe DLC
- The Grimm Troupe: Arrives to the left of Dirtmouth after being summoned, placing several tents that the Knight can enter.
- The Path of Pain: A secret, and extremely difficult, challenge area hidden behind a breakable wall in the White Palace.
How to Start The Grimm Troupe DLC in Hollow Knight
To start The Grimm Troupe DLC content, Hollow Knight players must break a hidden wall near the bottom of the left-side chasm in the Howling Cliffs. On the map, this secret corridor is beneath the entrance to Joni's Repose. Use the Dream Nail on the corpse of a large bug in the far-right room, then go left and strike the brazier with your Nail until it ignites. The Grimm Troupe will then appear in Dirtmouth.
Lifeblood
April 20, 2018
A Kingdom Upgraded! New Boss. Upgraded Bosses. Tweaks and Refinements across the whole game.
New Content Added in the Lifeblood DLC
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All Lifeblood DLC Bosses
- Hive Knight: A new boss found at the far right end of The Hive, an area hidden behind a breakable wall beneath the Kingdom's Edge zone.
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Lifeblood DLC Charms, Abilities, & Items
- Map Markers: Added custom Map Markers for sale in Iselda's shop in Dirtmouth. The Gleaming, Scarab, Shell, and Token markers can be placed in custom locations on your Map.
How to Start the Lifeblood DLC in Hollow Knight
To start the Lifeblood DLC, Hollow Knight players must go deep into The Hive and find the Hive Knight's new boss room at the far right side. Map Markers are available from the very start of the game, as soon as you unlock access to Iselda's shop. All Map Markers cost 100 Geo, except the Gleaming Marker, which is 210 Geo.
Godmaster
Released: August 23, 2018
Take your place amongst the Gods. New Characters and Quest. New Boss Fights. Epic New Music!
New Content Added in the Godmaster DLC
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All Godmaster DLC Bosses
- Every boss from the base game across four challenging Pantheons
- Upgraded versions of several bosses from the base game, including Brothers Oro and Mato, Paintmaster Sheo, Sisters of Battle, Winged Nosk, Pure Vessel, and Absolute Radiance
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Godmaster DLC Charms, Abilities, & Items
- Godtuner: Quest item gained upon starting the Godmaster DLC. Tracks defeated bosses throughout Hallownest to unlock Pantheons.
- Extra Simple Key: Dropped by the Pale Lurker, a secret boss to the rigtht of the Colosseum of Fools
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Achievements & Trophies in Godmaster
- Brotherhood: Complete the Pantheon of the Master
- Embrace the Void: Ascend the Pantheon of Halllownest and take your place at its peak.
- Focus: Complete the Pantheon of the Sage
- Inspiration: Complete the Pantheon of the Painter
- Soul & Shade: Complete the Pantheon of the Knight
- Pure Completion: Achieve 112% game completion, then finish the game.
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Godmaster New NPCs
- Fluke Hermit: A Fluke enemy in the Junk Pit that can be seen collecting junk.
- Godseeker: After unlocking its cocoon, the Godseeker will give the Knight the Godtuner and begin the Godmaster DLC.
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New Locations In Godmaster DLC
- Junk Pit: Found to the left of the Royal Waterways.
- Godhome: The hub area of the Godmaster DLC, where the Knight can access various Pantheon challenges.
- New Boss Arenas: All-new boss arenas for most of the game's bosses during each Pantheon boss rush.
- Hall of Gods: An area with statues for every defeated boss.
- Land of Storms: A secret area, where the Godseeker came from. Can only be accessed after beating every Pantheon with all Bindings.
How to Start the Godmaster DLC in Hollow Knight
To start Godmaster DLC content, Hollow Knight players must get a Simple Key – Sly sells one for 950 Geo – and use it to open a golden cocoon hidden in the Junk Pit. To get to the Junk Pit from the bench in the Royal Waterways, go down one room, then immediately turn left. Go all the way to the far left side of the area to find a wide-open, junk-filled room. The cocoon is located on the far left shore of the Junk Pit.
Best Order To Beat All Hollow Knight DLCs
Hidden Dreams & Lifeblood, Then Grimm Troupe & Godmaster
Two of the Hollow Knight DLCs added content that is meant to be experienced alongside a normal playthrough. Hidden Dreams content and Lifeblood's new boss and Map Markers can be encountered naturally in a playthrough, and you should complete these at any point before taking on the final boss of Hollow Knight.
The Grimm Troupe presents a new story and two extremely difficult boss fights, and it is recommended to begin The Grimm Troupe soon after you reach the Howling Cliffs area. By the time the Knight has the abilities to get to the Howling Cliffs, you should be ready to take on this DLC.
Godmaster is the outlier amongst all Hollow Knight DLC packs. Because you must defeat every boss in the game to be able to re-challenge each boss in the Godmaster Pantheons, players should take on Godmaster after they have completed everything else in the game.
You can't even unlock the final pantheon without defeating the final boss – reload your save after beating the Hollow Knight, then head down to the Junk Pit to take on the very gods.
Hollow Knight
- Released
- February 24, 2017
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E10+ for Everyone 10+: Fantasy Violence, Mild Blood
- Developer(s)
- Team Cherry
- Engine
- Unity
- Franchise
- Hollow Knight
- Genre(s)
- Metroidvania
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, macOS, Linux
