Hardest Boss Fights In Hollow Knight

Summary

• Hollow Knight bosses vary in difficulty, ranging from challenging to grueling, with unique moves and attacks to master.
• The addition of the Godmaster DLC increases the challenge by introducing tougher variations of already difficult bosses.
• Speed, skills, and learning attack patterns are key to defeating the numerous challenging bosses in Hollow Knight.

Hollow Knight has become one of the most celebrated games in modern gaming. A landmark Metroidvania, it is recognized as a classic of the genre. Its lifespan extends even further with world-record speed runs and mods that take the gameplay to a whole new level.

Hollow Knight is renowned for its fantastic level design, unique visual style, and rewarding difficulty. At the core of its gameplay are the boss fights. There are 47 bosses in total, ranging from the very simple to the downright grueling. Each has a unique set of moves and attacks that players will need to learn to achieve victory. With the addition of the Godmaster DLC, these bosses have even tougher variations to face off against.

Updated by Andy Chapman on January 12, 2025: Hollow Knight remains a popular Metroidvania, with new fans discovering the game every month. The game has become the standard for all modern Metroidvanias and is now considered a genre classic. Its stunning blend of fluid combat and immersive level design ensures players regularly return to take on the many challenges of Hallownest. This update has expanded the list of hardest Hollow Knight bosses by another four entries, including the iconic Mantis Lords and the charming Dung Defender.

24

Flukemarm

A Fun Optional Boss

• Location: Royal Waterways
• Health: 350
• Reward: Hunter’s Note, Flukenest

Deep within the dark, dank depths of the Royal Waterways, players will find the giant Flukemarm. This hidden boss can be a tough enemy as it constantly spews fast-moving Flukefeys, which can be tricky to deal with when trying to attack the large boss.

When entering into the arena, Flukemarm does not attack and only becomes hostile once the player initiates the fight. Players will find this hidden boss close to the main Royal Waterways bench. The Desolate Dive ability is required for a breakable floor, which gives access to the area.

23

Brooding Mawlek

Big AOE Attacks

• Location: Forgotten Crossroads/Colosseum Of Fools (Trial of the Fool)
• Health: 1050
• Reward: Continue to the next fight

The Brooding Mawlek is a hidden boss that can be accessed after the player receives the Mantis Claw. The boss is fought in a small room and has a large AOE attack that is tough to avoid. In addition to the spitting attacks are leaps and slashes that make maneuvering difficult.

An additional Brooding Mawlek is encountered during the grueling Trial of the Fool, where the player takes on different waves of enemies. The Brooding Mawlek can quickly trap the player underneath its spitting attack, causing a lot of damage. This boss fight is all about switching from each side of the room, learning the ideal time to switch and attack.

22

Uumuu

Tough Platforming Boss Challenge

• Location: Teacher’s Archives
• Health: 300
• Reward: Access to Monomon The Teacher

Uumuu is a large electric jellyfish-type creature that guards one of the three Dreamers, all of which are needed to complete Hollow Knight’s story. The difficulty of this boss isn’t in its speed or its devastating attacks, but in the tricky platforming challenge it poses.

Players can only dodge its various attacks for much of the fight, as Uumuu is immune to all damage until the NPC Quirrel appears to help the Knight. The boss summons electrical bursts that follow the player around, so constant movement is required. Players must react quickly to this fight, dealing as much damage as possible when Uumuu is open to attack. Players can reach the Teacher’s Archive through Fog Canyon, but will require the Shade Cloak beforehand. It is also recommended to acquire Irma’s Tear before taking on Uumuu.

21

The Collector

Summons Multiple Enemies To Fight

• Location: Tower of Love
• Health: 750
• Reward: x3 Grubs, Collectors Map

The Collector is an optional boss found in the Tower of Love, accessed through Kingdom’s Edge. Many new players may miss this boss, as the key to the area is on the other side of the map, in the Queen’s Garden. Additionally, this key is only found if players have Isma’s Tear.

The Collector is a strange, shadowy enemy that kidnaps the many creatures of Hallownest in large jars. During the fight, he will release these enemies to attack the player. While The Collector is relatively straightforward, his nimble attacks and unpredictable movement can make him tricky to hit. Meanwhile, the increasing number of enemies released into the room can easily overwhelm players.

20

Enraged Guardian

Precise Attacks That Deal High-Damage

• Location: Crystal Peak
• Health: 450
• Reward: Hunter’s Note, Mask Shard

The Enraged Guardian is the second phase of the Crystal Guardian boss fight players encounter earlier in the level. This version of the boss is faster and deals two masks of damage with each hit.

Players will find the boss located above the Crystal Guardian boss room. However, accessing the area requires the Monarch Wings ability. While most players will have little issue defeating the Enraged Guardian, his high-damage attacks come thick and fast. Like the previous fight with the Crystal Guardian, the Enraged Guardian requires good timing and careful positioning to defeat.

19

Dung Defender

A Memorable Mid-Game Encounter

• Location: Royal Waterways
• Health: 700
• Reward: Hunter’s Note, Defenders Crest

Found at the end of the Royal Waterways area, The Dung Defender is a fun battle that requires good timing and reactions. Like many battles in Hollow Knight, the key to Dung Defender is memorizing the attack patterns and dealing damage at the correct moment. The fight is almost like a dance, as the Dung Defender dives across the arena throwing balls of dung at the player.

While the Dung Defender can take a few attempts to defeat, there are a number of tougher enemies in the game. Defeating this boss will grant access to Isma’s Grove, where players will find Isma’s Tear, an item that allows the player to swim in acid.

18

Mantis Lords

An Early Challenge For New Players

• Location: Mantis Village
• Health: 530
• Reward: Hunter’s Note, Safe Passage Through Mantis Village

One of the toughest challenges in the early game of Hollow Knight is the Mantis Lords boss fight. Located at the end of the Mantis Village, players challenge these three bosses in a fast-paced battle that requires strong reactions and precise movement.

Players first take on a single Mantis Lord, learning the movements and attacks. However, in phase two, the first Mantis Lord retreats, and players must take on the remaining two Lords at once. This battle is a test of players’ skills and is a formidable obstacle. Once defeated, players are free to explore Mantis Village without being attacked.

17

Lost Kin

Fast Attacks & Spawns More Enemies

• Location: Ancient Basin
• Health: 1200
• Reward: 400 Essence

Lost Kin is a hidden dream boss found in the Ancient Basin area of the game. This encounter is a harder version of the Broken Vessel boss fight that players must defeat before taking on Lost Kin.

Like many of the fights in Hollow Knight, the key to Lost Kin is in the timing. Learning the signs of each attack and reacting fast enough. As the fight progresses, smaller enemies will spawn continuously, making it difficult to stay calm and focused as the pressure increases. Lost Kin is a tricky battle, but one that will improve the player for tough fights later on.

16

Failed Champion

High Damage & Falling Rocks

• Location: Forgotten Crossroads
• Health: 1260
• Reward: 300 Essence

Failed Champion is another of the hidden dream bosses in Hollow Knight and can only be fought after defeating False Knight and acquiring the Dream Nail. Found in the Forgotten Crossroads, behind a hidden wall in the False Knight’s arena, this boss is a much harder encounter than the first time around.

Failed Champion has a higher aggression than False Knight, and each attack causes more damage. Like with False Knight, there are clear moments that allow healing and shouldn’t cause too much trouble for players at this point in the game.

15

Nosk

A Fast And Deadly Mimic Waiting In The Dark

• Location: Deepnest
• Health: 680
• Reward: Pale Ore

Players looking to fully upgrade the Knight’s weapon must take on one of Hollow Knight’s creepiest bosses. Nosk is an infected shapeshifting monster that hunts the Deepnest region. Once players find the hidden wall that leads to the boss room, they will find another identical Knight haunting their way. Once approached, it will transform into Nosk and immediately attack the player.

Nosk is a tough fight, as it is fast, aggressive, and fires infected blobs at the player. There is very little space to avoid the large enemy, so timing is important in this battle. The boss room is filled with Nosk’s prey, which hangs from the ceiling, and it makes for one of the most memorable fights in the game. The entire region of Deepnest is the closest Hollow Knight comes to a horror game, and this fight is the perfect ending to the area.

14

Soul Tyrant

A Tough Challenge Comes Back Even Harder

• Location: Soul Sanctum
• Health: 1250
• Reward: 300 Essence

Another of the tough Dream boss variants, Soul Tyrant is a challenging encounter for players old and new. When first playing through Hollow Knight, one of the toughest mid-game boss fights players will face, after making their way through the Soul Sanctum, is the Soul Master. This fast-paced fight can be a wall for some players and requires strong concentration to learn the boss’s move set.

Once defeated, players with the Dream Nail will have access to an even harder version of the boss. Soul Tyrant is essentially the same fight but with faster attacks and a higher health bar. The fight requires quick reflexes, well-timed attacks, and most of all, patience.

13

Watcher Knight

Multi-Boss Fight Can Feel Overwhelming

• Location: City of Tears
• Health: 1320
• Reward: Access to Lurien The Watcher

Players will find Watcher Knight in the City of Tears near the top of the Watcher’s Spire. This boss isn’t optional as it guards the entrance to Lurien the Watcher, one of the Dreamers players need to find to complete Hollow Knight. The Watcher Knight battle isn’t against a single enemy, but multiple, as additional Watcher Knights awaken throughout the fight.

Before facing the boss, players should find the hidden area above the boss room. Here, players can permanently kill one of the Watcher Knights before even starting. This fight requires a lot of concentration, as the Knights are fast and relentless. A Single Watcher Knight can be taken on with little worry. However, when further Knights begin to spawn, this battle becomes a tougher challenge.

12

Hive Knight

Fast and Relentless

• Location: The Hive
• Health: 800
• Reward: Hiveblood Charm

This optional boss appeared as part of the Lifeblood update of Hollow Knight and is a challenging ending to a unique area. The Hive isn’t the largest section of Hallownest, but with its vibrant colors, honeycomb shapes, and tough enemies, it is one of the most memorable.

Completing this section means facing off against the Hive Knight, who valiantly protects his Queen. This fast-paced boss lunges at players with its stinger sword and can teleport around the room. Other attacks include bees that swarm across the room and exploding balls of spiked honey. This fight requires a high level of concentration as the boss leaves little room for healing if hit. While most players will beat Hive Knight eventually, he can cause issues for some.

11

Traitor Lord

High Damage & Fast Attacks

• Location: Queen’s Gardens
• Health: 800
• Reward: Access To The White Lady

Traitor Lord is one of the toughest main story bosses found in the base game and is a large enemy that attacks with swiping claws. Located in the Queen’s Garden in a small room, the boss deals heavy damage, with most attacks taking away two health masks. The battle is fast and brutal and can be over very quickly if players make a mistake.

The Traitor Lord is one of the leaders of the Mantis Tribe that players would have encountered earlier in the game. During the fight, it is possible to have assistance from Cloth, making the battle a little easier. Cloth is found in the Ancient Basin, where the Knight can save her from Lesser Mawleks and Aspid Hunters.

10

Hornet (Sentinel)

Fast Attacks & Spawning Hazards

• Location: Kingdom’s Edge
• Health: 700
• Reward: Hunter’s Notes

One of the most iconic boss fights in Hollow Knight, and the star of the follow-up, Silksong, Hornet is a memorable clash that will test the player’s reactions. The first time Hornet is encountered is in the Green Path area of the game. Here the player is tested with a tough fight, but this is only a primer for the real battle.

Found in Kingdom’s Edge, the second fight with Hornet is a true test of the player’s skills at this point in the game. Repeating many of the same attacks as before, the fight is faster and introduces parrying mechanics and spiked balls into the mix.

9

Markoth

Teleporting, Projectile Nails.

• Location: Kingdom’s Edge
• Health: 705 (With fully upgraded Nail)
• Reward: Hunter’s Notes

Markoth is one of the Warrior Dream bosses, found scattered around Hallownest, and is one of the toughest enemies in Hollow Knight. Markoth uses a variety of attacks on the player that are quick and can be very hard to dodge.

Found within the Kingdom’s Edge area of the game, players will have come up against many difficult enemies and platforming sections by this point, but Markoth can still pose a great challenge. With his teleportation, spinning dream shield, and relentless firing nails, players will need to concentrate to achieve victory.

8

Brothers Oro and Mato

Double Boss With Fast Attacks

• Location: Pantheon Of The Master
• Health: 2100
• Reward: Brotherhood Achievement

This dual boss fight is a part of the Godmaster DLC and can be accessed through Godhome and attempting the Pantheon of the Master. Players would have met these characters within the base game and gained additional nail attacks from them.

The encounter is the final stage in the Pantheon of the Master and is a grueling battle. Set over two phases, the first phase involves Nailmaster Oro, who attacks with various plunging and slash attacks. Once the player has taken 500 points of health away, the second phase begins with Nailmaster Mato joining the fight. The encounter is fast and frenetic, and it will take practice to master the double onslaught of the two Nailmasters.

7

Sisters Of Battle

Multiple Enemies, Fast Attacks, & Spinning Boomerangs

• Location: Pantheon Of Hallownest (15th Boss)
• Health: 2750
• Rewards: Continue to the next fight

One of the most memorable boss encounters within the early base game is the Mantis Lords. Fighting these three enemies one after the other is hard enough. With the Godmaster DLC, The Sisters Of Battle were introduced within the Pantheon of Hallownest.

In this version of the Mantis Lords encounter, the player must contend with all three enemies at once. With an arena that is smaller than most and facing extremely fast attacks, players will need to be on their A-game to beat these bugs.

6

White Defender

Dung Defender in His Prime

• Location: Royal Waterways
• Health: 1600
• Reward: 300 Essence

White Defender is another of the tough dream bosses found throughout the game. Players can access this battle by finding the hidden room below the Dung Defender boss room in the Royal Waterways. Here, they will find Dung Defender asleep. Hitting him with the Dream Nail will transport them to the fight.

White Defender uses many of the same attacks as Dung Defender, but with two added attacks; Spike Slam and Defender Jubilee. Charms such as Quick Slash and Long Nail are effective tools for deflecting his spinning balls, while Fragile Charms are also useful in this encounter. White Defender is unique as he can be fought a further five times after winning. With each attempt, the damage increases by one mask, making the fifth attempt against White Defender one of the toughest in the game.

5

Nightmare King Grimm

High Damage & Complex Attacks

• Location: Dirtmouth
• Health: 1500
• Rewards: Hunter’s Notes, Grimmchild Charm Fully Upgraded

Encountered as the final boss of The Grimm Troupe DLC, Nightmare King Grimm is the dream version of Troupe Master Grimm. Using many of the same attacks as the previous boss, this dream version unleashes a relentless barrage of attacks that deal double the damage of his former version.

One of the most dramatic and memorable fights in the game, this will test players’ reactions and patience. Found in the tent in Dirtmouth, players must complete all the tasks set by Grimm. Once completed, they’ll find the Troupe Master asleep in his tent and can begin the fight.