Best charms in Hollow Knight

Based on the available information, here are some of the standout charms worth knowing about in Hollow Knight, covering both their strengths and how to use them effectively.

• Grubberfly's Elegy — One of the most powerful charms in the game, this acts as a major Nail range upgrade by firing projectiles, making it an excellent crowd-control tool. It shines against bosses like the Watcher Knights and Oro and Mato, and is particularly effective against the Radiance, where you can deal damage without needing to jump. It's also helpful for the Delicate Flower quest since you can fight from a safe distance. Pair it with Quick Slash to shred bosses like Flukemarm rapidly. Note that it's only active at full health, so keep that in mind. You earn it by freeing all 46 Grubs and returning to Grubfather.

• Quick Slash — Repeatedly recommended as a pairing charm for nail-focused builds, increasing your attack speed and synergizing beautifully with Grubberfly's Elegy for fast, ranged damage output.

• Fury of the Fallen — A high-risk, high-reward charm that boosts Nail damage when you're down to 1 Mask. It's best suited for speedrunners or players who can reliably avoid taking that final hit. Combine it with Quick Slash and Grubberfly's Elegy for maximum damage while staying out of harm's way. Found early in King's Pass behind a spike-filled cavern.

• Quick Focus — A solid utility charm that speeds up your Focus (healing) speed, letting you get back into fights faster. Recommended as a practical alternative when Fury of the Fallen's condition is too risky to maintain.

• Fragile/Unbreakable Strength — Increases Nail damage significantly and is one of the key charms for powering through tough fights like the Hollow Knight boss. Stack it with Lifeblood charms for a burst-oriented build that can brute-force some of the game's toughest encounters.

• Lifeblood Charms — When stacked together (excluding Lifeblood Heart) alongside Fragile/Unbreakable Strength, they can help push through the Hollow Knight fight by padding your health with Lifeblood Masks.

The strongest general-purpose setup leans on Quick Slash + Grubberfly's Elegy for ranged nail damage, supported by either Quick Focus for safer healing or Fury of the Fallen if you're confident in your dodging skills.