Beyond Hallownest: How to Access and Start All Hollow Knight DLC Packs

Since its launch, Hollow Knight has established itself as one of the most beloved indie games of all time, celebrated for its haunting atmosphere, challenging combat, and intricate world design. What sets the game apart even further are its four major content updates, which were released as free DLCs. These expansions, now a part of the core game, aren’t simply new levels—they are deep additions that introduce new bosses, quests, charms, and lore that dramatically expand the world of Hallownest. For both new players and returning veterans, knowing how to start these content packs can be a challenge, as they are seamlessly woven into the game’s massive map. This comprehensive guide will detail every DLC pack and the specific steps required to begin their unique questlines. With the release of the upcoming sequel, Silksong, many players are returning to the original, leading to a massive increase in searches for “Hollow Knight DLC guide,” “how to fight Nightmare King Grimm,” and “Godhome location Hollow Knight.”

1. Hidden Dreams

Hidden Dreams is a smaller, more intimate content pack that adds a handful of new features and two challenging boss fights. Unlike the other DLCs, it doesn’t have a single, central starting point but rather integrates its content into the existing world.

How to Start Hidden Dreams:

• White Defender Boss: To face the White Defender, you must first have defeated all three of the Dreamers. After this, return to the Dung Defender’s arena in the Royal Waterways. You’ll find him sleeping in his quarters. Use the Dream Nail on him to enter his dream and begin the boss fight.
• Grey Prince Zote Boss: This boss is an entirely optional and very difficult challenge. To fight him, you must have first rescued Zote from Deepnest and from the Colosseum of Fools. Once you’ve done this, Bretta will move into a house in Dirtmouth. Go to her house and find the statue of Zote in her basement. Use the Dream Nail on the statue to begin the fight. The boss will become stronger with each time you defeat him, so be prepared for a tough battle.
• Dreamgate Ability: To unlock the Dreamgate, you need to collect at least 900 Essence by defeating Dream Bosses and Whispering Roots. Once you have enough, return to the Seer in the Resting Grounds, and she will reward you with this valuable ability, which allows you to set a teleportation point anywhere in the world.

2. The Grimm Troupe

The Grimm Troupe is a full-fledged questline that adds a creepy, circus-themed narrative to the game. It introduces a new hub in Dirtmouth, a new set of characters, and a series of challenging boss fights.

How to Start The Grimm Troupe:

• Travel to the Howling Cliffs in the far northwestern corner of the map.
• Near the main entrance of the area, look for a breakable wall on the right side. Break it to reveal a hidden passage.
• Follow the passage to the very end, where you will find the corpse of a large bug.
• Use the Dream Nail on the corpse. This will cause the screen to flash and some eerie music to play.
• Return to the passage, and you will find that a large, magical torch has appeared. Strike the torch with your Nail until it lights up.
• The Grimm Troupe will now have set up camp in Dirtmouth. Go to their tent and speak with Troupe Master Grimm to begin the quest.

3. Lifeblood

Lifeblood is a smaller patch that focuses more on quality-of-life updates and minor content additions. It is not a questline with a central hub but rather adds a single new boss and other features to the world.

How to Start Lifeblood:

• The main new content in this update is the boss fight against the Hive Knight.
• To find the Hive Knight, you must make your way to the hidden location of The Hive.
• The entrance to The Hive is a breakable wall in the southeastern part of the Kingdom’s Edge region. Once inside, you’ll need to navigate a maze-like area filled with bee-like enemies.
• The Hive Knight is located at the far end of this area, guarding the Hiveblood charm. You don’t need to do anything specific to start the DLC, other than find this location.

4. Godmaster

Godmaster is the final and most substantial DLC, and it is considered the game’s true endgame. It introduces a challenging gauntlet of boss rush challenges, a new hub area, and some of the most difficult encounters in the game.

How to Start Godmaster:

• First, you need to find a Simple Key. If you have used all the keys in the base game, a new one can be found in a secret area in the Colosseum of Fools in Kingdom’s Edge. You must defeat a new mini-boss, the Pale Lurker, to obtain it.
• With the Simple Key, head to the Royal Waterways. In the room just above the Flukemarm boss arena, look for a breakable wall on the ceiling.
• Break the wall and follow the path to a new sub-area called the Junk Pit.
• In the Junk Pit, you will find a coffin. Use your Simple Key to open it, which will reveal a new character, the Godseeker.
• Use your Dream Nail on the Godseeker to be transported to the Godhome, where you can begin the arduous challenge of the Pantheons.