The Knight

“	An enigmatic wanderer who descends into Hallownest carrying only a broken nail to fend off foes.	„
	~ Manual

“	Again we meet little ghost. I'm normally quite perceptive. You I underestimated, though I've since guessed the truth. You've seen beyond this kingdom's bounds. Yours is resilience born of two voids. It's no surprise then you've managed to reach the heart of this world. In so doing, you shall know the sacrifice that keeps it standing. If, knowing that truth, you'd still attempt a role in Hallownest's perpetuation, seek the Grave in Ash and the mark it would grant to one like you.	„
	~ Hornet to The Knight

“	Each of us leaves an imprint of something when we die. A stain on the world. I don't know how much longer this kingdom can bear the weight of so many past lives...	„
	~ The Hunter's journal

“	You shall seal the blinding light that plagues their dreams. You are the Vessel. You are the Hollow Knight.	„
	~ Text appearing once obtaining the Void Heart

“	Its endless power shall attune Us to the one greater still, a God of Gods! Foolishly we feared thee, yet only by thine providence shall We find the one We seek. The God sleeping within...	„
	~ Godseeker

Background

The Knight is the protagonist and only playable character of Hollow Knight.

This dropdown contains the synopsis of The Knight’s story. Read at your own risk as you may be spoiled otherwise!

Lore The Knight is a discarded Vessel. They are the child of the Pale King and the White Lady, born in the Abyss with Void inside their shell. Hornet is the Knight's sister through their shared father. Like the rest of their Vessel siblings, the Knight is sexless. After climbing out of their birthplace in the Abyss, the Knight witnessed their sibling, the Hollow Knight] being taken out of the Abyss by the Pale King. The entrance to the Abyss was sealed, causing the Knight to fall back down. Sometime after this, despite the entrance being sealed, the Knight and some of their siblings managed to escape the Abyss. Eventually, the Knight ended up wandering outside of Hallownest for unknown reasons. Spending time in this area caused the Knight to lose their memories, but being there did give them a certain resilience. They returned to Hallownest after a call went out from either the Radiance or the Hollow Knight. In-game events At the beginning of the game, the Knight is equipped with only their Old Nail and the ability to heal themself using SOUL. Throughout the game, the Knight gains access to new powers, Items, and Charms to help them through their journey. After encountering the Dreamers in the Resting Grounds, the Knight acquires the Dream Nail. With this weapon, they can break the Seals in the Temple of the Black Egg by killing each of the three Dreamers. This allows them to enter the Black Egg, where they can fight the Hollow Knight. If the Hollow Knight is faced before obtaining Void Heart Charm, the Knight kills their sibling and takes their place in sealing the Radiance. If the Knight has fought Hornet twice and has the King's Brand and the Shade Cloak, they have access to both halves of the Kingsoul. When the complete Kingsoul is equipped, the Knight can transform this Charm into Void Heart by going to their birthplace at the bottom of the Abyss and remembering their past. With Void Heart, the Knight can use the Dream Nail on the Hollow Knight after Hornet holds them down. If the Dream Nail is not used, the Knight has to kill the Hollow Knight. This gives a similar ending as the ending without having Void Heart, but instead, Hornet becomes a Dreamer, her face appearing on the entrance to Black Egg. Using the Dream Nail initiates the fight with the Radiance. At the end of this fight, the Knight breaks their own shell and lands the finishing blows on the Radiance in their Shade form, with the help of the Shade of the Hollow Knight. Both siblings and all the other Shades in the Abyss then return to the Void.

General Information

Name: The Knight (It has no true name), Ghost

Origin: Hollow Knight

Sex: None (The Knight and other vessels are born without a sex)

Age: Unknown

Classification: Vessel (Its body is that of a shell), Shade, Lord of Shades, God of Gods

Status: Alive

Alignment: Chaotic Neutral (The Knight's purpose was to become the next Hollow Knight and stop the plague. The Knight will not stop and kill those in its way that try to stop it, although it will befriend anyone not attempting to harm it such as the grubs or the people within Dirtmouth)

Codex Statistics

Key: Pre-Void Heart | Post-Void Heart

Tier: At least 9-B | At least 9-B, likely Far Higher

Cardinality: Finite

Dimensionality: 3-D

Attack Potency: At least Wall level (Defeated False Knight, who broke part of a bridge in its battle. The Knight's power should be far superior to False Knight by the end of the game due to defeating stronger enemies. Comparable to The Pale King, who's viewed as omnipotent in comparison to other bugs) | At least Wall level (Grew more powerful after collecting the Void Heart, which allowed The Knight to defeat The Radiance in a weaker form. It can become even stronger in its final form, Void given Focus, which is described as the God of Gods that have endless power), likely Far Higher (The Radiance is far above her tribe, which have the ability to shape dream realms. The Radiance was also able to infect and corrupt all bugs within the Hallownest as well as light up each dream. The Knight was also able to completely darken the entire dream realm. A dream realm is a world that is noted to be a plane beyond the physical world, with even time having no power over it)

Durability: At least Wall level (Can take strikes from False Knight and its superior dream version, Failed Champion) | At least Wall level, likely Far Higher (Can survive attacks from The Radiance)

Striking Strength: At least Wall Class | At least Wall Class, likely Far Higher

Lifting Strength: Unknown | Unknown (Can restrain The Radiance)

Travel Speed: Unknown | Unknown

Attack Speed: Unknown | Unknown

Reaction Speed: Unknown | Unknown

Stamina: Limitless (The Knight's true form is that of a shade, which is a spirit given form) | Limitless

Range: Below Standard Melee Range, Higher with Spells and Shade forms. Cross-Universal with the Dream Nail | Universal (Darkens an entire dream realm)

Intelligence: Gifted Intelligence (The Knight is a skilled warrior who's able to quickly learn new techniques in just a short time frame. It's also skilled enough to battle against many skilled warriors, being able to fight hoards of enemies at an arena. Its skill is praised by others such as Hornet and Dream Warriors. The Knight was able to gain the status of the God of Gods)

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Powers and Techniques

Superhuman Physical Characteristics, Small Size (Small Animal Sized; The Knight is about 1'1.5"), Self-Sustenance (All types; The Knight's body is that of a vessel, its true form is a shade), Weapon Usage (The Knight is proficient with its nail in combat, defeating various warriors and can even defeat a hoard of enemies within one sitting at the Colosseum of Fools and Hall of Gods), Non-Standard Interaction (Soul Interaction; Can attack shades and dream beings, which are made up of essence), Accelerated Development (The Knight is capable of learning new arts for its weapon quickly), Timeless Physiology (Can move within the dream realms. It's stated that time itself has no power over dream realm beings, meaning that the locations lack time due to it not being able to go through dream realms), Metaphysics Manipulation (Soul Manipulation) and Absorption (When attacking enemies, The Knight absorbs your soul and uses it as SOUL energy. When defeating dream variants of enemies, The Knight can also absorb one's essence), Healing (By using SOUL, The Knight can heal its shell with Focus), Astral Projection (With Vengeful Spirit, The Knight can shoot a spirit as a projectile with SOUL. Desolate Dive allows The Knight to strike the ground with SOUL energy), Sound Manipulation (With Howling Wraiths, The Knight uses SOUL to strong sound to blast at foes), Darkness Manipulation (The Knight can use an upgraded version of Vengeful Spirit named Shade Soul to fire a stronger soul that burns foes. Descending Darkness is a stronger variation of Desolate Dive that strikes down with darkness. Abyss Shriek is a stronger variation of Howling Wraiths, blasts foes with screaming SOUL and shadows), Flight (With Mothwing Cloak, The Knight can dash in the air. With the Crystal Heart, The Knight can fly at quick speeds in a linear direction. With the Monarch Wings, The Knight can use a pair of wings to jump in the air), Surface Scaling (With the Mantis Claw, it allows The Knight to wall jump), Intangibility (With the Shade Cloak, The Knight can phase through objects), Telepathy (With the Dream Nail, The Knight can read the minds of anyone hit by it), Dimensional Travel & Dream Manipulation (By striking people with the Dream Nail, The Knight can travel within someone's dream realm), Metaphysics Manipulation (Essence Manipulation; Within the dream realm, The Knight can fight your dream variation that is made up of your essence. It keeps this essence once defeating various enemies), Resistance Bypassing (The Dream Nail once awoken can cut through even the most protected minds), Forcefield Negation (The Dream Nail once awoken can bypass forcefields), Portal Creation & Teleportation (The Knight can create a dreamgate that allows it to travel through locations from dreams), Clairvoyance (With the World Sense, The Knight can be aware of how much missing tasks or secrets he's missing), Resurrection (Self-Resurrection, Resurrection of the Deceased; Comparable to The Knight, The Knight can bring its body and soul back even when it has no soul, mind, nor essence left. Its true form is that of a shade, which can come back even if destroyed), Erasure (Conceptual Erasure & Existence Erasure), Non-Standard Interaction (Abstract Interaction), Memory Manipulation, Regeneration Negation (Mid-Godly; The Knight was able to permanently kill The Radiance. The Radiance was able to live forever due to always existing within people's memories. Even if the memories are gone, they come back and manifest into The Infection, which we see was destroyed alongside her), Sealing (Can seal The Infection alongside The Radiance).

Resistance to Acid Manipulation (With Isma's Tear, it allows The Knight to be unaffected by acid), Madness Manipulation, Corruption, Mind Manipulation, Body Puppetry/Possession, Dream Manipulation, Essence Manipulation, Willpower Manipulation, Morality Manipulation, Biological Manipulation, & Memory Manipulation (Unaffected by The Infection caused by The Radiance. Infected beings can naturally spread their infection through touch or even by air. The infection corrupts those infected that makes you go mad and can even take over corpses that have been dead. The Infection can also infect those within dream realms and the beings within, which are composed of essence and memories. Those infected become slaves to The Radiance, and will have no second thoughts about sacrificing their life to those who aren't infected. Those that attempt to resist the infection only get consumed by it more. It targets all your cells, causing your body to deform), Metaphysics Manipulation (Soul Manipulation) & Absorption (Can take hits from other vessels without having their soul absorbed), Empathic Manipulation & Willpower Manipulation (Vessels are stated to have no minds nor will), Cold (Unaffected by the cold winds at Kingdom's Age when fighting Hornet), Erasure (Metaphysical Erasure & Existence Erasure), & Conceptual Manipulation (Is unable to be killed by the Hollow Knight who can also fully kill The Radiance), Reality Warping (Can overcome The Radiance's power over dream realms, including those that can freely shape them)

All previous abilities, Flight (Shades can naturally fly), Body Control (Lord of Shade and Shade Lord have large limbs that they can use to attack), Darkness Manipulation (The Shade Lord naturally emits darkness), Large Size (Type 0, possibly larger), Incorporeality (Shades are essentially spirits), Dimensional Travel (Shades can enter the dream realm without a Dream Nail).

Resistance to Metaphysics Manipulation (Soul Manipulation) & Absorption (Shades do not have SOULs to absorb)

Clairvoyance (The Wayward Compass whispers its location to the bearer), Summoning (Gathering Swarm summons flies to grab any geo to give to The Knight. Weaversong summons three Weaverlings to attack. Grimmchild summons a Grimmchild to attack enemies), Metaphysics Manipulation (Soul Manipulation; Soul Catcher and Soul Eater allows The Knight to absorb more SOUL. Grubsong lets the user gain SOUL when taking damage. Kingsoul restores SOUL overtime), Statistics Amplification (Shaman Stone increases the strength of spells. Dashmaster reduces the cool down of dashing. Sprintmaster lets The Knight be able to run faster. Fragile Heart/Unbreakable Heart increases The Knight's health. Fragile Strength/Unbreakable Strength increases The Knight's strength. Spell Twister reduces the amount of SOUL usage needed for spells. Steady Body reduces knockback. Heavy Blow causes enemies to recoil more when hit. Quick Slash allows The Knight to attack faster. Longnail and Mark of Pride increases the range of The Knight's nail. Quick Focus allows The Knight to heal faster. Deep Focus has a slower healing rate, but it doubles its effect. Nailmaster's Glory reduces the charge up speed for Nail Arts. Dream Wielder reduces the charge up for the Dream Nail, and allows the user to gain more SOUL and also gain essence), Energy Projection (Grubberfly's Elegy allows The Knight to fire a projectile if at full health), Damage Boost (Fury of the Fallen increases strength when close to death), Plant Manipulation (Thorns of Agony will sprout thorny vines to attack others when harmed. Spore Shroom uses SOUL to create a damaging spore cloud), Forcefield Creation (Baldur Shell creates a shell to protect The Knight when healing. Dreamshield conjures a shield around The Knight that damages anyone who touches it), Transmutation (Flukenest turns The Knight's Vengeful Spirit ability into a horde of volatile baby flukes), Fragrance Manipulation (Defender's Crest creates a damaging cloud around The Knight), Creation (Glowing Womb uses SOUL to give birth to hatchlings that will sacrifice themselves to protect its parent), Life Manipulation (Lifeblood Heart adds two Lifeblood Masks when resting at a bench. Lifeblood Core adds four Lifeblood Masks when resting at a bench. Joni's Blessing convert's The Knights Masks to Lifeblood Masks), Healing (Hiveblood heals The Knight overtime), Darkness Manipulation (Sharp Shadow makes it so the Shade Cloak can damage enemies when used), Transformation (Shape of Unn turns The Knight into a snail when healing to dodge attacks), Invulnerability (Carefree Melody has a chance to block any damage taken)

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Equipment

• Nails:

Nail	Description	Upgrade Cost	Damage
Old Nail	A traditional weapon of Hallownest. Its blade is blunt with age and wear.	Default weapon	5
Sharpened Nail	A traditional weapon of Hallownest, restored to lethal form.	250	9
Channelled Nail	A cleft weapon of Hallownest. The blade is exquisitely balanced.	800 + 1 Pale Ore	13
Coiled Nail	A powerful weapon of Hallownest, refined beyond all others.	2000 + 2 Pale Ore	17
Pure Nail	The ultimate weapon of Hallownest. Crafted to perfection, this ancient nail reveals its true form.	4000 + 3 Pale Ore	21

• Charms:

Item	Description	Notches
Wayward Compass	Whispers its location to the bearer whenever a map is open, allowing wanderers to pinpoint their current location.
Gathering Swarm	A swarm will follow the bearer and gather up any loose Geo. Useful for those who can't bear to leave anything behind, no matter how insignificant.
Stalwart Shell	Builds resilience. When recovering from damage, the bearer will remain invulnerable for longer. Makes it easier to escape from dangerous situations.
Soul Catcher	Used by shamans to draw more SOUL from the world around them. Increases the amount of SOUL gained when striking an enemy with the nail.
Shaman Stone	Said to contain the knowledge of past generations of shaman. Increases the power of spells, dealing more damage to foes.
Soul Eater	Forgotten shaman artifact, used to draw SOUL from still-living creatures. Greatly increases the amount of SOUL gained when striking an enemy with the nail.
Dashmaster	Bears the likeness of an eccentric bug known only as 'The Dashmaster'. The bearer will be able to dash more often as well as dash downwards. Perfect for those who want to move around as quickly as possible.
Sprintmaster	Bears the likeness of a strange bug known only as 'The Sprintmaster'. Increases the running speed of the bearer, allowing them to avoid danger or overtake rivals.
Grubsong	Contains the gratitude of freed grubs. Gain SOUL when taking damage.
Grubberfly's Elegy	Contains the gratitude of grubs who will move to the next stage of their lives. Imbues weapons with a holy strength. When the bearer is at full health, they will fire beams of white-hot energy from their nail.
Fragile Heart	Increases the health of the bearer, allowing them to take more damage. This charm is fragile, and will break if its bearer is killed.
Unbreakable Heart	Increases the health of the bearer, allowing them to take more damage. This charm is unbreakable.
Fragile Greed	Causes the bearer to find more Geo when defeating enemies. This charm is fragile, and will break if its bearer is killed.
Unbreakable Greed	Causes the bearer to find more Geo when defeating enemies. This charm is unbreakable.
Fragile Strength	Strengthens the bearer, increasing the damage they deal to enemies with their nail. This charm is fragile, and will break if its bearer is killed.
Unbreakable Strength	Strengthens the bearer, increasing the damage they deal to enemies with their nail. This charm is unbreakable.
Spell Twister	Reflecting the desires of the Soul Sanctum for mastery over SOUL, it improves the bearer's ability to cast spells. Reduces the SOUL cost of casting spells.
Steady Body	Keeps its bearer from recoiling backwards when they strike an enemy with a nail. Allows one to stay steady and keep attacking.
Heavy Blow	Formed from the nails of fallen warriors. Increases the force of the bearer's nail, causing enemies to recoil further when hit.
Quick Slash	Born from imperfect, discarded nails that have fused together. The nails still long to be wielded. Allows the bearer to slash much more rapidly with their nail.
Longnail	Increases the range of the bearer's nail, allowing them to strike foes from further away.
Mark of Pride	Freely given by the Mantis Tribe to those they respect. Greatly increases the range of the bearer's nail, allowing them to strike foes from further away.
Fury of the Fallen	Embodies the fury and heroism that comes upon those who are about to die. When close to death, the bearer's strength will increase.
Thorns of Agony	Senses the pain of its bearer and lashes out at the world around them. When taking damage, sprout thorny vines that damage nearby foes.
Baldur Shell	Protects its bearer with a hard shell while focusing SOUL. The shell is not indestructible and will shatter if it absorbs too much damage.
Flukenest	Living charm born in the gut of a Flukemarm. Transforms the Vengeful Spirit spell into a horde of volatile baby flukes.
Defender's Crest	Unique charm bestowed by the King of Hallownest to his most loyal knight. Scratched and dirty, but still cared for. Causes the bearer to emit a heroic odour.
Glowing Womb	Drains the SOUL of its bearer and uses it to birth hatchlings. The hatchlings have no desire to eat or live, and will sacrifice themselves to protect their parent.
Quick Focus	A charm containing a crystal lens. Increases the speed of focusing SOUL, allowing the bearer to heal damage faster.
Deep Focus	Naturally formed within a crystal over a long period. Draws in SOUL from the surrounding air. The bearer will focus SOUL at a slower rate, but the healing effect will double.
Lifeblood Heart	Contains a living core that seeps precious lifeblood. When resting, the bearer will gain a coating of lifeblood that protects from a modest amount of damage.
Lifeblood Core	Contains a living core that bleeds precious lifeblood. When resting, the bearer will gain a coating of lifeblood that protects from a large amount of damage.
Joni's Blessing	Blessed by Joni, the kindly heretic. Transfigures vital fluids into blue lifeblood. The bearer will have a healthier shell and can take more damage, but they will not be able to heal themselves by focusing SOUL.
Hiveblood	Golden nugget of the Hive's precious hardened nectar. Heals the bearer's wounds over time, allowing them to regain health without focusing SOUL.
Spore Shroom	Composed of living fungal matter. Scatters spores when exposed to SOUL. When focusing SOUL, emit a spore cloud that slowly damages enemies
Sharp Shadow	Contains a forbidden spell that transforms shadows into deadly weapons. When using Shadow Dash, the bearer's body will sharpen and damage enemies.
Shape of Unn	Reveals the form of Unn within the bearer. While focusing SOUL, the bearer will take on a new shape and can move freely to avoid enemies.
Nailmaster's Glory	Contains the passion, skill and regrets of a Nailmaster. Increases the bearer's mastery of Nail Arts, allowing them to focus their power faster and unleash arts sooner.
Weaversong	Silken charm containing a song of farewell, left by the Weavers who departed Hallownest for their old home. Summons weaverlings to give the lonely bearer some companionship and protection.
Dream Wielder	Transient charm created for those who wield the Dream Nail and collect Essence. Allows the bearer to charge the Dream Nail faster and collect more SOUL when striking foes.
Dreamshield	Defensive charm once wielded by a tribe that could shape dreams. Conjures a shield that follows the bearer and attempts to protect them.
Grimmchild	Worn by those who take part in the Grimm Troupe's Ritual. The bearer must seek the Grimmkin and collect their flames. Uncollected flames will appear on the bearer's map.
Carefree Melody	Token commemorating the start of a friendship. Contains a song of protection that may defend the bearer from damage.
Kingsoul	Holy charm symbolising a union between higher beings. The bearer will slowly absorb the limitless SOUL contained within. Opens the way to a birthplace.
Void Heart	An emptiness that was hidden within, now unconstrained. Unifies the void under the bearer's will. This charm is a part of its bearer and can not be unequipped.	-

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Notable Techniques

• Spells:

Focus	Focus collected SOUL to repair your shell and heal damage. Strike enemies to gather SOUL.
Vengeful Spirit	Conjure a spirit that will fly forward and burn foes in its path. The spirit requires SOUL to be conjured. Strike enemies to gather SOUL.
Desolate Dive	Strike the ground with a concentrated force of SOUL. This force can destroy foes or break through fragile structures. The force requires SOUL to be conjured. Strike enemies to gather SOUL.
Howling Wraiths	Blast foes with screaming SOUL. The Wraiths requires SOUL to be conjured. Strike enemies to gather SOUL.
Shade Soul	Conjure a shadow that will fly forward and burn foes in its path. The shadow requires SOUL to be conjured. Strike enemies to gather SOUL.
Descending Dark	Strike the ground with a concentrated force of SOUL and Shadow. This force can destroy foes or break through fragile structures. The force requires SOUL to be conjured. Strike enemies to gather SOUL.
Abyss Shriek	Blast foes with screaming SOUL and Shadow. The Wraiths requires SOUL to be conjured. Strike enemies to gather SOUL.

• Item Abilities:

Mothwing Cloak	Cloak threaded with mothwing strands. Allows the wearer to dash forwards along the ground or through the air.
Mantis Claw	Claw carved from bone. Allows the wearer to cling to walls and leap off of them.
Crystal Heart	The energy core of an old mining golem, fashioned around a potent crystal. The crystal's energy can be channeled to launch the bearer forward at dangerous speeds.
Monarch Wings	Wings of ethereal matter that shimmer in the darkness. Allows one to jump again in mid-air.
Isma's Tear	Fruit formed from a single hardened tear. Once ingested it provides protection from the searing, acidic pools found in certain parts of Hallownest.
Shade Cloak	Cloak formed from the substance of the Abyss. Allows the wearer to dash through enemies and their attacks without taking damage.
Dream Nail	Allows the wielder to cut through the veil between dreams and waking. Can be used to reveal hidden dreams or open gateways. The Dream Nail can collect Essence, remnants of wishes and dreams.
Awoken Dream Nail	Allows the wielder to cut through the veil between dreams and waking. Can be used to reveal hidden dreams or open gateways. The power of the Dream Nail has fully awoken, allowing entry into certain protected memories.
Dreamgate	Allows the wielder to travel instantly through dream. Hold DOWN while using the Dream Nail to set a Dreamgate. Hold UP while using the Dream Nail to spend 1 Essence and travel to the placed Dreamgate. Some areas may lack a strong connection to any dream, disallowing use of the Dreamgate.
World Sense	Completion percentage viewable in inventory.

• Nail Arts:

Cyclone Slash	The signature Nail Art of Nailmaster Mato. A spinning attack that rapidly strikes foes on all sides.
Dash Slash	The signature Nail Art of Nailmaster Oro. Strike ahead quickly after dashing forward.
Great Slash	The signature Nail Art of Nailmaster Sheo. Unleashes a huge slash directly in front of you which deals extra damage to foes.

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Other

Standard Tactics: The Knight will typically use its nail or spells to attack an enemy to absorb its soul and essence. In its shade forms, it'll use its longer limbs to attack.

Weaknesses: Has a limited amount of SOUL, though certain items can restore it. The vessel is weaker without its shade. | None notable.

Battle Records

None.

None.

None.