How many bosses are in Hollow Knight?

Counting every variation, there are 47 bosses in Hollow Knight — including the Warrior Dreams, Dream Bosses and Godmaster bosses.

Which bosses are required to beat the game?

To reach the basic ending you must defeat False Knight, Hornet, Dung Defender, Broken Vessel, Watcher Knights, Uumuu and The Hollow Knight.

What is the hardest boss?

Absolute Radiance (in Godhome) is widely considered the hardest boss, with Nightmare King Grimm a close second.

Do dream bosses count toward 112% completion?

Yes. The Warrior Dreams and Dream Bosses grant Essence, which is required for 112% completion.

What are the best charms against bosses?

It depends on the boss. Unbreakable Strength + Quick Slash is strong for nail builds, while Shaman Stone + Soul Eater suits spell builds.

All 47 Hollow Knight Bosses: Recommended Order, Locations & Weaknesses

False Knight Required

Forgotten Crossroads · Easy · Required Boss

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Gruz Mother

Forgotten Crossroads · Easy · Mini-Boss

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Brooding Mawlek

Forgotten Crossroads · Medium · Optional Boss

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Vengefly King

Greenpath · Easy · Mini-Boss

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Hornet (Protector) Required

Greenpath · Medium · Required Boss

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Massive Moss Charger

Greenpath · Easy · Mini-Boss

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Mantis Lords

Mantis Village · Medium · Optional Boss

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Soul Warrior

City of Tears · Medium · Mini-Boss

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Soul Master

City of Tears · Medium · Optional Boss

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The Collector

Tower of Love · Medium · Optional Boss

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Watcher Knights Required

City of Tears · Hard · Required Boss

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Dung Defender Required

Royal Waterways · Medium · Required Boss

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Flukemarm

Royal Waterways · Easy · Optional Boss

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Crystal Guardian

Crystal Peak · Medium · Optional Boss

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Enraged Guardian

Crystal Peak · Hard · Variant Boss

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Broken Vessel Required

Ancient Basin · Medium · Required Boss

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Nosk

Deepnest · Medium · Optional Boss

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Hornet (Sentinel)

Kingdom's Edge · Hard · Required Boss

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Hive Knight

The Hive · Medium · Optional Boss

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Uumuu Required

Fog Canyon · Medium · Required Boss

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Traitor Lord

Queen's Gardens · Hard · Required Boss

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Troupe Master Grimm

Dirtmouth · Hard · DLC Boss

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Zote the Mighty

Colosseum of Fools · Easy · Joke Boss

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Oblobbles

Colosseum of Fools · Medium · Arena Boss

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God Tamer

Colosseum of Fools · Hard · Arena Boss

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The Hollow Knight Required

Black Egg Temple · Hard · Final Boss

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The Radiance

Black Egg Temple · Very Hard · True Final Boss

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Elder Hu

Fungal Wastes · Easy · Warrior Dream

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Galien

Deepnest · Medium · Warrior Dream

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Gorb

Howling Cliffs · Easy · Warrior Dream

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Markoth

Kingdom's Edge · Hard · Warrior Dream

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Marmu

Queen's Gardens · Medium · Warrior Dream

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No Eyes

Greenpath · Medium · Warrior Dream

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Xero

Resting Grounds · Medium · Warrior Dream

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Failed Champion

Forgotten Crossroads · Hard · Dream Boss

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Soul Tyrant

City of Tears · Hard · Dream Boss

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Lost Kin

Ancient Basin · Hard · Dream Boss

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White Defender

Royal Waterways · Hard · Dream Boss

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Grey Prince Zote

Dirtmouth · Hard · Dream Boss

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Nightmare King Grimm

Dirtmouth · Very Hard · Dream Boss

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Brothers Oro & Mato