Hollow Knight is a game overflowing with deep lore and rich themes, and what better way to immerse yourself in its world than by using charm builds inspired by the very characters, factions, and mysteries that shape Hallownest?

In this guide, we’ll explore five lore-based charm builds, each designed around a specific theme and playstyle. Whether you prefer spells, melee, mobility, or unconventional strategies, there’s a build here to match your style.

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1. The Snail Shaman Sorcerer – Spell-Focused Magic Caster

Many players underestimate the power of spells—but magic is one of the most efficient ways to deal huge burst damage in Hollow Knight. This build maximizes spellcasting potential while incorporating a defensive shield to reflect the wisdom of the Snail Shamans.

Core Charms:

• Shaman Stone → Increases spell damage significantly.
• Spell Twister → Reduces soul cost, allowing more frequent spellcasting.
• Balder’s Shell → Protects you while healing, like a magical ward.
• Shape of Unn → Enhances healing mobility, synergizing perfectly with Balder’s Shell.
• Soul Catcher → Boosts soul generation for more frequent spellcasting.

How It Works:

This build lets you spam spells aggressively while having a defensive shield to recover when needed. Balder’s Shell + Shape of Unn acts like a magical force field, keeping you safe while refueling your soul.

✔ Playstyle: Cast Abyss Shriek and Shade Soul relentlessly while keeping up soul regeneration.
✔ Lore Connection: The Snail Shamans of Hallownest used magic to augment their defenses and offensive power. This build mirrors that philosophy.

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2. The Mantis Longblade – Melee-Focused Deadly Warrior

If you prefer pure Nail combat, this build turns you into a Mantis warrior, known for their deadly precision and swift strikes. It maximizes Nail range and damage, allowing you to fight at a distance while dealing devastating melee attacks.

Core Charms:

• Unbreakable Strength → Increases Nail damage significantly.
• Mark of Pride → Greatly extends Nail range (found in Mantis Village—perfect theme match).
• Longnail → Further extends Nail range.
• Grubberfly’s Elegy → Adds projectile beams at full health, further increasing range.

How It Works:

• 40% increased range, allowing you to attack safely from a distance.
• Grubberfly’s Elegy beams add even more range, reinforcing the Mantis-style precision attacks.
• Close-range enemies take double damage (Nail + beam impact simultaneously).

✔ Playstyle: Attack from mid-range, keeping pressure with extended slashes and ranged beams.
✔ Lore Connection: The Mantis Lords are masters of Nail combat, known for their swift, deadly long-range slashes. This build captures their essence perfectly.

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3. The Grimm Troupe Dancer – High-Speed Agile Combatant

For those who love fast, fluid movement, this build transforms you into a Grimm Troupe acrobat, weaving between enemy attacks while landing precise strikes.

Core Charms:

• Dashmaster → Increases dash speed and lowers cooldown.
• Sprintmaster → Boosts movement speed dramatically.
• Quick Slash → Increases attack speed for fast, aggressive combat.
• Steady Body → Prevents knockback, letting you maintain constant pressure.
• Carefree Melody (or Grimmchild) → Adds damage resistance or passive ranged damage.

How It Works:

• Extreme mobility, allowing constant repositioning while staying on the offensive.
• Quick Slash + Steady Body lets you chain attacks rapidly without interruption.
• Grimmchild (if you keep it) provides support fire, complementing your melee combat.

✔ Playstyle: Dodge, weave, and attack relentlessly, never staying still.
✔ Lore Connection: Inspired by the Grimm Troupe’s theatrical, dance-like combat style, this build captures the spirit of a blazing, elegant warrior.

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4. The Fluke Beetle – The Shotgun Spellcaster

Not all builds are meant for long-range precision—some are designed for brutal close-quarters devastation. This unconventional build turns your Shade Soul spell into a shotgun blast, overwhelming enemies with high burst damage at close range.

Core Charms:

• Flukenest → Converts Shade Soul into multiple flukes, acting like a scatter-shot.
• Shaman Stone → Increases Flukenest’s total damage output.
• Spell Twister → Reduces soul cost, allowing more frequent spellcasting.
• Quick Slash → Enables faster melee attacks to generate soul quickly.

How It Works:

• Flukenest turns spells into an up-close shotgun blast, trading range for insane damage potential.
• Quick Slash ensures you generate soul rapidly, keeping up your spell barrage.
• If every fluke hits, this spell out-damages almost everything in the game.

✔ Playstyle: Get in close, cast Flukenest, and melt enemies instantly.
✔ Lore Connection: The Flukemarm and her spawn represent chaotic, overwhelming destruction, making this build a thematic powerhouse.

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5. The Deepnest Soul Threader – The Weaver’s Hybrid Combatant

Inspired by Hornet and the Weavers, this balanced hybrid build blends movement, spells, and minions for a versatile combat experience.

Core Charms:

• Weaversong → Summons three weaverlings that attack enemies.
• Sprintmaster → Boosts weaverling movement speed and attack frequency.
• Dashmaster → Further increases mobility.
• Grubsong → Grants soul when taking damage, keeping up spell potential.
• Shaman Stone → Enhances spells for big burst damage.
• Nailmaster’s Glory → Boosts charged Nail Arts, keeping melee viable.

How It Works:

• Constant passive damage from weaverlings.
• Maximized movement speed for evasive gameplay.
• Powerful Nail Arts combined with spellcasting flexibility.
• Plenty of soul generation, ensuring consistent spell usage.

✔ Playstyle: Move fast, summon weaverlings, and mix spells with powerful melee attacks.
✔ Lore Connection: The Deepnest Weavers were soul-threading warriors, just like Hornet, making this a thematic hybrid build.

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Final Thoughts: Which Lore Build is Best for You?

Each of these builds is thematically inspired while remaining viable in real gameplay. Here’s a quick summary:

✔ Best for Spellcasters: Snail Shaman Sorcerer – Maximizes spell damage and protection.
✔ Best for Melee Fighters: Mantis Longblade – Turns you into a precision-based warrior.
✔ Best for Speed Combat: Grimm Troupe Dancer – Ultra fast, aggressive playstyle.
✔ Best for Unique Gameplay: Fluke Beetle – Devastating up-close spellcasting.
✔ Best Balanced Hybrid: Deepnest Soul Threader – The ultimate all-rounder build.

With Silksong on the horizon (hopefully!), these builds let you dive deeper into Hollow Knight’s lore while experimenting with exciting new playstyles.

Now, which one will you try first?