What Happens if You Ignore Zote in Hollow Knight?

Ignoring Zote the Mighty in Hollow Knight has significant, albeit subtle, consequences that primarily affect your experience with the Pantheons and the Godmaster DLC. You essentially lock yourself out of specific encounters and story elements tied to this boastful, self-proclaimed warrior.

The Immediate Consequences of Leaving Zote

Initially, ignoring Zote seems inconsequential. You can progress through the game, defeat main bosses, and even reach different endings without ever rescuing him. However, his absence has a ripple effect on later content. Here’s what you miss out on:

• No Grey Prince Zote Encounter: If you don’t rescue Zote from the Vengefly King in Greenpath and from his potential demise in Deepnest, you will never encounter Grey Prince Zote, a challenging boss fight unique to the Godmaster DLC.
• Altered Pantheon Appearances: Zote’s presence, or lack thereof, impacts the enemy roster within the Pantheons. Without rescuing Zote, he won’t appear as a boss in the Pantheon of the Master, Pantheon of the Artist, Pantheon of the Sage, and Pantheon of the Knight.
• Missing Journal Entry: A small detail, but completionists will notice the absence of Zote’s journal entry if you never encounter him. This affects your overall completion percentage.
• Dialogue and Interaction Loss: You’ll miss out on Zote’s often hilarious and self-aggrandizing dialogue, which adds a unique comedic element to the game.
• No “Bretta’s Obsession” Progression: While not directly tied to game completion, ignoring Zote prevents the full progression of Bretta’s storyline, a character who becomes infatuated with Zote. This eliminates her potential for character development.

The Deeper Implications: Lore and Narrative

Beyond the immediate gameplay impact, ignoring Zote can slightly diminish the richness of the Hollow Knight lore. Zote, despite his flaws and exaggerations, serves as a commentary on pride, delusion, and the disparity between perceived and actual strength. His story, interwoven with Bretta’s, offers a subtle, melancholic side narrative that adds depth to the game’s world.

Zote as a Mirror: A Reflection of Hallownest

Zote’s inflated ego and demonstrably weak abilities contrast sharply with the true heroes and powerful beings of Hallownest. He embodies the hollow pretenses that can exist even in a decaying world. Observing his interactions, especially within the Godmaster DLC, provides a unique lens through which to view the game’s themes of legacy, failure, and the nature of heroism.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Ignoring Zote

1. Can I still achieve 100% completion if I ignore Zote?

No, you cannot achieve 100% completion if you completely ignore Zote. This is because his Journal Entry is required for the full 112% completion. Even if you can beat all the bosses and complete all the other tasks, without Zote, you will never hit 112%.

2. Is Grey Prince Zote required for any specific ending?

No, the Grey Prince Zote boss fight is not required for any of the main endings in Hollow Knight. It is exclusive to the Godmaster DLC and affects only the Pantheon encounters and Bretta’s storyline.

3. Does ignoring Zote make the game easier or harder?

Ignoring Zote doesn’t significantly alter the overall difficulty of the main game. It only impacts the availability of a boss fight in the Godmaster DLC and the content within the Pantheons. Some players might argue that not fighting Grey Prince Zote makes the Pantheon of the Sage slightly easier as his fight is quite challenging.

4. Can I rescue Zote later in the game if I initially ignore him?

Yes, you can rescue Zote at any point before completing the game. As long as you haven’t triggered one of the endings, you can go back to Greenpath and Deepnest to save him. However, it’s recommended to rescue him as soon as possible to avoid missing out on his dialogue and storyline.

5. What happens if I kill Zote in Deepnest?

You cannot directly kill Zote in Deepnest. He is in a vulnerable state, but you cannot attack him. If you leave him to be eaten by the enemies, he will eventually disappear, effectively preventing you from encountering him for the rest of that playthrough. You have to interact with him to trigger the event to save him.

6. How difficult is the Grey Prince Zote boss fight?

Grey Prince Zote is widely considered one of the most challenging boss fights in Hollow Knight, particularly at higher levels of difficulty. His erratic movements, unpredictable attack patterns, and large health pool make him a formidable opponent.

7. Does Zote have any impact on the main storyline of Hollow Knight?

No, Zote’s presence or absence doesn’t affect the core narrative or the primary endings of Hollow Knight. He is more of a side character whose interactions add flavor and humor to the world.

8. Is Zote a popular character among Hollow Knight players?

Zote is a polarizing figure in the Hollow Knight community. Some players find him hilarious and endearing due to his over-the-top personality, while others find him annoying and pretentious. His boss fight is also a source of debate, with some considering it a fun challenge and others finding it frustrating.

9. What is the relationship between Zote and Bretta?

Bretta is a character who develops an intense infatuation with Zote after being rescued by him (or after hearing stories about him). Her obsession escalates, and her room in Dirtmouth becomes filled with statues and paintings of Zote. This storyline highlights themes of obsession, unrequited love, and the power of perception.

10. Are there any achievements related to Zote?

Yes, there are achievements related to Zote, specifically for defeating Grey Prince Zote multiple times in the Godmaster DLC. These achievements require dedication and mastery of the fight.

11. Does rescuing Zote affect any other NPCs in the game?

Rescuing Zote primarily affects Bretta. Her dialogue and room decor will change as her obsession with Zote grows. It also has minor impacts on the enemy roster within the Pantheons.

12. Can I fight Zote multiple times?

Yes, you can fight Grey Prince Zote as many times as you want in Bretta’s dream in Dirtmouth after defeating him once. You can also encounter him repeatedly in the Pantheons. Each victory increases the “level” of his boss fight, making him increasingly difficult.

13. What are the “57 Precepts of Zote”?

The “57 Precepts of Zote” are a list of self-serving and often contradictory rules that Zote proclaims to live by. These precepts are a source of humor and highlight his inflated sense of self-importance.

14. Does Zote ever acknowledge the Knight’s help?

Zote rarely, if ever, acknowledges the Knight’s assistance. He usually dismisses their efforts and attributes any success to his own supposed skill and strength. This is part of his character’s comedic charm.

15. If I have already beaten the game, can I still go back and rescue Zote?

Yes, if you have beaten the game but not started a new save file, you can return to your existing save and rescue Zote. The world state remains as you left it, allowing you to complete any unfinished tasks.

In conclusion, ignoring Zote in Hollow Knight primarily affects your experience with the Godmaster DLC and the lore surrounding Bretta’s story. While it doesn’t impact the main game’s narrative or endings, it does lock you out of specific boss encounters, journal entries, and a unique comedic presence within the game world. Ultimately, the decision to rescue or ignore Zote comes down to personal preference and whether you wish to experience all aspects of Hollow Knight’s rich and intricate world.