Can I Still Achieve 112% Completion in Hollow Knight if I Banish the Grimm Troupe?
Yes, you absolutely can achieve 112% completion in Hollow Knight even if you choose to banish the Grimm Troupe. This is a common misconception among players, as the Grimm Troupe questline offers percentage completion rewards. However, the alternative route after banishing them provides equivalent completion percentage through another means. Let’s delve into the specifics.
Understanding Hollow Knight Completion
Before we dive into the intricacies of the Grimm Troupe and its banishment, it’s essential to understand how Hollow Knight’s completion percentage works. The 112% represents the entirety of the game’s achievable goals. This encompasses defeating bosses, acquiring charms, completing certain quests, and more. Each milestone contributes a certain percentage towards the total.
The Grimm Troupe Questline and Completion Percentage
The Grimm Troupe DLC introduces a significant questline involving the Grimm Troupe, a nomadic group led by Master Grimm. Completing their rituals by collecting flames and fighting increasingly powerful versions of Grimm rewards the player with charms and percentage points toward completion.
However, a choice presents itself:
- Complete the Grimm Troupe Questline: This involves defeating Nightmare King Grimm and acquiring the final charm, Grimmchild.
- Banish the Grimm Troupe: This involves performing a specific action that forces the troupe to leave Hallownest, ending the questline prematurely.
Both options reward completion percentage; one directly through charm acquisition, and the other through an alternative charm.
Banishment and the Carefree Melody
If you choose to banish the Grimm Troupe, you will not face Nightmare King Grimm nor obtain the Grimmchild charm. However, you will receive the Carefree Melody charm from Divine. This charm grants a chance to negate damage and provides the same percentage point reward as fully upgrading the Grimmchild. This is the key to achieving 112% even after banishing the troupe. Therefore, by choosing the path to banish the Grimm Troupe and obtaining the Carefree Melody, you will receive equivalent rewards for completing the Grimm Troupe’s task.
Why the Misconception?
The misconception likely arises from players believing that the Grimm Troupe charms are essential for completion and that banishing them permanently locks away those charms and, consequently, the associated percentage points. However, the Carefree Melody serves as a direct replacement, maintaining the possibility of achieving 112%.
Can I undo the choice?
No, the choice is permanent. Once you banish the troupe or complete the questline by defeating Nightmare King Grimm, there is no going back. You are locked into that decision for that specific save file.
Is it more difficult to get 112% if I banish Grimm?
No. The difficulty lies in overcoming the challenges to get to the banishment or the Grimmchild depending on which path you take. Getting the Carefree Melody is not significantly more difficult than upgrading the Grimmchild. Both methods require investment of time.
What should I consider when deciding to banish or keep the Grimm Troupe?
Consider these factors:
- Charm preference: Do you prefer the playstyle of the Grimmchild or the defensive capabilities of the Carefree Melody?
- Boss fight difficulty: Are you up for the challenge of Nightmare King Grimm, or do you prefer to avoid this difficult encounter?
- Lore implications: Are you interested in the lore surrounding the Grimm Troupe and its role in Hallownest?
Ultimately, the decision is a matter of personal preference.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Does banishing Grimm affect any other aspects of the game besides completion percentage?
No, banishing the Grimm Troupe primarily affects the charms you can acquire (Grimmchild vs. Carefree Melody) and your ability to fight Nightmare King Grimm. It doesn’t impact other areas of the game or lock you out of any other content.
2. Is Nightmare King Grimm required for 112%?
No, Nightmare King Grimm is not required for 112% completion. Beating him unlocks the final Grimmchild upgrade. The only way to get the Carefree Melody is if you banish the Grimm Troupe.
3. Can I fight Grimm again after banishing him?
No, once you banish the Grimm Troupe, you cannot fight Grimm or Nightmare King Grimm on that save file.
4. Is the Carefree Melody a “good” charm?
The effectiveness of the Carefree Melody is subjective and depends on your playstyle. It offers a chance to negate damage, which can be helpful in certain situations, but it’s not a guaranteed form of defense. Many players find it useful, while others prefer different charms.
5. How do I banish the Grimm Troupe?
To banish the Grimm Troupe, you need to speak to Brumm and follow his instructions, which involves lighting a torch in a specific location outside Dirtmouth.
6. Can I reverse my decision after banishing the Grimm Troupe?
No, your decision to banish the Grimm Troupe is permanent for that save file. There’s no way to undo it.
7. Is it possible to have both the Grimmchild and the Carefree Melody on the same save file?
No, you cannot obtain both charms on the same save file. Choosing one path locks you out of the other.
8. Does banishing the Grimm Troupe affect my ability to get the “Embrace the Void” ending?
No, the decision to banish or complete the Grimm Troupe questline does not affect your ability to achieve any of the game’s endings, including the “Embrace the Void” ending. The ending requirements focus on other aspects of the game, such as acquiring specific charms and completing certain boss fights unrelated to the Grimm Troupe.
9. Does banishing the Grimm Troupe impact the Godmaster DLC content?
The Godmaster DLC adds challenging boss battles and new content but the Grimm Troupe decision does not influence the Godmaster DLC content. You can complete the Pantheons and other challenges regardless of your choice regarding the Grimm Troupe.
10. What happens to Divine after I banish the Grimm Troupe?
After banishing the Grimm Troupe, Divine remains in Dirtmouth and rewards you with the Carefree Melody charm. She will comment on the troupe’s departure, but otherwise remains in the same location.
11. Is it possible to fight Nightmare King Grimm in Godhome if I banished him?
Yes, even if you banished the Grimm Troupe in the main game, you can still fight Nightmare King Grimm in the Pantheon of the Knight in Godhome. Godhome provides access to all boss fights, regardless of your choices in the main game.
12. If I banish the Grimm Troupe, does the Grimm Troupe DLC content disappear?
The Grimm Troupe DLC itself doesn’t disappear. The tent and the related NPCs disappear from Dirtmouth, but you can still access the music and remember the experiences.
13. Are there any achievements locked behind either completing or banishing the Grimm Troupe?
No, there are no achievements that are specifically locked behind either completing or banishing the Grimm Troupe. All achievements in Hollow Knight can be obtained regardless of which path you choose.
14. Does banishing the Grimm Troupe make any boss fights easier (besides Nightmare King Grimm)?
No, banishing the Grimm Troupe does not directly affect the difficulty of any other boss fights in the game.
15. Where can I find Brumm to start the banishment process?
Brumm is initially found within the Grimm Troupe’s tent in Dirtmouth. After progressing through the Grimm Troupe questline and collecting a certain number of flames, Brumm will offer you the option to help him banish the troupe. He will then relocate to a specific location in the Howling Cliffs, near a hidden passage. Speaking to him there will initiate the banishment sequence. Look for the location that he mentions and ignite the brazier.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the decision to banish the Grimm Troupe or complete their questline is a matter of personal preference. Both paths lead to the same 112% completion, just through different means. Choose the option that aligns with your playstyle, your preferred charm, and your enjoyment of the game’s lore and challenges. Happy exploring in Hallownest!