Is There a Bench in Soul Sanctum? A Hollow Knight Deep Dive
Yes, there is a bench located within the Soul Sanctum in Hollow Knight. It’s positioned rather centrally and serves as a vital checkpoint for players navigating this challenging area.
Navigating the Soul Sanctum and Finding the Bench
The Soul Sanctum is a notoriously difficult area in Hollow Knight, filled with relentless enemies and tricky platforming sections. Reaching the bench is crucial for setting a respawn point, especially when attempting the challenging boss fight against the Soul Master.
Location, Location, Location!
The bench itself is situated in a relatively open room. After progressing through the initial sections of the Soul Sanctum, fighting your way past Soul Twisters and dodging energy projectiles, you’ll eventually reach a chamber with a larger structure in the middle. The bench is located on the upper-left side of this room. Be careful; some enemies may be lurking nearby when you first enter.
Why This Bench Matters
Having access to this bench is paramount for several reasons:
- Respawn Point: Its primary function is to serve as a respawn point. This is especially important given the Soul Sanctum’s difficulty. Dying and having to restart from a distant location is incredibly frustrating.
- Healing: The bench allows you to fully heal your Knight, restoring all health masks. This is essential before tackling difficult enemies or the boss.
- Notch Equipping: You can use the bench to adjust your Charm setup, equipping different Notches to tailor your abilities to the challenges of the Soul Sanctum.
- Strategic Advantage: Reaching the bench provides a moment to pause, assess your surroundings, and plan your next move. This is crucial for overcoming the area’s obstacles.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Soul Sanctum Bench
1. Is the Soul Sanctum Bench the Only Bench in the Area?
No. There is another bench in the City of Tears that is quite close to the entrance of Soul Sanctum. This can serve as an alternative, though it involves a bit more backtracking if you die deep inside the Soul Sanctum.
2. How Do I Unlock the Ability to Use Benches?
Benches are inherently usable from the start of the game. There’s nothing to unlock. Simply interact with a bench to sit on it and set your respawn point.
3. What Happens if I Die Before Reaching the Bench?
If you die before reaching the Soul Sanctum bench, you will respawn at your last used bench. This highlights the importance of actively seeking out and using benches as you explore.
4. Can Enemies Attack Me While I’m Sitting on the Bench?
No. While you are sitting on a bench, you are completely invulnerable. This provides a safe haven to strategize and heal.
5. Are There Any Hidden Secrets Near the Soul Sanctum Bench?
While the immediate area around the bench doesn’t contain any major secrets, exploring the Soul Sanctum thoroughly will reveal hidden areas, items, and lore. Keep an eye out for breakable walls and hidden passages.
6. What Charms are Recommended for Reaching the Soul Sanctum Bench?
Several Charms can make the journey to the bench easier. Quick Focus allows for faster healing, Longnail and Mark of Pride increase your attack range, and Shape of Unn allows you to heal while moving.
7. Is the Soul Sanctum Bench Easy to Miss?
No, the Soul Sanctum bench is not particularly easy to miss if you are exploring the area methodically. It’s in a central location, and you’ll likely pass by the room containing it on your way deeper into the Soul Sanctum.
8. What’s the Fastest Way to Reach the Soul Sanctum Bench from the City of Tears?
From the City of Tears bench near the Soul Sanctum entrance, head right, up through the elevator system, and continue navigating through the Soul Sanctum, defeating enemies and platforming carefully, until you reach the central room with the structure and the bench on the left side.
9. Does the Soul Sanctum Bench Reset After I Defeat the Soul Master?
The bench remains in the same location even after you defeat the Soul Master. It’s a permanent fixture in the Soul Sanctum.
10. Is there a Stag Station Close to the Soul Sanctum Bench?
The closest Stag Station is located in the City of Tears, near the entrance to Soul Sanctum. You will need to traverse a bit of the City of Tears to reach the Soul Sanctum after using it.
11. What Enemies Should I Watch Out for on the Way to the Soul Sanctum Bench?
The main threats are Soul Twisters, which fire projectiles, and the various crawling and flying enemies that inhabit the Soul Sanctum. Pay attention to their attack patterns and use your nail and spells effectively.
12. Does Using the Bench Save My Geo?
No, using a bench does not directly save your Geo. Geo is lost upon death, and you must return to your Shade to recover it.
13. Can I Teleport to the Soul Sanctum Bench?
No, there is no way to directly teleport to the Soul Sanctum bench. You can only teleport to Stag Stations or by using the Dreamgate, which requires placing it at the desired location first.
14. What Should I Do After Reaching the Soul Sanctum Bench?
After reaching the bench, take a moment to heal and assess your Charms. Then, continue exploring the Soul Sanctum to find the Soul Master boss fight and any other hidden areas or items.
15. Is the Soul Sanctum Bench Important for Completing the Game?
While not strictly mandatory for completing the main storyline, the Soul Sanctum bench is incredibly helpful for making progress through the area and defeating the Soul Master. Defeating the Soul Master grants you an important ability. It makes navigation far easier, and unlocks progression into a new area which is required for numerous endings.
In conclusion, the bench in Soul Sanctum is a valuable asset for any Hollow Knight player venturing into this challenging area. Make sure to locate it early and use it to your advantage!