The Unsaved Zote: Consequences and Missed Opportunities in Hollow Knight

What happens if you don’t save Zote in Hollow Knight? A seemingly simple choice at the beginning of your adventure can have cascading effects, altering your playthrough in surprising ways. If you fail to rescue Zote the Mighty from the jaws of the Vengefly King in Greenpath before acquiring the Mantis Claw, he perishes. His lifeless shell remains at the scene, a grim reminder of your inaction. Interacting with this shell even rewards you with the darkly humorous “Neglect” achievement. Beyond a mere achievement, not saving Zote means you will miss out on unique encounters, boss battles, and character interactions that significantly enrich the Hollow Knight experience. This seemingly insignificant decision ripples through the game, creating a unique, albeit incomplete, narrative path.

The Butterfly Effect of Zote’s Demise

Zote isn’t just another bug in the world of Hallownest. He’s a self-proclaimed warrior, a fountain of (often nonsensical) wisdom, and a catalyst for some of the game’s most memorable moments. By choosing not to save him, you effectively cut off a branch of the narrative tree, severing the potential for:

• Unique Boss Fights: Failing to save Zote prevents him from appearing as Grey Prince Zote (GPZ) in Bretta’s dreams within Godhome. This repeatable boss fight, which escalates in difficulty up to ten times, is a challenging and rewarding experience, offering a unique test of your combat skills.

• Character Development and Dialogue: Zote’s interactions with other characters, particularly Bretta, are some of the most amusing and bizarre in the game. By not saving him, you deprive yourself of these moments, losing out on the comedic relief and the subtle character development that they provide.

• Achievement Progression: While not saving Zote grants the “Neglect” achievement, saving him unlocks the potential for others tied to the Grey Prince Zote boss fights in Godhome.

• Colosseum of Fools Content: Zote will not appear in the Trial of the Warrior at the Colosseum of Fools if he isn’t saved in Greenpath. This prevents a unique encounter at the end of this trial.

In essence, deciding to leave Zote to his fate diminishes the richness and complexity of your Hollow Knight journey. While it doesn’t fundamentally break the game, it certainly alters the experience, leaving a noticeable void in the narrative landscape. The decision whether or not to save Zote is a microcosm of the choices and consequences that shape your individual adventure through the fallen kingdom of Hallownest.

Zote: A Missed Opportunity for Learning and Engagement

From a design perspective, Zote is more than just a quirky character. His presence and the challenges he presents after being saved contribute significantly to player engagement and skill development. Fighting Grey Prince Zote, for instance, is an excellent way to hone your combat skills and learn to adapt to unpredictable enemy patterns.

The Games Learning Society researches how games can be used to enhance education and development. While seemingly just a game character, Zote’s design incorporates several learning principles:

• Challenge and Perseverance: The escalating difficulty of the Grey Prince Zote fights encourages players to persevere and improve their skills.

• Adaptability: Zote’s unpredictable attack patterns force players to adapt their strategies and learn to react quickly.

• Strategic Thinking: Defeating Zote requires careful planning and resource management.

Therefore, saving Zote isn’t just about unlocking content; it’s about embracing the challenges and opportunities for growth that he represents within the game’s mechanics. The choice to leave him behind is a missed opportunity to engage with these elements and potentially improve your gameplay skills.

FAQs: The Fate of Zote and its Implications

Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the consequences of not saving Zote in Hollow Knight:

1. Can you still complete the game if you don’t save Zote?

Yes, you can absolutely still complete the main storyline of Hollow Knight without saving Zote. He is not essential for accessing any of the game’s core areas or achieving any of the main endings. However, you’ll miss out on certain side content and character interactions.

2. Does not saving Zote affect the “true ending”?

No, failing to save Zote does not prevent you from achieving any of the game’s multiple endings, including the so-called “true ending“. The requirements for these endings are independent of Zote’s fate.

3. Can I save Zote later if I missed him in Greenpath?

Unfortunately, no. If you acquire the Mantis Claw before saving Zote in Greenpath, he is gone for good. His shell will remain as a permanent reminder of your decision.

4. Is the “Neglect” achievement missable?

Yes, the “Neglect” achievement is missable. It can only be obtained by hitting Zote’s shell after he dies if the player does not rescue him before obtaining the Mantis Claw.

5. What are the benefits of saving Zote?

Saving Zote unlocks unique boss fights against Grey Prince Zote in Godhome, allows you to experience his interactions with Bretta, and enables you to see him appear as the last enemy in the Trial of the Warrior.

6. Is Grey Prince Zote a difficult boss?

Yes, Grey Prince Zote can be a very challenging boss, especially at higher levels. His erratic movements and unpredictable attack patterns make him difficult to read and react to.

7. Does Bretta’s storyline progress if I don’t save Zote?

No, Bretta’s storyline is directly tied to Zote. If you don’t save him, she will never develop her obsession with him, and her questline will not progress beyond her initial rescue.

8. Can I still fight other bosses in Godhome if I don’t save Zote?

Yes, the other bosses in Godhome are not affected by Zote’s fate. You can still access and fight all other bosses regardless of whether you saved Zote or not.

9. Does saving Zote affect any other characters?

Aside from Bretta, saving Zote doesn’t significantly impact any other characters in the game. His presence is primarily felt through his own questline and interactions.

10. Is it worth saving Zote?

Whether or not it’s “worth” saving Zote is subjective. If you enjoy challenging boss fights, quirky characters, and experiencing all that Hollow Knight has to offer, then saving him is definitely recommended. However, if you find him annoying or simply don’t want to deal with the Grey Prince Zote fights, then you can choose to let him perish without significantly impacting your overall game experience.

11. How many times do I have to fight Grey Prince Zote?

You can fight Grey Prince Zote up to ten times, with each fight increasing in difficulty. Defeating him multiple times is not required to unlock anything beyond the aesthetic change to the Zote statue in Bretta’s basement after 10 wins, but it does provide a significant challenge for skilled players.

12. What is the meaning of Zote’s precepts?

Zote’s Fifty-Seven Precepts are a collection of often contradictory and nonsensical rules that he claims to live by. They serve as a source of humor and provide insight into his inflated ego and flawed worldview.

13. Where is Zote after the Colosseum of Fools?

After completing the Trial of the Warrior at the Colosseum of Fools (provided you saved him earlier), Zote returns to Dirtmouth with a helmet as a “trophy.” He then begins preaching his precepts to Bretta.

14. What happens to Bretta after beating Grey Prince Zote 4 times?

Once you defeat Grey Prince Zote four times in Bretta’s dream, she leaves Dirtmouth and disappears, ending her questline.

15. Can you fight Grey Prince Zote if you haven’t saved Zote?

No, you cannot fight Grey Prince Zote if you have not saved Zote earlier in the game. He will not appear as a boss in Godhome if you allowed him to die in Greenpath.

In conclusion, the decision of whether or not to save Zote in Hollow Knight has lasting consequences, impacting your access to unique content, character interactions, and challenging boss fights. While not essential for completing the game, saving him enriches the overall experience and provides opportunities for skill development and player engagement.