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Geo Galore: A Hallownest Guide to Riches

So, you’ve been exploring Hallownest, slaying beasts, and delving into forgotten ruins, and now you’re swimming in Geo! Congratulations, Knight! But what do you do with all that hard-earned currency? Geo, while not directly making you stronger, is the key to unlocking vital upgrades, items, and services that will significantly aid your journey. The short and direct answer is this: Spend it wisely! Prioritize Nail upgrades, buy essential Charms and items, unlock Stag Stations, and strategically deposit money with Millibelle the Banker (with a caveat, as you’ll soon discover). Let’s delve into the specifics.

The Geo-Spending Hierarchy: Prioritizing Your Purchases

Not all Geo expenditures are created equal. Some purchases are significantly more impactful on your gameplay than others. Here’s a suggested order of priority:

1. Nail Upgrades: Sharpness is Paramount

The Nail is your primary weapon, and upgrading it is the single most effective way to increase your damage output. Visit the Nailsmith in the City of Tears and invest in each upgrade as soon as you can afford it:

Sharpened Nail: 250 Geo
Channeled Nail: 800 Geo
Coiled Nail: 2000 Geo
Pure Nail: Requires a Pale Ore and 4000 Geo

Each upgrade drastically increases your Nail damage, making encounters significantly easier. The Pure Nail in particular is a game-changer.

2. Essential Charms and Items: Enhancing Your Abilities

Several vendors throughout Hallownest offer Charms and items that are crucial for exploration and combat. Key purchases include:

Wayward Compass (Iselda in Dirtmouth): 220 Geo. Essential for navigation.
Gathering Swarm (Cornifer in Forgotten Crossroads): Makes collecting Geo much easier.
Lantern (Sly in Dirtmouth): 1800 Geo. Absolutely necessary for exploring dark areas like Crystal Peak and Deepnest.
Simple Key (Sly in Dirtmouth): Used to unlock important areas and free NPCs.
Elegant Key (Queen’s Gardens): Used to access the Pleasure House, where you can confront Millibelle after she runs away with your Geo (more on that later!).
Fragile Charms (Leg Eater in Fungal Wastes): Fragile Strength, Fragile Heart, and Fragile Greed. These powerful Charms break upon death, but can be made unbreakable by Divine in Dirtmouth after completing the Grimm Troupe questline. Fragile Strength is arguably the most powerful damage-boosting charm, and well worth the investment.

3. Stag Stations: Fast Travel is Your Friend

Unlocking Stag Stations provides convenient fast travel options, saving you valuable time and allowing you to quickly access different regions of Hallownest. Each Stag Station costs a different amount to unlock, so prioritize those in areas you frequent the most. Look for Stag Beetles in the neglected stations.

4. Strategic Banking with Millibelle: A Risky Proposition

Millibelle the Banker appears to offer a safe place to store your Geo. However, there’s a catch! If you deposit 2550 Geo or more, she’ll abscond with your funds. Don’t panic! You can find her later in the Pleasure House in the City of Tears. Confront her, and she’ll cough up your stolen Geo, plus a bonus. This can be a good investment, but be prepared for the confrontation! Many find the encounter with her at the pleasure house hilarious!

5. Geo for Lore and Completion: Optional Expenditures

Some Geo expenditures are purely for lore or completionist purposes:

Whispering Root: Gives a bit of lore when Dream Nailed.
Fountain in the City of Tears: Dropping 3000 Geo into the fountain unlocks a lore entry.
Various items from Sly: Some are useful, others are purely cosmetic.

Geo Farming Techniques: Maximizing Your Earnings

Of course, to spend Geo, you need to earn it! Here are some efficient Geo farming methods:

Colosseum of Fools: Completing the Trials in the Colosseum is a reliable source of Geo, especially the Trial of the Conqueror.
Husk Guard Farming: As mentioned in the article snippet, defeating the Husk Guard near the City of Tears and resetting at the bench is a consistent method, especially when combined with the Dashmaster charm.
Exploring and Looting: Don’t underestimate the Geo found in chests, breakable objects, and from defeating enemies in various areas.
Fragile Greed Charm: Equip this charm (purchased from Leg Eater) to significantly increase the Geo dropped by enemies. Just be careful not to die, as it will break!
Selling Relics: Sell Wanderer’s Journals, King’s Idols, and Arcane Eggs to Lemm in the City of Tears for a substantial amount of Geo.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What happens if I die with a lot of Geo?

You lose all your Geo and leave behind a Shade. You must return to the location where you died and defeat your Shade to recover your Geo. This can be risky, especially if you died in a challenging area.

2. Is it worth using Fragile Greed if it breaks when I die?

Yes, especially early to mid-game. The increased Geo earnings outweigh the occasional loss. Later, you can have Divine make it unbreakable, but it can be expensive.

3. How much Geo does Millibelle steal?

She steals all the Geo you deposit if it’s over 2549.

4. Is it better to bank Geo with Millibelle or spend it immediately?

Spend it immediately if you have something important to buy. If you’re saving for a larger purchase, banking with Millibelle can be worthwhile if you’re prepared to reclaim it later.

5. What is the best way to farm Geo early in the game?

Defeating Gruz Mothers repeatedly is a good early-game strategy. They are relatively easy to kill and drop a decent amount of Geo. Also, explore and collect as many relics as possible to sell to Lemm.

6. How do I access the Colosseum of Fools?

The Colosseum of Fools is located in the Kingdom’s Edge. You’ll need to find the entrance and pay a fee to enter.

7. What are the rewards for completing the Colosseum of Fools Trials?

Completing the Trials awards you with a significant amount of Geo, as well as other rewards like Charms and Pale Ore.

8. Are there any missable Geo deposits in the game?

No, there are no missable Geo deposits. All areas and items can be accessed at any point in the game, assuming you have the necessary abilities.

9. Does difficulty affect the amount of Geo dropped by enemies?

No, the amount of Geo dropped by enemies is not affected by the difficulty.

10. What is the most expensive item in Hollow Knight?

The Pure Nail upgrade, costing a Pale Ore and 4000 Geo, is one of the most expensive. The Unbreakable versions of Fragile Charms are also costly.

11. Is there a limit to how much Geo I can carry?

No, there is no limit to the amount of Geo you can carry.

12. What happens if I overcharm?

Overcharming allows you to equip more Charms than you have notches, but it doubles the damage you take. This can be a risky strategy, but can be useful in certain situations.

13. Are there any cheats for Geo in Hollow Knight?

While some may be tempted by the Cheat Engine, the genuine experience of earning and spending Geo is more rewarding and satisfying. Such techniques don’t provide an authentic experience of the Games Learning Society’s principles.

14. Which Charms should I prioritize buying early in the game?

The Wayward Compass and Gathering Swarm are essential for early exploration. Later, focus on combat-related Charms like Fragile Strength and Quick Focus.

15. What is the significance of Geo in the lore of Hollow Knight?

Geo is implied to be a fossilized form of lifeblood, which holds great significance in Hallownest’s history and the Infection. The abundance of Geo reflects the kingdom’s past prosperity and the tragic events that led to its downfall.

By understanding the value of Geo and prioritizing your spending, you can empower yourself to overcome the challenges of Hallownest and uncover its deepest secrets. Good luck, Knight! Explore, farm, and spend wisely!

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What to do with a lot of geo in Hollow Knight?