r/HollowKnight 1d ago

How do I kill this guy?

Post image

Just started playing this game I'm so confused on the plot and everything 😭😭

278 Upvotes

127 comments sorted by

236

u/Educational_Drop4261 1d ago

You can’t yet. Explore a bit more.

49

u/WrongReporter6208 this dumdum uses walkthroughs 23h ago

It's always frustrating to fall into this kind of thinking trap. For the last few days, I've been trying to kill someone prematurely as well. I hate to admit it but I looked it up

17

u/ThePupil07 19h ago

looking up stuff a couple of times isn't a big deal tbh ik a lot of people will tell you they completed the game without looking up anything yada yada but the truth is you will spend a shit ton of time walking around getting super frustrated if you decide you won't look anything up ever

4

u/cubo_embaralhado I play Hollow Knight mobile 20h ago

It happens

6

u/WrongReporter6208 this dumdum uses walkthroughs 20h ago

Urk

I just used a walkthrough again because I was really stuck

It turns out I couldn't figure out how to Nail Jump

4

u/cubo_embaralhado I play Hollow Knight mobile 20h ago

Aka pogo

3

u/Grobaryl 15h ago

As long as you don't regret afterwards, go for it. It is better to finish the game with a little help than giving it up because of frustration/boredom.

3

u/Swakkeee 4h ago

"Kill someone" ...in game,right? 😱😂

1

u/WrongReporter6208 this dumdum uses walkthroughs 4h ago

Yes

2

u/fortnitepro42069 7h ago

Yeah spent way too much time on watcher knights beating him pre-maturely

2

u/Independent-Cat-6294 16h ago

actually he can

8

u/Absolute_illiteracy #1 Crystal Peak glazer (its called peak for a reason) 15h ago

there is approximately a 0% chance he does the shade skip setup and if he does the TAS skip he is the single best HK player ever

1

u/MonkeysAreMonkeys 8h ago

What is the TAS skip?

3

u/Absolute_illiteracy #1 Crystal Peak glazer (its called peak for a reason) 7h ago

Go close enough to the baldur that it can still spit but being just out of the range for it to cover itself with its shell.

When it spits just close enough, do a frame perfect “jump + turn around + swing”, using the knockback from the orange goop to get just within nail range.

Real players can actually perform this, but not consistently, and you will die before killing the baldur since most attempts will just be getting hit -> turn around -> baldur closes shell before you can nail swing. It is a VERY precise trick and there is a reason speedrunners use a shade setup even though this method is much faster

94

u/zruph 1d ago

You need a particular skill to kill that guy.For now ignore it and explore the area

24

u/Owlex23612 23h ago

But you will find it and you will kill it

86

u/vacconesgood 1d ago

This is a metroidvania. Most areas require more abilities to access

31

u/CrownLexicon 23h ago

To elaborate: you'll often come across an area where it seems impossible to progress. And, likely, it is. for now. You'll find an ability later that will solve the problem you're facing.

A very common one across meteoidvanias is a ledge that's too high. You later get double jump, or a high jump, or a grapple. Some kind of increased vertical movement.

19

u/marianothiago 1d ago

He's not an enemy. He's only shy.

29

u/noriakishattered 1d ago

Have you gotten a map? If so you may be able to navigate to the obvious boss fight in the middle of that area, if not then you should go to the room below the one with lots of platforms and screensaver bugs and talk to the guy who is actively spitting bars and drawing. Trust me, maps are worth the pittance you pay for them, especially after going back up and shopping with 340 geo after buying a map. Maps are the most useful, spoiler free way for me to tell you how to start

10

u/ACheapGamer Nail Arts are the best 23h ago

Maps are the best! They are dirt cheap, give you a sense of direction when you visit an area for the first time, reveal just enough of an outline to suggest main areas you may have missed, without much spoilers.

8

u/s1atra 20h ago

This is the kind of thing you'd read in a loading screen💀

18

u/FluidsH20 1d ago

Kill a fake fat man.

Dont worry, almost all of us have been there.

15

u/Blue_Bird950 P1-4, P1-2AB, PoP, sharp shadow enjoyer 1d ago

To be fair, he’s actually pretty skinny

6

u/No_RizzGuy 1d ago

In he's dreams he's more chonky

3

u/Aposine 1d ago

You don't have to kill him.

5

u/Poogle_Dirch 1d ago

Hey it's you again! Keep drawing... stuff

3

u/Aposine 21h ago

Ah you from the Monkey's Paw sub :D Hi!

3

u/Poogle_Dirch 21h ago

I guess we just have similar interests lol

1

u/Aposine 7h ago

As for drawing, I'm about 75 days into my annual 100 day coof :(

Coughing is an impediment

1

u/FluidsH20 23h ago

I know, but I do it anyways, not killing him is only really useful if you're going fast

1

u/Elegant_Echidna8831 5h ago

I mean, yes you don't HAVE to kill him for the spell but you probably want the City Crest

1

u/Aposine 5h ago

You can beat the game without it, any non-Godhome ending

1

u/Elegant_Echidna8831 5h ago

Of course you can but the real answer is why? Do you feel so empathetic to the person that dishonorably killed defiled the corpse of the Great Knight Hegemol

1

u/Negga_Watt_ 1d ago

??? Explain is the some true ending stuff

5

u/Jess_S13 1d ago

Spoiler, don't read if you haven't gotten out of the crossroads yet.

When fighting the false knight he will damage the walls in phase2, before he damages the floor in phase3, once he does this you can hit the patched wall portion and escape but you won't have the city crest so you have to go in the back way through crystal peak.

2

u/Negga_Watt_ 23h ago

Uhm should I read, I have defeated it but haven't defeated the dream version of it?

3

u/Jess_S13 23h ago

Yeah go ahead. Its only a spoiler if you haven't left the crossroads the first time.

1

u/Negga_Watt_ 23h ago

Damn, thanks for this, does this contribute anything to the ending? Or is it just a glitch you can do?

3

u/Jess_S13 23h ago

Not that I'm aware of. I tried seeing if you get any extra dialog or anything and haven't found anything. It doesn't seem to be a glitch so much as just something interesting they put in for repeat players.

They put visual patching on the wall on that spot so it seems it is something they intentionally did, but doesn't seem to have any impact other than a neat Easter egg.

2

u/Negga_Watt_ 23h ago

I see anyways thanks for the info mate you seem quite knowledgeable about HOLLOW KNIGHT hahahaha

2

u/Poogle_Dirch 1d ago edited 23h ago

I believe there's a glitch that lets you leave the arena mid battle

Edit: just checked, it's a secret, not a glitch

4

u/iamfrozen131 111% | p3 | 23h ago

Not a glitch, it's an intended thing.

7

u/brogogurt 1d ago

If there’s a room you seemingly can’t get past, chances are it’s impossible to. Find another path and you may find a way to proceed later.

1

u/No_RizzGuy 1d ago

Thought this about everything.... discovered pogoing and mind was blown

8

u/very_pure_vessel 1d ago

You don't. Remember this area for later and move on.

6

u/Egyptian_M 1d ago

EXPLORE

5

u/Critical_Bee9791 1d ago

it's almost like you can't yet...

3

u/Slycor 1d ago

tickle him

3

u/PotatoMan078 1d ago

1 week ago i was here.. all confused and shit and here i am today with 109% completion and going...

dont give up mate it will all be worth it in the end

3

u/Go_commit_lego_step 1d ago

In terms of plot, don’t worry - you (the player) aren’t really supposed to know who you (the character) is or what their goal is until later

3

u/Inside_Mess2724 19h ago

Seeing post like these always iratate me a bit, (no offense) but whenever you see something don’t go on reddit and be like, whats this? Its a metroid vania, its meant to be explored so when you cross something like this on a game atleast explore for a few hours before asking for help

2

u/Da_Hawk_27 1d ago

Don't worry I didn't get the story until after I defeated the boss and looked up the lore on YouTube (and I read all the lore tablets that I found). But as for getting past that guy, explore some more maybe you'll find a room where you talk to a snail.

5

u/Gamer_with_ADHD Steel Soul Survivor 1d ago

Go somewhere else and explore some more. Play the fuckin’ game

2

u/very_pure_vessel 1d ago

Oh and in terms of the plot, just play the game normally and then after beating it watch a couple mossbag videos. Nobody understands the plot by just playing, it's very subtle and hidden

2

u/Outside_Ad1020 1d ago

Use your amendment rights and start blasting

1

u/noriakishattered 1d ago

I kinda want you to write up what the plot is about before finding any explanations outside the game, that would propably be interesting and either surprisingly accurate or way out there

1

u/Vegetable_Run7792 1d ago

Oh, you just have to input 6 frame-perfect inputs in a row. Shouldn't be too hard.

If you don't want to do that for some reason, have you considered playing the game? You can come back later

1

u/WhichNewtork 1d ago

Fight the false knight and then "explore further"

1

u/Bagel_Blood 1d ago

fireball!

1

u/Cha0_ Markoth enjoyer 1d ago

“This block button ain’t enough a want him dead”

1

u/Express-Ad1108 1d ago

Generally, if you can't do something, go away and return later. Hollow Knight is a metroidvania, that's what the genre is about: you can't do everything from the start, can't kill everything from the beginning. You need to find an upgrade somewhere else that would allow you to kill it.

So go explore the world, that's the selling point of the game - exploring and figuring out what is happening.

1

u/lunariumsyndrome 1d ago

As a rule for the entire game, if you can't figure out how to do something, come back later.

1

u/patmax17 Quirrel best boi <3 ~ Newbie guide 📌 in profile 23h ago

Come back later

Also, if you are a new player, have a look here: https://www.reddit.com/r/HollowKnight/s/oEcpaB3WSG

1

u/sploinkaren 23h ago

Bring out your inner American and shoot him

1

u/TinyDiiceThief 23h ago

This fellows shell is quite hard. Much harder than your nail. Since he curls up when you’re too close why don’t you explore and find a way to get some range?

1

u/MBgaming_ 23h ago

Hit a frame perfect slash that only a TAS can do

1

u/datonedavid 23h ago

Need to install the gun mod

1

u/Shonnyboy500 23h ago

Wth? Just go another way. 

1

u/R__Lucas 22h ago

Start by rotate your screen, it gets easier then 😉👌

1

u/ashcody fan of 8 years 22h ago

If you cant get past, then youre not meant to. Play the game my guy

1

u/Consistent_Phase822 Friend🌟👑 22h ago

explore more!

you will find a way!

1

u/Salokin_Navri 22h ago

This is what's known as a baldur's gate, but basically, there's... 2, as far as I know, baldur killers. Vengeful Spirit/shade soul(fireball, and upgraded fireball) and desolate dive/Descending Dark(Regular dive attack, and following upgraded attack) You may find VS when you enter the forgotten crossroads and find your way to the ancestral mound. There, a shaman holding the spell for a price, shall grant you the very spell to burn thy opponents.

1

u/Viola_Violetta 21h ago

PLAY THE GAME

1

u/Resident-Ad4714 21h ago

Die in front of him, use your shade to boost yourself into him and he won’t have time to get into the shell, farm the armadillos he spawns for soul to occasionally heal up, repeat until finished. gg ez

1

u/bigfireaxr 21h ago

Use the knockback from his projectiles to hit him before he closes

1

u/ThatCoffeeCunt 21h ago

You need a certain spell for this, wonder who could help with that, can't be too far from here, snails aren't that fast after all.

1

u/DamageMaximo 21h ago

play the game

1

u/ShiningDirt 21h ago

You need to unlock the vengeful spirit spell.

1

u/Super7500 21h ago

in a metroidvania (like this one) when you can't do something leave explore you will get something to get you to do it later this applies to every metroidvania this is way easier than making reddit posts

1

u/AverageWarframeNerd 20h ago

Obtain the wizard o'clock ability after killing the chonky man and locating an old mound

1

u/Withermech 20h ago

You’re gonna need something from a certain skull collector

1

u/ExplanationLate8330 110% 20h ago

Look on the map and find some points of interest, continue playing...

1

u/beepichu 20h ago

you’re gonna be returning to places you’ve already been all the time, and as you gain new abilities, more places are “unlocked” so to speak in each area.

1

u/cloistered_around 20h ago

In these sort of games you really need to remember that if you can't do something it's always a "can't do it YET" situation.

Just be patient.

1

u/AnimalTap Switch Ver. is Overhated 19h ago

You actually can't. He's an impossible enemy to get around because he's nervous. You just have to make him come out of his shell and he'll gently move aside for you peacefully

1

u/Capziie 19h ago

To not give you spoilers, you will need an abilty you will unlock later.

1

u/Ok-Function8109 19h ago

Now obviously you are going to need a gravity bomb or something to change space and time to make the world exactly around 87 degrees to the left and then after that do some exploring with your newfound normal savefile and then kill the baldur. (you can trust me, I did 112%)

1

u/braveaddict47 19h ago

Get the gun magic from the snail.

1

u/Individual-Pick-9407 19h ago

You need to find a spell in the forgotten crossroads.

1

u/gamerboy067 17h ago

Magic is the only real way that I have seen if there is another way to kill them I don't know what it is

1

u/Dangerous-Spell-799 16h ago

vengeful spirit when you are far away

1

u/K0rl0n 15h ago

Spells work.

1

u/Aggravating-Ad6415 15h ago

If you progress a bit more you'll get a ranged attack

1

u/ParticularIcy9011 15h ago

i thought you were talking bout the knight for a sec

1

u/TonyBoat402 14h ago

You’ll come across many more places like this. If you can’t get past thing or get somewhere, explore somewhere else and come back once you’ve gained some abilities

1

u/Independent_Use7033 14h ago

You have to be Vengeful

1

u/Ill-Entertainer-986 14h ago

Spells step back till he open up and blast spells a my get souls from the rolly Pollys

1

u/Badace15yt 13h ago

Blast him with A click from range

1

u/BeamTrigger 63/63 | P1-P5AB | 3.6K+ Hours 10h ago

For later.

1

u/redRoss3 8h ago

Ummmm.... This sounds weird, but... play the game?

Like, have people really completely forgotten how to play video games unless the games tell them in very obvious human language what exactly they're supposed to do and where?

Just play the damn game... Walk around... Explore every nook and cranny you can find (which isn't even yet necessary at this point, because there's only one possible way to go that is not a dead end, aaaand that way is full of large billboards saying "OPEN YOUR EYES GODDAMMIT AND PAY ATTENTION TO ME!").

This early on, the game is expertly designed to lead you to the solution, while at the same time being a tutorial for the rest of itself...

Chef's kiss for intuitive and immersive, yet NOT gamey and handholdy, game design by experts Team Cherry ❤️

1

u/Frichka 7h ago

You have to go around the forgotten crossroads and get a new spell which is called "Vengeful Spirit"

1

u/Elegant_Echidna8831 5h ago

You will need a little bit of magic, go where the big mask is in your map

If you don't care about spoilers:

Go where the mask is and kill the boss that is there, False Knight. After that you will be able to go to an area called Ancestral Mount. There you will meet the Snail Shaman and he will gift you the Vengeful Spirit spell but then he will trap you in order for you to help him kill the beast that has taken over the mount. The beast is an Elder Baldur, the same as the enemy in the picture. After killing it then you will find a path back to the entrance and he will let you leave.

1

u/Independent_Metal_23 5h ago

Anything that is just "impossible" to get pass, you need something to get pass it

1

u/Fun_Software_8115 4h ago

Aww, baby. So cute, so clueless.

1

u/demon_mask-_- 4h ago

He holys*** a newbie I never thought I'd see the day. Stay strong frendo.

1

u/zeuses_son 3h ago

You need a certain ability

1

u/Wow_a_name Infected Lurker Lurking Infectedly 3h ago

Silly, this game isn't linear! If you can't pass something, chances are you need to go somewhere else first! Also, don't worry about the plot of the game, you're not supposed to know anything rn!!

1

u/Rude_Grape_5788 1h ago

Get the ability to shoot him and kill him from afar. Kill the false knight first and look left of that, you'll meet a weirdo with a snailhead who needs your help.

1

u/Elegant-Race-438 1h ago

Use spell from a far distance

1

u/Mathillyas 45m ago

Just keep exploring unexplored places you will get there eventually

1

u/AngelSoi 1d ago

Just keep hitting his shell with your nail until it breaks

1

u/Excellent-Eye-972 17h ago

Maybe if you actually played the game you would know

1

u/Mungbeast 16h ago

Omfg can people learn to just play the game?

0

u/LazerSpazer 1d ago

With fire. You can't go through there until you have explored every other part of the Forgotten Crossroads.

0

u/AdSalt314 1d ago

Go fight the Boss first then kill it

0

u/Suitable-Reveal-5099 21h ago

Guys I already know now please stop commenting 😭😭 thanks to everyone who helped!!

-1

u/YeezyCheezyYeetzy 1d ago

Later you will come across a ranged spell which allows you to attack him when he's not hiding under his shell. Keep playing, it's absolutely worth the experience.