You hear it before you see it. That high-pitched, warbling distress call echoing through the damp caverns of Forgotten Crossroads. It’s the sound of a Grub trapped in a jar, and if you're like most players, it triggers an immediate, frantic search. Finding every grub locations hollow knight has to offer isn't just about being a completionist; it’s about the rewards. Every time you pop a jar, the Grubfather back in the home hole gets a little happier and tosses you some Geo, Charms, or rare upgrade materials. But man, Team Cherry hidden these things in some truly devious spots.
Some are sitting right in the open. Others require you to parkour through literal hallways of thorns or outsmart a mimic that wants to eat your face.
The Basics of the Grub Hunt
There are 46 Grubs in total. You don’t need a permit to find them, but you definitely need patience. Honestly, the game expects you to backtrack. A lot. If you see a Grub behind a wall of dark shadows or up a ledge you can't reach, just mark your map and keep moving. You’ll be back once you have the Monarch Wings or the Shade Cloak.
The biggest mistake people make? Trying to find them all before hitting the Love Tower.
Inside the City of Tears, there’s a boss called the Collector. He’s a spindly, lanky void-creature who is obsessed with "preserving" things in jars. If you track him down in the Tower of Love (you'll need the Love Key from the Queen's Gardens), you get the Collector's Map. This is a game-changer. It literally puts the locations of all unrescued Grubs on your map. It’s basically a legal cheat code. But even with the map, getting to them is a whole different story.
Crossroads and Greenpath: The Early Game Scramble
Forgotten Crossroads is where it starts. You’ll find five here. Most are simple. One is guarded by a Husk Guard, and another is tucked away in a secret ceiling near the entrance to the Fungal Wastes. It’s easy stuff. You’re feeling confident. You think, "I can do this."
Then you hit Greenpath.
Greenpath has seven Grubs. This is where the platforming gets spicy. You've got the one near the Hunter, which requires some neat footwork, and another hidden behind a breakable wall in the room full of Durandoos. If you haven't mastered the art of "pogoing" (striking downward with your nail to bounce off enemies or spikes), you’re going to struggle here. Greenpath is the game’s way of saying "get good or get out."
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The Devious Dangers of Deepnest and Beyond
Deepnest is a nightmare. Everyone knows it. It’s dark, it’s twitchy, and the floor literally falls out from under you. There are five Grubs in Deepnest, and one of them is the infamous "Grub Mimic."
You see the jar. You hear the cry. You break the glass. Instead of a cute little green worm, a multi-legged monstrosity lunges at you. It’s a jump scare that has ended many Permadeath runs. Pro tip: Hit the jar with a Dream Nail before you break it. If the dialogue says "...Home..." it’s a real Grub. If it says "...Empty..." or "...Kill...", start swinging.
The Crystal Peak Gauntlet
Crystal Peak is home to some of the most frustrating grub locations hollow knight players have to endure. There are seven here, and most of them involve the Crystal Heart super-dash. One particularly annoying Grub is located at the very top of the map, near the Hallownest’s Crown. To get it, you have to navigate a series of crushing pistons and laser-firing insects.
One Grub is hidden behind a breakable wall in the room where you find the Shopkeeper's Key. Another requires you to drop down a massive shaft and time a dash perfectly to land in a small alcove. It’s precision work. If your hands are sweaty, take a break. The Grub isn't going anywhere.
Why the Grubfather is Actually Terrifying
Let’s talk about the ending. If you rescue all 46 Grubs and return to the Grubfather’s room, you get a nasty surprise. You leave the room, come back, and find the Grubfather has... well, he’s eaten them. You see the little Grubs wiggling inside his giant belly.
A lot of players freak out. They think they’ve accidentally helped a serial killer. But look at the achievement name: "Metamorphosis." In the world of bugs, sometimes the elder acts as a cocoon. He’s sacrificing his own body to help the next generation transition into their final forms. At least, that’s what the lore hunters say to help themselves sleep at night.
High-Value Rewards You Can't Ignore
You aren't just doing this for the warm fuzzy feelings. The rewards are top-tier.
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- Grubsong: One of the best 1-slot charms in the game. It gives you SOUL when you take damage. Essential for boss fights.
- Grubfly's Elegy: Received after saving all 46. It lets you fire beams of energy from your nail when you’re at full health. It’s basically the Master Sword from Zelda.
- Pale Ore: You need this to upgrade your nail to its final forms. You get one at 23 Grubs.
- Mask Shard: Collect 5 Grubs, get a piece of a mask. More health is always good.
The Late Game Clean-up
By the time you reach the Queen's Gardens or the Hive, you should have most of your movement abilities. The Queen's Gardens has three Grubs, and they are all hidden behind breakable walls or tricky platforming sections involving Mantis Petals.
The Hive has two. One is hidden behind a wall that a Hive Guardian (the big chunky bees) has to break for you. You have to bait the bee into charging you, then dodge at the last second so it smashes the wall. It’s a classic "use the enemy to progress" trope, but it’s satisfying every single time.
Kingdom's Edge and the Ancient Basin
Kingdom's Edge is sprawling. There are seven Grubs here. One is hidden in a secret area near the Great Hopper. Another is tucked away in the sub-area leading to the Colosseum of Fools. The Ancient Basin has two, and they’re relatively simple compared to the others, though you’ll need the Monarch Wings to reach them.
Don't forget the Fog Canyon Grub! There's only one, but it’s stuck in a room filled with explosive jellyfish. If you go in swinging wildly, you’re going to blow yourself up. Slow and steady. Use your spells if you have to.
How to Optimize Your Hunt
If you're going for the 112% completion, you can't skip this. Here is the most efficient way to handle it.
First, focus on the main story until you get the Mantis Claw and Mothwing Cloak. This gets you about 40% of the Grubs. Second, get the Monarch Wings from the Ancient Basin. This opens up the verticality. Finally, go to the City of Tears, find the Love Key in the Gardens, and kill The Collector.
Once you have that map, the "hunt" turns into a checklist.
It’s worth noting that some Grubs are "locked" behind certain story beats or boss fights. For example, you can't get the ones in the Hive until you've progressed far enough to actually access the Hive (which usually involves a clever jump in Kingdom's Edge or the Tram).
Common Misconceptions
People think you can "miss" Grubs. You can't. Even after the world state changes or you beat certain bosses, the Grubs stay in their jars. They are patient. They are waiting for their knight in shining shell.
Another myth: You need to talk to the Grubfather every time you find one. False. You can save all 46 and dump them on him all at once. The floor will be covered in Geo. It's like winning the lottery in Hallownest. Just be prepared for the sound. 46 Grubs cheering at once is... a lot.
Final Steps for the Completionist
Once you’ve cleared the list and the "Metamorphosis" achievement pops, your work is done. You’ll have the Grubfly's Elegy charm, which is surprisingly useful for certain Radiant boss fights in the Godhome DLC.
- Check your map: If a Grub icon is still there, you haven't broken the jar. Sometimes you kill the guards but forget the actual rescue.
- Listen for the audio: The sound design in Hollow Knight is impeccable. The Grub’s cry is directional. If you have headphones, follow the sound.
- Use the Dream Nail: Use it on the Grubfather. His dialogue changes as you bring more kids home. It adds a layer of depth (and creepiness) to the whole ordeal.
There is no "perfect" order to find the grub locations hollow knight offers, but following the natural progression of your movement abilities is the path of least resistance. Stop banging your head against a wall if you can't reach a jar. Usually, it just means you haven't found the right ability yet. Hallownest is a big place, but it's much friendlier once you have a map and a sharp nail.
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Now, go get the Love Key. That Collector isn't going to kill himself, and those Grubs aren't getting any younger in those jars. Once the map is marked, just start at the top of the world and work your way down. You'll be done before you know it.