Summary
Hollow Knightis well known for theplethora of bosses that it has to offer for players. While the base game has a ton of notable boss fights, the four DLCs that were introduced over the years introduced thirteen bosses that were either brand new or variations of existing boss fights.
These bosses usually tie into the game’s lore in one way or another, which brings forth a new perspective tothe story of Hallownest and its downfall. This topic ranks all DLC bosses introduced in the Hidden Dreams, Lifeblood, Grimm Troupe, and Godhome DLCs.
12Winged Nosk
An Eldritch Horror
Winged Nosk is easily the worst DLC boss introduced inHollow Knight.It is the only boss that is a clear downgrade from its version in the base game, as it simply doesn’t have the threatening aura or moves to instill fear in players that the original Nosk does in its arenain the depths of Deepnest.
Winged Nosk’s moves are quite boring and hardly dangerous to most players with decent movement. This boss fight is just inferior compared to the other bosses introduced in the various DLCs of the game.
11Brothers Oro And Mato
Nailmasters Reunited
Oro and Mato, two of the three Nailmasters in Hallownest, team up to face the Knight in Godhome. The first half of this fight is against Oro, who is not a hard opponent at all. However, Mato soon joins the fray once Oro’s health reaches a certain threshold.
The arrival of Mato makes this a chaos-filled battle where players constantly have to move around the arena while dealing damage to both opponents. The Nailmasters frequentlyunleash their signature Nail Arts, which makes the fight that much more exciting. While this isn’t a bad boss fight by any means, there are simply better or harder fights on this list.
10Paintmaster Sheo
A Passion Come True
Paintmaster Sheo is the final boss in the Pantheon of the Artist and appears as a solo opponent, unlike his brothers Oro and Mato. Sheo has wildly different attacks as he makes use of his paintbrush to unleash powerful attacks made of different colors.
This is another fun fight that isn’t too hard. Sheo has a nice mixture of unique attacks, but he doesn’t have a defining factor to make him stand out compared to other DLC bosses.
9Grey Prince Zote
A Fantasy Becoming Reality
Grey Prince Zote is one of the most infamous bosses inHollow Knight.He is known for being notoriously difficult while moving around the arena like a complete buffoon with no grasp of fighting properly.
This infuriates a lot of players since Zote is usually depicted as a boastful yet cowardly warrior. In this dream fight, Zote becomes the mighty warrior he always wanted to be. While the fight can get a bit too hard at times, it is undeniable that the concept and overall theme are top-notch.
8Hive Knight
The Guardian Of The Hive
Hive Knight is a fan-favorite boss in theHollow Knightcommunity. Introduced as part of the Lifeblood DLC, the Hive Knight can be found at the end of the Hive guarding the corpse of Queen Vespa.
The coolest part about this fight is that it’s a full-on melee fight, since the Hive Knight, despite being a bee, has no wings and doesn’t fly. Accompanied by a majestic soundtrack and funky moves, this boss is an absolute treat to fight that is sadly a bit too easy to defeat in the late game, when most players will usually find it.
7White Defender
The Dung Defender’s Prime
The White Defender is the prime form of the Dung Defender found in the Royal Waterways. Dressed in the typical white armor instead of the purple in the present day, the White Defender moves significantly faster and his attacks come out way quicker too.
This is a fair increase in difficulty where the fight is challenging but not egregious or annoying. It is a fun ride with an awesome soundtrack. Players can truly feel the power of the Dung Defender in his glory days through this wonderful duel.
6Troupe Master Grimm
The Enigmatic Leader
Troupe Master Grimm is one of the few boss fights inHollow Knightthat feels more like a dance rather than a brawl. His moves are visually impressive and the whole ambiance of the battle gives off an ominous yet enthralling feel.
The Grimm Troupe side quest, introduced in the namesake DLC, is one of the best missions in the game and allows the Knight to embark on a unique journey that has consequences not just for Hallownest, but for other kingdoms in the world.Fighting Grimm is one of the best experiences inHollow Knight, and he is only outdone by a few other DLC bosses, including a more powerful version of him.
5Great Nailsage Sly
The Sage Of The Nail Arts
Great Nailsage Sly is a fantastic combination of Brothers Oro, Mato, and Paintmaster Sheo. As the greatest user of the Nail Arts besides the Knight, Sly is an incredibly powerful and quick opponent that can be dizzy to keep up with at times.
This is why it’s a lot of fun fighting the tiny bug and bringing him down in a hard-fought duel. He is an excellently designed boss with the perfect amount of difficulty and excitement to get the adrenaline pumping for any player.
4Sisters Of Battle
The Protectors Of Mantis Village
If players felt fighting two Mantis Lords was tough, the Sisters of Battle boss fight in the Pantheon of Hallownest pits the Knight against all three Mantis Lords at the same time. This is an incredibly fast-paced fight where healing is almost impossible.
The Sisters of Battle is one of the best fights for players to hone their combat prowess and reflexes. The high octane, energetic, and grand feel of the battle makes this an extremely enjoyable fight that also feels very fair to beat with proper technique.
3Pure Vessel
The Chosen One
Pure Vessel is the first entry in the trifecta of the best DLC bosses, and quite frankly, the best boss fights in the game. This is an enhanced version of the Hollow Knight fight at the end of the game, with the caveat being that this was when the Hollow Knight was at its prime as the Pure Vessel.
True to its name, its attacks are quick and deal double damage. It also gains a bunch of new attacks that can punish players immensely if they are not being careful. Ultimately, this is an extremely well-designed boss that rewards patience and striking at the right moment. Completing the Pantheon of the Knight is a very satisfying achievement in this game, and the Pure Vessel makes every player work for it.
