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Hollow Knight: Unlocking the Power of Pale Ore – A Comprehensive Guide

Hollow Knight, the critically acclaimed Metroidvania from Team Cherry, is renowned for its intricate world, challenging gameplay, and deep lore. One of the key resources players will need to acquire to enhance their Nail (the Knight’s primary weapon) is Pale Ore. This rare and valuable material is essential for upgrading your Nail at the Nailsmith, significantly increasing your damage output and enabling you to tackle tougher enemies and bosses. Finding all the pieces of Pale Ore can be challenging, requiring exploration, puzzle-solving, and combat prowess. This guide provides a comprehensive walkthrough on where to find every piece of Pale Ore in Hollow Knight and how to use it effectively.

What is Pale Ore and Why Do You Need It?

Pale Ore is a rare mineral found throughout Hallownest. It is required to upgrade the Knight’s Nail at the Nailsmith in the City of Tears. Each upgrade requires a specific amount of Geo (the game’s currency) and Pale Ore. The Nail can be upgraded four times, each upgrade dramatically increasing the damage dealt to enemies. These upgrades are crucial for progressing through the game, especially when facing late-game bosses and challenging areas. Ignoring Nail upgrades will significantly increase the difficulty of Hollow Knight.

The Nail upgrades are as follows:

Sharpened Nail: Requires 250 Geo and no Pale Ore.
Channeled Nail: Requires 800 Geo and one piece of Pale Ore.
Coiled Nail: Requires 2000 Geo and two pieces of Pale Ore.
Pure Nail: Requires 4000 Geo and three pieces of Pale Ore.

As you can see, you’ll need a total of six pieces of Pale Ore to fully upgrade the Nail. However, only five pieces are available in a single playthrough, meaning players must choose whether to upgrade the nail to its maximum level or utilize the ore for another purpose. One piece of Pale Ore can be given to the blacksmith in exchange for a charm notch, which increases the number of charms that can be equipped simultaneously.

Where to Find All the Pale Ore Locations

Here’s a breakdown of all the locations where you can find Pale Ore in Hollow Knight:

Ancient Basin

One piece of Pale Ore can be found in the Ancient Basin, a late-game area accessible after obtaining the Tram Pass. After riding the Tram to the Hidden Station, navigate to the lower-left area of the basin. You’ll find a corpse holding the Pale Ore. Be prepared for a challenging platforming section involving several enemies. This area is close to the Hidden Station, making it relatively easy to access once you have the Tram Pass.

Crystal Peak

Another piece of Pale Ore is located at the summit of Crystal Peak. To reach it, you’ll need the Crystal Heart ability, which is found within Crystal Peak itself. Once you have the Crystal Heart, use it to dash across a large gap near the peak’s highest point. The Pale Ore is located inside a crystal formation. The platforming here can be tricky, so take your time and be precise with your movements. [See also: Hollow Knight Crystal Peak Guide]

Colosseum of Fools

Completing the Trial of the Conqueror in the Colosseum of Fools rewards you with a piece of Pale Ore. The Colosseum of Fools is located in Kingdom’s Edge and requires a significant amount of Geo to enter each trial. The Trial of the Conqueror is the second trial, and while it’s less demanding than the Trial of the Fool, it still presents a considerable challenge. Be prepared for multiple waves of enemies and strategic use of your abilities. A fully upgraded Nail and powerful charms are recommended for this trial.

Grubfather

Rescuing 100 Grubs and returning them to the Grubfather in the Forgotten Crossroads will reward you with a piece of Pale Ore. This task requires extensive exploration of Hallownest, as the Grubs are scattered throughout various areas, often hidden in secret locations. Use the Collector’s Map from the Collector in the Tower of Love to help locate all the Grubs. While time-consuming, rescuing all the Grubs is a rewarding achievement that provides not only Pale Ore but also other valuable rewards from the Grubfather. [See also: Hollow Knight Grub Locations]

Bretta

After rescuing Bretta from the Fungal Wastes and having her move to Dirtmouth, complete the Grey Mourner’s quest by delivering the Delicate Flower to the Traitor Lord’s grave in the Queen’s Gardens. Once this is done, return to Dirtmouth and enter Bretta’s house. Interact with the statue of Zote to trigger a boss fight with Grey Prince Zote. Defeating Grey Prince Zote for the first time will reward you with a piece of Pale Ore. Note that Grey Prince Zote can be fought multiple times in Bretta’s dreams, but the Pale Ore is only awarded upon the first victory. This questline involves several steps and requires you to explore different regions of Hallownest.

Strategies for Collecting Pale Ore

Collecting Pale Ore requires a strategic approach. Here are some tips to help you gather all the pieces efficiently:

Prioritize Nail Upgrades: Focus on upgrading your Nail as early as possible. The increased damage output will make combat significantly easier and allow you to progress through the game more smoothly.
Explore Thoroughly: Hallownest is filled with secrets, and many areas require backtracking with new abilities. Take your time to explore each area thoroughly and look for hidden passages and breakable walls.
Complete Side Quests: Many side quests, like rescuing the Grubs and completing the Grey Mourner’s quest, offer valuable rewards, including Pale Ore. Don’t neglect these quests, as they can provide significant benefits.
Use Charms Strategically: Experiment with different charm combinations to find what works best for your playstyle. Charms like Quick Focus, Fragile Strength, and Shaman Stone can significantly enhance your abilities and make combat easier.
Practice Platforming: Many Pale Ore locations require precise platforming skills. Practice your movement and get comfortable with the Knight’s abilities to navigate challenging areas.

Making the Choice: Nail Upgrade or Charm Notch?

As mentioned earlier, there are only five pieces of Pale Ore available in a single playthrough, while six are required to fully upgrade the Nail and obtain an extra charm notch. This forces players to make a difficult choice: fully upgrade the Nail for maximum damage output or sacrifice one Nail upgrade to gain an additional charm slot. The decision depends largely on your playstyle and preferences.

Arguments for Fully Upgrading the Nail:

Maximum damage output is crucial for defeating challenging bosses, such as the Radiance.
Upgrading the Nail significantly improves your overall combat effectiveness.
For players who rely heavily on Nail-based combat, the damage boost is invaluable.

Arguments for Obtaining the Charm Notch:

An additional charm slot allows for greater flexibility in your build.
Certain charm combinations can provide powerful synergies and enhance your abilities.
For players who prefer spell-based combat or rely on specific charm combinations, the extra slot can be more beneficial.

Ultimately, the best choice depends on your individual playstyle and the challenges you anticipate facing. Consider your strengths and weaknesses and choose the option that will provide the greatest advantage.

Conclusion

Pale Ore is a vital resource in Hollow Knight, essential for upgrading your Nail and increasing your combat effectiveness. Finding all the pieces of Pale Ore requires exploration, puzzle-solving, and combat prowess. By following this guide, you can locate all the Pale Ore locations and make informed decisions about how to use this valuable resource. Whether you choose to fully upgrade your Nail or obtain an extra charm notch, mastering the art of Pale Ore acquisition is crucial for conquering the challenges of Hallownest. So, venture forth, explore the depths, and unlock the power of Pale Ore to become the ultimate Knight!