Hollow Knight Charms
All 40 charms with the notch cost and effect text the game shows. 14 of them have a pickup in a room of the map; for the rest the game files hold no pickup.
Source: Hollow Knight game files, version 1.5.78.11833, Team Cherry. Steam now carries 1.5.12620, which has fixes only. © Team Cherry. PinDrop is fan-made and not affiliated with Team Cherry.
Defender's Crest
Cost: 1 notch
Unique charm bestowed by the King of Hallownest to his most loyal knight. Scratched and dirty, but still cared for. Causes the bearer to emit a heroic odour.
Not placed as a pickup in the game files (bought or rewarded)
Dream Wielder
Cost: 1 notch
Transient charm created for those who wield the Dream Nail and collect Essence. Allows the bearer to charge the Dream Nail faster and collect more SOUL when striking foes.
Not placed as a pickup in the game files (bought or rewarded)
Gathering Swarm
Cost: 1 notch
A swarm will follow the bearer and gather up any loose Geo. Useful for those who can't bear to leave anything behind, no matter how insignificant.
Not placed as a pickup in the game files (bought or rewarded)
Grubsong
Cost: 1 notch
Contains the gratitude of freed grubs. Gain SOUL when taking damage.
Not placed as a pickup in the game files (bought or rewarded)
Nailmaster's Glory
Cost: 1 notch
Contains the passion, skill and regrets of a Nailmaster. Increases the bearer's mastery of Nail Arts, allowing them to focus their power faster and unleash arts sooner.
Not placed as a pickup in the game files (bought or rewarded)
Spore Shroom
Cost: 1 notch
Composed of living fungal matter. Scatters spores when exposed to SOUL. When focusing SOUL, emit a spore cloud that slowly damages enemies
Found in room Fungus2_20 (Fungal Wastes). Show on map
Sprintmaster
Cost: 1 notch
Bears the likeness of a strange bug known only as 'The Sprintmaster'. Increases the running speed of the bearer, allowing them to avoid danger or overtake rivals.
Not placed as a pickup in the game files (bought or rewarded)
Steady Body
Cost: 1 notch
Keeps its bearer from recoiling backwards when they strike an enemy with a nail. Allows one to stay steady and keep attacking.
Not placed as a pickup in the game files (bought or rewarded)
Thorns of Agony
Cost: 1 notch
Senses the pain of its bearer and lashes out at the world around them. When taking damage, sprout thorny vines that damage nearby foes.
Found in room Fungus1_14 (Green Path). Show on map
Wayward Compass
Cost: 1 notch
Whispers its location to the bearer whenever a map is open, allowing wanderers to pinpoint their current location.
Not placed as a pickup in the game files (bought or rewarded)
Baldur Shell
Cost: 2 notches
Protects its bearer with a hard shell while focusing SOUL. The shell is not indestructible and will shatter if it absorbs too much damage.
Found in room Fungus1_28 (Cliffs). Show on map
Dashmaster
Cost: 2 notches
Bears the likeness of an eccentric bug known only as 'The Dashmaster'. The bearer will be able to dash more often as well as dash downwards. Perfect for those who want to move around as quickly as possible.
Found in room Fungus2_23 (Fungal Wastes). Show on map
Fragile Greed
Cost: 2 notches
Causes the bearer to find more Geo when defeating enemies. This charm is fragile, and will break if its bearer is killed.
Not placed as a pickup in the game files (bought or rewarded)
Fragile Heart
Cost: 2 notches
Increases the health of the bearer, allowing them to take more damage. This charm is fragile, and will break if its bearer is killed.
Not placed as a pickup in the game files (bought or rewarded)
Fury of the Fallen
Cost: 2 notches
Embodies the fury and heroism that comes upon those who are about to die. When close to death, the bearer's strength will increase.
Not placed as a pickup in the game files (bought or rewarded)
Glowing Womb
Cost: 2 notches
Drains the SOUL of its bearer and uses it to birth hatchlings. The hatchlings have no desire to eat or live, and will sacrifice themselves to protect their parent.
Found in room Crossroads_22 (Crossroads). Show on map
Grimmchild
Cost: 2 notches
Worn by those who take part in the Grimm Troupe's Ritual. The bearer must seek the Grimmkin and collect their flames. Uncollected flames will appear on the bearer's map.
Not placed as a pickup in the game files (bought or rewarded)
Heavy Blow
Cost: 2 notches
Formed from the nails of fallen warriors. Increases the force of the bearer's nail, causing enemies to recoil further when hit.
Not placed as a pickup in the game files (bought or rewarded)
Lifeblood Heart
Cost: 2 notches
Contains a living core that seeps precious lifeblood. When resting, the bearer will gain a coating of lifeblood that protects from a modest amount of damage.
Not placed as a pickup in the game files (bought or rewarded)
Longnail
Cost: 2 notches
Increases the range of the bearer's nail, allowing them to strike foes from further away.
Not placed as a pickup in the game files (bought or rewarded)
Shape of Unn
Cost: 2 notches
Reveals the form of Unn within the bearer. While focusing SOUL, the bearer will take on a new shape and can move freely to avoid enemies.
Not placed as a pickup in the game files (bought or rewarded)
Sharp Shadow
Cost: 2 notches
Contains a forbidden spell that transforms shadows into deadly weapons. When using Shadow Dash, the bearer's body will sharpen and damage enemies.
Found in room Deepnest_44 (Deepnest). Show on map
Soul Catcher
Cost: 2 notches
Used by shamans to draw more SOUL from the world around them. Increases the amount of SOUL gained when striking an enemy with the nail.
Not placed as a pickup in the game files (bought or rewarded)
Spell Twister
Cost: 2 notches
Reflecting the desires of the Soul Sanctum for mastery over SOUL, it improves the bearer's ability to cast spells. Reduces the SOUL cost of casting spells.
Found in room Ruins1_30 (City of Tears). Show on map
Stalwart Shell
Cost: 2 notches
Builds resilience. When recovering from damage, the bearer will remain invulnerable for longer. Makes it easier to escape from dangerous situations.
Not placed as a pickup in the game files (bought or rewarded)
Weaversong
Cost: 2 notches
Silken charm containing a song of farewell, left by the Weavers who departed Hallownest for their old home. Summons weaverlings to give the lonely bearer some companionship and protection.
Not placed as a pickup in the game files (bought or rewarded)
Dreamshield
Cost: 3 notches
Defensive charm once wielded by a tribe that could shape dreams. Conjures a shield that follows the bearer and attempts to protect them.
Found in room RestingGrounds_17 (Resting Grounds). Show on map
Flukenest
Cost: 3 notches
Living charm born in the gut of a Flukemarm. Transforms the Vengeful Spirit spell into a horde of volatile baby flukes.
Not placed as a pickup in the game files (bought or rewarded)
Fragile Strength
Cost: 3 notches
Strengthens the bearer, increasing the damage they deal to enemies with their nail. This charm is fragile, and will break if its bearer is killed.
Not placed as a pickup in the game files (bought or rewarded)
Grubberfly's Elegy
Cost: 3 notches
Contains the gratitude of grubs who will move to the next stage of their lives. Imbues weapons with a holy strength. When the bearer is at full health, they will fire beams of white-hot energy from their nail.
Not placed as a pickup in the game files (bought or rewarded)
Lifeblood Core
Cost: 3 notches
Contains a living core that bleeds precious lifeblood. When resting, the bearer will gain a coating of lifeblood that protects from a large amount of damage.
Found in room Abyss_08 (Ancient Basin). Show on map
Mark of Pride
Cost: 3 notches
Freely given by the Mantis Tribe to those they respect. Greatly increases the range of the bearer's nail, allowing them to strike foes from further away.
Not placed as a pickup in the game files (bought or rewarded)
Quick Focus
Cost: 3 notches
A charm containing a crystal lens. Increases the speed of focusing SOUL, allowing the bearer to heal damage faster.
Not placed as a pickup in the game files (bought or rewarded)
Quick Slash
Cost: 3 notches
Born from imperfect, discarded nails that have fused together. The nails still long to be wielded. Allows the bearer to slash much more rapidly with their nail.
Found in room Deepnest_East_14b (Kingdoms Edge). Show on map
Shaman Stone
Cost: 3 notches
Said to contain the knowledge of past generations of shaman. Increases the power of spells, dealing more damage to foes.
Not placed as a pickup in the game files (bought or rewarded)
Deep Focus
Cost: 4 notches
Naturally formed within a crystal over a long period. Draws in SOUL from the surrounding air. The bearer will focus SOUL at a slower rate, but the healing effect will double.
Found in room Mines_36 (Crystal Peak). Show on map
Hiveblood
Cost: 4 notches
Golden nugget of the Hive's precious hardened nectar. Heals the bearer's wounds over time, allowing them to regain health without focusing SOUL.
Found in room Hive_05 (Kingdoms Edge). Show on map
Joni's Blessing
Cost: 4 notches
Blessed by Joni, the kindly heretic. Transfigures vital fluids into blue lifeblood. The bearer will have a healthier shell and can take more damage, but they will not be able to heal themselves by focusing SOUL.
Found in room Cliffs_05 (Cliffs). Show on map
Soul Eater
Cost: 4 notches
Forgotten shaman artifact, used to draw SOUL from still-living creatures. Greatly increases the amount of SOUL gained when striking an enemy with the nail.
Found in room RestingGrounds_10 (Resting Grounds). Show on map
Kingsoul
Cost: 5 notches
Holy charm symbolising a union between higher beings. The bearer will slowly absorb the limitless SOUL contained within. Opens the way to a birthplace.
Not placed as a pickup in the game files (bought or rewarded)
About this list
The cost of each charm is the notch number the game's player data code gives it, and the effect text is the description the game prints in the inventory. Charms cost 1 notch (10), 2 notches (16), 3 notches (9), 4 notches (4), 5 notches (1). Cards are sorted by cost, then by name.
14 charm pickups sit in a room that has a place on the map, and each links to its pin. A charm marked as not placed has no pickup object in the files: it is bought, rewarded or given by a scripted event, and we do not guess where. To plan a loadout against your notch slots, use the charm builder; for rooms and zones see the areas and the map.
Source field: games/hollow-knight/data/charms.json: id, name, cost, description, found (scene, area, map pin). Icons are the game's own charm sprites.