What are all the endings in Hollow Knight?

What are all the endings in Hollow Knight? This beloved indie Metroidvania features multiple endings that depend on your actions and items collected throughout your journey in Hallownest.

The Three Main Endings

Ending 1: The Hollow Knight

This is the standard ending you'll encounter on your first playthrough. After defeating the three Dreamers and breaking the seals, you face the Hollow Knight in the Temple of the Black Egg. Upon victory, the Knight takes the Hollow Knight's place as the new vessel to contain the Radiance, perpetuating the cycle of infection.

Ending 2: Dream No More

To unlock this true ending, you must obtain the Void Heart charm by completing the Path of Pain or gathering all the Pale Ore upgrades. Additionally, you need to acquire the Awoken Dream Nail by collecting 1,800 Essence. During the Hollow Knight boss fight, you can Dream Nail the boss to enter the dream realm and face the Radiance directly. Defeating this ancient moth god destroys the source of the infection permanently.

Ending 3: Embrace the Void

This ending requires the most preparation and skill. You must have the Void Heart charm and access the hidden Godmaster content through the Godseeker. After conquering the Pantheon of Hallownest and defeating Absolute Radiance, the Knight transforms into the Shade Lord, consuming both the Radiance and potentially all of Hallownest in void.

Additional Considerations

Each ending offers different implications for Hallownest's future and the Knight's fate. The Dream No More ending is generally considered the "best" ending, as it permanently resolves the infection without replacing one prison with another.

Ready to experience these endings yourself? Consider which path aligns with your vision for the Knight's ultimate destiny in this hauntingly beautiful underground kingdom.