How it works
This original Volpedia walkthrough breaks the route into five practical stages. Once Mantis Claw opens new routes from Fungal Wastes, head toward City of Tears and secure a nearby checkpoint. The area is large and vertical, so inspect lifts and repeated junctions rather than blindly following the longest corridor. A rough map and quill make returns significantly less confusing.
Practical strategy
Soul enemies teleport and fire projectiles, rewarding measured movement. Do not pursue every teleport immediately. Wait for the projectile to commit, cross to a safe lane and counter when it is open.
Common mistake to avoid
After the city, choose which explored edge best serves your next upgrade: Crystal Peak, waterways, Resting Grounds or other gates. Use Stag Stations to turn the city into a hub rather than retracing every street. Non-linear exploration is a feature of Hollow Knight, not a mistake.
City of Tears Route and Bosses
Enter the city
Once Mantis Claw opens new routes from Fungal Wastes, head toward City of Tears and secure a nearby checkpoint. The area is large and vertical, so inspect lifts and repeated junctions rather than blindly following the longest corridor. A rough map and quill make returns significantly less confusing.
Find the Nailsmith
The Nailsmith offers a significant damage upgrade. Make the detour when a long boss encounter suggests your Nail is underpowered, but keep sufficient Geo. Notice that a weapon upgrade does not replace health or SOUL management.
Approach Soul Sanctum
Soul enemies teleport and fire projectiles, rewarding measured movement. Do not pursue every teleport immediately. Wait for the projectile to commit, cross to a safe lane and counter when it is open.
Face Soul Master
The boss uses teleports, projectiles and dive attacks, including a deceptive apparent ending. Track the real dive trajectory and avoid panic jumps. Save SOUL for safe punish windows and expect the encounter to require more than one consistent phase.
Connect the next regions
After the city, choose which explored edge best serves your next upgrade: Crystal Peak, waterways, Resting Grounds or other gates. Use Stag Stations to turn the city into a hub rather than retracing every street. Non-linear exploration is a feature of Hollow Knight, not a mistake.