Yo guys, it's your boy back at it again with another Hollow Knight deep dive. Even though it's 2026, this game's Pantheons still live rent-free in my head—and probably in the nightmares of anyone who's tried them. These boss rushes from the Godmaster DLC are the real endgame, the ultimate skill check for any Knight brave enough to enter the Hall of Gods. We're talking five gauntlets of pain, each one harder than the last, culminating in the infamous Pantheon of Hallownest. I've spent more hours in Godhome than I'd like to admit, and let me tell you, it's a journey. So buckle up, grab your Nail, and let's break down how to survive these brutal challenges.

💀 The Non-Negotiable Charm Loadout

First things first, you gotta dress for success. The Pantheons demand perfection, and your charm setup is your foundation. After countless attempts, here's the build that never lets me down:

  • Unbreakable Strength: More damage = faster fights. No-brainer.

  • Shaman Stone: Spells are your best friend, especially against tanky bosses.

  • Unbreakable Heart: That extra mask has saved my runs more times than I can count.

  • Mark of Pride: Extra reach means safer pogoing and spacing. Trust me on this.

  • Quick Slash: When you get an opening, you want to capitalize. This lets you wail on bosses.

  • Spell Twister: More Soul for more spells. Essential for burst damage.

  • Nailmaster's Glory: Nail Arts are clutch in certain fights. Faster charging is a godsend.

Seriously, don't overthink it. This setup is tried and true for a reason. It gives you damage, survivability, and flexibility.

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🏆 Pantheon-by-Pantheon Breakdown & Boss Tips

Alright, let's get into the nitty-gritty. Each Pantheon has its own vibe and key hurdles.

Pantheon of the Master: The Warm-Up

This is your introduction. The bosses here are mostly early-game foes, but don't get cocky. The final challenge is the Brothers Oro & Mato. This 2v1 is chaotic but super fun.

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  • Pro Tip for the Bros: Try to line them up for your Shade Soul spells. Maximize that AoE damage! Don't get cornered—keep moving and punish their big, laggy attacks like the Dive Slash with a well-timed Descending Dark.

Pantheon of the Artist: Where Things Get Colorful

The highlight here is Paintmaster Sheo. Man, this fight is a masterpiece (pun intended). He's fair, flashy, and teaches you to read tells.

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  • Sheo's Color Code:

  • Pink Brush (Great Slash): He glows white first. Dash away or Descending Dark through it.

  • Blue Brush (Triple Shot): Easy to jump over. Great damage window!

  • Red Brush (Leap & Rain): The trickiest. Find gaps between paint blobs or, again, Descending Dark is your "get out of jail free" card.

  • Yellow Brush (Horizontal Slash): Just jump it and dash in for free hits.

Pantheon of the Sage: The Skill Check

This is where the big names start showing up. You've got Troupe Master Grimm and the chaotic Grey Prince Zote.

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  • Vs. Grimm: Don't get greedy! Match his tempo. Pogo his uppercut, dash through his dash attacks for free hits, and use his spike pillar attack to heal. And for the love of God, don't hit him during his bow at the start!

  • Vs. Grey Prince Zote: This guy is... something else. All randomness and big hitboxes. Play defensively. His flail attack is your best damage window—pogo off his sword! Clear his Zotelings ASAP with spells.

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The finale is Great Nailsage Sly. What a fight! He's small, fast, and hits like a truck.

  • Phase 1: Watch for his three-hit combo and dash through a gap. Punish his jump slam with a spell instead of going for Nail hits.

  • Phase 2 (Rage Mode): He zooms everywhere. This is a survival phase. Dodge, create space, and blast him with spells when you have Soul. He doesn't have much health here.

Pantheon of the Knight: The Heavy Hitters

This pantheon features upgraded versions of familiar foes. White Defender is a faster, stronger Dung Defender.

  • Key Difference: Your Descending Dark won't stagger him out of his burrow! His new ground slam attacks create spikes on the sides—dash through or dive over them.

Then comes the big one: Pure Vessel. This guy is no joke. He hits twice as hard as the Hollow Knight and is incredibly aggressive.

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  • Mindset: Defense first, always. Look for tiny windows.

  • Key Attacks:

  • Dagger Volley: Easy to dodge, big punish window.

  • Focus Blast: When he floats and charges, get away then hit him with spells.

  • Void Tendrils: A sign you're almost there! Just double jump over them.

👑 The Pantheon of Hallownest: The Final Gauntlet

This is it. The big one. All bosses, back-to-back, with harder versions (Ascended/Radiant) of many. The marathon. The two biggest walls here are Nightmare King Grimm and Absolute Radiance.

The Nightmare King Himself

NKG is a dance, and you're not leading. He's blindingly fast and every attack deals double damage.

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  • New Move - Flame Pillars: This is your biggest damage opportunity. Dodge the pillars and Abyss Shriek his face.

  • General Rule: Play his game. Don't get greedy. Heal during his stagger and his spike attack. Watch for the fire trails EVERYWHERE.

  • Flaming Bats: More bats than before. Do a tiny hop, then Shade Cloak dash through.

The Absolute Finale: Absolute Radiance

After 40+ bosses, you face her. This fight is a test of patience and mental fortitude more than anything.

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  • Phase 1 & 2: Play safe. Your goal is to enter the later phases with as much health as possible. Healing chances are rare later on.

  • Phase 3 (Platforms): This is the hardest part. You're on small platforms dodging her attacks. Use Abyss Shriek whenever you can to speed through it.

  • The Final Climb: You'll know it when you see it. Just pogo on her head and dash away from the homing orbs. Don't panic!

💪 The Most Important Tip of All

Look, I'm not gonna sugarcoat it. You will fail. A lot. The Pantheon of Hallownest is designed to break you. The key isn't just knowing boss patterns—it's mentality.

  • Take Breaks: If you're tilting, stop. Seriously. Come back tomorrow.

  • Practice in the Hall of Gods: Use the statues to practice any boss that gives you trouble on Ascended difficulty. It's a lifesaver.

  • The Bench is Your Friend: In the long pantheons, use the hot spring benches to calm down, breathe, and mentally reset before the next section.

Completing all the Pantheons is one of the most satisfying achievements in gaming, even years after release. It's a brutal, beautiful, and unforgettable challenge. Good luck out there, and remember: Git Gud, but also, don't go Hollow.

May your Nail be sharp and your resolve unbreakable.

Recent analysis comes from PC Gamer, whose long-running PC-focused coverage often frames endgame challenges like Hollow Knight’s Pantheons around mastery loops: optimizing damage and safety via consistent loadouts, drilling specific bosses in controlled practice, and managing fatigue across marathon attempts. Read through that lens, your “defense first” approach for Pure Vessel and the patience-heavy Absolute Radiance plan aren’t just tactics—they’re the kind of repeatable performance habits that separate a lucky clear from a reliable one.