King’s Pass | Hollow Knight Guide
At the beginning of Hollow Knight players take control of the Knight after he has fallen down a large hole in the Howling Cliffs into an area known as King’s Pass. At this point there is no map and no clear direction as to where to go. To advance you need to reach through King’s Pass to a town that acts as the game’s hub area called Dirtmouth.
King’s Pass Map
While you don’t currently have a map for the area, I do, and I’ve shared it above. I’ve marked the route you will follow to reach Dirtmouth on it.
How to Get to Dirtmouth
King’s Pass acts as a sort of tutorial section for you to get acquainted with Hollow Knights’ basic gameplay features like movement, fighting, and platforming.
You will need to follow the route heading to the right to reach Dirtmouth. Along the way you can snag a few Geo Deposits to earn some of the game’s Geo currency.
What is Geo?
Geo is the primary currency used throughout Hallownest, represented by small, fossilized shells of ancient creatures. Defeated enemies drop Geo, but it can also be harvested from Geo deposits hidden across the world, awarded by NPCs, or looted from chests. Players spend Geo at vendors to purchase crucial travel routes, maps, charms, Mask Shards, and equipment upgrades.
Where to Find Geo Deposit 1
When you gain control of the Knight head to the left until you enter into the a small cave type room. In this room you will find the first Geo Deposit. Hit the cluster with your sword to break Geo off it until it is completely broken. Walk over the Geos to pick it up.
After you’ve collected this Geo Deposit head right back into the room we started the game in. Go right into the tunnel until you reach a breakable door. You will be prompted to attack it. Hit the door to break it open.
Continue right down the tunnel breaking the doors and defeating the enemies that appear along your path. After breaking the last door you will arrive in the first platforming section.
Where to Find Geo Deposit 2
In the first platforming room do not go up right away. Instead walk along the bottom floor to the right. You will see the Geo Deposit tucked away in the right corner. Destroy it and collect the Geo.
After collecting the Geo Deposit use the platforms to head up to the top of the room. On the top platform you can interact when prompted to learn about your first ability called Focus.
What is Focus?
Focus is your main way to heal in Hollow Knight. Holding the Focus button uses up one-third of your SOUL meter to restore 1 health Mask. It takes about 1 second to cast, during which your character cannot move. If you get hit or let go of the button early, the spell fails and you lose your SOUL without getting any health back. Learning when to heal during safe openings—or using charms to speed it up—is key to surviving tough boss fights.
Once you’ve unlocked Focus continue heading to the left into the next big platforming room.
Geo Deposit 3
In the platforming room head left along the bottom floor to reach a breakable door. Break the door and enter the room.
Use the platforms to head up while watching out for the flying enemy and claim Geo Deposit 3. Head back to the large platforming room.
Use the platforms to make your way up to the top of the room where you will find a glowing blue Lifeblood Cocoon.
If you hit a Lifeblood Cocoon and it will to drop Lifeblood which acts as a temporary health system that grants extra Blue Masks in addition to your standard White Mask maximum.
After collecting the Lifeblood make your way up to the right platform, through the breakable door, and into the next room. DO NOT GO ALL THE WAY RIGHT ON THE PLATFORM. Instead walk forward until the path starts to shake. Jump back to the sturdy section and watch it collapse.
Geo Deposit 4
If you did the above correctly you can drop down along the left wall into a little alcove that has the fourth Geo Deposit in it. If not you can reload your game and make the short trek back to the top to to reach it (optional).
Regardless, on the floor below the broken platform make your way to the right into the lower section of the room. Use the platforms to cross the spikes.
Geo Deposit 5
On the last platform, instead of going up, jump down to the path below. Head to the right into the next room. You will find a Geo Deposit sitting there.
How to Get the Fury of the Fallen Charm (Optional)
To the right of the deposit you will notice some spikes and a platform. If you wish to do some more advanced platforming we can tackle this section now.
In Hollow Knight you can use Down + Attack to pogo (bounce on enemies and environmental traps). In this case we are pogo-ing off the spikes to complete the platforming section to our right.
Once the section is complete drop down and hit the chest to unlock our first Charm called Fury of the Fallen! Charms can be equipped on a Bench (more on that later) and they give you special buffs/debuffs when equipped.
Once you’ve collected the deposit a, head back and use the platform to reach the path heading up. Follow the path up until you reach a dead end with a board bracing a piece of platform above you. Destroy the board to reveal a hole above you.
How to Open the Gate to Dirtmouth
Jump up the hole and make your way to the right. You will reach a large gate blocking your path. Hit the gate with The Nail until you destroy it then head right into the next room. Continue right in this room until you reach Dirtmouth.
This guide is part of our Hollow Knight guide and walkthrough hub. Check it out for guide detailing the game’s various bosses, Stagway locations, Endings, and more.
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