If you’re exploring Hallownest and wondering how to know how many grubs you’ve saved in Hollow Knight, you’re not alone. The Grubs are one of the most rewarding collectibles in the game—offering both gameplay benefits and a deeper connection to the world’s mystery.
These worm-like critters are trapped in glass jars all over the map, waiting for rescue. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore every aspect of Hollow Knight grub mechanics: from grub locations Hollow Knight players often miss, to understanding the White Lady grub Hollow Knight theory, and even where to find a Hollow Knight grub plush for fans.
Hollow Knight Grub Basics: What Are Grubs?
Grubs are small creatures hidden in glass jars across the game. When you rescue them, they return to the Grubfather’s den in the Forgotten Crossroads. There, you’ll receive items and essence rewards.
Why Grubs Matter
- Unlock powerful charms and Geo rewards
- Required for 100% and 112% completion
- Adds worldbuilding depth through Grubfather
- Linked to secret endings and lore theories
How Many Grubs Are in Hollow Knight?
There are 46 grubs in total. Rescuing all 46 grubs grants the Grubberfly’s Elegy charm as a reward from the Grubfather.
To check your current progress:
- Visit the Grubfather in Forgotten Crossroads
- Count the jars with happy Grubs inside
- Each filled jar = 1 saved grub
Additionally, using the Grub Map Marker (purchase from Iselda in Dirtmouth after acquiring the map quill) can help track saved and unsaved grubs.
Grub Reward Milestones
| Grubs Saved | Reward |
| 5 | Geo (50) + Mask Shard |
| 10 | Geo (100) + Grubsong Charm |
| 16 | Geo (200) + Rancid Egg |
| 23 | Geo (300) + Hallownest Seal |
| 31 | Geo (400) + Pale Ore |
| 38 | Geo (500) + King’s Idol |
| 46 | Grubberfly’s Elegy Charm + dark twist |
All Grub Locations Hollow Knight Players Need to Know
Grubs are scattered across the following zones:
Key Regions and Grub Counts:
- Forgotten Crossroads: 7
- Greenpath: 6
- Fungal Wastes: 4
- City of Tears: 6
- Crystal Peak: 5
- Deepnest: 5 (watch out for mimics)
- Royal Waterways: 3
- Kingdom’s Edge: 4
- Howling Cliffs: 3
- Ancient Basin: 2
- The Hive: 1 (important Hollow Knight hive grub)
Notable Hard-to-Find Grubs
- Crystal Peak’s conveyor belt gauntlet
- Deepnest’s fake grub mimic encounter
- The Hive: requires Tram Pass from Ancient Basin
Use the Wayward Compass + Grub Marker combo for a smoother search.
How to Find All Hollow Knight Grubs
- Unlock Map Areas: Buy maps from Cornifer or Iselda
- Buy Grub Marker: From Iselda in Dirtmouth
- Equip Wayward Compass: To avoid getting lost
- Clear Each Zone One-by-One: Start from Forgotten Crossroads
- Revisit Zones After Upgrades: Double Jump, Crystal Dash, and Isma’s Tear open new paths
- Listen for Crying Sounds: Grubs emit an audible cry
- Mark Freed Grubs: Use the in-game map
- Check Grubfather: Count filled jars to track progress
- Watch for Grub Mimics: Especially in Deepnest
- Finish in The Hive: Final grub is tricky but satisfying
Grub Hollow Knight Lore and Mystery
Saving grubs leads to a disturbing twist—once all are saved, visiting the Grubfather results in:
- All jars empty
- Grubfather bloated and unmoving
- Grubberfly’s Elegy Charm in place of final reward
This sparked fan theories about the White Lady grub Hollow Knight theory—that grubs are larvae of powerful Pale beings. While unconfirmed, it adds depth to grubs Hollow Knight themes of transformation and tragedy.
Hollow Knight Grub Plush: Real-Life Collectible
Love the aesthetic? Many fans hunt for a Hollow Knight grub plush. These are often sold on:
- Fangamer
- Etsy (fanmade)
- AliExpress or eBay (check quality)
Plush sizes range from 4” to 12” and often feature grubs in their glass jars or with happy animations.
Grubfather Rewards & 112% Completion
To get the full 112%:
- Save all 46 grubs
- Equip Grubberfly’s Elegy (useful in ranged Soul builds)
- Interact with Grubfather one final time
Warning: After the final reward, the Grubfather does nothing more—symbolizing possible grim lore closure.
ExitLag Can Improve Your Grub-Hunting Performance
While Hollow Knight is mostly offline, PC players using cloud sync or external overlay tools may notice stutters or performance drops in detailed zones like Deepnest or The Hive.
ExitLag can optimize:
- Stability during map transitions
- Resource load times in densely packed zones
- Input lag for players using controllers
- Overlay responsiveness if using map-tracking tools
For perfectionists and 112% runners, stability is key—ExitLag ensures smooth traversal through even the buggiest areas of Hallownest.
Visual Grub Location Maps
To ensure you don’t miss a single grub Hollow Knight players often overlook, here’s how to use map overlays:
Interactive Map Tools:
- Hallownest Interactive Map (HKmap.org): Offers filters for grubs, bosses, and charms.
- Steam Guides with Zone Highlights: User-curated grub screenshots.
- YouTube Walkthroughs: Visual cues and routes for each region.
Grub Map Icons:
- Use the yellow icon from Iselda’s shop to mark found grubs.
- Manual mark with pins for inaccessible ones.
- Revisit zones post upgrades (e.g., Shade Cloak, Monarch Wings).
Grub Mimics in Deepnest
Among the darkest moments in Hollow Knight is the discovery of grub mimics in Deepnest. These creatures imitate grub cries and appearance until approached.
How to Detect Mimics:
- Slightly distorted sound: Mimic cries have a deeper undertone.
- No cage animation: The glass jar isn’t visible.
- Proximity behavior: Mimics spring at you instantly.
Best Strategy:
- Use a ranged spell like Vengeful Spirit to test grubs at a distance.
- Approach cautiously in Deepnest zones with only 1 grub marker.
- Equip the Grubsong charm to turn hits into Soul fuel if ambushed.
Hidden Grubs & Easter Eggs
Some grubs have interesting placements or narrative weight:
- Hive Grub: Located behind breakable walls in The Hive, tied to bee enemies.
- Mimic Victim: Near a hidden journal entry describing mimic tactics.
- Forgotten Crossroads (Infected): Replaces a grub with an infected enemy post-Monarch Wings.
These secret moments build the lore richness that makes Hollow Knight grubs so iconic.
White Lady Grub Theory: Grubs and Vessels
The most persistent fan theory revolves around the white lady grub Hollow Knight speculation. Some fans believe grubs are:
- Larval Vessels: Failed attempts by the Pale King to create the perfect vessel.
- Children of the White Lady: Their glow and behavior mimic her essence.
- Sacrificed for Power: The Grubfather’s final form may imply consumption or assimilation.
While unconfirmed, the theories align with other lore patterns of transformation, failed purity, and forgotten sacrifice.
Grubfather: A Tragedy in Plain Sight
The final state of the Grubfather—bloated, silent, surrounded by empty jars—has prompted dozens of interpretations:
- He consumed the grubs after you saved them
- He merged with them in a hive-mind fashion
- He sacrificed them to preserve you as the Knight
The resulting reward, Grubberfly’s Elegy, strengthens the ranged Soul game and offers a symbolic nod to “grub ascension.”
Grub Build Suggestions (Post-Completion)
Want to use your grub rewards for battle efficiency? Here’s a Soul-based ranged build:
- Grubberfly’s Elegy: Soul projectiles at full health
- Grubsong: Generate Soul when damaged
- Shaman Stone: Boost spell damage
- Soul Catcher/Soul Eater: Boost soul generation
Ideal for:
- Trials
- Radiance fight
- Pantheon challenges
Grub-Themed Mods and Community Content
Modding tools like Scarab, UnityInjector, and ModInstaller have led to fan-created grub content:
Notable Mods:
- Playable Grub Mod: Play as a grub with unique animations
- Grubfather Reimagined: Adds dialogue and post-112% content
- Grub Collectible Tracker: Shows which grubs are left directly in-game
These enhance exploration for late-game players and lore hunters alike.
Real-World Collectibles: Hollow Knight Grub Plush Collecting
Want to hold your little friend? Hollow Knight grub plush options continue to grow:
Most Sought-After Items:
- Fangamer’s Official Plush: With magnet-attachable jar
- Etsy Handmade Models: Includes wearable grub hats
- Custom Sound Grubs: Squeeze to play the rescue sound
Collectors often showcase plushies alongside art prints of the Grubfather or elegant glass jars.
ExitLag for Seamless Exploration in Late Game
If you’re using third-party tools, livestreaming your grub collection journey, or even running Hollow Knight on Linux/Steam Deck, ExitLag helps stabilize your gameplay.
Benefits:
- Reduces stutter in map-rich zones like Deepnest or Kingdom’s Edge
- Improves performance when running overlays like HKMap
- Optimizes packet delivery for cloud-save users
- Ensures fluid inputs during high-Soul play (e.g., Grubberfly builds)
Grub hunting should be peaceful—not a lagfest. Use ExitLag to ensure the smoothest farewell journey through Hallownest.
Test Exitlag now!
What We’ve Covered in This Grub Masterclass
- Grub tracking via visual map tools
- Mimic detection strategies
- Lore theories about their origins
- Post-game grub builds
- Modding and plush collectibles
- ExitLag integration for PC stability
Final Checklist for Grub Completionists
- Confirm all 46 grubs collected
- Revisit Grubfather post-final reward
- Equip Grubberfly’s Elegy and test build
- Explore hidden mimic notes in Deepnest
- Install a mod or map tracker for future runs
- Grab a plush to commemorate the journey
FAQ — Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. You can explore Hallownest post-game and continue collecting any missed grubs.
Yes, especially for ranged spell builds or Trial of the Fool challenges. It requires full health, so combine with healing and distance strategies.
That grub becomes inaccessible. This prevents 112% unless it was already rescued. Always explore Crossroads thoroughly before it becomes infected.
All game images used in this blog belong to Team Cherry. They are used for informational/educational purposes only and do not imply endorsement or affiliation with the rights holders.
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