You just beat the False Knight. You’re feeling pretty good about yourself, right? Then you stumble into Greenpath, the music shifts to that beautiful, sweeping cello, and suddenly everything wants to kill you. It's a huge jump from the gray, slow-paced Crossroads. Honestly, Greenpath is where Hollow Knight stops holding your hand and starts testing if you actually know how to use your nail.
The enemies here aren't just tougher; they’re smarter. They hide. They block. They jump from the ceiling. If you’re struggling with the Greenpath enemies, don't sweat it—everyone does the first time they see a Moss Knight.
The Mosskin Tribe and Their Camouflage
Most of the things trying to end your run in Greenpath belong to the Mosskin. These guys are basically plant-bugs that have lived in these lush caverns since before the Pale King even showed up. Because they’re literally covered in foliage, they blend into the background perfectly.
You’ve probably noticed the Mosscreeps. They look like harmless little bushes until you walk past, and then they sprout legs and scurry after you. They only have 10 HP, which means two hits with your starting nail sends them packing. But they’re rarely alone. They like to hide in groups, waiting for you to get distracted by a platforming section over acid.
Then there are the Mossfly variants. These things are annoying because they hover just out of reach. If you try to ignore them, they’ll dive-bomb you right when you’re trying to land a tricky jump. Pro tip: wait for them to start their lunge, then sidestep and smack them. They only have 15 HP.
Dealing with the Moss Knight
This is the big one. The Moss Knight is the first enemy that feels like a mini-boss. It has 50 HP, a massive shield, and it knows how to use it. If you just spam attack, you’re going to get parried and punished.
You’ve gotta be patient here. When it holds its shield up, don't hit it. It’ll either do a standing slash or a double-slash combo. If you’re feeling brave, you can jump over it and pogo on its head (the downward slash). This is a core skill you’ll need for the rest of the game, so Greenpath is the perfect place to practice. If it backs up and starts shaking, it’s about to spit out a burst of volatile leaves. Just back off or jump.
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- HP: 50
- Best Tactic: Vengeful Spirit (the spell you got from the Snail Shaman) hits through their shield. If you have the Soul, just blast them.
The Flying Menace: Squits and Vengeflies
Greenpath introduces the Squit, and I personally hate these things. They’re mosquito-like bugs that track your movement and then lunge at you with a long proboscis. They move fast. The trick is to stand still, let them start their charge, and then hit them just as they reach you. Your nail has a bit of knockback that will stop their momentum.
Vengeflies are also here, but you’ve seen those in the Crossroads. The difference is the environment. In Greenpath, you’re often fighting Vengeflies over pits of acid. If you get hit, the knockback might send you into the green goo, which deals another mask of damage. Not fun.
The Fool Eater
Keep an eye on the floor. Seriously. Greenpath is full of Fool Eaters, which are essentially Venus Flytraps. They look like regular platforms or harmless plants until you step on them. Once they snap shut, they deal damage and then disappear into the ground for a second. You can actually trigger them by standing on the very edge or by hitting them with your nail before you jump across.
Bosses and "Big" Threats
You can’t talk about Greenpath enemies without mentioning the Massive Moss Charger. It’s technically a boss, but it feels more like a giant version of the little Moss Chargers you see hiding in the grass. It only has two moves: a charge and a jump. If it charges, just time your hits to knock it back. If you have the Heavy Blow charm (though you likely don't this early), it becomes a joke. Without it, just keep a steady rhythm.
Then there’s the Vengefly King. You’ll find him snacking on Zote the Mighty (if you choose to save him). The King isn't too bad if you stay under him and pogo. Just watch out for when he summons smaller Vengeflies to distract you.
Hornet: The Real Test
She’s the reason most people get stuck in Greenpath. Hornet isn't like the other enemies; she’s fast, she has reach, and she talks. She has 225 HP, which is a lot for your level.
The biggest mistake players make with Hornet is being too aggressive. You need to react to her. When she throws her needle, jump over it and maybe get a hit in while it's returning to her. When she does her thread-burst (the AOE attack), just stay away. Greenpath is where you learn that "not getting hit" is more important than "hitting the boss."
Survival Tips for the Lush Caverns
Honestly, the environment is just as much of an enemy as the bugs. Acid is everywhere. Unlike water in other games, you can't swim in it (not yet, anyway). If you fall in, you take damage and respawn on the last solid ground you touched.
- Listen for the audio cues. Most Greenpath enemies make a specific sound before they attack. The Squit has a high-pitched buzz, and the Moss Knight has a heavy clank.
- Use your spells. Many players forget they have Vengeful Spirit. It deals way more damage than your nail early on. If a Moss Knight is giving you trouble, two or three fireballs will basically end the fight.
- Buy the map. Go find Cornifer. He’s tucked away in a corner near the entrance from the Crossroads. Having the map makes it way easier to avoid getting trapped in rooms full of Squits.
Greenpath is a beautiful, deadly place. It forces you to look at the background, manage your Soul, and master the pogo. Once you can comfortably take down a Moss Knight without breaking a sweat, you’ll know you’re ready for the rest of Hallownest.
If you're still getting knocked around by the foliage, try heading back to Dirtmouth and seeing if Sly has anything useful, or just take a breather by the Lake of Unn. Sometimes a few minutes of quiet music is all you need to reset your focus.
Next, you'll want to focus on mastering the Mothwing Cloak you get after beating Hornet. It changes how you fight every single enemy in the game by giving you that essential dash. Once you have that, try backtracking to the Crossroads to reach areas that were previously too high or too far to jump.