You've finally reached the point in Type Soul where the grind feels like it might actually pay off. You’re looking at that hollow essence type soul item in your inventory, or maybe you’re desperately trying to trade for one, and you’re wondering if it’s actually the game-changer everyone says it is. It is. But if you click it without a plan, you’re basically throwing away hours of progress.
Type Soul isn't exactly known for holding your hand. The developers, Type//Studio, have a habit of dropping mechanics that feel like a riddle wrapped in a code-block. The Hollow Essence is one of those items that dictates your entire endgame meta, especially if you’re running a Vastocar or trying to optimize a specific Resurrection.
What a Hollow Essence Type Soul Actually Does
Let's be real: most players get confused between the different essences. You have the Skill Essence, the Red Pill, and then the big one—the Hollow Essence.
Basically, this item is your ticket to a Partial Resurrection (Partial Res) reset.
In the current 2026 meta, where balance patches hit every other Tuesday, the "best" Partial Res changes constantly. Maybe you started with something like Shark or Storm, but now you’re seeing everyone dominate with Arrogante or Acid, and you feel stuck. You aren't. Using the essence lets you wipe your current Partial Res so you can roll for a new one.
It sounds simple. It’s actually stressful.
When you use it, you aren't just changing a cosmetic. You are fundamentally shifting how your Hollow character interacts with the world. If you’re a Vastocar, your Partial Res is the backbone of your pressure game. Using a hollow essence type soul is essentially a soft-reboot of your character's identity.
The Drop Rates and Why Trading is a Nightmare
You can’t just buy these at a convenience store. You have to earn them, and the game makes you bleed for it. Most players find their first essence through Clan Wars or high-level Raids.
Raids are the lifeblood of Type Soul. If you aren't participating in the Karakura Town raids or the Hueco Mundo incursions, you’re never going to see this item drop. The drop rate is notoriously low—honestly, it feels like less than 1% sometimes, though the community consensus puts it closer to 3-5% depending on the specific raid difficulty.
Because they're rare, the trading economy is absolute chaos.
If you go into the Type Soul Discord or the trading hubs, you’ll see people asking for an arm and a leg. Usually, a Hollow Essence will cost you several Elixirs or even a rare weapon skin. Don't let people lowball you. If you have one, you're holding a high-value asset. If you need one, be prepared to give up your best loot.
Why you shouldn't use it immediately
Wait. Just stop for a second.
Before you consume that hollow essence type soul, look at your current build. Are you sure the Partial Res is the problem? Sometimes, it’s just your skill tree. If you haven't maxed out your Speed or Kendo paths, a new Res won't save you.
I’ve seen dozens of players burn an essence, roll something "S-tier," and still get washed in Ranked because they didn't understand the frame data of their new moves. Learn the moveset of what you want before you gamble away what you have.
The Vastocar Meta and Why This Item Matters
Being a Vastocar is the peak of the Hollow progression line. It’s a long road from being a lowly Fishbone to a Menos, then an Adjuchas, and finally a Vasto Lorde before you crack that mask.
Once you’re a Vastocar, your Partial Res is your primary tool for combo extensions. Some Res abilities allow for "true combos" that can 100-to-0 an opponent if you have the right accessories.
- Storm: Great for mobility and catching people off guard.
- Acid: Incredible damage over time (DoT) that pressures healers.
- Slash: Pure, unadulterated raw damage.
The hollow essence type soul allows you to pivot between these roles. If your clan needs more front-line pressure, you might switch to a tankier Res. If you’re playing solo and want to grief people in the Soul Society, you might roll for something with more stun potential.
Common Misconceptions About Resetting
One big lie people tell is that using a Hollow Essence resets your entire character. It doesn't. You keep your rank, you keep your items, and you keep your sanity (mostly). It specifically targets the Partial Res slot.
Another thing: don't confuse this with the Hog Shard. A Hog Shard is for your path to Vastocar or getting your Full Res. The essence is the "editor" for the choices you've already made.
There's also this weird myth that using an essence at a specific time of day in-game increases your chances of getting a legendary roll. That’s just RNG superstition. The game’s code doesn't care if it’s midnight in Hueco Mundo; the rolls are weighted the same regardless.
How to actually use it
You just click it in your inventory and confirm. It’s anticlimactic.
Once it’s used, your Partial Res is gone. You’ll need to head back to the NPC or the specific location required to re-roll. Usually, this involves a bit of a trek, so don't do it if you're in the middle of a war or a timed event.
The Emotional Rollercoaster of Rolling
Rolling in Type Soul is basically gambling for gamers. You use the hollow essence type soul, you feel a rush of hope, and then you roll "Common."
It hurts.
This is why you usually want to have a stack of rerolls ready before you use the essence. There’s nothing worse than resetting your Res and being stuck with a bottom-tier ability because you ran out of currency. It’s like tearing down your house before you’ve bought the wood to build the new one.
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Actionable Strategy for Hollow Players
Stop wasting your time complaining about your build in chat. If you aren't happy with your Partial Res, here is exactly what you need to do:
- Farm the right Raids: Focus on the ones that have the highest turnover rate. Efficiency is better than difficulty here.
- Check the Trello: Seriously. The Type Soul Trello is updated constantly. Before you use your hollow essence type soul, check if the Res you want was recently nerfed.
- Bank your rerolls: Do not use the essence until you have at least 10-15 rerolls in your inventory. RNG is a cruel mistress.
- Practice in the Pit: Before you commit to a new Res, watch videos of high-level players using it. Look at the startup frames. Look at the end-lag.
The goal isn't just to have a rare Res; the goal is to have one you can actually win with. If you can't hit the inputs, it doesn't matter if it's the rarest drop in the game.
Go get your raids in. Get that essence. Just make sure you know what you’re doing before you pull the trigger.