You’re wandering through Greenpath, the leaves crunching under your feet, when you stumble upon a massive, snarling beast. But instead of a boss fight, he hands you a book. That’s the start of your obsession. The Hunter’s Journal Hollow Knight isn't just a checklist; it’s basically the ultimate lore bible for Hallownest. It’s the thing that keeps you going back into the darkest corners of Deepnest just to kill one more "Stalking Devout" because you need that final bit of flavor text.
Most people think finishing the journal is just about killing everything once. It’s not. It’s a grind, honestly. To truly "complete" it and earn the Hunter's Mark, you have to kill a specific number of almost every enemy in the game. You've probably noticed that some entries require 30 or 40 kills while others just take one. It’s a test of patience as much as skill.
The Brutal Reality of the Hunter’s Mark
If you want that shiny Hunter's Mark—which is basically the game's way of saying "I have no life and I love it"—you need to know the numbers. There are 168 possible entries in the total journal, but don't panic. You only need 146 specific base-game entries to get the achievement and the mark.
The game is actually kinda nice about it. It doesn't force you to do the really insane stuff for the basic completion. For example, the Void Idol (which you get for beating every boss in the Hall of Gods) or the Weathered Mask (from the Land of Storms) are "bonus" entries. They look cool in your book, but they won't stop you from getting the Hunter's Mark.
Common Misconceptions About What Counts
- DLC Entries: Most Grimm Troupe and Godmaster enemies are optional for the Mark.
- Menderbug: Everyone's favorite tragic repair-bug. He’s rare, he’s hard to kill, and guess what? He's not required.
- The Path of Pain: Completing the Path of Pain gives you the Seal of Binding. It’s a flex, but the Hunter doesn’t care about it for the Mark.
Finding the Hidden Entries (The Ones You're Definitely Missing)
We've all been there. You're at 145/146 and you're losing your mind. You've checked the Crossroads, the City of Tears, even the Hive. Where is that last one? Usually, it's one of the "environmental" entries. These aren't enemies you kill; they're things you find and inspect.
The Goam and Garpede are classic examples. You can't kill them. To get their entries, you have to find their fossilized remains hidden in secret rooms. The Garpede corpse is tucked away in a hidden area of Deepnest near where you find the Sharp Shadow charm. If you didn't hug every wall, you missed it. Simple as that.
Then there are the Void Tendrils. These are found in a secret room in the Abyss, hidden behind a ceiling you can only reach if you're looking for it. It’s these tiny, missable details that make the Hunter’s Journal Hollow Knight so satisfying to fill out. It rewards you for actually looking at the world Team Cherry built.
Why the Lore Notes Actually Matter
The real reward isn't the achievement; it's the Hunter’s own notes. When you kill enough of an enemy, you "decipher" the entry. The Hunter’s perspective is fascinating because he’s a pragmatist. He doesn't care about the politics of the Pale King or the tragedy of the Mantis Lords. He sees the world as predators and prey.
Take the Aspid Mother. Most of us just hate them because they're annoying. But the Hunter’s note points out how she "shamelessly uses her own young as a weapon." He respects the resourcefulness but calls her an appalling parent. It adds this gritty, animalistic layer to a game that already feels pretty dark.
The Hunter Himself
Who is this guy? He calls himself the last of his kind. He’s massive, he hides in a hole, and he’s been watching you the whole time. When you finally finish the journal and return to him, there’s a moment where the game baits you into thinking it's a boss fight. The music swells, he stands up—and then he just gives you a badge. It’s a great subversion. He recognizes you as a peer. In a kingdom of ghosts and shells, you're the only other thing left that's still hunting.
Tips for Completionists
If you’re serious about finishing the Hunter’s Journal Hollow Knight, stop avoiding the Colosseum of Fools. A lot of the rarest enemies, like the Volatile Zote or various "Fools," are exclusive to the trials. If you're missing entries, run the Trial of the Conqueror a few times.
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Also, don't forget the Gorgeous Husk. He’s a one-time kill hidden behind a fake wall in a nondescript house in the City of Tears. He drops a mountain of Geo, but more importantly, he’s one of the few entries that can really hang you up at the end of a run.
Actionable Next Steps for Your Journal
- Check your count: Go to the Temple of the Black Egg and read the lore tablet to unlock "World Sense." This lets you see your completion percentage and journal count in the menu.
- Hunt the Fossils: If you’re short on entries but have killed every boss, go back to Deepnest and the Crossroads to find the Garpede and Goam fossils.
- Farm the Small Stuff: Use the Wayward Compass and Gathering Swarm while you mop up the small fry. You might as well get rich while you're grinding out 30 "Crawlid" kills.
- Visit the Abyss: Make sure you found the secret room with the Void Tendrils; it’s one of the most commonly missed non-combat entries.
The journal is a slow burn. It’s not something you do in a weekend. But when you finally see that "Completed" text, it feels like you've truly mastered Hallownest. You aren't just a visitor anymore. You’re the apex predator.