Hollow Knight
Windy Desert's most feared elite. Wields a cursed greatsword that applies stacking Bleed — kite carefully.
- Level: Lv 38
- Zone: Windy Desert
- Shadow
- HP: ~22,000
- Last verified:
Hollow Knight
The Hollow Knight is a Lv 38 elite that roams the deeper dunes of Windy Desert. It drops the Cursed Greatsword (epic 2H sword, +8% Multistrike) and is one of the most feared solo enemies in the Lv 35-40 level range.
Stats
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Type | Elite |
| Level | 38 |
| Zone | Windy Desert |
| Element | Shadow |
| HP | ~22,000 |
| Attack power | 480 physical |
| Speed | Medium (faster when enraged) |
Attacks
- Cursed Slash — frontal cone, 1.2s windup. Hits for ~480 physical + applies 1 stack of Bleed (8s, 80 damage per tick).
- Shadow Step — teleports behind the target. Used as a gap closer when the target is more than 8m away.
- Enrage (passive) — at 50% HP, gains +30% attack speed and +20% movement speed. Bleed stacks now tick for 120 damage.
- Death Curse (ultimate) — at 20% HP, channels for 3s, then detonates for massive shadow damage. Interruptible by Shield Bash or any stun.
Strategy
The Hollow Knight is one of the first enemies in the game that punishes careless play. The key mechanics:
- Kite in a circle — never stand still. The Cursed Slash cone is wide but has a 1.2s windup.
- Dispell Bleed early — let it stack to 3 and you’re losing 240 HP/tick. Dispel at 2 stacks.
- Save interrupts for Death Curse — Shield Bash, Stun, or any interrupt during the 3s channel. Missing the interrupt usually kills you.
- Kill before Enrage if possible — burst classes (Wizard, Gunslinger) can sub-50% the Hollow Knight before Enrage triggers. Otherwise, kite aggressively during Enrage.
The full Windy Desert strategy is on the Knight leveling section.
Drops
| Item | Slot | Rarity |
|---|---|---|
| Cursed Greatsword | Weapon | Epic |
| Hollow Plate (material) | — | Rare |
| Shadow Essence (material) | — | Uncommon |
| Windy Desert Map Fragment | Trinket | Uncommon |
The Cursed Greatsword is a notable drop — the +8% Multistrike passive makes it BiS for leveling Warrior, Berserker, Rogue, and Shinobi through Lv 50.
Lore
The Hollow Knight was once a member of the Order of the Silver Sun, a holy order that defended the eastern reaches during the Sundering. After being exposed to a shard of shadow during a botched ritual, his armor fused with his body and his mind fragmented. He now wanders the desert, attacking anything that comes near.
FAQ
Q: Can you solo the Hollow Knight at Lv 35? A: Yes, but it’s tight. Lv 38 is the comfortable floor.
Q: Does the Cursed Greatsword drop on every kill? A: No — drop rate is ~12%. Expect 8-10 kills on average.
Q: Is the enrage timer avoidable? A: No — Enrage is automatic at 50% HP. You can only choose to skip it by bursting.