Defeating Gruz Mother in Hollow Knight: Strategies and Tips
The Gruz Mother is one of the early bosses you’ll encounter in Hollow Knight, found in the Forgotten Crossroads. She’s a large, infected creature that attacks by bouncing aggressively across the screen, catching new players off guard with her unpredictability.
When I first faced Gruz Mother, I wasn’t sure what to expect. At this early stage of the game, I thought she would be an easy challenge, but her fast movement surprised me. I was still getting used to the controls, and her charging and bouncing forced me to sharpen my dodging skills. I went in unprepared, but after a few failed attempts, I learned to read her patterns, making the fight much more manageable.
Gruz Mother’s Lore and Background
The Gruz Mother is a large, infected bug in the Forgotten Crossroads. She looks like an oversized version of the small Gruz enemies that fly around the area. The infection has made her aggressive and unpredictable, like many creatures in Hollow Knight mobile APK.
Her backstory needs to be more deeply explained, but she is one of the first bosses you face in the game. She gives you a taste of fast combat and defeating her shows how the infection has taken over Hallownest. After you beat her, she spawns small enemies called Gruzlings, which adds a bit more challenge.
Encountering Gruz Mother: First Impressions
How I Prepared for the Fight
When I first stumbled upon Gruz Mother in the Forgotten Crossroads, I was still learning the ropes of Hollow Knight. My gear was basic. I didn’t have many charms or upgrades at that point. Before fighting her, I made sure to have my health topped off and a few Soul reserves ready for healing. I also tried to collect as much Geo as possible in the area, just in case I needed it later for upgrades or after dying.
I kept my nail upgraded as much as I could for that early stage, and though I didn’t have any special charms, I focused on dodging and healing during the fight. Preparation wasn’t so much about equipment but more about keeping calm and focusing on avoiding her bouncy attacks.
Recommended Charms when Fighting Gruz Mother
1. Quick Focus
This charm allows you to heal faster, which is crucial during the Gruz Mother fight because her bouncing attacks can take you off guard. Having the ability to heal more quickly gives you a better chance to recover between her charges.
Longnail or Mark of Pride
Both of these charms increase the range of your nail attacks. Since Gruz Mother spends a lot of time bouncing around, having that extra reach makes it easier to land hits without getting too close to her unpredictable movement.
Shaman Stone
If you like to rely on spells, the Shaman Stone increases the damage of your Vengeful Spirit. This can be helpful for dealing with Gruz Mother from a distance, allowing you to stay safe while dealing consistent damage.
Soul Catcher
Gruz Mother’s fight gives you opportunities to collect Soul, especially when you land hits. Soul Catcher increases the amount of Soul you collect, which helps you use spells and healing more frequently during the fight.
Thorns of Agony
Since Gruz Mother’s bouncing attacks might catch you off guard, Thorns of Agony will allow you to deal some damage back when you take a hit. It’s a nice passive way to deal damage if you’re struggling with dodging.
Grubsong
This charm lets you gain Soul when you take damage. If you’re having a tough time avoiding her attacks, Grubsong can help you recover by giving you extra Soul to heal or use offensive spells.
Fighting Gruz Mother: Step-by-Step
When the fight started, I immediately noticed Gruz Mother’s pattern of bouncing around the room. At first, it seemed random, but after a few tries, I realized she had a set rhythm. Her main move is to launch herself into the air and crash down, aiming for where you’re standing. The key was to keep moving and not stay in one spot for too long.
I focused on dodging her aerial attacks by dashing out of the way right before she landed. Whenever she paused, I used those moments to strike her with my nail a few times. I made sure to keep some Soul for healing, as getting caught in her charge can take a chunk of health.
Her movement was fast, so I had to stay close to her but not too close to avoid getting hit when she bounced. The fight was intense, but once I got her timing down, it became easier. Keeping my cool and using healing breaks was crucial.
How I Dealt with Gruzlings
After defeating Gruz Mother, I was caught off guard when a bunch of Gruzlings spawned. I wasn’t expecting the fight to continue, so my health was already low. The Gruzlings are small, fast, and aggressive, flying around the arena in a group. They don’t deal much damage individually, but their numbers can overwhelm you if you’re not careful.
My strategy here was to stay calm and move around the room, using the opportunity to heal when I could. Since the Gruzlings tend to chase you, I took them out one by one by hitting them as they came close. It’s important to keep moving to avoid getting surrounded. It was a relief once they were all down, and I could finally breathe.
Battle Strategy and Tips
The Gruz Mother fight can feel tricky at first, but with the right strategy, it becomes much easier. Here’s what worked for me:
Dealing with Gruzlings
After defeating Gruz Mother, the Gruzlings appear. They swarm you quickly, so staying calm is key. I took them out one by one while keeping my distance to avoid getting overwhelmed.
Stay Mobile
Gruz Mother’s main attack is bouncing around the room. The best way to avoid getting hit is to keep moving. Don’t stay in one spot for too long, or she’ll land on you. Dashing at the right moment helped me dodge her attacks.
Strike During Pauses
She pauses briefly after bouncing or charging. Use these moments to land a few hits with your nail, but be ready to dodge again as soon as she moves.
Manage Soul Wisely
I made sure to keep some Soul in reserve for healing. It’s tempting to use spells for extra damage, but healing when needed is more important, especially in the early game.
Watch Her Bounce Pattern
After a few attempts, I noticed her bouncing was predictable. Learning this rhythm helped me dodge more effectively and plan my strikes.
Rewards and Gains
Defeating the Gruz Mother may seem like a small victory, but it comes with useful rewards that help as you progress through Hollow Knight. After defeating her, I received a Mask Shard, which is essential for increasing your total health. Collecting enough of these shards gives you an extra mask, making you more resilient in future fights.
Aside from the Mask Shard, I gained Geo from the fight, which is the in-game currency. This was useful for upgrading equipment and buying charms later on. The Gruz Mother’s defeat also opened up more exploration in the Forgotten Crossroads, helping me advance in the game.
Though the rewards aren’t massive, they’re crucial at this stage, especially as you prepare for tougher bosses like the False Knight.
How Gruz Mother Compares to Other Early Bosses
When comparing the Gruz Mother to other early bosses in Hollow Knight, like the False Knight, she stands out for her fast, bouncy movement. The False Knight, on the other hand, is more of a brute with heavy, slower attacks, making their fights feel very different.
While False Knight’s battle is more about avoiding powerful ground slams and handling the environment changes, Gruz Mother focuses on dodging her erratic movements and aerial attacks. I found that Gruz Mother required quicker reflexes but was less punishing in terms of damage. However, the surprise Gruzlings that spawn after defeating her add an extra layer of difficulty, whereas False Knight’s fight doesn’t have such a twist.
Overall, Gruz Mother is more of a test of agility, while False Knight feels like a challenge of patience and timing.
Looking Ahead: Silksong and Future Boss Fights
As a fan of Hollow Knight, I’m excited for the upcoming sequel, Silksong. While there’s no confirmation of the Gruz Mother or similar bosses making a return, it wouldn’t be surprising if Silksong includes early bosses with similar mechanics. Boss fights like Gruz Mother prepare you for the fast-paced battles that Hollow Knight is known for, so I expect more bosses that challenge your movement and timing in the sequel.
With the new playable character, Hornet, we can expect different abilities and strategies compared to the original game. I imagine that fights in Silksong may require even more agility, given Hornet’s faster and more nimble movements. Based on my experience with Gruz Mother, learning enemy patterns and staying mobile will likely remain key skills in Silksong.
Conclusion
The Gruz Mother fight is a great introduction to the fast-paced combat in Hollow Knight. For me, it was a mix of frustration and excitement, especially since I wasn’t fully prepared for how quickly she moved. But after learning her patterns and improving my dodging skills, taking her down felt really rewarding. The surprise Gruzlings made the fight even more memorable.
If you’re new to the game, don’t be discouraged if she takes a few tries. Keep moving, stay patient, and remember to use your Soul wisely. Taking down Gruz Mother is a confidence boost and sets you up for even tougher battles, like the False Knight. Plus, the rewards you earn help you progress and upgrade your character, making the journey ahead a bit easier.