Hollow Knight: City of Tears Guide – Explore and Defeat Enemies
The City of Tears is one of the largest areas in Hollow Knight. It is the capital of Hallownest and is full of history and mystery. You will find the city deep below the surface. It rains constantly because of water leaking from the Blue Lake above. The city is divided into different parts, with rich and poor areas. Exploring the City of Tears is important for upgrading your Nail, finding relics, and progressing the story. This guide will help you enter the city, explore its key locations, and find hidden rewards.
How to Access – City of Tears Map
To enter the City of Tears in Hollow Knight APK mobile, you need two abilities: the Mantis Claw and the Mothwing Cloak. The Mantis Claw lets you climb walls, and the Mothwing Cloak gives you the ability to dash. You will also need the City Crest, which you get after defeating the False Knight in the Forgotten Crossroads.
- Starting from Mantis Village: Once you have the Mantis Claw and Mothwing Cloak, head to the top of the Mantis Village in the Fungal Wastes. Climb the walls and dash through the thorny areas. You will need to pull two levers to open the bridge.
- Opening the Gate: After crossing the bridge, you will find a statue. Place the City Crest in the slot to open the gate to the City of Tears. Be careful, as the gate will close behind you, so you cannot go back.
Now you are inside the City of Tears. The first thing to do is find a bench to rest and update your map.
Exploring the City of Tears
Once inside the City of Tears, there are many important places to visit. You will find new enemies, helpful NPCs, and valuable items. Here’s a guide to the key locations you should explore:
Find the First Bench
After entering, head to the right. You will encounter Belfly, a flying enemy that explodes when it gets close. Keep going right, and you will find a bench near Quirrel, a friendly NPC. Rest at the bench to save your progress and update your map if you have a map of the area.
Meet the Nailsmith
After resting, go down and head left. You will find the Nailsmith in a small building. The Nailsmith can upgrade your Nail to make it stronger. The first upgrade costs 250 Geo. This is a big help, as it lets you deal more damage to enemies and bosses.
Find Cornifer (Mapmaker)
Next, head to the right and take the elevator up. Look for paper scattered on the ground, as this leads to Cornifer, the mapmaker. He sells you the City of Tears map for 90 Geo. Having the map makes it easier to navigate the area.
Relic Seeker Lemm
As you explore, you will find Relic Seeker Lemm. He buys relics like Wanderer’s Journals and Hallownest Seals. Selling these relics gives you Geo, which is useful for upgrades and buying items. Lemm’s shop is located in the western part of the city.
Unlock Shortcuts
Throughout the city, you will find levers that unlock gates and create shortcuts. Make sure to explore each area carefully and hit every lever you find. This will make it easier to move around the city.
Enemies and Combat Tips
As you explore the City of Tears, you will encounter new enemies. Some of them are fast, while others are heavy and strong. Here are the main enemies you will face and simple tips to defeat them:
- Belfly: These enemies hang from the ceiling. When you get close, they dive toward you and explode. To avoid them, stay alert and move away when they dive. You can also hit them with your Nail before they get too close.
- Husk Sentry: These enemies walk slowly but swing their weapons three times when they get near you. You can jump over them and use a downward slash to attack. Be careful to move away after attacking, as they will keep swinging.
- Winged Sentry: These sentries fly and throw spears at you from a distance. Watch where they are and dash toward them to avoid their attacks. Once you get close, hit them quickly before they fly away.
- Heavy Sentry: These enemies are large and carry heavy weapons. They have slow but powerful attacks. Wait for them to swing, then dash behind them to attack safely. Be patient and avoid getting hit, as their strikes deal heavy damage.
- Lance Sentry: These enemies have long spears and attack from a distance. They can throw their spears or charge at you. To defeat them, dodge their throws by jumping or dashing, then close the distance and attack before they can throw again.
Combat Tips
Use Downward Slashes
For enemies like the Husk Sentry, jumping and slashing downward is a safe way to attack.
Use Your Spells
Spells like Vengeful Spirit and Desolate Dive are useful for dealing extra damage, especially to flying enemies or groups of enemies.
Heal When Safe
Always heal when you have an open moment, especially after defeating a group of enemies or during slower attacks.
Shortcuts and Rewards
As you explore the City of Tears, you will find many levers and switches. These unlock gates and create shortcuts that make it easier to navigate the city. Always look for levers as you move through each area. Unlocking shortcuts helps you get back to important places faster, like benches, the Nailsmith, and Relic Seeker Lemm’s shop. Here are some key rewards you can find while exploring:
Simple Key
You can find a Simple Key on the top right side of the city. This key opens locked doors throughout Hallownest, including the door to the Royal Waterways, which is below the city. Collect this key by exploring the elevated platforms in the area.
Geo Chests
There are several chests filled with Geo hidden around the city. You can find one near the Nailsmith by exploring to the left. Another Geo chest is located after using the lift in the main part of the city. Geo is very useful for buying items and upgrading your Nail.
Vessel Fragment
You can collect a Vessel Fragment by using the lift that connects the City of Tears to the Forgotten Crossroads. This item increases your Soul capacity, allowing you to cast more spells and heal more often.
Wanderer’s Journal and Hallownest Seals
As you explore, keep an eye out for these relics. You can sell them to Relic Seeker Lemm for Geo. The more valuable the relic, the more Geo you get.
Stag Station (City Storerooms)
Unlocking the Stag Station in the City of Tears makes travel much easier. You can find this station by going to the top left of the city and paying 200 Geo. Once unlocked, you can travel between other Stag Stations across Hallownest quickly.
Always check every corner for hidden items, as the city is full of secrets!
Conclusion
The City of Tears is a key area in Hollow Knight. It offers important upgrades, powerful enemies, and valuable rewards. By exploring the city, you can upgrade your Nail, sell relics for Geo, and unlock shortcuts to make traveling easier. The city also connects to other important areas like the Royal Waterways and the Soul Sanctum, where you can face new bosses and challenges. Take your time to explore every corner, unlock all gates, and collect hidden items. The City of Tears is not only rich in history but also full of useful resources to help you progress in the game.