You're standing in Dirtmouth, staring at Sly’s shop window, and you realize you're broke. It happens to everyone. Whether you're trying to scrounge up 3,000 Geo for the Lumafly Lantern or you've finally decided to face the soul-crushing cost of Divine’s Unbreakable charms in the Grimm Troupe DLC, the grind is real.
Geo is the lifeblood of Hallownest. You need it. You want it. But honestly, running around hitting every single husk you see is a terrible way to get rich.
If you want to know how to farm geo Hollow Knight players actually swear by, you have to stop thinking like a tourist and start thinking like a scavenger. Most people just wander into the Greenpath and hope for the best. That’s a mistake. You need a build, a route, and a bit of a ruthless streak.
The Setup: Don't Leave Dirtmouth Without These
Before you even swing your nail at a single enemy, you need the right kit. If you aren't wearing Fragile Greed (or its Unbreakable version later on), you are literally leaving money on the table. It increases the Geo dropped by enemies by about 20% to 60% depending on the enemy type. It’s essential.
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Then there’s Gathering Swarm. This is the single most important quality-of-life charm in the game. Stop chasing little orange blobs into spikes. Just stand there and let the money fly to you. It saves time, and in a farming efficiency conversation, time is the only currency that matters more than Geo.
If you’re doing a heavy combat route, throw on Steady Body or Mark of Pride. Why? Because if you can kill a Great Husk Sentry three seconds faster because you aren't bouncing backward after every hit, those seconds add up over an hour of grinding.
Early Game: The Moss Knight Shuffle
When you’re stuck in the early hours, you don't have many options. You’re weak. Your nail feels like a wet noodle. But there’s a specific spot in Greenpath that is basically a bank for early-game players.
Go to the area just above where you find the Stag Station. There are two Moss Knights guarding a pile of Geo. They are slow. They are predictable. Most importantly, they drop 40 Geo each (more with Greed).
- Kill the two knights.
- Hop back to the Stag Station or the nearby bench.
- Sit.
- Repeat.
It's boring. I get it. But in 15 minutes, you'll have enough for the Lantern or those pesky notches Salubra is selling. It beats dying to a Primal Aspid in the Kingdom's Edge for 12 Geo any day of the week.
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Mid-Game: The King of All Farms
Once you get to the City of Tears, the game changes. This is where the real money is. Specifically, the Great Husk Sentries.
You know the ones. They’re huge, they have shields, and they hit like a freight train. They also drop a massive amount of Geo—usually around 50 or 80 per kill. If you have Fragile Greed equipped, a single run through the upper spires of the City can net you hundreds of Geo in minutes.
The best loop is near the King’s Station. Head left, clear out the upper rooms full of Husk Sentries, and then loop back to the bench. It’s fast. It’s consistent. It’s also great practice for your parries and shade souls.
Honestly, if you're looking for how to farm geo Hollow Knight veterans recommend most often, it’s this. The density of high-value mobs here is unmatched until you reach the endgame.
A Quick Word on Relics
Don't forget Lemm. If you're struggling for cash, check your inventory. Wanderer’s Journals, Hallownest Seals, King’s Idols—these aren't just lore items. They are checks waiting to be cashed. Lemm is located in the City of Tears and he will pay you handsomely for your junk.
- Wanderer's Journal: 200 Geo
- Hallownest Seal: 450 Geo
- King's Idol: 800 Geo
- Arcane Egg: 1,200 Geo
If you sell a handful of these, you can skip an hour of grinding entirely. Just don't sell them if you like staring at your inventory completion. But let's be real, you need that unbreakable strength charm more than you need a dusty journal.
Late Game: The Colosseum of Fools
Look, some people hate the Colosseum. It’s chaotic. It’s stressful. But if you’re good at the game, the Trial of the Conqueror (the second trial) is the most profitable activity in Hallownest.
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Upon completion, you get about 2,000 Geo. Once you’ve mastered the enemy spawns, you can blast through it in under ten minutes. It’s significantly more engaging than sitting on a bench in the City of Tears for the hundredth time.
However, don't touch the Trial of the Fool for farming. It’s way too hard for the payout. The risk-to-reward ratio is skewed. Stick to the second trial; it’s the "sweet spot" for efficiency.
The Failed Tramway Strategy
There is a weird, niche farm in the Failed Tramway in Deepnest. The Carver Hatchers spit out Dirtcarvers. If you kill the hatchlings but leave the mother alive, she will keep spitting them out.
It’s slow. It’s kinda gross. But if you have a build with Spore Shroud or Defender’s Crest, you can basically stand there and let the environment do the work. It’s not the fastest way, but it’s definitely the laziest way. If you’re watching a movie on another screen and just want to tap a button every now and then, go to Deepnest.
Avoiding the "Geo Trap"
The biggest mistake players make is carrying too much Geo. If you die, and then die again before reaching your shade, it's gone. All of it.
If you are sitting on 5,000 Geo and you don't have a specific goal, go buy something. Buy every map marker from Iselda. Buy every egg from Confessor Jiji (or Steel Soul Jinn). Buy out Leg Eater.
Also, use Millibelle the Banker. But wait—only up to a point. If you give her too much (around 2,500 to 3,000), she’ll disappear. This is actually a good thing. You’ll find her later at the Pleasure House in the City of Tears. If you "interact" with her there (by hitting her like a pinata), she drops roughly 1.5x what you gave her. It’s an investment, not a loss.
Actionable Strategy for Your Next Session
To maximize your efficiency right now, follow these steps:
First, equip Gathering Swarm and Fragile Greed. This is your "economy build." If you have the notches, add Shaman Stone to clear mobs faster with spells.
Second, pick your zone based on your progress. If you just got the Dash, stay in Greenpath and bully Moss Knights. If you have the Monarch Wings, head to the King's Station in the City of Tears.
Third, hunt the Gorgeous Husk. There is a secret wall in the City of Tears (near the Pleasure House) that leads to a gold-plated husk. He doesn't respawn, but he drops a massive 420 Geo (up to 500+ with Greed). It's a one-time infusion of cash that can get you over a hump.
Finally, prioritize the Relic Seeker Lemm. Many players forget they have thousands of Geo sitting in their "collectibles" tab. Sell those seals and journals immediately. There is no reason to hoard them unless you're doing a specific challenge run.
By focusing on high-value targets like the Sentries or the Colosseum trials rather than random trash mobs, you'll cut your grinding time by more than half. Stop wandering and start hunting. Hallownest is dangerous, but it's also incredibly profitable if you know where the bodies are buried.