You're standing in the Queen's Station or maybe deep in the Greenpath, and you hear it. That high-pitched, warbling cry that sounds like a cross between a squeaky toy and a desperate plea for help. If you’ve played more than twenty minutes of Team Cherry’s masterpiece, you know exactly what I’m talking about. You want to know how to get the grub in the hive, but the Hive is a special kind of nightmare. It’s sticky. It’s yellow. Everything in there wants to headbutt you into a bed of spikes.
Honestly, the Hive is one of the most claustrophobic areas in Hallownest. It’s tucked away behind a breakable wall in the Kingdom’s Edge, and if you aren't looking for the golden particles floating near a specific tram station, you’ll miss the entrance entirely. But once you’re in, the real challenge begins. Getting those trapped larvae isn't just about swinging your nail; it’s about understanding the rhythmic movement of the Hiveling swarms and knowing exactly when to burn your Soul.
The Secret to Finding the Grub in the Hive
First off, let's talk about the map. Most people wander into the Hive blind. Don’t do that. You need the Hive Map, which you can find after a bit of platforming, but the real prize is the Grub located near the center-right of the sub-area.
To actually reach the grub, you have to navigate a room filled with Hive Guardians. These are the big, round guys that bounce off walls like deadly pinballs. If you try to outrun them, you’ll lose. They move faster than they look. The trick here is using the Monarch Wings. If you don’t have the double jump yet, turn around. Just leave. You technically can pogo (striking downward with your nail) off enemies to gain height, but it’s a massive pain in the neck and one mistake sends you back to the last bench—which, in the Hive, is a long walk away.
There is a specific wall. It looks solid. It isn't. Near the area where the small bees are circling a cluster of honeycombs, you’ll notice the sound of the grub getting louder. Most players start slashing at the floor, but the grub is actually tucked behind a breakable ceiling section. You need to bait a Hive Guardian—one of those large, bouncing enemies—into crashing into the specific reinforced amber pillars, or simply use a Great Slash or Howling Wraiths to clear the path.
Why Most Players Fail the Hive Platforming
It’s the bees. It is always the bees.
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The Hiveling enemies fly in predictable loops, but their hitboxes are surprisingly generous. When you’re trying to platform toward a grub jar, you’ll likely get "tinked" mid-air, losing your dash reset and falling into the honey-spikes below.
One thing that helps? Grubsong. It’s ironic, I know. You’re saving grubs to get a charm that rewards you for taking damage, but in the Hive, you will take damage. Pairing Grubsong with Hiveblood (which you get from defeating the Hive Knight boss) makes you nearly immortal if you have the patience to wait for your health to regenerate. If you’re struggling with the specific jump to reach the grub jar, stop rushing. Stand on a safe platform. Watch the flight path of the bees for three full cycles.
There is a rhythm to the Hive. It’s a dance.
Tools You Absolutely Need
You shouldn't even attempt to clear the Hive’s collectibles until you have a specific kit. Hallownest doesn't play fair, so why should you?
- Monarch Wings: Essential for the verticality of the Hive.
- Mantis Claw: For clinging to those sticky walls while you wait for a Guardian to pass.
- Desolate Dive / Descending Dark: Sometimes the quickest way to break through floor partitions to reach a grub is to literally slam through them with soul energy.
- Mark of Pride: Giving your nail extra length allows you to pogo off the spikes or enemies from a safer distance.
Let's be real: the Grubfather is waiting back in Dirtmouth, and he gets increasingly "generous" the more grubs you bring back. If you’re hunting the one in the Hive, you’re likely aiming for the Grubberfly's Elegy charm or a much-needed Mask Shard.
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The Hive Knight Obstacle
Sometimes the path to the grub is blocked by the Hive Knight himself. He’s a fast boss, but he’s predictable. He has a lunging stab and a move where he releases bees from his mouth—classic bee behavior, right? The key to beating him so you can explore the Hive in peace is to dash through him when he teleports.
If you have the Shadow Dash (Shade Cloak), this fight becomes a joke. If you don't, you have to jump over him, which is risky because of his height. Once he’s down, the area opens up significantly, making the trek to the remaining grub jars much less stressful.
Breaking the Jar Without Dying
When you finally reach the jar, don't just blindly swing. Often, Team Cherry likes to hide a "trap" enemy right next to the jar. In the Hive, this usually means a Hive Guardian will spawn or roll into your path the moment you break the glass.
Break the jar, wait for the grub to burrow into the ground, and then immediately hold your position. Look at your health. If you’re at one mask, don't try to explore further. Use the Dream Nail on the nearby bees to farm Soul and heal up. The bees in this area are infinite, so you have a constant source of "batteries" for your healing spells.
What to Do Next
Once you have secured the grub, your next move depends on your completion percentage. If you haven't fought the Hive Knight, he is located further to the right of the main Hive chamber. Defeating him rewards you with the Hiveblood charm, which is basically a requirement if you plan on tackling the Path of Pain later in the White Palace.
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Check your map for any "whispering" sounds you might have missed near the tram exit. There are often hidden caches of Geo hidden in the walls that look identical to the one you just broke for the grub.
The most efficient way out of the Hive after getting your prize is to head back toward the Kingdom's Edge entrance. You can't fast travel out of the Hive itself, but if you’ve unlocked the shortcut back to the tram, it’s a quick trek. Take your collected grubs back to the Grubfather in the Forgotten Crossroads. He’ll toss a bunch of Geo at your feet and maybe a Pale Ore if you’ve rescued enough of his children.
Just try not to think too hard about why he's so happy to see them again or what happens to them after you leave the room. Some things in Hallownest are better left a mystery.
Actionable Steps for the Hive:
- Equip Hiveblood if you have it; if not, use Grubsong and Deep Focus to stay alive.
- Locate the breakable wall in Kingdom’s Edge (near the tram) by looking for the golden bees.
- Use the Monarch Wings to reach high-altitude jars that are tucked into the honeycomb ceilings.
- Bait Hive Guardians into breaking obstacles for you if your spells aren't doing the trick.
- Return to the Grubfather immediately to claim your rewards before heading into the abyss or the Colosseum of Fools.