You’ve probably been there. You just spent a small fortune on Fragile Strength from that creepy Leg Eater guy in the Fungal Wastes, feeling like a god because your nail finally hits like a truck. Then, a Primal Aspid snipes you from across the screen, you fall into a pit of spikes, and—crack—there goes your DPS.
Honestly, the fragile mechanic is one of the most stressful parts of Hallownest. It makes you play scared. But there’s a way to fix it.
Unbreakable charms in Hollow Knight are basically the "I’m tired of running back to the Fungal Wastes" tax. They take those top-tier buffs and make them permanent, meaning they won't shatter when you inevitably die to a boss for the tenth time. But getting them? That’s a whole different kind of pain. We’re talking about an ungodly amount of Geo and a very strange lady who lives in a tent.
The Ritual of the "Digestive" Upgrade
To even start this journey, you need the Grimm Troupe DLC. If you see those spooky red tents in Dirtmouth, you’re in the right place. To the left of the main tent, there’s a smaller, smelly-looking one belonging to Divine.
👉 See also: PS5 Jailbreak Explained: Why It’s Still a Massive Headache for Most Players
She’s... a lot.
Divine is a termite-like NPC who has a very specific "refining" process. Basically, you give her a fragile charm, she eats it, and then she demands a massive pile of Geo to give it back to you in its unbreakable form.
It’s gross. It’s expensive. It’s also the only way to keep your sanity in the late game.
How the process actually works:
- Equip the charm: You can’t just have it in your inventory. You have to be wearing the Fragile Heart, Greed, or Strength.
- Hand it over: Talk to Divine. She’ll smell the charm and ask for it.
- The Geo Barrier: Once she has it, she won't give it back until you pay the fee. This means if you give her Strength but don't have the cash, you’re stuck playing without that extra damage until you farm the Geo.
- The "Release": You pay the Geo, and she "produces" the unbreakable version.
Don't think too hard about the biology of it. Just take the charm and run.
Why Unbreakable Strength is the Only One That Truly Matters
Let's be real for a second. You probably don't need all three.
💡 You might also like: Pokémon Sun and Moon Version Exclusives: What You Need to Know Before Choosing
Unbreakable Strength is the crown jewel here. It increases your nail damage by 50%. In a game where the difference between life and death is often "can I kill this enemy in two hits instead of three," this charm is broken. It’s essential for the Trial of the Fool and basically anything in the late-game world.
Unbreakable Heart gives you two extra masks. It’s nice, sure. But if you're good at dodging, those two masks are just a safety net you'll eventually outgrow.
Unbreakable Greed is the biggest irony in the game. It costs 9,000 Geo to make it unbreakable. By the time you can afford that, you usually don't need to farm Geo anymore. It’s mostly for the completionists who want every notch filled.
The Cost of Peace of Mind
The prices for these upgrades are designed to make you cry. Hallownest is a crumbling ruin, but apparently, the economy for termite-digested jewelry is booming.
- Unbreakable Greed: 9,000 Geo
- Unbreakable Heart: 12,000 Geo
- Unbreakable Strength: 15,000 Geo
That is 36,000 Geo in total.
If you’re sitting there with 400 Geo in your pocket wondering how anyone does this, you aren't alone. Most players don't touch these until the very end of the game.
Don't get scammed by the Banishment
Here is a mistake that ruins runs: if you choose to Banish the Grimm Troupe before finishing your business with Divine, she leaves.
If she’s currently "holding" one of your charms when you banish the troupe, she’ll leave it on the ground in Dirtmouth, but it will still be the fragile version. You lose the chance to make it unbreakable for the rest of that save file. If you want those permanent buffs, you either need to pay her before you banish them or choose to finish the Ritual by fighting the Nightmare King.
The "Godhome Exception" You Should Know
Here is the secret the game doesn't explicitly tell you: Fragile charms do not break in Godhome.
Since the Pantheons and the Hall of Gods take place in a dream, dying there isn't a "real" death. You can wear Fragile Strength into the hardest challenges in the game, die a thousand times, and it will stay perfectly intact.
Because of this, some people argue that Unbreakable Strength is a waste of Geo. If you only care about the Godmaster content, you don't need to spend the 15,000 Geo.
However, if you're planning on doing the White Palace, exploring the Abyss, or just finishing the remaining world bosses like the Traitor Lord, you definitely want the unbreakable versions. There’s nothing worse than dying in a far-off corner of the map and realizing your build is now broken until you trek back to the Fungal Wastes.
How to Farm 36,000 Geo Without Losing Your Mind
You need money. Fast.
The best way is honestly the Colosseum of Fools in Kingdom's Edge. The Trial of the Conqueror (the second one) gives you about 2,000 Geo per run. It’s tough, but once you get the rhythm down, it’s the most consistent way to get rich.
Another tip? Sell your relics.
We all hoard those King's Idols and Wanderer's Journals "just in case." This is the case. Take them to Lemm in the City of Tears. If you’ve been exploring thoroughly, you probably have 10,000+ Geo just sitting in your inventory in the form of shiny junk.
Practical Next Steps for Your Build
If you’re currently staring at Divine’s tent and checking your wallet, here is the most efficient way to handle it:
🔗 Read more: Finding Something Like the Mario Kart Games NYT Readers and Casual Gamers Actually Enjoy
- Prioritize Strength: Do not give her Greed or Heart first. Strength is the only one that fundamentally changes how easy the game feels.
- Sell everything to Lemm: Empty your relic inventory before you start the grind.
- Spam Trial 2: Put on your best combat charms and run the Trial of the Conqueror until you hit 15,000.
- Don't Banish Yet: If you’re planning on the Banishment ending for the Grimm Troupe, make sure you have all the Unbreakable charms you want before you talk to Brumm in the Howling Cliffs.
Once you have Unbreakable Strength, the game's difficulty curve feels a lot more manageable. You can finally stop playing like you're made of glass and start playing like the God-slayer you're supposed to be.
Actionable Insight: If you're struggling to keep your Geo after death while farming, equip the Gathering Swarm charm. It ensures every cent dropped by enemies actually makes it into your pocket, preventing that heartbreaking moment where a large Geo coin bounces into a pit of acid.