You’re probably going to die. That sounds harsh, but if it’s your first time dropping into the Hollow Knight Fungal Wastes, it is the objective truth. You’ve just come from Greenpath, feeling like a god because you finally beat Hornet. You have the Mothwing Cloak. You’re fast. You’re agile. Then you hit the acid, the spores, and those bouncing purple mushrooms, and suddenly everything feels clunky again.
Honestly, the Fungal Wastes is where Hollow Knight stops being a cute indie platformer and starts being the masterpiece that ruins your sleep schedule. It is a massive, humid, bio-luminescent maze that sits right in the gut of Hallownest. It connects everything—Fog Canyon, the City of Tears, Deepnest, and the Queen’s Gardens. If you don't master this zone, you aren't finishing the game. Period.
The First Time You See a Shrumal Ogres
Most players enter the Hollow Knight Fungal Wastes from the bottom-right of Fog Canyon or the Pilgrim’s Way. The vibe shifts immediately. Gone is the lush, leafy green of the previous area; now you’re surrounded by weird, bulbous growths and a hazy orange mist that looks like it smells like wet basement.
The difficulty spike here isn't a curve—it’s a wall.
Remember the Shrumal Ogres? Those big, bloated mushroom guys that slam their heads into the ground? They are the quintessential "Welcome to Fungal Wastes" committee. They have a ridiculous amount of health for an early-game enemy. If you try to tank them, you lose. You have to learn the rhythm of the slam, the acid spit, and the recovery window. It’s the game’s way of teaching you that spacing matters more than button mashing.
Why the Mantis Village Changes Everything
Deep in the heart of the wastes lies the Mantis Village. This is where the lore of the Hollow Knight Fungal Wastes gets really interesting. Unlike the mindless husks in the Crossroads, the Mantis Tribe is sane. They’re proud. They’re incredibly fast.
Getting the Mantis Claw is the "Aha!" moment of the game. Suddenly, walls aren't obstacles; they're ladders. But getting that claw requires navigating a gauntlet of spikes and Mantis Warriors who do not care about your feelings. The Mantis Lords boss fight at the bottom of the village is widely considered the best fight in the early game. It’s a dance. It’s fast, rhythmic, and fair.
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Actually, the Mantis Lords are a great example of Team Cherry’s design philosophy. They don't cheat. They have three moves. Once you learn them, you feel like a master. If you beat them, the entire Mantis Tribe bows to you. It’s one of the few moments of genuine respect you get in a world that mostly wants to eat you.
Getting Lost Near Leg Eater
Let's talk about Leg Eater. You find him tucked away in a small corner of the Hollow Knight Fungal Wastes. He’s a creepy, spindly bug who sells "Fragile" charms.
Kinda sketchy, right?
He charges you a fee just to look at his wares. Most players skip him because "Fragile" sounds like a waste of Geo. But here is the thing: Fragile Strength and Fragile Heart are arguably the most powerful charms for a first-time player. Yes, they break when you die. Yes, you have to pay Leg Eater to fix them. But the damage boost from Fragile Strength is massive. If you’re struggling with the Mantis Lords or the later trek into the City of Tears, those charms are your best friends. Just... try not to die.
The Platforming Nightmare of the Fungal Core
The Hollow Knight Fungal Wastes isn't just about combat. It’s a platforming test. The purple mushrooms—officially known as "Bouncy Mushrooms"—require you to down-slash (pogo) to gain height.
This is where the keyboard players usually start crying.
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If you miss the timing, you’re falling into thorns or acid. There’s a specific section leading toward the Deepnest entrance where you have to chain pogo jumps across a series of these mushrooms while avoiding spore-shooting plants. It’s frustrating. It’s sweaty. But it’s the only way to reach the Fungal Core, a sub-area that houses some of the creepier lore implications about the "Mushroom People" and their collective consciousness.
The Connection to the City of Tears
You can’t stay in the wastes forever. Eventually, you have to find the gate to the City of Tears. This involves a frantic chase sequence with Quirrel—the best NPC in the game, don't @ me—and inserting the City Crest into a large statue.
Once you pass through that gate, the Hollow Knight Fungal Wastes feels like a fever dream. You go from the warm, organic, smelly tunnels of the fungi to the cold, eternal rain of the capital. It’s one of the best transitions in gaming history. But you'll be back. You'll come back for the Dashmaster charm (hidden under a statue near the Mantis Village), and you'll come back for the various grubs tucked away in the ceilings.
Common Mistakes People Make in the Wastes
I've seen countless streamers and friends get stuck here for hours. Don't be that person. Here is what most people get wrong:
First, they ignore the shortcuts. The Hollow Knight Fungal Wastes is full of breakable walls and floorboards. If you find yourself trekking across the entire map to get back to a boss, you missed a shortcut. Look for the wobbling boards.
Second, they forget to pogo. Down-slashing on enemies and environmental objects is the core mechanic of Hollow Knight. In the Wastes, it’s mandatory. If you can't pogo consistently, you won't survive the Mantis Village or the later challenges in the Queen's Gardens.
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Third, they underestimate the Sporlings. Those little floating orange clouds? They explode. They linger. They turn a simple room into a minefield. Take them out from a distance with Vengeful Spirit or wait for them to pass. Patience is a literal lifesaver here.
Actionable Advice for Navigating the Fungal Wastes
If you’re currently staring at a screen of purple mushrooms and feeling hopeless, here is exactly what you need to do:
- Find Cornifer immediately. He’s located near the top of the area. Listen for the humming. Without a map, the Wastes are a death trap of vertical loops.
- Prioritize the Mantis Claw. Don't worry about exploring every nook and cranny until you have the wall jump. It unlocks 60% of the area’s secrets.
- Visit Leg Eater with the Defender’s Crest. If you have this charm (from the Dung Defender later on), Leg Eater gives you a discount. It’s a nice bit of lore—he likes the smell.
- Learn to Pogo. Spend ten minutes just jumping on a single Bouncy Mushroom. Get the rhythm. You need to hit the attack button just before you touch the surface.
- Beat the Mantis Lords. Even if it’s hard. Beating them opens the door to Deepnest and earns you the Mark of Pride charm, which increases your nail range. It’s arguably the best charm in the game for general exploration.
The Hollow Knight Fungal Wastes represents the moment the game stops holding your hand. It’s confusing, it’s hostile, and it’s beautiful. Once you emerge on the other side, dripping with acid and spores but carrying the Mantis Claw, you aren't a beginner anymore. You’re a traveler of Hallownest.
Go get that claw. The City of Tears is waiting, and it only gets harder from here.
Quick Reference for Hidden Items in the Wastes:
- Dashmaster Charm: Bottom-left of the map, below the Mantis Village. Look for the large stone statue.
- Charm Notch: You get one for defeating the two Shrumal Ogres in a "boss" room on the way to the Mantis Village.
- Spore Shroom Charm: Found in a secret area near the entrance to the Queen's Gardens. You need the Mantis Claw to reach it. It lets you "speak" to the giant mushroom NPCs and read their tablets.