# What is the hardest achievement in Hollow Knight?

> The hardest Hollow Knight achievement is Embrace the Void, for clearing the Pantheon of Hallownest, a boss rush of nearly every boss with no rest.

The hardest achievement in Hollow Knight is generally considered to be **Embrace the Void**, earned by completing the Pantheon of Hallownest from the Godmaster update. It is a boss rush through nearly every boss in the game, ending with Absolute Radiance, with only a few short healing breaks and no saves along the way. Steel Soul (finishing the game in permadeath mode) and the speedrun achievements are also very demanding.

## The toughest achievements

- **Embrace the Void** — clear the Pantheon of Hallownest. A full run takes a long time, and one mistake near the end sends you back to the start.
- **Steel Soul** — finish the game in Steel Soul mode, where dying once deletes the save.
- **Speedrun 2** — beat the game in under 5 hours (Speedrun 1 is under 10 hours), which requires a planned route.
- **Completion achievements** — reaching 100% or more requires exploring the whole map, collecting charms and beating optional bosses.

## How to prepare for Pantheon 5

1. Beat every boss in Hall of Gods on Ascended difficulty to learn the patterns.
2. Clear Pantheons 1–4 first.
3. Pick a reliable charm setup (for example, Quick Slash, Unbreakable Strength and Mark of Pride for nail builds, or spell builds with Shaman Stone).
4. Practice the late gauntlet — Pure Vessel and Absolute Radiance — separately.

## FAQ

**What is the hardest boss in Hollow Knight?**
Absolute Radiance at the end of the Pantheon, plus Nightmare King Grimm and Pure Vessel, are usually called the hardest.

**Can you get all achievements in one playthrough?**
Mostly, except Steel Soul, which needs its own permadeath save, and speedrun achievements, which are easier on a dedicated run.

**Is Pantheon 5 required for 112%?**
Generally no — the extra percentage comes from Pantheons 1–4 and other Godmaster content, while the Pantheon of Hallownest is its own achievement.

**How long does it take to 100% Hollow Knight?**
Typically 40–60 hours for most players.

**Is Hollow Knight very hard?**
It is challenging but fair; the main story is manageable, while optional content like the Pantheons is very difficult.

---
https://gamevoyages.com/what-is-the-hardest-achievement-in-hollow-knight/ · Game Voyage · Checked 2026-11-01