What do I do??

[Sean]

So I’m on my first play through. I took a break a year ago and have started playing again.

I am trying to get the dream nail which requires 1800 essence but I only have 600. To get more I must fight warrior dreams but I cannot wake them up from their sleep without a dream nail!

[Darc Vader]

1800 Essence is for the Awoken Dream Nail, you should already have the normal Dream Nail (you can't get any essence at all without it and you already have 600).

[Sean]

Originally posted by Darc Vader:

1800 Essence is for the Awoken Dream Nail, you should already have the normal Dream Nail (you can't get any essence at all without it and you already have 600).

I still have the coiled nail, even though I’ve visited the memorial site

[upexe]

If you haven't changed any settings, you will be able to use the ordinary dream nail by holding 'Q' (if not, check your control settings). 1800 is for the upgraded version of your dream nail, which allows you to further progress on something i will not discuss due to spoilers. And to add onto that, your coiled nail is your weapon, nothing to do with your dream nail. Hope that clears things for you!

[Boksha]

Yup, the Dream Nail is an additional item unrelated to your weapon. If you have essence at all, you'll have the Dream Nail.

[prudenut]

Press Y on controller.

[Sverr]

There are two nails. Regular (your weapon) and Dream Nail that you get from the Seer the first time you see her.
Hold F on the keyboard to use it. Can be used on many things: some corpses, graves, dead bosses with the characteristic glow around them. And it's a requirement to start the Grimm Troupe DLC. Also you can use it on the living enemies to get soul. It can be tricky, though, since the animation is slow. You need 1800 to get the Awoken Dream Nail. It will allow you to use it on certain things that are relevant to the plot. Dream Nail doesn't deal damage.

[nzcyclone]

If you have the dream nail (which you already do by the sounds of it) not to be confused with your weapon which is totally separate) look for the Whispering Roots (look like little trees that sparkle as your close to them) There is one of these on the platform immediately below the level the seer is on just outside her door one level down. If you use your dream nail on those that also gives you essence as you collect the dots that it spreads around, you will know when you have them all as the tree makes a sound and changes form. As others have said you Must have the Awoken Dream Nail to progress to the final stages of the game if your wanting to play all of it fully.

[Grimshot]

bro how lol its q on keyboard