Hollow Knight

Hollow Knight

306 ratings
Guide for the Delicate Flower Quest
By SwatSecTw0
A very useful guide to achieving the "Solace" Achievment
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Overview of This Guide
I would like to start by saying this - YOU CANNOT RUSH THIS SECTION.
Follow the path on the map.

This quest took me a good 3 hours to complete. I found out the hard way about several interactions that the flower has, and for your convenience I will list them for you:
Things That DON’T Work
Carefree Melody: I found out the hard way that, while this indeed has a chance to prevent you from taking a hit, even if this triggers, the flower still gets destroyed.

Dreamshield: Sounds good on paper, but in reality this charm hurts just as much as it helps. While this charm is good for lucky projectile blocks, one hit enemies like Oomas or Violent Husks make this charm a pain in areas where space is an issue. This is especially true on the most efficient path to beat this quest.

Glowing Womb: Useful for telling enemy locations, not useful for the constant soul drainage and unnecessary enemy engagements.

Bench Cheese: You can’t rest on the bench in the Queen’s Gardens, go get the flower, then exit the game and reenter the game with the flower at the Queen’s Gardens. While you are in possession of an UNDESTROYED Flower anytime you leave your current game session and come back, you will automatically respawn next to the bench at the Grey Mourner’s house.

Most Transportation: Taking the Stag Stations or Dreamgate will automatically destroy the flower, this is literally said by the Grey Mourner and in the Delicate Flower info text.
Things That DO Work
Clearing a Path: On the run before I beat this quest, I got hit right at the end of the quest. Instead of taking the dreamgate back, I decided to go on ahead to the end and clear out all the enemies there. Then I made my way back to the Grey Mourner’s house on the same path I took, clearing out all potential threats and enemies along the way. The most important step here is that you do not rest at a bench, as doing so makes all enemies respawn.

Hotsprings: Use hotsprings to regain soul and heal masks instead of benches. Using hotsprings doesn’t cause enemies to respawn.

Taking the Tram: The tram does not cause the flower to be destroyed. I only wish I had figured that one out sooner.

Placing a Dreamgate by the Grey Mourner’s House: Placing a dreamgate by the Grey Mourner’s house is unbelievably useful. if you screw up, simply take the dreamgate back to go get another flower. It is also worth noting that taking a dreamgate does not reset enemies.
What Build to Use to Complete This Quest
I recommend that before you try this quest that you have at least 2 nail upgrades and all eleven charm slots. All eleven are required to use the following build:

Baldur Shell: Good for if you think you might take damage since you can still focus your soul if you have full health. The flower will not be destroyed if you block damage this way.

Gruberfly’s Elegy: Very useful for taking out enemies from afar. This extra range will be crucial for clearing without taking damage.

Spore Shroom: Useful for clearing enemies that are around walls that may be risky to take on with your nail.

Sharp Shadow: Increases the range of your Shadow Dash. Very useful since while you are shadow dashing you can’t take damage.

Nail Master’s Glory: I found this useful for taking out weaker enemies that had the chance to screw you over towards the end of the quest. Especially Mantis Petras, I lost many runs to them.

Thorn’s of Agony: This is very useful since if you focus your soul with Baldur Shell and get hit, it still triggers the thorns of agony. This greatly increases the effectiveness of Baldur Shell.

Wayward Compass: Let’s face it - this is a quest where knowing where you are is crucial.
61 Comments
Zote, the Mighty Apr 19 @ 7:03pm 
I am Zote, and I find this message helpful.
RANDOM™ Feb 13 @ 7:15am 
Since most enemies don't respawn if you don't sit at a bench, I started from Queen's Garden, cleared everything until Resting Grounds, took the flower and made the trek back.
Super easy like this :D
The only time I was about to fail was just before the grave, where I almost hit a thorn lol

Only charm you need is Wayward Compass, and maybe a charm to lengthen your nail, just to make sure.

Thanks for the guide :)
SwatSecTw0  [author] Feb 5 @ 5:01pm 
It really makes me happy that years later there are still people using this guide! Thank you all <3 :quirrel:
Baby Bean Maserati Feb 4 @ 12:49am 
I succeeded on the first try, thanks to this guide. You have my lasting gratitude for saving me what could've been one hell of a headache.
River Otter Sep 1, 2023 @ 2:43pm 
i kept dieing at the last fucking jump i can now be a vessel for the radience
BSS Mudcat May 22, 2023 @ 5:02pm 
I'm ashamed to admit I never even thought of trying to clear the way ahead of time, that idea alone is worth it.
Lord Virginitus Jan 9, 2023 @ 4:34pm 
I am giving the delicate flower to all NPCs available before completing the quest, & the charms I use are Wayward Compass, Gathering Swarm, Shaman Stone, Dream Wielder, Defender's Crest, Fury of the Fallen & Glowing Womb. My method to get it is to have a single mask, try to get soul with the dream sting (although it is difficult with the Glowing Womb and I think it is better to equip Soul Catcher), and let the bugs of the Glowing Womb take care of the enemies.
Obeisantbread84 Dec 28, 2022 @ 7:16am 
thanks, I lost because I was going to the complete wrong area lol
ShakurasEnder Oct 3, 2022 @ 12:35pm 
Great guide, the route map was a big help.
thorird Jun 19, 2022 @ 4:12pm 
Thank you. Great guide