Easiest and Best Ways to Get Mask Shards in Hollow Knight

Hollow Knight is a cute and fun game, but that doesn't mean it isn't hard to play. Throughout the game, you'll gather Mask Shards that will increase your health so you can fight bigger and badder things. There are 16 Mask Shards scattered throughout Hallownest, and every 4 shards will increase your Knight's health. This wikiHow guide will walk you through finding every Mask Shard in Hollow Knight.

Things You Should Know

There are 16 Mask Shards for you to collect.
The easiest Mask Shards are for purchase from Sly in Dirtmouth once you find him in Forgotten Crossroads.
Some Mask Shards are blocked by requirements, like having Mantis Claw, a key, or Monarchwings Cloak.

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Why get Mask Shards?

Mask Shards increase your health. Four Mask Shards equal one Ancient Mask, which increases the health points of your character by 1. And with 16 Mask Shards in Hollow Knight, you can get up to 4 Masks in the game. You can increase this health pool more with charms and lifeblood cocoons.
- Increased health will make your enemies a little easier to beat since you won't die as quickly as before.

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Mask Shard #1: Dirtmouth

Buy for 150 Geo. Find Sly in the Forgotten Crossroads and he will allow you to purchase this Mask Shard once he opens his shop in Dirtmouth.^{[1]
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- To find him in the Forgotten Crossroads, look in the southeastern region of the map.

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Mask Shard #2: Dirtmouth

After you found Sly in Forgotten Crossroads and after you've purchased the first Mask Shard, you can buy the second one.^{[2]
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Mask Shard #3: Dirtmouth

You'll need the Shopkeeper's Key from Crystal Peak to purchase this mask shard. Without the key, you won't see the shard for sale.^{[3]
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Mask Shard #4: Dirtmouth

You'll need the Shopkeeper's Key from Crystal Peak to purchase the 3rd shard as well as this mask shard. Without the key, you won't see the shard for sale.^{[4]
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Mask Shard #5: Forgotten Crossroads

It's in the western reaches of Forgotten Crossroads. When you enter the crossroads, head left and continue in that direction until you find a large vertical shaft, then drop down and take the 3rd exit on the left.

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Mask Shard #6: Forgotten Crossroads

If you've rescued 5 Grubs, go talk to the Grubfather in Grubhome (the northwestern corner of Forgotten Crossroads) to receive a Mask Shard.

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Mask Shard #7: Forgotten Crossroads

Avoid Gloams. In the southern reaches of Forgotten Crossroads, you'll find yourself in a large cavern with plenty of invincible Gloams. You need to get to a ledge in the lower left corner without touching or running into any Gloams. Once you're at the ledge, drop down and you'll find a Mask Shard in a little alcove.
- It's recommended that you have Mantis Claw or Monarch Wings for this.

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Mask Shard #8: Queen's Station

Avoid the spikes. Located in the bottom right side of Queen's Station, which is to the far left of the Fungal Wastes map, you'll find a room full of spikes/thorns that you need to avoid. Use wall dashes and jumps to get through the tiny maze.^{[5]
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- Mantis Claw is required.

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Mask Shard #9: Dirtmouth

You need to rescue Bretta from the Fungal Wastes before you can visit her house to get the Mask Shard.

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Mask Shard #10: Greenpath

Defeat No Eyes' and go to the next room. You'll see the shard floating in the middle of this room.^{[6]
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- The Lumafly Lantern in required. Buy it from Sly in Dirtmouth for 1,800 Geo.

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Mask Shard #11: Royal Waterways

Since this level is almost always completely dark, the Lumafly Lantern is recommended. From Conifer's room, go left until you reach the next room, then pick the path that goes down.^{[7]
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Mask Shard #12: Deepnest

Since the area is impossible to traverse without those two things, they are required. You'll need Monarch Wings to double-jump up the wall then use Mantis Claw to wall-jump to Fungal Core (a sub-area of Fungal Wastes). Once you're in Fungal Core, go left and drop off each ledge until you find a hole in the bottom left corner. Drop down it and follow the path to the bottom, then drop down a massive hole to Deepnest.^{[8]
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Mask Shard #13: Crystal Peak

You need Monarch Wings and Mantis Claw. Once you defeat the Crystal Guardian at Crystal Peak, you'll head up to the small room that's north of the Crystal Guardian's room. Defeat the Enraged Guardian and get your shard.^{[9]
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Mask Shard #14: The Hive

Find the shard after baiting a Hive Guardian to break a wall. Go to the far right side of the screen to attract a Guardian and then repeatedly wall-jump until the Guardian uses its charging bounce attack, which should break it open.^{[10]
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- Once the wall is broken, you can simply pick up the Mask Shard.

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Mask Shard #15: Resting Grounds

Collect 1,500 Essence. You need the Dream Nail to continue. After you have the Dream Nail, you can continue to challenge Whispering Roots and Dream Warriors to collect Essence.
- With the Dream Nail, you can return to bosses that you've already defeated and challenge their much more powerful counterparts to fight you in return for Essence.
- After collecting 1,500 Essence, return to The Seer in Resting Grounds for your Mask Shard.

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Mask Shard #16: Resting Grounds

Complete the Grey Mourner side quest. This Mask Shard can be the most difficult to get because of certain restrictions. With the Delicate Flower from the Grey Mourner, you must travel to a grave in Queen's Gardens without using a Dreamgate teleport or Stagways, and without taking any damage.
- If you're trying the side quest and your flower breaks, you can always return to the Grey Mourner for a replacement.^{[11]
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- Once you complete the side quest, return to the Grey Mourner for your Mask Shard.