Introduction to Speedrunning Hollow Knight's Path of Pain

Greetings, fellow speedrunners! TurboTony here, and today we're diving into the exhilarating world of speedrunning Hollow Knight's notorious Path of Pain. As someone who's spent countless hours honing my skills in various games, including Elden Ring, I can attest that mastering this challenging section of Hollow Knight is no small feat. But fear not! With the right strategies and a bit of practice, you'll be blazing through this treacherous path in record time.

The Path of Pain, an optional area within the White Palace, is renowned for its brutal difficulty and precise platforming challenges. Speedrunning this section requires not only exceptional skills but also intimate knowledge of the layout and mechanics. In this comprehensive guide, we'll break down every step needed to conquer the Path of Pain in under 10 minutes.

Pre-Run Preparation

Before we dive into the nitty-gritty of the run itself, let's cover some essential preparation steps:

1. Charm Setup: Equip the following charms for optimal performance: - Hiveblood (for health regeneration) - Grubsong (to gain SOUL when taking damage) - Deep Focus (to heal two masks with one focus) - Longnail or Mark of Pride (for extended nail reach)

2. Controller Setup: Ensure your controller is in top condition. Many speedrunners prefer using a controller over a keyboard for more precise movements.

3. Practice Individual Sections: Before attempting a full run, practice each section of the Path of Pain individually. Familiarize yourself with the layout and optimal routes.

4. Study World Records: Watch videos of current world record holders to learn advanced techniques and optimal paths.

Section-by-Section Breakdown

Let's break down the Path of Pain into manageable sections and discuss strategies for each:

Section 1: The Entrance

Start by entering the hidden room in the White Palace. Use the Crystal Heart dash to reach the first platform. From there, perform a series of precise wall jumps and dash-jumps to navigate through the saw blades. The key here is rhythm and timing.

Section 2: The Vertical Challenge

This section involves a lot of vertical movement. Use pogo jumps off the saw blades to maintain height. Remember, you can pogo off the side of saw blades as well. Time your jumps carefully to avoid the moving saws.

Section 3: The Horizontal Gauntlet

This section requires rapid horizontal movement. Utilize the Monarch Wings for double jumps and the Crystal Heart for long dashes. Be prepared for quick transitions between platforming and flying.

Section 4: The Spike Maze

Navigate through a series of tight corridors lined with spikes. Use short hops and wall jumps to maneuver. Patience is key here - rushing can lead to costly mistakes.

Section 5: The Final Stretch

The last section combines all previous challenges. Stay focused and use all the skills you've honed. The final room contains a boss fight - defeat the Kingsmoulds quickly to complete the run.

Advanced Techniques

To truly excel in speedrunning the Path of Pain, master these advanced techniques:

1. Pogo Jumping: Striking downward on enemies or objects to gain height and maintain momentum.

2. Wall Cling Jumping: Quickly jumping off walls to navigate tight spaces.

3. Quick Crystal Dash: Canceling Crystal Dash immediately after activation for precise movements.

4. Damage Boosting: Intentionally taking damage to pass through certain sections faster (use with caution).

Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

Even experienced speedrunners can fall victim to these common mistakes:

• Overconfidence: Don't rush through sections you've mastered. Maintain focus throughout the entire run.
• Neglecting Health Management: Use your Hiveblood charm effectively. Sometimes waiting for health regeneration is faster than restarting after a death.
• Inconsistent Pacing: Try to maintain a steady pace. Rushing can lead to mistakes, while being too cautious can cost valuable seconds.
• Forgetting to Practice All Sections: Don't neglect any part of the path. A single weak section can ruin an otherwise perfect run.

Optimizing Your Route

To achieve a sub-10 minute time, every second counts. Here are some tips for optimizing your route:

1. Minimize Healing: Try to complete sections without taking damage to avoid time-consuming healing.

2. Perfect Your Transitions: Practice smooth transitions between sections. Even saving half a second between each section can significantly impact your final time.

3. Use Environmental Shortcuts: Some sections have hidden shortcuts or optimized paths. Experiment to find the fastest route.

4. Optimize Boss Fight: Practice the final Kingsmould fight to defeat them as quickly as possible.

Path of Pain Speedrun Statistics

Training Regimen

Consistency is key when it comes to improving your Path of Pain speedrun times. Here's a suggested training regimen:

Day	Focus	Duration
Monday	Full run attempts	2 hours
Tuesday	Section 1 & 2 practice	1.5 hours
Wednesday	Section 3 & 4 practice	1.5 hours
Thursday	Section 5 & boss fight practice	1.5 hours
Friday	Full run attempts	2 hours
Saturday	Technique refinement	1 hour
Sunday	Rest or casual play	N/A

Mental Preparation and Mindset

Speedrunning isn't just about physical skills; mental preparation is equally important. Here are some tips to keep your mind sharp:

1. Stay Calm Under Pressure: The Path of Pain can be frustrating. Practice deep breathing techniques to maintain composure during tough sections.

2. Positive Self-Talk: Encourage yourself throughout the run. Positive reinforcement can significantly impact your performance.

3. Learn from Mistakes: Instead of getting frustrated by errors, view them as learning opportunities. Analyze what went wrong and how to improve.

4. Visualization: Before starting a run, visualize yourself completing each section flawlessly. This mental rehearsal can improve your actual performance.

Community and Resources

Joining the Hollow Knight speedrunning community can greatly enhance your skills and motivation. Here are some valuable resources:

1. Speedrun.com: Check out the Hollow Knight leaderboards for the latest records and strategies.

2. Discord Channels: Join Hollow Knight speedrunning Discord servers to connect with other runners, share tips, and participate in races.

3. Twitch Streams: Watch live streams of top runners to learn new techniques and stay updated on the latest strategies.

4. YouTube Tutorials: Many experienced runners create detailed tutorial videos. These can be invaluable for learning specific techniques or optimizations.

Conclusion

Speedrunning Hollow Knight's Path of Pain is a true test of skill, patience, and dedication. With consistent practice and the strategies outlined in this guide, you'll be well on your way to achieving impressive times. Remember, every run is an opportunity to learn and improve.

As TurboTony, I can attest that the journey to becoming a skilled speedrunner is as rewarding as the destination. The skills you develop here will serve you well in other speedrunning endeavors, much like how my experience with Elden Ring has influenced my approach to Hollow Knight.

Keep pushing your limits, stay determined, and most importantly, enjoy the thrill of the run. Before you know it, you'll be setting records and inspiring the next generation of Hollow Knight speedrunners. Good luck, and may your nail strike true!

For the latest speedrunning times and to submit your own runs, visit www.speedrun.com/hollowknight.