Upgrading the primary weapon in Hallownest is a fundamental requirement for survival. The Nail, starting as a blunt and chipped Old Nail, eventually reaches its zenith as the Pure Nail, but this transformation relies entirely on a rare, icy metal known as Pale Ore. This material is scarce, with only six pieces existing within the vast, interconnected world of Hollow Knight. Securing every piece involves mastering platforming, defeating hidden bosses, and completing extensive collection quests. This guide details where to find every shard and how to navigate the challenges protecting them.

The Role of the Nailsmith and Upgrade Tiers

The Nailsmith, located in a secluded hut on the far left side of the City of Tears, is the only NPC capable of refining the Knight's weapon. His craft requires two currencies: Geo and Pale Ore. It is important to note that the very first upgrade does not require any ore, making it an essential early-game priority for every player.

Nail Upgrade Progression

  1. Old Nail: The starting weapon with 5 base damage.
  2. Sharpened Nail: Requires 250 Geo and 0 Pale Ore. Damage increases to 9. This should be acquired as soon as the City of Tears is accessed.
  3. Channelled Nail: Requires 800 Geo and 1 Pale Ore. Damage increases to 13.
  4. Coiled Nail: Requires 2,000 Geo and 2 Pale Ore. Damage increases to 17.
  5. Pure Nail: Requires 4,000 Geo and 3 Pale Ore. Damage increases to 21.

To reach the final tier, a total of 7,050 Geo and 6 Pale Ore must be surrendered to the Nailsmith. Each upgrade significantly reduces the number of hits required to defeat standard enemies and bosses, which is vital for late-game areas like the Hive or the Abyss.

Location 1: The Ancient Basin (Mawlek Guards)

One of the most accessible pieces of Pale Ore, provided the player has reached the lower sections of Hallownest, is found in the Ancient Basin. This area is situated beneath the Royal Waterways and can be reached via the tram system or by dropping down through the hole created near the King's Station.

Upon entering the Ancient Basin, head west from the main Tram Station. The path leads to a cavernous area where several Lesser Mawleks reside. These enemies are less dangerous than the Brooding Mawlek found in the Crossroads but still possess a high-arcing acid spit and a lunging attack. The Pale Ore sits on a pedestal in the leftmost room of this sub-section. Two Lesser Mawleks guard the immediate vicinity; defeating them is mandatory to claim the prize safely. While it is possible to dash past them, clearing the room ensures no stray acid projectiles interrupt the collection animation.

Location 2: Hallownest’s Crown (Crystal Peak)

The highest point in Hallownest, known as Hallownest’s Crown, houses a statue of the Radiance that holds a piece of Pale Ore. Reaching this summit is a test of navigation within the Crystal Peak, an area filled with crushing machinery and laser-firing enemies.

To access the Crown, the Mantis Claw (wall jump) is required. While the Monarch Wings (double jump) and Crystal Heart (super dash) are technically not mandatory for advanced players who can "pogo" off environmental objects, they are highly recommended for a stable ascent. The path involves climbing the vertical shafts on the far right of Crystal Peak, then circling back toward the top center. At the very peak, the atmosphere thins, and the background opens up to a wide view of the world. The Pale Ore is embedded in the base of the Great Statue. Simply strike or interact with the base to retrieve it.

Location 3: The Seer’s Reward (Resting Grounds)

In the Resting Grounds, an ancient moth known as the Seer tasks the Knight with collecting Essence—the lingering memories of the fallen. This is a progression-based reward rather than a physical location to be explored.

The Seer will grant the Knight a piece of Pale Ore once 300 Essence has been gathered. Essence is obtained through several methods:

  • Whispering Roots: Activating these small trees scatters Essence orbs throughout the room. Collecting all of them yields a significant amount of Essence.
  • Dream Warriors: Defeating ghosts like Xero (Resting Grounds), Gorb (Howling Cliffs), or Elder Hu (Fungal Wastes) provides a quick boost of 100 or more Essence each.
  • Dream Bosses: More challenging versions of previously defeated bosses, such as Lost Kin or Failed Champion, offer hundreds of Essence but require high-level combat skills.

For most players, defeating two easy Dream Warriors and clearing two or three Whispering Roots is the fastest way to hit the 300 mark and secure this ore early.

Location 4: Deepnest (The Lair of Nosk)

Deepnest is often cited as the most unsettling region of Hallownest, and the Pale Ore hidden here is guarded by one of its most unique predators: Nosk. This creature mimics the shape of the Knight to lure them deep into its lair.

To find Nosk, head to the room west of the hot spring in Deepnest. There is a breakable wall on the left side of this cavern. Behind it lies a series of narrow tunnels where the mimic will appear briefly before scurrying away. Following the mimic leads through several more breakable walls until the player reaches a large arena filled with silk-wrapped corpses.

Strategy for Nosk: Nosk moves quickly, scurrying across the floor and ceiling while occasionally spitting orange infection blobs. A reliable strategy is to stand in the corner of the small raised platform in the center of the arena. When Nosk runs over the edge, he often fails to hit the Knight, allowing for upward slashes. Once Nosk is defeated, the path to the right opens up, revealing a room where the Pale Ore is lodged in a mound of webbing and rock.

Location 5: The Grubfather’s Gratitude (Forgotten Crossroads)

Rescuing the small green larvae known as Grubs is a recurring side quest. These creatures are trapped in glass jars across every corner of the kingdom. The Grubfather, located in the top-left corner of the Forgotten Crossroads, provides various rewards as his children return home.

To receive the Pale Ore reward, 31 out of the 46 total Grubs must be rescued. This task can be daunting without the Collector’s Map, which marks the locations of all unrescued Grubs on the world map. The map is obtained by defeating The Collector in the Tower of Love (requires the Love Key from Queen’s Gardens).

Tracking down 31 Grubs generally requires the Knight to have explored most of the map, including late-game areas like the Queen’s Gardens and Kingdom’s Edge. However, because the rewards also include large amounts of Geo and useful Charms like Grubsong, this is a highly efficient path for overall character progression.

Location 6: Trial of the Conqueror (Colosseum of Fools)

The final piece of Pale Ore is a reward for combat prowess in the Colosseum of Fools, located at the very top of Kingdom’s Edge. The Colosseum features three distinct trials. The first, the Trial of the Warrior, grants a Charm Notch. The second, the Trial of the Conqueror, is where the Pale Ore is found.

The Trial of the Conqueror: This trial consists of 17 waves of increasingly difficult enemies. It introduces hazardous terrain, such as floor spikes and shifting walls, which force the player into aerial combat.

  • Key Enemies: Watch out for Great Hoppers, which require rhythmic movement to avoid, and the Squits and Winged Fools that clutter the air.
  • Final Wave: The trial culminates in a fight against two Oblobbles. These large, hovering insects fly in erratic patterns and shoot rapid-fire acid. Focusing damage on one at a time is usually the safest approach, as the survivor becomes faster and more aggressive once its partner dies.

Upon successfully completing the Trial of the Conqueror, the Pale Ore will drop alongside approximately 2,000 Geo.

Optimization: The Best Order for Collection

While players are free to explore as they wish, a specific order of collection can make the journey smoother.

  1. First Upgrade (No Ore): Do this immediately upon reaching the City of Tears.
  2. Seer Reward (300 Essence): This is often the fastest "first" ore to get because Dream Warriors like Gorb and Xero are relatively simple fights.
  3. Ancient Basin: If the player has the Tram Pass or Monarch Wings, this is a quick grab with minimal combat.
  4. Crystal Peak: Once the Mantis Claw is mastered, the climb is more about patience than difficulty.
  5. Grubfather: This naturally completes as you explore for the other ores.
  6. Nosk and Colosseum: These are combat-intensive. It is generally recommended to have at least a Coiled Nail (requiring 3 ores total) before attempting the Trial of the Conqueror or the Nosk boss fight to ensure your damage output is sufficient.

Technical Considerations and Exploration Tips

When hunting for Pale Ore, certain Charms can drastically reduce the difficulty of the challenges involved. For the Colosseum and Nosk, Quick Focus is invaluable for healing during the brief windows of safety. Mark of Pride or Longnail provides extra reach, which is essential when pogoing off enemies in the Trial of the Conqueror or hitting Nosk from a safe distance.

For the Crystal Peak ascent, Hiveblood can be a useful, albeit slow, way to recover health if you find yourself struggling with the platforming sections near Hallownest’s Crown. If Essence farming for the Seer feels tedious, prioritize the Dreamgate ability (unlocked at 900 Essence). While it requires more Essence than the ore itself, it allows you to set a warp point at the Nailsmith’s hut, saving significant travel time when you are ready to spend your collected ores.

The Legend of Pale Ore

Beyond its mechanical utility, Pale Ore holds a subtle place in the lore of Hallownest. The material is described as emanating an "icy chill" and is prized by weapon crafters. Fragmentary evidence suggests a connection between this metal and the "Pale Beings," such as the Pale King himself. This explains why the ore is often found near statues of divinity or in the deepest reaches of the kingdom where the King's influence was most profound. The transition from the Old Nail to the Pure Nail is not just a statistical increase; it represents the Knight's journey from a discarded vessel to a force capable of challenging the very heart of the Infection.

Securing all six pieces of Pale Ore is a milestone that marks the transition into the endgame. With the Pure Nail in hand, the Knight is prepared for the Pantheon of Hallownest and the toughest challenges the game has to offer. Whether you are navigating the dark tunnels of Deepnest or surviving the frantic waves of the Colosseum, each shard of ore is a hard-won step toward mastery.