Tracking your progress in Hallownest is a core part of the Hollow Knight experience, and few tasks are as universally satisfying—or as frustrating to complete—as rescuing the 46 lost Grubs. For completionists and achievement hunters, knowing your exact Grub count is essential for unlocking valuable rewards and the coveted "Metamorphosis" achievement. As of the latest updates in December 2025, the methods for tracking your little green friends remain consistent, but understanding the nuances of each is key to achieving 100% completion.
The quest to save the Grubs is a major side objective that rewards the brave Knight with Geo, useful Charms, and a deeper connection to the lore of the Forgotten Crossroads. Whether you're aiming for the final reward or just want a quick progress check, this guide breaks down the five definitive ways to determine exactly how many Grubs you've saved on your journey through the desolate kingdom.
The Grubfather: The Heart of the Grub Collection Quest
The entire Grub collection mechanic revolves around one central, sorrowful NPC: the Grubfather. Understanding his role, location, and the rewards he offers is the first step in mastering your Grub tracking.
- NPC Name: The Grubfather
- Location: Forgotten Crossroads, specifically in a hidden grotto in the far northwestern section of the map.
- Purpose: He is the elderly, distressed father of the 46 captive Grubs scattered across Hallownest. The Knight's role is to free the Grubs from their glass jars and return them to the Grubfather's home.
- Total Grubs: There are 46 Grubs in total to be rescued.
- Key Rewards: The Grubfather provides incremental rewards for every few Grubs returned, including Geo, Pale Ore, Mask Shards, and Charms like the Grubsong (3 Grubs) and the ultimate reward, the Grubberfly's Elegy (all 46 Grubs).
- Achievements: Rescuing 23 or more Grubs grants the "Grubfriend" achievement, while rescuing all 46 Grubs grants "Metamorphosis."
The Grubfather’s grotto is not just a reward center; it is the most reliable, in-game progress tracker available to the Knight.
1. The Definitive In-Game Count: Counting the Jars
The most direct and universally available method for checking your Grub count is to simply visit the Grubfather in his home in the Forgotten Crossroads. This method requires no special items or map upgrades, only a trip to his location.
How to Count Your Saved Grubs:
Upon entering the Grubfather’s grotto, you will see a large wall lined with small, clear glass jars. These jars serve as the visual counter for your progress. The key distinction is the contents of the jar:
- Filled Jars: A jar containing a small, bright green Grub indicates a SAVED Grub. Each filled jar represents one successful rescue.
- Empty Jars: An empty jar indicates a MISSING Grub that you have not yet found and freed.
To get your current count, all you need to do is physically count the number of filled jars on the wall. Since the total is 46, you can also subtract the number of empty jars from 46 to determine your saved total. This visual representation is the canonical way the game communicates your collection status to the player.
2. Using the Grub Map Marker (The Collector's Map)
For players who want an active tracking tool that marks the remaining Grubs on the map, the Grub Map Marker is an indispensable item. However, obtaining this powerful tracking tool requires significant progress in the game.
Steps to Unlock the Grub Map Tracker:
- Defeat The Collector: This difficult boss is found in the Tower of Love, a sub-area of the City of Tears. You will need a simple key to access this tower.
- Obtain The Collector's Map: After defeating The Collector, you will find a special map on a pedestal. This map instantly marks the location of every single remaining captive Grub on your map of Hallownest.
- Active Tracking: Unlike the static jar count, this map provides dynamic, real-time tracking. A small Grub icon will appear on your map in the exact room where a captive Grub is still waiting to be freed. Once you free the Grub, the icon vanishes.
This method is by far the most efficient way to track down the final few Grubs and is highly recommended for anyone aiming for the full 46/46 collection.
3. Checking the Grubfather's Reward Tiers
The Grubfather is programmed to give a specific reward at set milestones. If you can recall the last major reward you received, you can get a close estimate of your current count. This method is less precise than counting the jars but serves as a good quick-check indicator.
Key Reward Milestones:
- 1 Grub Saved: 50 Geo
- 3 Grubs Saved: Grubsong Charm
- 5 Grubs Saved: 150 Geo
- 10 Grubs Saved: Charms & Geo (Varies, often a Mask Shard or Geo)
- 16 Grubs Saved: Pale Ore (Essential for Nail upgrades)
- 23 Grubs Saved: Grubfriend Achievement Unlocked
- 31 Grubs Saved: King's Idol (Valuable relic)
- 46 Grubs Saved: Grubberfly's Elegy Charm (The final, powerful reward)
For example, if you know you just received the Pale Ore, your count is at least 16, but likely less than 23. This method is a great way to gauge where you are in the overall collection quest.
4. The Hunter's Journal and Completion Percentage
While not a direct Grub counter, your Hunter's Journal and the overall game completion percentage can offer contextual clues about your progress. The Grubs themselves do not have a dedicated entry in the journal, but the rewards you receive contribute to your overall progress.
- Charms: Both the Grubsong and Grubberfly's Elegy charms count towards the game's overall Charm Collection percentage. If you have all 40 Charms, you have definitely saved all 46 Grubs.
- Mask Shards & Vessels: The Mask Shard and Vessel Fragment rewards you get from the Grubfather contribute to your total health and Soul capacity, which in turn affects your overall game completion percentage.
If you are near 100% completion but are missing the Grubberfly's Elegy, you know that the remaining Grubs are one of the last few tasks you need to complete to reach the maximum completion percentage.
5. External Tools and Interactive Maps
For players who are truly stuck or simply want to avoid endless backtracking, utilizing external resources is a perfectly valid and popular option. These tools are maintained by the dedicated Hollow Knight community and are constantly updated to ensure accuracy.
- Interactive Maps: Websites like Map Genie or the official Hollow Knight Wiki often feature interactive maps where you can filter and track the location of every collectible, including all 46 Grubs. You can click on a Grub's location to mark it as found, effectively creating your own external tracker.
- Video Guides: Numerous YouTube guides offer "All Grub Locations" walkthroughs. You can follow along and check off the Grubs you've already saved based on the area names (e.g., Greenpath, Deepnest, City of Tears, Fungal Wastes, Crystal Peak, Ancient Basin, etc.).
Using an interactive map is a fantastic way to cross-reference your in-game count with a definitive list, ensuring you haven't missed a single one in the vast, interconnected world of Hallownest.
Ultimately, the most reliable and satisfying way to track your progress is to make a pilgrimage back to the Grubfather's grotto. Seeing those filled jars accumulate provides the best visual feedback of your success. Happy hunting, Knight, and may your path to the ultimate Grubberfly's Elegy be swift and successful!
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