The later recommendations include charms and areas that may spoil progression, optional bosses, and Godmaster content.
Fast answer
The answer before the background
For a dependable late-game setup, use Quick Slash, Unbreakable Strength, Shaman Stone, and Spell Twister for exactly 11 notches. It gives excellent nail damage while making every spell more valuable. For a pure nail build, replace the spell charms with Mark of Pride. For a pure spell build, use Shaman Stone, Spell Twister, Soul Catcher, and Grubsong. Early on, Grubsong, Soul Catcher, Longnail, and Wayward Compass provide more practical value than expensive endgame charms.
Quick comparison
The strongest choices by role
Charm rankings are most useful when they account for notch cost and the job you need done. Quick Slash is the best general offensive pick for players who regularly use the Nail because it increases attack speed and generates SOUL faster. Shaman Stone is the equivalent centerpiece for spell users, increasing spell damage and projectile size. Unbreakable Strength is exceptional once available, but its fragile version fills the same offensive role earlier in the game.
The table below treats “best” as a recommendation, not an objective rule. A charm can rank lower overall and still be the correct choice for a particular boss, platforming section, or learning attempt.
- Best all-round offense: Quick Slash.
- Best spell centerpiece: Shaman Stone.
- Best Nail damage partner: Unbreakable Strength, or Fragile Strength before the upgrade.
- Best reach and safety: Mark of Pride.
- Best one-notch damage support: Grubsong.
- Best exploration tool: Wayward Compass.
| Use case | Recommended loadout | Notches | Why it works |
|---|---|---|---|
| General late game | Quick Slash, Unbreakable Strength, Shaman Stone, Spell Twister | 11 | Combines fast Nail damage with stronger and cheaper spells. |
| Pure Nail damage | Quick Slash, Unbreakable Strength, Mark of Pride, Grubsong | 10 | High damage, reach, attack speed, and a spare notch. |
| Pure spell damage | Shaman Stone, Spell Twister, Soul Catcher, Grubsong, Grubberfly’s Elegy | 10 | Improves spell damage, SOUL economy, and ranged pressure. |
| Safe healing | Quick Focus, Shape of Unn, Grubsong | 6 | Lets you heal more quickly and reposition while focusing. |
| Exploration | Wayward Compass, Gathering Swarm, Sprintmaster, Grubsong | 5 | Improves navigation, Geo collection, movement, and damage recovery. |
The Knight starts with three Charm Notches and can reach 11 total. Charms can only be equipped or removed while sitting on a Bench, so prepare a loadout before entering a long route or boss attempt.
Progression guide
Best early game charms and practical upgrades
Early builds should solve immediate problems rather than imitate an endgame setup. Grubsong is one of the most efficient defensive charms because taking damage gives SOUL, helping you heal or cast after mistakes. Soul Catcher adds more SOUL from Nail hits, making it useful in both combat and exploration. Combining Grubsong with Soul Catcher is especially forgiving while you are still learning enemy patterns.
Longnail is a strong early comfort pick. Its extra Nail range makes spacing easier and reduces the need to stand directly beside enemies. Wayward Compass is not a combat charm, but it is arguably the most useful exploration equipment for a first playthrough because it shows your position when a map is open. Gathering Swarm is also valuable if losing Geo is slowing down your upgrades.
As your collection grows, buy or find more notches before forcing expensive combinations. A practical five-notch early setup is Grubsong, Soul Catcher, and Longnail. If you are lost, replace Longnail with Wayward Compass. If you are comfortable with navigation, keep the combat version equipped.
- First combat priority: Grubsong.
- First flexible SOUL option: Soul Catcher.
- First comfort-range option: Longnail.
- First exploration option: Wayward Compass.
- Do not judge a charm only by its tier-list position; notch efficiency matters most when your capacity is low.
| Stage | Suggested setup | Upgrade path |
|---|---|---|
| Early exploration | Grubsong, Soul Catcher, Longnail | Add Wayward Compass when mapping unfamiliar regions. |
| Early spell access | Shaman Stone, Soul Catcher, Grubsong | Add Spell Twister when spell costs start limiting casts. |
| Mid-game general use | Shaman Stone, Spell Twister, Soul Catcher, Grubsong | Replace utility charms according to the next area or boss. |
| Late-game preparation | Quick Slash, Strength, Shaman Stone, Spell Twister | Use Mark of Pride instead of spell support for Nail-only fights. |
For a first clear, comfort usually beats theoretical damage. A slightly weaker build that gives you more healing opportunities, better spacing, or easier navigation can finish a fight faster than a glass-cannon setup.
Build comparison
Nail, spell, hybrid, and survival loadouts
The pure Nail build is the simplest high-performance option. Quick Slash increases the number of hits you can land, Strength improves each hit, and Mark of Pride makes spacing more forgiving. This setup is particularly effective against bosses that allow repeated close-range attacks. Grubsong fills the remaining notch in the listed version and helps turn mistakes into healing resources.
The spell build rewards deliberate SOUL management. Shaman Stone improves spell output, while Spell Twister reduces spell cost, allowing more casts from the same SOUL supply. Soul Catcher supports the loop by increasing SOUL gained from Nail hits. Grubsong is a cheap safety net, but experienced players can replace it with another damage or utility option.
The hybrid build is the most broadly useful endgame recommendation because it does not force you to ignore either combat system. Use the Nail when a boss is vulnerable at close range and spend SOUL when distance, burst damage, or a difficult phase makes spells safer. It is less specialized than a pure build, but it adapts well to unfamiliar encounters.
For survival, Quick Focus is the direct healing choice. Shape of Unn changes where you can heal by allowing movement during Focus, which can be more valuable than raw healing speed against bosses with persistent hazards. Deep Focus restores more Masks per heal but costs four notches, so it is best when you have a specific healing plan rather than as a default damage option.
- Nail specialists should start with Quick Slash plus Strength, then choose Mark of Pride or defensive support.
- Spell specialists should protect Shaman Stone and Spell Twister before adding niche synergies.
- Hybrid players should keep both Nail and spell upgrades instead of stacking several minor effects.
- Survival builds are strongest when the boss gives predictable healing windows or allows movement while healing.
| Build | Core charms | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Nail specialist | Quick Slash, Unbreakable Strength, Mark of Pride | Bosses with reliable close-range openings. |
| Spell specialist | Shaman Stone, Spell Twister, Soul Catcher | Burst damage, ranged attacks, and difficult phases. |
| Hybrid | Quick Slash, Unbreakable Strength, Shaman Stone, Spell Twister | General late-game progression and unfamiliar bosses. |
| Healing specialist | Quick Focus, Shape of Unn, Grubsong | Learning patterns and surviving long attempts. |
Damage rankings depend on execution. A player who rarely lands spells may perform better with Mark of Pride, while a player who gathers SOUL reliably may gain more from Shaman Stone than another Nail charm.
Advanced use
Best charm combos, tier-list traps, and overcharming
Some pairings are strong because their effects naturally reinforce each other. Quick Slash and Strength multiply the value of repeated Nail hits. Shaman Stone and Spell Twister improve both spell power and the number of casts you can afford. Shape of Unn and Quick Focus support mobile healing, while Defender’s Crest and Flukenest create a specialized spell interaction that is fun and effective in the right encounters but is not the best default setup for a first playthrough.
A tier list should therefore be read by category. S-tier general picks include Quick Slash, Shaman Stone, Unbreakable Strength, Mark of Pride, Spell Twister, and Grubsong. Strong situational picks include Sharp Shadow, Quick Focus, Shape of Unn, Dream Wielder, Nailmaster’s Glory, and Wayward Compass. Charms such as Thorns of Agony, Heavy Blow, and Kingsoul can work, but their opportunity cost is usually higher in a general build.
Overcharming lets you equip a charm loadout beyond your available notch total, but all incoming damage is doubled. That is a poor trade during normal progression and most first-clear boss attempts. It can make sense in the Hall of Gods for Radiant fights, where a single hit already ends the attempt, or when practicing a controlled strategy. Otherwise, remove a charm and stay within your notch limit.
- Prioritize combinations that improve the same resource or action.
- Do not copy a Godhome build for ordinary exploration without checking its safety cost.
- Use Sharp Shadow when damaging dashes solve a specific movement or spacing problem.
- Treat overcharming as an advanced risk tool, not a normal progression upgrade.
| Combo | Notches | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Quick Slash plus Unbreakable Strength | 6 | Excellent general Nail damage core. |
| Shaman Stone plus Spell Twister | 5 | Best foundation for frequent, powerful spells. |
| Quick Focus plus Shape of Unn | 5 | Strong mobile-healing combination. |
| Flukenest plus Defender’s Crest | 4 | Specialized spell synergy; effective but less universal. |
| Overcharmed loadout | Varies | Only recommended when doubled incoming damage is acceptable. |
Change charms at a Bench before each major objective. Start with the safest build that matches your habits, then remove one comfort charm at a time as you learn the encounter.
FAQ
Common questions
What is the best charm build for most players?
Use Quick Slash, Unbreakable Strength, Shaman Stone, and Spell Twister once you have 11 notches. It supports both Nail attacks and spells without requiring a narrow strategy. Replace the spell pair with Mark of Pride and Grubsong if you prefer close-range combat.
What are the best early game charms?
Grubsong, Soul Catcher, Longnail, and Wayward Compass are the most practical early choices. Grubsong and Soul Catcher improve recovery, Longnail makes spacing easier, and Compass prevents wasted time while exploring.
Is Quick Slash better than Unbreakable Strength?
They do different jobs. Quick Slash usually provides greater sustained value because it increases attack speed and SOUL generation, while Strength raises the damage of every Nail hit. They are strongest together.
Should I use Mark of Pride or Longnail?
Mark of Pride gives more reach but costs three notches, while Longnail costs two and provides a smaller extension. Use Longnail when capacity is tight; use Mark of Pride for a dedicated Nail build.
Is overcharming worth it?
Usually not. Overcharming doubles incoming damage, so it is dangerous during normal exploration and progression. It is mainly useful for controlled Hall of Gods attempts, especially Radiant fights where any hit is already fatal.
Sources
What we checked
Official listings establish current availability and product facts. Community pages are used for mechanics and build history, then labeled separately.