Zote the Mighty | Hollow Knight Wiki

Zote the Mighty is an NPC in Hollow Knight. He is a lonely, unfortunate knight whose heroic ventures always seem to fall prey to unlucky accidents. 

Zote the Mighty Information

Zote the Mighty, a self-proclaimed “Knight of Great Renown”, is an aspiring yet unfortunate and rather inept warrior. He is cantankerous, short-tempered, and gloomy, and seems to think highly of himself. He wields a shell-wood nail which he has named “Life Ender”.

As the game progresses, it can be discovered (via his Dream Nail dialogue and 57 Precepts) that Zote is desperate to prove his worth after leaving his home at a young age due to his parents abusing him.

• Location: Zote the Mighty can first be found at Greenpath, struggling in the jaws of the Vengefly King.
• Progression: Zote the Mighty moves to Dirtmouth after you save him, then moves to the City of Tears, then Deepnest (where you can rescue him again), then the Colosseum of Fools. He then he goes back to Dirtmouth and remains there reciting his 57 Precepts (which gives insight on his backstory).
• Combat: Players may not kill Zote the Mighty, but can leave him to die in the jaws of the Vengefly King if he is not rescued before acquiring the Mantis Claw, or can defeat him as a boss in the Colosseum of Fools (which does not kill him).
• Rewards: Leaving him to die in Greenpath grants the “Neglect” achievement. Saving him twice and then beating him at the Colosseum of Fools grants the “Rivalry” achievement. Fighting and defeating him as Grey Prince Zote in Bretta’s dream grants the “Dark Romance” achievement. 

Associated Quests

• None

Dialogue

• Just what do you think you're doing?! You dare to come between me and my prey? Is it a habit of yours to scurry about, getting in the way and causing bother?
• Know this, cur. I am Zote the Mighty, a knight of great renown. Cross me again, and you'll find out why they call my weapon 'Life Ender'.

Notes & Tips

• Saving Zote twice and defeating him at the Colosseum of Fools allows him to return to Dirtmouth, where he will recite his 57 Precepts. These precepts give much insight into Zote’s sad backstory and the way he sees the world.
• Bretta is in love with Zote, but he doesn't seem to care about her in return.
• As a boss, Zote is the only enemy in the game who doesn't deal damage upon collision, or in any other way for that matter.

 The precepts:

Precept 1: Always win your battles

Precept 2:Never let them laugh at you

precept 3:Always be rested

Precept 4:Forget your past

Precept 5:Strength beats strength

Precept 6:Chose your own fate

Precept 7:Mourn not the dead

Precept 8: Travel alone

Precept 9:Keep your home tidy

Precept 10:Keep your weapon sharp

Precept 11:Mother's will always betray you

Precept 12:Keep your cloak dry

Precept 13:Never be afraid

Precept 14:Respect your superiors

Precept 15:One foe, one blow

Precept 16:Don't hesitate

Precept 17:Believe it your strength

Precept 18:Seek truth in the darkness

Precept 19:If you try, succeed

Precept 20:Speak only the truth

Precept 21:Be aware of your surroundings

Precept 22:Abandon the nest

Precept 23:Identify the foes weak point

Precept 24:Strike the foes week point

Precept 25:Protect your own week point

Precept 26:Don't trust your reflection

Precept 27:Eat as much as you can

Precept 28:Don't peer into the darkness

Precept 29:Develop your sense of direction

Precept 30:Never except a promise

Precept 31:Disease lives inside of dirt

Precept 32:Names have power

Precept 33:Show your enemy no respect

Precept 34:Don't eat immediately before sleeping Precept 35:Up is up, down is down

Precept 36:Eggshells are brittle

Precept 37:Borrow but do not lend

Precept 38:Beware the mysterious force

Precept 39:Eat quickly and drink slowly

Precept 40:Obey no law but your own

Precept 41:Learn to detect lies

Precept 42:Spend geo when you have it

Precept 43:Never forgive

Precept 44:You cannot breath water

Precept 45:One thing is not an other

Precept 46:The world is smaller then you think

Precept 47:Make your own weapon

Precept 48:Be careful with fire

Precept 49:Status are meaningless

Precept 50:Don't linger on mysteries

Precept 51:Nothing is harmless

Precept 52:Beware the jealousy of fathers

Precept 53:Do not steal the desires of others

Precept 54:If you lock something away, keep the key

Precept 55:Bow to no one

Precept 56:Do not dream

Precept 57:Obey all precepts