In Hollow Knight, Nail Arts serve as potent charged attacks that can significantly enhance your combat capabilities. These skills are taught by three distinct Nailmasters distributed throughout the vast realm of Hallownest. Each Nail Art requires specific inputs and charge times, along with scaling damage based on your Nail upgrades. Below is a detailed guide on how to unlock and use each Nail Art, including additional nuances for optimal performance.

Nail Arts Overview

1. Great Slash
– How to Use: To execute the Great Slash, hold the ATTACK button to charge it fully, then release without moving UP or dashing.
– How to Unlock: You must learn this skill from Master Sheo.
– Location and Requirements: Master Sheo is located in Greenpath. To reach him, you’ll need to use the Crystal Heart ability to traverse a spike-filled room.
– Damage & Notes:
– Base damage: 52.5 with a fully upgraded Pure Nail.
– This attack is unaffected by the Fragile Strength charm, but it benefits from the Fury of the Fallen charm when paired with the Nailmaster’s Glory charm.

2. Dash Slash
– How to Use: After performing a dash, hold the ATTACK button and then release it to slash forward.
– How to Unlock: Learn this skill from Master Oro.
– Location and Requirements: You can find Master Oro in Kingdom’s Edge, accessible via King’s Station in City of Tears. Look for him near a bench at the bottom right of the area.
– Damage & Notes:
– Deals the same damage as the Great Slash (52.5 with a fully upgraded Pure Nail).
– Requires the Mothwing Cloak ability for dashing.

3. Cyclone Slash
– How to Use: Hold the ATTACK button to charge, then release while holding either UP or DOWN to perform a powerful multi-hit spin attack.
– How to Unlock: This skill is taught by Master Mato.
– Location and Requirements: Master Mato resides in Howling Cliffs, which you can access from the Greenpath station.
– Damage & Notes:
– Highest damage potential: 78.75-183.75 with a fully upgraded Pure Nail.
– Capable of dealing multi-hit damage; unaffected by Fragile Strength but benefits from the Fury of the Fallen charm when using the Nailmaster’s Glory.

Additional Information
– Certain movement abilities are necessary to reach the Nailmasters, such as the Crystal Heart for Great Slash and the Mothwing Cloak for Dash Slash.
– Enhancing your Nail at the Nailsmith located in the City of Tears is essential to maximize the damage output of your Nail Arts.
– Charging each Nail Art requires holding the ATTACK button until fully charged before releasing it with the proper directional input.

Summary of Inputs
– Great Slash: Hold ATTACK, then release standing still.
– Dash Slash: Dash first, then hold ATTACK and release.
– Cyclone Slash: Hold ATTACK, then release while holding UP or DOWN.

Nailmasters Locations
– Master Sheo (Great Slash): Greenpath
– Master Oro (Dash Slash): Kingdom’s Edge
– Master Mato (Cyclone Slash): Howling Cliffs

Mastering all three Nail Arts will grant you exceptional versatility and power in combat, enhancing your ability to tackle the challenges throughout Hallownest effectively.