Dream Nail

Function
Hold down DREAM NAIL to charge and swing the Dream Nail. This can perform several functions:
 * Extract Essence from Ghosts
 * Activate Whispering Roots
 * Collect SOUL from living Enemies (33% meter)
 * Challenge Dream Warriors
 * Challenge Dream Bosses
 * Enter the minds of Dreamers
 * Access the White Palace (Awoken Dream Nail) and the Shrine of Believers.
 * Read the minds of NPCs, Enemies, some statues and corpses
 * Use to set or travel to a Dream Gate (Requires 900 Essence)

How to Acquire
The Dream Nail is acquired in the Resting Grounds by inspecting the Dreamer Statues. Doing so will send the player into a dream where they will receive the Dream Nail from a Moth.

Awoken Dream Nail
After collecting 1800 essence, the player is able to awaken the Dream Nail. This allows them to access dreams and memories that were previously hidden from them. With the Awoken Dream Nail, the player can Dreamnail the corpse of the Kingsmould in the Palace Grounds. This will grant them entry to the White Palace.

Furthermore, the Awoken Dream Nail enables the player to read the memories of the Shade Cloak creature in The Abyss. This creature has different Dream Nail dialogue depending on whether or not the player has obtained Void Heart.

Essence
Essence is the energy gained from multiple sources after obtaining the Dream Nail. After obtaining certain amounts of Essence, the player can return to the Seer for rewards. A total of 2400 is needed for all in-game rewards and Achievements. Warping using the Dreamgate uses 1 Essence each time.

Essence Sources

 * Using Dream Nail on a Ghost (26 total)
 * Collecting Essence spawned by a Whispering Root (482 total)
 * Defeating a Dream Warrior (1100 total)
 * Defeating a Dream Boss (1000 total)
 * Defeating White Defender (300) and Grey Prince Zote (300)
 * Regular enemies have a chance to drop Essence:
 * Normal chance: 0.5%
 * Dream Wielder equipped: 1%
 * If Essence was spent: 2%
 * If Essence was spent and Dream Wielder equipped: 4%

Essence rewards from the Seer

 * 100 Essence - Hallownest Seal
 * 200 Essence - Spirit's Glade opens
 * 300 Essence - Pale Ore
 * 500 Essence - Dream Wielder Charm
 * 600 Essence - Attunement Achievement
 * 700 Essence - Vessel Fragment
 * 900 Essence - Dream Gate
 * 1200 Essence - Arcane Egg
 * 1500 Essence - Mask Shard
 * 1800 Essence - Awaken the Dream Nail and unlocks Awakening Achievement
 * 2400 Essence - Ascension Achievement

Trivia

 * The essence gained from passive ghosts are not needed to awaken the Dream Nail
 * It is unknown whether or not Ghosts are the bug's spirit, a lingering spectre, an imprinted memory, or some other form.
 * The Dream Nail can be used to push back most enemies.
 * It is possible to get the Dream Nail early in game without Mantis Claw or the Crystal Heart. Die just below Salubra's shop (getting killed by Wandering Husks below her shop), and nail bounce on your shade to get to Blue Lake, and move on to the the three Dreamer's statues. Timing is hard, but it's rewarding in speedruns as you can immediately kill Dreamers in less than an hour!

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