Moss Knight

Moss Knights are enemies in Hollow Knight. They are part of the Mosskin Tribe. Moss Knights protect Greenpath with their Nail and Shell, hiding as bush-like mounds to ambush invaders.

Behaviour and Tactics
 * Block: blocks with its shield when engaged. It faces the Knight with the shield from any direction.
 * Swing: strikes once or twice to the front, lunging forward with each swipe and pausing for a bit after the last strike.
 * Thorn Spit: spits a projectile of thorns at the Knight that travels in a parabolic arc. This projectile can be destroyed by hitting it with the Nail or a Spell.
 * Disengage: occasionally jumps backwards, disengaging from melee battle. If the Knight is close enough it chains this into a melee attack, baiting the Knight into pursuing them. If it creates enough distance between it and the Knight it chains it into a Thorn Spit attack.

There are several easy ways to dispose of it. 3 Vengeful Spirit casts and 1 Nail hit is the easiest way to kill it in the early game.

Baiting its melee attack by standing in front of it and jumping over it to land a few hits from above is a safe strategy as well. Another strategy is to use the Mothwing Cloak, bait its ranged attack, then dash in to get a hit in before it can raise its shield again.

For the three near Hornet's arena, as well as the one at the Lake of Unn, the Howling Wraiths Spell can be used from underneath their platforms to easily dispose of them.

Location They can be spotted only in Greenpath, usually guarding Geo or something of interest.

Trivia
 * A non-respawning Moss Knight with unique Dream Nail dialogue is found looking across the surface of the Lake of Unn.

References

Musgocaballero Мшистый рыцарь Mchowy Rycerz Chevalier Moussu