My Tips for Mina the Hollower

These mina the hollower tips focus on easy-to-miss sidearm techniques and small interaction tricks that can make combat, exploration, and platforming much smoother in the early game.

For a broader route plan, pair these tricks with the beginner's guide and 11 tips you need to know. If you are comparing gear, the sidearms database and all trinkets database are the best follow-up references.

Rebound the Gyro Dagger for Extra Damage

The Gyro Dagger has a useful trick that is easy to overlook: when it returns like a boomerang, you can strike it again to rebound it.

Use this to:

• Keep the dagger active longer.
• Hit enemies multiple times with the same throw.
• Stack dagger damage while also attacking with Mina’s primary weapon.

The best use is against enemies that stay in place or move predictably. Throw the dagger, position yourself so it returns through the target, then strike it during the return to send it back out again. This kind of sidearm timing also makes early boss practice cleaner before you commit bones to bigger upgrades.

Juggle the Throwable Axe

The Throwing Axe can be handled in a similar way to the dagger. If you time your hits well, you can juggle it in the air and keep it damaging enemies longer than a normal throw would.

This is especially useful when an enemy is above or just out of easy melee range. Instead of relying only on direct attacks, use the axe to control space and keep pressure on targets.

Use the Axe to Hit Objects You Normally Cannot Reach

The axe is not only for enemies. It can also destroy objects that Mina may not be able to hit directly with her basic attack.

Try throwing it at:

• Objects above Mina.
• Items behind awkward angles.
• Breakables blocked from normal melee range.

If something looks destructible but your main weapon cannot reach it, test the axe before moving on.

That habit matters later when you are checking dense map routes. If you are cleaning up missed rooms, compare your notes with the region maps, especially places with lots of branches like Septemburg, Nox's Bayou, and Bone Beach.

Watch for the Masked Character in Town

In the main town hub, look for a masked character hiding an unusually long nose. Hitting this character causes the nose to extend, creating a bridge Mina can jump on.

This interaction can open access to nearby areas, so do not treat every town NPC as simple background detail. If a character looks suspiciously placed near a ledge or route, experiment carefully.

The same rule applies to other spoiler-light discoveries: keep notes for mirrors, unusual shops, and Music Hall hints as you go. For mirror locations and late-route cleanup, the Radiant Manor and Astral Orrery maps are useful once those areas open up.

Bounce the Throwable Rock in Tight Corridors

The throwable rock sidearm can bounce between surfaces. In narrow spaces, aim it side to side to create a repeating damage trap.

This works best in:

• Tight corridors.
• Small enemy rooms.
• Areas where enemies move horizontally.

A well-placed bouncing rock can hit the same enemy several times, letting you deal damage while staying safer.

Chain Mist Jar Dashes for Healing and Movement

The Mist Jar lets Mina dash through enemies to regenerate health. It is also useful for movement because the dash can be chained multiple times.

Use Mist Jar chains to:

• Recover health during risky fights.
• Pass through enemies instead of taking contact damage.
• Cross spike sections more safely.
• Reach gaps that Mina’s basic jump cannot clear.

For platforming, think of the Mist Jar as both a survival tool and a movement extender. If a gap or hazard section seems just out of reach, look for enemies or dash opportunities that can extend your route.

If movement is the part you want to strengthen, check mobility trinkets such as Spring Heels and the early trinkets guide. For fishing and fish-shadow searches, the Fishing Rod page explains why that sidearm becomes important once you reach Nox's Bayou.

Quick Tip Summary

• Re-hit the Gyro Dagger on return to rebound it.
• Combine dagger hits with primary weapon attacks for stacked damage.
• Juggle the throwable axe to keep it active in the air.
• Use the axe to break objects outside normal attack range.
• Hit the masked town character to create a nose bridge.
• Bounce the throwable rock in corridors for repeated hits.
• Chain Mist Jar dashes to heal, cross spikes, and clear wider gaps.

These tricks make Mina’s sidearms much more flexible than they first appear, and they are worth practicing early in mina the hollower.

Next, use these tricks while filling out your map, marking mirror locations, and deciding which early upgrades or trinkets are worth buying before longer routes like Bone Beach.