Full Hollow progression
Good for Vasto Lorde points, mask removal, Res XP and the Hollow route flow.
Menos, Adjuchas, Vasto Lorde, Arrancar
VV ULTIMATUMHollow Progression
Hollow is the highest-risk route because your body choice, trait choices and mask removal timing can shape the entire slot. Do not rush Arrancar. Reach Vasto Lorde, lock four good traits, then remove mask.
Quick answer
Do not remove your mask until Vasto Lorde with 4 desired traits
Base Hollow and Menos only carry 2 trait slots, Adjuchas carries 3, and Vasto Lorde carries 4. Once you become Arrancar, new trait acquisition stops. That makes early mask removal the biggest long-term Hollow mistake.
Hollow->Menos->Adjuchas->Vasto Lorde->Arrancar
Hollow evolution route
Use this as the stop/go route before pressing L for mask removal.
| Stage | Requirement | Trait slots | Decision |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base Hollow | Kill and eat defeated Hollows. | 2 | Accept only good traits; reject bad offers. |
| Menos Grande | Reported auto-evolve around Level 7 through normal route. | 2 | Do not become Menocar unless speedrunning an alt. |
| Adjuchas | Kill 8 Hollows and destroy 60 objects. | 3 | Gain 3rd trait slot; Cero unlocks reported. |
| Vasto Lorde | Primal Urges Part 2 / 70 Hollow progression points. | 4 | Farm 4 desired traits before mask removal. |
| Arrancar / Vastocar | Level 25+ and mask removal with L. | Locked | Traits freeze; choose weapon and begin Res route. |
Hollow body choice
You fight your chosen body type during the Resurreccion route, so this is not just cosmetic.
| Body | Mobility | Recommendation | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gorilla | Medium | Best default | Balanced and predictable in later fight. |
| Lizard | High | Good for speed players | Fast but still readable. |
| Turtle | Low | Avoid for first slot | Delayed attacks make parry timing harder. |
| Centipede | Very high | Avoid for first slot | Speed can make the Res fight oppressive. |
Trait plan before Arrancar
Traits are the reason Hollow has a high ceiling. They are also why the route can punish mistakes.
Universal
Iron Skin + Wings
Iron Skin helps defense/posture. Wings helps movement and Shunpo stamina. These are strong defaults.
MeleeDeadly Claws + Dense Muscles
Use these for Hakuda, weapon pressure and longer Res uptime.
Cero/KidoTailbone + Energized
Use these if your plan is Cero/Kido scaling instead of pure melee.
Rule: press No on trait offers that do not match your plan. Random accepted traits are permanent once the slot becomes Arrancar.
Mask Pop risks
These are the mistakes that make Hollow feel "bricked".
| Risk | Consequence | Prevention |
|---|---|---|
| Menocar | Arrancar from Menos with only 2 trait slots. | Do not remove mask at Menos. |
| Adjucar | Arrancar from Adjuchas with only 3 trait slots. | Wait for Vasto Lorde unless you knowingly accept lower ceiling. |
| Wrong traits | Permanent bad trait plan. | Reject unwanted traits and farm desired set. |
| Mask before Level 25 route ready | Weak Arrancar progression timing. | Level and route properly before conversion. |
| Ignoring Air Walk | Slow travel through long Hollow routes. | Unlock Air Walk around Level 40. |
Visual route help
Video Guides
Use video for body visuals, eating prompts, Vasto Lorde route and the Resurreccion inner-world fight.
Evolution checklist Menos to VastoMask Pop warnings Do not rushTrait database Pick your 4Air Walk route Travel faster
Tip: Hollow is not hard because one boss is impossible. It is hard because several small decisions become permanent.
Arrancar to Resurreccion route
After mask removal, the route shifts from evolution to release progression.
| Step | Action | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Become Arrancar after Vasto Lorde route. | Confirmed route |
| 2 | Equip activated weapon and fight enemies to build Res XP. | Confirmed |
| 3 | When Whisper appears, press L immediately. | Confirmed |
| 4 | Repeat until Inner World teleport triggers. | Reported/confirmed by videos |
| 5 | Follow the red icy path carefully; avoid out-of-bounds. | Reported |
| 6 | Fight previous Hollow forms in sequence. | Confirmed by guide footage |
| 7 | Unlock Resurreccion; hold E to activate. | Confirmed |
Proof status and conflicts
Hollow route names are messy, so this page uses confidence labels.
| Claim | Status | How to write it |
|---|---|---|
| Vasto Lorde before mask is optimal | Strong consensus | Use as main recommendation. |
| Vastocar / Menocar / Adjucar naming | Reported community labels | Explain as origin-stage labels, not separate fully proven systems. |
| Bank Remote blocked pre-Arrancar Hollow | Single-source report | Mention as warning and link Bank Remote. |
| Segunda / Full Res | Unverified | Do not publish as confirmed. |
| Exact trait drop rates | Missing proof | Do not invent rates. |
Hollow progression FAQ
What is the best Hollow route?
Reach Vasto Lorde, collect four desired traits, then remove mask to become the strongest Arrancar/Vastocar-style route.
Should I become Menocar?
No for a serious first slot. Menocar locks fewer trait slots and is mainly a speedrun/alt choice.
What Hollow body should I choose?
Gorilla is the safest default. Lizard is fine for speed. Turtle and Centipede are harder first-slot picks.
Can Arrancar get more traits?
No. Trait acquisition stops after mask removal, so farm your trait plan before becoming Arrancar.
Is Segunda confirmed?
No. Treat Segunda or Full Res claims as unverified until gameplay or official patch notes prove it.
Related guides
Hollow progression connects to traits, builds, movement and storage.