- What to know
- Quick overview of Blaise’s races in Mina the Hollower
- Where to find Blaise
- Important race rules and preparation
- How to win Blaise’s first race
- How to win Blaise’s second race
- How to win Blaise’s third race
- Bellows Bustle reward explained
- Why Bellows Bustle is one of the best trinkets in Mina the Hollower
What to know
- Blaise is a red ghost NPC who challenges Mina to three increasingly difficult races across different regions.
- During every race, you must avoid using fast travel and cannot touch stairs, or the attempt will fail.
- The Deflector Parasol is highly useful for bypassing stair sections, while Brisk Brew is strongly recommended for the final race.
- Winning all three races rewards the Bellows Bustle, a powerful trinket that grants an air dash ability.
Mina the Hollower features several optional challenges that reward valuable upgrades, and Blaise’s race questline is among the most rewarding. These time-trial races test your movement skills, route planning, and mastery of Mina’s traversal abilities. While the first race is relatively simple, the final challenge can be quite demanding. Fortunately, with the right preparation and route knowledge, you can secure victory in all three races and unlock one of the best mobility trinkets in the game.
Quick overview of Blaise’s races in Mina the Hollower
| Race | Area | Difficulty | Recommended Items | Reward |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Race 1 | OEX Central Fountain Route | Easy | Deflector Parasol | Progression Reward |
| Race 2 | Occupied Bridge | Medium | Deflector Parasol | Progression Reward |
| Race 3 | Bone Beach Area | Hard | Deflector Parasol, Brisk Brew | Bellows Bustle |
| Final Completion | All Races Won | Very Hard | Full Mobility Setup | Bellows Bustle Trinket |
Where to find Blaise
Blaise is a red ghost who appears at multiple locations throughout the world as you progress through his racing questline. After completing each race, he relocates to a new area and offers a more difficult challenge.
Each race requires you to reach a designated destination before Blaise while following the special race rules. If you touch stairs or use any fast-travel method, the race attempt is invalid and must be restarted.
Important race rules and preparation
Before attempting any of Blaise’s races, make sure you understand the restrictions.
You cannot use fast travel under any circumstances during a race. In addition, touching staircases will immediately ruin the run. Many routes are designed around this limitation, forcing players to use alternative movement methods.
The Deflector Parasol is one of the most useful tools for these challenges because it allows Mina to glide over staircases and hazardous terrain without making contact. For the third race, carrying a Brisk Brew is highly recommended due to the significantly longer route and tighter timing requirements.
How to win Blaise’s first race
The first race takes place near the route leading toward the OEX Central Fountain.
Step 1
Speak with Blaise and accept the challenge.
Step 2
Begin moving immediately toward the Ossex Central Fountain destination. Avoid the large staircase located near the trinket shop.
Step 3
Use the Deflector Parasol to glide across the staircase section instead of touching the stairs.
Step 4
Continue directly to the fountain and interact with the finish point.
The first race is relatively forgiving and serves as an introduction to Blaise’s challenge mechanics.
How to win Blaise’s second race
The second race is found in the Occupied Bridge region.
This route is considerably more dangerous due to lava hazards and increased platforming requirements. Players must carefully navigate around environmental obstacles while maintaining momentum.
Step 1
Start the race and immediately head toward the intended route.
Step 2
Use jumps and movement abilities to cross lava-filled sections safely.
Step 3
Avoid every staircase encountered along the path.
Step 4
Use burrow jumps and precise movement to bypass obstacles without losing speed. Reach the finish marker before Blaise arrives.
This race demands greater familiarity with Mina’s movement system but remains manageable with careful execution.
How to win Blaise’s third race
The final race begins near the Bone Beach region.
This is the toughest challenge in Blaise’s questline and requires both preparation and route optimization.
Step 1
Equip your Deflector Parasol and bring at least one Brisk Brew.
Step 2
Begin the race and head toward the shortcut route.
Step 3
Use a bomb to open the shortcut path before proceeding.
Step 4
Move through the route while avoiding all staircases.
Step 5
Navigate the bouncy flower sections efficiently to maintain forward momentum.
Step 6
Activate Brisk Brew when appropriate to gain a significant speed boost.
Step 7
Continue through the remaining obstacles and reach the finish line before Blaise.
Because of the longer distance and stricter timing, the Brisk Brew speed bonus can make a major difference during this final challenge.
Bellows Bustle reward explained
| Reward | Type | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Bellows Bustle | Trinket | Grants Mina an air dash ability |
After defeating Blaise in the third and final race, you receive the Bellows Bustle.
The Bellows Bustle is widely considered one of the strongest utility trinkets in Mina the Hollower because it grants Mina an air dash maneuver. This dramatically improves mobility, allowing you to cross larger gaps, navigate platforming challenges more easily, recover from mistakes, and reach areas that are otherwise difficult to access.
The added movement flexibility makes exploration smoother and can significantly improve traversal throughout the remainder of the game.
Why Bellows Bustle is one of the best trinkets in Mina the Hollower
Many trinkets provide combat-oriented bonuses, but Bellows Bustle enhances nearly every aspect of gameplay. The air dash increases movement speed, helps during platforming sequences, and creates safer routes through hazardous environments.
Because mobility upgrades remain useful throughout the entire adventure, Bellows Bustle continues to provide value long after Blaise’s races have been completed. For players focused on exploration, collectibles, and efficient world traversal, it is one of the most worthwhile optional rewards available.
Blaise’s three-race questline is one of Mina the Hollower’s most rewarding side activities. While the races become progressively harder, careful route planning, use of the Deflector Parasol, and a well-timed Brisk Brew during the final challenge can make victory much more manageable. Completing all three races rewards the Bellows Bustle, granting an air dash that greatly improves exploration and mobility across the game’s world.
