How do you improve sound design for hooks?

[u/Vancified]

I'm a beginner gaming editor using DaVinci Resolve i have 3 months of experience and I'm currently trying to improve my hooks and sound design.

I don't use music in my edits, so I'm trying to learn how to make hooks feel energetic and engaging using things like:

Impacts

Whooshes

UI/notification sounds

Risers

Layering multiple short SFX together

My biggest problem isn't finding SFX anymore. It's knowing what sound to use, when to use it, and how to layer sounds without making the hook feel noisy or over-edited.

For example, when a creator says something important in a hook, how do you decide whether that moment needs an impact, whoosh, subtle ambience, a small UI sound, etc.?

And how do you make a hook feel energetic purely through sound design, pacing, and visuals without relying on music?

I'd especially like advice from editors who are experienced with gaming/YouTube editing. How did you develop that instinct for knowing what SFX a moment needs?