Character Skills

This section covers every playable character in Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove and their full arsenal of skills, abilities, and special moves. Each campaign introduces a unique protagonist with distinct mechanics, so understanding their skills is crucial for mastery.

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Shovel Knight (Shovel of Hope)

Shovel Knight is the original hero, wielding a trusty shovel. His skills are straightforward but versatile, relying on precise timing and positioning.

#### Base Abilities

Shovel Slash – Standard horizontal swing. Attack range is about one tile. Can be performed on ground or in air. No cooldown, unlimited use. Use for basic combat and breaking cracked walls.

Shovel Drop – Press Down + Attack while airborne to plunge the shovel downward. This destroys certain blocks, damages enemies below, and can bounce off enemy heads for a second jump. Essential for platforming and combat.

Digging – Press Attack while facing a soft dirt patch. Loot gems, relics, or shortcuts. No cost.

Armor Upgrades – Purchased from the Armorer. Increase health (from 4 to 8 max) and reduce knockback. No effect on skills.

Shovel Blade Upgrades – The Blacksmith increases Shovel Slash damage by 1 per upgrade (up to 4 total). Also adds a small wide hitbox on the final upgrade.

#### Relics (Special Moves)

Relics are equippable items that consume Magic Meter (green bar). You can assign two to hotkeys (L/R). Each relic has a unique effect.

Relic	Effect	Magic Cost	Cooldown	Use Case
Alchemy Coin	Throws a spinning coin that arcs and returns. Decent range, can hit multiple times.	2 bars	1 second	Crowd control, hitting distant enemies
Bounce Fish	Spawns a bouncing fish that travels along surfaces until it hits a wall or enemy.	3 bars	1.5 seconds	Clearing horizontal corridors, hitting enemies in corners
Chaos Sphere	Fires a slow-moving orb that passes through enemies and terrain. Can be aimed diagonally.	4 bars	2 seconds	Piercing multiple enemies, hitting through walls
Mobile Gear	Creates a spinning gear that follows walls and ceilings. Deals continuous damage.	3 bars	1.5 seconds	Area denial, exploring hidden passages
Propeller Dagger	Short dash forward that does damage and stops on hit. Use for quick repositioning or interrupting enemy attacks.	2 bars	0.5 seconds	Evasive maneuver, breaking enemy combos
Throwing Anchor	Throws an anchor that drops straight down, then pulls you to it. Can hit enemies on the way.	3 bars	2 seconds	Vertical mobility, hanging from ceilings, attacking below
Sentinel Scroll	Summons a glowing sword that orbits you and strikes nearby enemies automatically.	4 bars	3 seconds continuous	Passive damage while focusing on platforming
Dust Knuckles	Uppercut that can break blocks above and juggle enemies.	2 bars	1 second	Aerial combos, breaking tall obstacles
Phase Locket	Briefly turns you intangible and invincible. Use to pass through enemies/obstacles.	3 bars	1.5 seconds	Survivability, avoiding damage in tight spots
Fishing Rod	Cast a line to hook items or enemies. Can pull levers from afar.	1 bar	0.5 seconds	Interacting with objects at range, stealing enemy weapons
Warp Scissors	Place a warp marker (Up+Attack) and later teleport to it (Press Use).	3 bars per use	Instant	Fast backtracking, escaping danger

Combos & Synergies

Use Shovel Drop to bounce on enemies, then immediately use Propeller Dagger to chase them while airborne.

Chaos Sphere + Shovel Slash: fire the sphere into a crowd, then follow up with slashes.

Throwing Anchor can set up a high position for a free Shovel Drop.

Recommended Build

Propeller Dagger

Phase Locket

Chaos Sphere

When to Use Each Skill

Shovel Drop: Primary attack against flying enemies and for breaking floor blocks.

Shovel Slash: Standard ground combat.

Relics: Use only when enemies are grouped or to solve puzzles. Conserve magic for boss fights.

Plague Knight (Plague of Shadows)

Bomb Toss – Primary attack. Throws a bomb that explodes on contact or after fuse. You control three components:

Casing

Powder

Fuse

Vat – Press Down in air to perform a powerful downward thrust that damages enemies and breaks blocks. Can be used as a pseudo-Shovel Drop.

Burst – Press Jump button in air after being hit or using Vat to perform a small midair dash. Consumes a small amount of magic if you have the upgrade.

Potion Jump – Hold Up + Jump to drink a potion that boosts jump height (costs magic).

Component Upgrades – Unlock new casing/powder/fuse types (e.g., Drill Casing, Float Powder, Proximity Fuse).

Passive Upgrades – Increase bomb limit (hold up to 3 types), reduce Bomb Cooldown gauge, increase damage, add explosion radius.

Special Skills – Learn Double Jump (costs 3 Cipher Coins), Air Dash (extends Burst distance), Super Vat (Vat creates a shockwave).

#### Key Bomb Combinations

Combination	Effect	Best Use
Impact Casing + Black Powder + Short Fuse	Quick exploding bomb that detonates on contact. Excellent for close-range combat.	Crowded enemies
Arc Casing + Concussion Powder + Long Fuse	Lobbed bomb that knocks enemies away. Use to clear space or push enemies into hazards.	Boss fights, crowd control
Round Casing + Poison Powder + Proximity Fuse	Roller bomb that sticks to enemies and poisons them. Great for stationary targets.	Tough enemies, persistent damage
Drill Casing + Float Powder + Medium Fuse	Bomb drills into ground then floats upward. Hits multiple times.	Corridor cleanup

Combos & Synergies

Vat onto an enemy, then immediately toss an Impact bomb at point-blank for massive burst.

Use Potion Jump to reach high vantage points, then rain bombs with Arc Casing.

Burst can cancel bomb throwing animation – use for rapid tosses.

Recommended Build

Early: Impact Casing + Black Powder + Short Fuse for reliability.

Mid: Unlock Double Jump and Air Dash.

Late: Use Drill Casing + Float Powder + Proximity Fuse for area control.

When to Use Each Skill

Bomb Toss: Your main damage tool. Switch components based on enemy patterns.

Vat: Use for downward attacks and to break platforms. Essential for reaching lower areas.

Burst: Use defensively to escape after landing a bomb or Vat.

Potion Jump: Only when you need extra height for secrets.

Specter Knight (Specter of Torment)

Will

Wall Cling

Air Dash

Scythe Slash – Horizontal slash with wide arc. Can be chained into a spin attack by pressing Attack again quickly. Spin attack hits twice and carries forward momentum.

Aerial Slash – In air, press Attack for a downward diagonal slash that can bounce off enemies, resetting aerial state.

Dash – Default movement speed is low; tapping ZL/ZR or Shift performs a quick dash (no damage).

Wall Cling – Hold towards a wall while in contact to stick to it. Can slide slowly.

Shadow Dash – Press Down + Jump in air to perform a downward dash that damages enemies and breaks blocks. Consumes 1 Will.

Ranged Elixir – Throws a projectile that explodes after travelling a short distance. Costs 2 Will. Can be upgraded to create a larger explosion.

Healing Elixir – Restores 2 HP. Costs 4 Will.

Shadow Strike – Press Attack while dashing to perform a lunging slash that hits multiple enemies. Costs 3 Will.

Darkness Wall – Creates a stationary shield of shadows that blocks enemy attacks and damages on contact. Costs 5 Will, lasts 3 seconds.

Soul Drain – Hold Attack near an enemy to slowly drain their health and restore your Will. No cost, but leaves you vulnerable.

Shadow Dash Upgrade – Upgrades Shadow Dash to travel further and deal more damage.

Double Jump – Unlock a second jump. No Will cost.

Air Dash Upgrade – Allows Air Dash to be used in any direction (default only horizontal).

Combos & Synergies

Scythe Spin into Shadow Dash to quickly close gaps and hit multiple times.

Use Ranged Elixir from a distance, then follow up with Shadow Strike when the enemy is staggered.

Wall Cling + Shadow Dash to navigate tight vertical shafts quickly.

Soul Drain is risky but essential for Will management on long fights.

Recommended Build

Prioritize Double Jump and Air Dash Upgrade first for mobility.

Next invest in Ranged Elixir (for ranged combat) and Shadow Strike (for damage).

Healing Elixir is situational; rely on Soul Drain for healing.

When to Use Each Skill

Scythe Slash/Spin: Primary melee. Use spin for groups.

Aerial Slash: Rebound off enemies for extended air combos.

Shadow Dash: Break obstacles and attack from above.

Ranged Elixir: Trigger far switches or damage enemies before approaching.

Healing Elixir: Only when low on HP and no enemies nearby.

Soul Drain: Use on large, slow enemies to replenish Will.

Darkness Wall: Block projectiles in boss fights.

King Knight (King of Cards)

Valor

Heirlooms

Shoulder Bash – Hold Attack to charge and release for a dashing shoulder tackle that damages enemies and breaks blocks. Charge level determines distance and power. Can be angled up/down slightly.

Pogo Slash – Press Down + Attack in air to slam downward with your shield, then bounce upward. Can bounce off enemies and shields. Use for vertical mobility and aerial attacks.

War Horn – Tap Attack while on ground to emit a short-range shockwave that stuns nearby enemies. Consumes 1 Valor meter.

#### Heirlooms (Special Moves)

Heirlooms are unique abilities found in levels and unlocked via the Joustus card game. Each costs Valor to use:

Heirloom	Effect	Valor Cost	Use Case
Royalist Orders	Summons a spectral king knight that charges forward, knocking back enemies.	3	Clearing a line of enemies
Toad Cloak	Turns you into a toad temporarily, making you tiny and able to fit through small gaps. No damage.	2	Secret passages
Phantom Shield	Creates a large shield in front of you that blocks projectiles and damages enemies on contact. Lasts 2 seconds.	4	Defensive against ranged enemies
Burst Horn	A powerful, wide shockwave that pushes enemies away and deals moderate damage.	5	Crowd control and emergency escape
Golden Sphere	Throws a bouncing sphere that leaves trails of gold coins when it hits enemies. The coins can be collected for currency.	2	Farming money in combat
Lunar Memoir	Briefly slows time around you, allowing easier platforming and dodging. Lasts 2 seconds.	4	Boss fights or tricky sections
Heart of Valor	Immediately refills all Valor meter.	1 (consumes item)	Emergency fuel

Combos & Synergies

Shoulder Bash into a wall, then Pogo Slash to bounce upward – great for reaching high ledges.

Pogo Slash on an enemy, then War Horn as you land to stun nearby foes.

Use Lunar Memoir before a Shoulder Bash charge to guarantee a hit on fast enemies.

Recommended Build

Unlock Lunar Memoir and Phantom Shield early for utility.

Burst Horn is excellent for area denial.

Prioritize Valor upgrades (increase max meter from 8 to 12).

When to Use Each Skill

Shoulder Bash: Main attack and movement tool. Use charged for breaking walls.

Pogo Slash: Essential for reaching high platforms and bouncing on enemy heads.

War Horn: Interrupt enemy attacks and stun groups.

Heirlooms: Use sparingly; conserve Valor for critical moments.

General Tips for All Characters

Practice in the Training Hub: Each campaign has a safe area to test skills without penalty.

Resource Management: Magic, Will, and Valor recharge by collecting respective orbs (blue for magic, purple for Will, pink for Valor). Spend wisely.

Master the Drop: The Shovel Drop (or its equivalent like Vat/Shadow Dash/Pogo Slash) is the most versatile skill – learn to bounce repeatedly for infinite air combos.

Skill Synergies: Experiment with different relic/heirloom combinations in boss fights. Some skills negate boss attacks (e.g., Phase Locket, Phantom Shield).

Upgrade Priority: Mobility upgrades (double jump, air dash) almost always take precedence over damage for easier exploration. Damage upgrades can wait until you hit a difficult boss.

This comprehensive skill guide ensures you’ll master every character’s toolkit. Use the table of contents above to jump to your specific campaign.