All Game Items
Overview
This guide covers every significant item in Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove, focusing primarily on the main campaign Shovel of Hope (the original adventure). Where applicable, cross-campaign differences are noted. Items are grouped logically into currencies, health & magic upgrades, relics (special items), armor, weapons (shovel upgrades), consumables, collectibles, key items, and materials. Each entry explains what it does, how to obtain it, when it is useful, and any important synergies or upgrades.
Currencies
| Currency | Purpose | How to Obtain | Useful For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gold | Standard in-game currency. Used to buy items from Chester (the wandering merchant), repair armor/weapons, and purchase upgrades at shops. | Dropped by enemies, broken pots, treasure chests, and hidden rooms. | Buying relics, health/magic upgrades, armor repairs, and the Troupple Ales. |
| Blue Coins | Premium currency in Shovel of Hope. Found in hidden, often dangerous locations. | Secret rooms, well-guarded chests, and behind hidden walls. | Blue Coins are used to purchase special items from Chester: Chaos Sphere, Throwing Anchor, Dust Knuckles, Void Scepter, Robe of the Darkshine, and Phase Locket upgrades. Also needed for the Juggler achievement. |
| Red Coins | Currency in Plague of Shadows (used for cauldron and arcana upgrades). | Defeating enemies, breaking pots, secret areas. | Unlock new arcanas and upgrade the cauldron (health potions, bomb upgrades). |
| Green Coins (Skulls) | Used in Specter of Torment (Sorrowful Coins). | Defeating enemies (especially red skeletons), chests. | Purchase cursed items from the blacksmith, upgrades for the sickle, and unlock secret rooms. |
| Orbs (Blue, Red, Purple) | Used in King of Cards (Joustus cards and upgrades). | Defeating knights, completing joustus matches, hidden chests. | Buy card packs, upgrade the King's armor and weapons, and purchase items from traveling merchants. |
Health & Magic Upgrades
Health Upgrades (Milk Shakes / Heart Containers)
- Description: Increases maximum health by 1 heart (4 health points).
- How to Obtain: Found in chests at the end of each stage (or hidden in secret rooms). There are 7 total in the main game.
- When Useful: Essential for surviving tougher bosses and late-game areas. Prioritize acquiring early.
- Synergies: None directly, but more health allows safer use of risky relics.
- Description: Increases maximum magic by 10 points (fills a magic tank). Magic is used for relics.
- How to Obtain: Found in chests at the end of stages (or secret rooms). 7 magic upgrades exist.
- When Useful: Vital for relic-heavy playstyles (e.g., using the Phase Locket or Propeller Dagger frequently).
- Synergies: Works with any relic that consumes magic.
Magic Upgrades (Magic Tank)
Relics (Special Items)
Relics are items that consume magic to activate. They are purchased from Chester (the wandering merchant) using gold or blue coins. Some relics have upgrades purchasable with blue coins.
| Relic | Cost | Effect | When Useful | Upgrades |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shovel Blade (Upgraded) | 2000 gold | Increases shovel range and damage. | Always useful – permanent weapon upgrade. | None (purchased from Chester). |
| Ichor Bottle | 300 gold | Creates a small pool of ichor that damages enemies. | Good for stationary enemies or covering ledges. | None. |
| Flame Wand | 500 gold | Fires a fireball that travels horizontally. | Good for enemies at a distance, breaking ice blocks, lighting torches. | Flame Rod (upgrade): faster, larger fireball. |
| Dust Knuckles | 150 gold (or 3 blue coins) | Allows a dash attack that damages enemies and destroys blocks. | Great for breaking through walls, quick movement, and hitting multiple enemies. | Dust Knuckles Upgrade (3 blue coins): increases dash distance and damage. |
| Propeller Dagger | 300 gold | Propels Shovel Knight upward while holding the relic button. | Essential for reaching high platforms. Also damages enemies above. | None. |
| Mobility Boots | 150 gold | Allows walking on spikes (still takes damage if you fall on them). | Useful in spike-filled areas, but not invulnerability. | None. |
| Throwing Anchor | 200 gold (or 3 blue coins) | Throws an anchor that returns, dealing damage and destroying blocks. | Good for hitting enemies behind walls or at angles. | Throwing Anchor Upgrade (3 blue coins): faster throw and wider hitbox. |
| Phase Locket | 1500 gold (or 9 blue coins) | Grants temporary invincibility while draining magic. | Absolutely essential for the final boss (Enchantress) and many late-game gauntlets. | None (but its blue coin version is a permanent upgrade available earlier). |
| Chaos Sphere | 300 gold (or 6 blue coins) | Creates a traveling sphere that bounces off walls and damages enemies. | Great for crowded rooms and tight corridors. | Chaos Sphere Upgrade (6 blue coins): faster movement and more bounces. |
| Void Scepter | 500 gold (or 9 blue coins) | Shoots a slow-moving projectile that can pass through walls. | Useful for sniping enemies behind obstacles. | None. |
| Robe of the Darkshine | 900 gold (or 9 blue coins) | Increases magic damage by 50% (applied to all relics). | Essential for magic-focused builds. | None. |
| Troupple Ale | 300 gold (each) | Consumable that restores health and magic fully. | Emergency recovery. Can be purchased from Chester after defeating certain bosses. | None. |
Armor
Armor provides passive bonuses and can be upgraded at the Armor Outpost (after defeating the first boss) or purchased from Chester.
| Armor | Cost / How to Obtain | Effect | When Useful |
|---|---|---|---|
| Default Armor | Starting equipment | No special effects. Basic protection. | Beginning of the game. |
| Clothes of the Order | 1000 gold (Armor Outpost) | Reduces damage taken by 1 point per hit. | Good for general survival, especially early on. |
| Robe of the Darkshine | 900 gold or 9 blue coins (Chester) | Increases magic damage by 50%. | Best for relic-heavy builds (pair with Phase Locket). |
| Dreaded Gambit | 500 gold (Armor Outpost) | Doubles damage taken but also doubles gold earnings. | Useful for speedruns or farming gold if you are confident. |
| Knightly Wear | 2000 gold (Armor Outpost) | Reduces damage by 2 points. | Best defensive armor for later areas. |
| Prismstone Armor | 3000 gold (Armor Outpost) | Reduces damage by 1 point and increases magic regen. | Good balance for magic users. |
| Plague Knight's Armor (Plague of Shadows) | N/A – exclusive to that campaign | Varies: masks with different effects. | Not applicable to Shovel of Hope. |
| Specter Knight's Cloak (Specter of Torment) | N/A – exclusive to that campaign | Various cloak upgrades. | Not applicable to Shovel of Hope. |
| King Knight's Armor (King of Cards) | N/A – exclusive to that campaign | Various armor sets. | Not applicable to Shovel of Hope. |
Weapons (Shovel Upgrades)
Shovel Knight's weapon is the Shovel Blade. It can be upgraded twice.
| Upgrade | Cost | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Shovel Blade (Standard) | Starting weapon | Basic shovel: short range, pogo bounce on enemies. |
| Shovel Blade Upgrade 1 | 2000 gold (Chester) | Increased damage and range. |
| Shovel Blade Upgrade 2 | 5000 gold (Chester) | Further increased damage, range, and added ability to break certain blocks with a downward thrust. |
> Note: Other campaigns have unique weapons: Plague Knight uses bombs, Specter Knight uses the sickle (with slash and dash), King Knight uses a shield and spear.
Consumables
| Item | Effect | How to Obtain | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health Potion | Restores 2 health hearts (8 points). | Dropped by enemies, found in chests. | Can be stored (max 1). |
| Magic Potion | Restores 1 magic tank (10 points). | Same as above. | Can be stored (max 1). |
| Troupple Ale | Fully restores health and magic. | Purchased from Chester for 300 gold per bottle. | Very valuable; only sold after defeating certain bosses. |
| Food (various: turkey, fish, etc.) | Restores 1 heart (4 points). | Found in breakable objects or enemy drops. | Common, but cannot be stored. |
| Bomb (Plague of Shadows) | Plague Knight's primary weapon; throwable bombs. | Acquired from cauldron upgrades. | Exclusive to Plague of Shadows. |
| Cursed Item (Specter of Torment) | Various consumables like skulls that heal or boost damage. | Purchased from blacksmith using Sorrowful Coins. | Exclusive to Specter of Torment. |
| Card (King of Cards) | Used for Joustus matches. | Purchased from card merchants, won from matches. | Exclusive to King of Cards. |
Collectibles
| Collectible | Campaign | How to Obtain | Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Music Sheets | Shovel of Hope | Hidden in levels, often behind secret walls or requiring platforming. | Unlockable songs in the Sound Test menu. No gameplay effect. |
| Feats | All campaigns | In-game achievements (e.g., complete a level without dying, defeat a boss without relics). | Unlock bonus content like cheat codes, concept art, and dev commentary. |
| Joustus Cards | King of Cards | Collect all cards for completion. | Used in the Joustus minigame; also needed for 100%. |
| Skulls (Specter of Torment) | Specter of Torment | Hidden areas or defeating certain enemies. | Unlock concept art and cheats. |
| Lich Yard's Secret (Plague of Shadows) | Plague of Shadows | Specific hidden rooms. | Unlocks a bonus boss. |
Key Items (Plot-related)
These items are obtained during the story and are required to progress.
| Item | Obtained From | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Map of the Valley | Starting area (Tower of Fate entrance). | Shows level locations and progress. |
| Tower of Fate Key | Defeat the three main knights (King Knight, Specter Knight, Plague Knight). | Opens the door to the Tower of Fate for the final boss. |
| Shield Knight's Medal | After completing the first level. | A memento, but required for the final cutscene. |
| Enchantress's Locket | Endgame. | Used to break the curse on Shield Knight. |
| The Three Amulets (Plague of Shadows) | Defeat the three bosses – needed to enter the final level. | Plot progression. |
| The Locket of Memory (Specter of Torment) | Found in the Tower of Fate – needed to confront the Enchantress. | Plot progression. |
| The King's Crown (King of Cards) | Various – needed to prove worth. | Plot progression. |
Materials & Miscellaneous
| Item | Description | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Fish | A common food item. | Restores 1 heart. |
| Turkey | Rare food item, restores 2 hearts. | Found in hidden areas. |
| Gems (different colors) | Shiny collectibles that give extra gold when deposited at the end of a level. | Red = 10g, Blue = 25g, Green = 50g, Purple = 100g, Gold = 200g. |
| Feather (King of Cards) | Used to upgrade the King's ability to glide. | Purchased from the blacksmith. |
| Cursed Skull (Specter of Torment) | Reduces max health but increases damage. | Equipped via the blacksmith. |
| Darkness vial (Plague of Shadows) | Used to upgrade bomb types. | Found in hidden rooms. |
Important Synergies & Upgrades
- Phase Locket + Dreamed Gambit Armor: Invincibility negates extra damage taken, making gold farming safe.
- Robe of the Darkshine + Chaos Sphere: Increases damage of the sphere, excellent for crowd control.
- Upgraded Shovel Blade + Dust Knuckles: Maximum melee coverage – the shovel for pogo, dust knuckles for horizontal dashing.
- Throwing Anchor + Void Scepter: Great for hitting enemies from safe positions.
- Troupple Ale: Best used right before boss fights or during a tough room.
- Blue Coins: Prioritize Phase Locket first if possible – it makes many encounters trivial.
> Platform Note: Controls for using relics (e.g., holding the item button) vary by platform but are consistent per campaign. Refer to the Game Settings guide for default buttons.
This guide covers all major items in Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove. Keep an eye out for hidden blue coins and secret rooms to fully upgrade your arsenal!