So, you’ve heard the buzz about Plague Knight’s explosive adventure in Shovel Knight: Plague of Shadows, and you’re ready to dive in. But how do you truly master this alchemical anti-hero? It’s not just about chucking potions; it’s a whole new way to experience the beloved world of the Order of No Quarter.
Fear not, aspiring alchemist! We’re here to guide you through the bubbling cauldrons and hazardous concoctions that define Plague Knight’s unique playstyle. Get ready to learn the ins and outs, from his signature movement to his devastating bomb combinations.
Welcome to the Brew-Tiful Chaos: Playing as Plague Knight
Shovel Knight: Plague of Shadows isn’t just a reskin; it’s a complete overhaul of how you approach the game. Plague Knight, formerly one of Shovel Knight’s most formidable foes, is now your playable protagonist, and his toolkit is radically different. Forget the trusty shovel; we’re talking about a dizzying array of alchemical bombs and a unique, agile movement set. This guide will equip you with everything you need to know to conquer the land of the Tower of Fate as the bombastic Plague Knight.
Plague Knight’s Core Mechanics: A New Way to Move and Attack
The first thing you’ll notice is that Plague Knight doesn’t walk; he bounces. His primary form of locomotion involves a series of short, controlled hops. This might feel awkward at first, but it’s the key to his aerial prowess and evasive maneuvers. Mastering this bouncing is paramount to survival and effective combat.
The Bouncing Ballet: Mastering Plague Knight’s Movement
Plague Knight’s default jump is a short hop. However, by tapping the jump button repeatedly, you can chain these hops together, allowing you to effectively “bounce” across platforms and enemies. This isn’t just for traversal; it’s also your primary defensive tool. By constantly hopping, you can evade projectiles and enemy attacks, making you a slippery target.
Key Movement Techniques:
- Chained Hops: Repeatedly tap the jump button to maintain a series of short bounces. This is your bread and butter for air control.
- Bounce Off Enemies: Just like Shovel Knight, Plague Knight can bounce off enemies to gain extra height or to avoid touching hazards. This is crucial for reaching higher areas and surviving tricky platforming sections.
- Glide (with upgrades): Later in the game, you’ll unlock upgrades that allow Plague Knight to briefly glide after a jump. This adds another layer to his aerial mobility, letting you cover more horizontal distance or slow your descent.
The Alchemist’s Arsenal: Bombs Galore
Plague Knight’s offense revolves around his alchemical bombs. He has a base bomb that he can throw, but the real magic happens with his various bomb upgrades. These upgrades dramatically change the behavior and effect of his projectiles, allowing for a highly customizable playstyle.
Understanding Bomb Types:
You start with the basic “Bomb,” a simple projectile that arcs and explodes. As you progress, you’ll find or purchase new bomb types, each with unique properties: (See Also: how to get shovel knight spirit)
| Bomb Type | Description | Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| Bomb | Standard arcing projectile that explodes on impact or after a short delay. | All-around offensive tool, good for general combat and hitting enemies at a distance. |
| Bouncing Bomb | Bounces along the ground before exploding. | Effective against enemies on the ground, can be used to “roll” under some projectiles or hit enemies from below. |
| Homing Bomb | Slightly tracks enemies. | Useful for hitting mobile targets or when precise aiming is difficult. |
| Ricochet Bomb | Bounces off walls and surfaces. | Excellent for clearing rooms with complex layouts or hitting enemies behind cover. |
| Lob Bomb | Arces very high before falling straight down. | Great for hitting enemies from above or clearing out groups of enemies positioned below you. |
| Sticky Bomb | Attaches to surfaces or enemies before exploding. | Can be used to set traps, stick to bosses for sustained damage, or attach to walls to create temporary platforms. |
| Cluster Bomb | Explodes into multiple smaller projectiles. | Ideal for hitting multiple enemies or dealing area-of-effect damage. |
Experimenting with these bombs is crucial. You can only have one bomb type active at a time, so choosing the right one for the situation will make a significant difference in your success.
The Cauldron of Customization: Bomb Upgrades and Formulas
Beyond just changing the bomb type, you can also upgrade your bombs further by finding or purchasing Formulas. These formulas enhance the existing properties of a bomb type, making them even more potent.
Examples of Bomb Formulas:
- Faster Explosion: Reduces the fuse time of bombs.
- Larger Explosion Radius: Increases the area of effect for bomb explosions.
- More Projectiles (for Cluster Bombs): Makes the cluster bomb split into more smaller bombs.
- Longer Glide (for Glide upgrade): Extends the duration of your glide.
You can visit Mona in her laboratory to purchase and equip these formulas. She’s your go-to NPC for all things alchemical enhancement. Prioritize upgrades that complement your preferred bomb types or address challenging enemy types you’re struggling with.
Navigating the Levels: Platforming with Plague Knight
Plague Knight’s unique movement transforms familiar levels into new challenges. The careful bouncing and aerial control are essential for overcoming obstacles that might have been trivial for Shovel Knight.
Platforming Puzzles and Precision
Many areas will require you to use your chained hops and enemy bounces to reach ledges and avoid hazards. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different jumping techniques. Sometimes, a series of rapid hops is needed, while other times, a well-timed bounce off an enemy is the only way forward.
Tips for Platforming:
- Observe Enemy Patterns: Enemies that patrol platforms can become your best friends. Learn their movement to time your bounces perfectly.
- Use Bombs Creatively: Some bombs, like the sticky bomb, can be used to create temporary platforms on walls, opening up new pathways.
- Don’t Rush: While Plague Knight is agile, precision is key. Take your time to line up your jumps and bounces.
- Utilize Glide: Once unlocked, the glide ability is invaluable for crossing wider gaps or correcting slightly mistimed jumps.
Environmental Hazards and Bomb Interactions
The environment itself can be both a hindrance and a tool. Spikes, pits, and moving platforms are standard, but Plague Knight’s bombs can interact with the world in unique ways. (See Also: how do you spell shovel)
Environmental Strategies:
- Bouncing Bombs on Slopes: Bouncing bombs can be incredibly effective on slopes, as they’ll roll down and hit enemies or trigger traps.
- Ricochet Bombs for Hard-to-Reach Areas: Use ricochet bombs to hit switches or enemies that are behind barriers or at awkward angles.
- Sticky Bombs on Walls: Stick a bomb to a wall and then bounce off it to gain extra height.
Combat Strategies: Unleashing Alchemical Fury
Plague Knight’s combat is a dance of evasion and explosive offense. You’re not a tank; you’re a glass cannon who needs to stay mobile to survive.
Boss Battles: A New Kind of Challenge
The bosses you fought as Shovel Knight are now your targets. Each boss has unique attack patterns, and you’ll need to adapt your bomb usage and movement to overcome them.
General Boss Strategies:
- Learn Attack Patterns: This is universal for any boss fight, but especially crucial for Plague Knight. Identify openings and safe zones.
- Bomb Choice is Key: A homing bomb might be great for a fast-moving boss, while a sticky bomb could be ideal for a stationary one that you can continuously pelt.
- Utilize Bouncing for Evasion: Constantly hop to dodge projectiles. Don’t stand still unless absolutely necessary.
- Exploit Weaknesses: Some bosses might have specific vulnerabilities to certain bomb types. Experiment to find them.
- Use the Environment: Some boss arenas have elements you can use to your advantage, like platforms to bounce off or cover to hide behind.
Minions and Mob Management
Dealing with groups of smaller enemies requires area-of-effect attacks or strategic use of your bombs.
Crowd Control Tactics:
- Cluster Bombs: Excellent for clearing out tight clusters of enemies.
- Lob Bombs: Can be used to rain down explosives on enemies below you.
- Strategic Placement: Place bouncing bombs in narrow corridors to create choke points.
- Bounce Off Them: Use smaller enemies as stepping stones to reach higher ground or avoid ground-based threats.
The Alchemical Upgrades: What to Prioritize
As you collect gems and defeat bosses, you’ll have opportunities to purchase upgrades from Mona. Deciding which upgrades to prioritize can significantly impact your playthrough.
Essential Upgrades to Consider
While personal preference plays a role, some upgrades are almost universally beneficial: (See Also: how to shovel car out of snow)
- Health Upgrades: More health means more mistakes you can afford to make. Always a good investment.
- Bomb Capacity: Increasing the number of bombs you can carry allows for sustained offense.
- Movement Upgrades (e.g., Glide): These significantly improve your survivability and ability to navigate complex platforming sections.
- Key Bomb Formulas: Focus on formulas that enhance your favorite bomb types or counter challenging enemies. For example, if you struggle with flying enemies, upgrading homing bombs is a good idea. If you like to control space, upgrading bouncing or sticky bombs is effective.
Synergies: Combining Bomb Types and Formulas
The true mastery of Plague Knight comes from understanding how different bomb types and their upgrades can work together. For instance:
- A sticky bomb with a faster explosion formula can be placed on a boss for quick, repeated damage.
- A cluster bomb with a larger explosion radius can clear entire rooms of enemies with a single well-aimed throw.
- A ricochet bomb with more projectiles could be used to hit switches in a complex puzzle room from a safe distance.
Don’t be afraid to experiment in safe areas or during less demanding encounters. You might discover powerful combinations that trivialize entire sections.
The Story of Plague Knight: A New Perspective
Playing as Plague Knight also offers a unique narrative experience. You’ll see the events of Shovel Knight unfold from a different angle, interacting with characters you previously fought against and gaining insight into Plague Knight’s motivations.
Key Story Elements:
- Interactions with Other Knights: You’ll encounter the other members of the Order of No Quarter, and their reactions to you will be vastly different from when you were a foe.
- Plague Knight’s Quest: His primary goal is to create a “love potion” for Mona, which drives his actions and interactions throughout the game.
- Revisiting Familiar Locations: Experience familiar levels with new eyes and new challenges, often with altered layouts or enemy placements.
Tips and Tricks for the Aspiring Alchemist
Here are some final nuggets of wisdom to help you excel as Plague Knight:
- Master the Bounce: Seriously, this cannot be stressed enough. Practice chaining hops until it feels second nature.
- Conserve Gems: While upgrades are important, don’t spend all your gems frivolously. Save up for crucial health or bomb capacity upgrades.
- Experiment with Bomb Loadouts: Before entering a difficult area or boss, consider what bomb type might be most effective.
- Don’t Forget Your Health: Plague Knight is a fragile character. Prioritize health upgrades if you find yourself struggling to survive.
- Learn from Death: Each failure is a learning opportunity. Analyze what went wrong and adjust your strategy.
- Utilize the Shop: Mona’s shop is your best friend. Visit it often to purchase formulas and check for new upgrades.
- Embrace the Chaos: Plague Knight’s playstyle is inherently chaotic and unpredictable. Learn to thrive in that environment.
By understanding and mastering Plague Knight’s unique movement, diverse bomb arsenal, and strategic upgrade paths, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a true alchemical master. Get ready to brew up some trouble!
Conclusion
Playing Shovel Knight: Plague of Shadows is a thrilling departure from the original, offering a fresh perspective and a uniquely challenging experience. Mastering Plague Knight’s signature bouncing movement and his versatile alchemical bombs is key to success. By understanding his core mechanics, prioritizing the right upgrades, and adapting your strategies to each level and boss, you’ll find yourself brewing up victory in no time.
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