Are you finding yourself in a bit of a pickle in the world of Shovel Knight? Perhaps you’ve stumbled upon some peculiar items, but you’re not quite sure how they fit into your knightly arsenal. You’ve seen them in your inventory, shimmering with potential, but the ‘how to use relics’ question is still buzzing in your mind.
Don’t worry, fellow adventurer! Mastering these magical trinkets is a cornerstone of truly conquering the Order of No Quarter. These aren’t just shiny baubles; they are powerful tools that can turn the tide of any battle, solve tricky environmental puzzles, and even unlock new paths. Let’s dig into how you can effectively wield these game-changing items and become the ultimate Shovel Knight!
Mastering the Arsenal: A Deep Dive Into Shovel Knight Relics
Shovel Knight’s journey is as much about skillful swordplay and precise platforming as it is about understanding and utilizing the incredible array of Relics at your disposal. These aren’t just passive buffs; they are active tools that require thoughtful deployment, often changing the fundamental way you approach combat and traversal. Learning how to use relics effectively is the key to overcoming the toughest challenges and uncovering all the secrets the land has to offer.
Each relic has a unique purpose, from offensive bursts to defensive shields and game-changing mobility options. Some are essential for progression, opening up areas previously inaccessible, while others are pure combat enhancers, allowing you to unleash devastating combos or control the battlefield. We’ll explore each one, detailing its function, how to activate it, and the strategic scenarios where it shines brightest.
The Core Mechanic: Activating Relics
Before we delve into individual relics, it’s crucial to understand the universal mechanic for their activation. Most relics are tied to your shovel’s downward thrust. When you’re on the ground and press the ‘down’ button while simultaneously pressing the ‘attack’ button, you’ll perform a shovel slam. This action is the trigger for many, if not all, of your relics. Think of it as your primary relic-use button. (See Also: how to get flimsy shovel animal crossing)
However, some relics have different activation methods. For instance, the Dust Knuckles are used when you’re standing still and press the attack button, and the Bait Fang requires a specific throwing motion. Always pay attention to the item description when you first acquire a relic; it often provides a hint about its usage. Additionally, the game’s tutorial sections, especially during your first encounters with these items, are invaluable for learning the ropes.
Relics for Offense: Unleashing Your Inner Fury
When you need to bring the pain, these relics are your go-to companions. They add a significant punch to your offensive capabilities, allowing you to deal with enemies more efficiently and in creative ways.
1. The Dust Knuckles
- Description: These gauntlets allow Shovel Knight to punch with incredible force.
- How to Use: Stand still and press the attack button.
- Strategic Use: The Dust Knuckles are fantastic for dealing with enemies that are directly in front of you, especially those that might be resistant to your shovel’s direct hit. They have a slightly longer range than a standard shovel attack and can break through certain barriers. They are particularly effective against stationary or slow-moving enemies. Think of them as a short-range, high-impact projectile.
- When to Use: Ideal for clearing out groups of weaker enemies quickly, breaking tough-shelled foes, and dealing with specific environmental hazards that require a forceful impact.
2. The Bomb Knight
- Description: This relic grants Shovel Knight the ability to throw bombs.
- How to Use: Press the ‘down’ button and ‘attack’ button simultaneously while in the air.
- Strategic Use: The Bomb Knight is a versatile offensive tool. The bombs have a decent arc and can be used to hit enemies from above, clear pathways, or even detonate multiple enemies at once if they are grouped closely. Experiment with the timing of your aerial bombs to hit enemies at different heights.
- When to Use: Excellent for hitting enemies on ledges or platforms above you, clearing out clusters of foes, and solving puzzles that require detonating specific objects. They are also great for dealing with flying enemies.
3. The Pogo Maul (secret Relic)
- Description: A powerful hammer that can be slammed down.
- How to Use: This relic is more of a combat upgrade and doesn’t have a separate activation like most others. It’s found in a secret area and replaces your shovel’s pogo ability with a devastating downward slam.
- Strategic Use: The Pogo Maul’s slam deals immense damage and can break through tougher ground and certain enemies’ defenses. It’s a high-risk, high-reward weapon as it leaves you vulnerable for a moment after the impact.
- When to Use: Primarily for dealing with heavily armored enemies, breaking through specific floor types, and for players who have mastered the timing of its impact.
4. The Throwing Anchor
- Description: A heavy anchor that Shovel Knight can throw.
- How to Use: Press the ‘down’ button and ‘attack’ button simultaneously while in the air.
- Strategic Use: The Throwing Anchor is a powerful, albeit slow, projectile. It deals significant damage and can pierce through multiple enemies in a straight line. Its weight means it drops quickly, so timing is key for hitting targets effectively.
- When to Use: Ideal for situations where you need to hit multiple enemies lined up, or when facing a single, tough foe at medium range. It’s less effective against fast-moving or airborne enemies unless timed perfectly.
5. The Enchantress’s Dust
- Description: A magical dust that can damage enemies.
- How to Use: Press the ‘down’ button and ‘attack’ button simultaneously while on the ground.
- Strategic Use: This relic releases a cloud of damaging dust around Shovel Knight. It’s a great area-of-effect (AoE) attack that can hit multiple enemies surrounding you. The dust lingers for a short period, allowing for sustained damage.
- When to Use: Perfect for clearing out swarms of enemies that have surrounded you, or for dealing with enemies that are difficult to hit directly with your shovel. It’s a good panic button when overwhelmed.
Relics for Defense and Utility: Staying Alive and Getting Ahead
Sometimes, survival is the best offense. These relics focus on keeping you safe, navigating treacherous environments, and providing crucial utility that can change the course of your exploration.
1. The Shield Knight
- Description: This relic allows Shovel Knight to create a temporary shield.
- How to Use: Press the ‘down’ button and ‘attack’ button simultaneously while in the air.
- Strategic Use: The Shield Knight creates a protective barrier that can block projectiles. It’s incredibly useful for navigating areas filled with ranged enemies or environmental hazards. You can also use it to deflect certain enemy attacks back at them.
- When to Use: Essential for stages with numerous projectile-spewing enemies, dangerous environmental traps, and boss fights where dodging projectiles is paramount.
2. The Gravedigger’s Shovel
- Description: This relic allows Shovel Knight to dig into soft earth.
- How to Use: Press the ‘down’ button and ‘attack’ button simultaneously while on the ground, when standing over diggable ground.
- Strategic Use: The Gravedigger’s Shovel is a key to uncovering secrets. It allows you to dig into specific patches of earth to reveal hidden items, treasures, or even secret passages. This relic is vital for 100% completion and finding all the collectibles.
- When to Use: Use it whenever you see patches of dirt that look suspicious or when the game hints at hidden areas. It’s also your primary tool for finding the many Stalkers and bonus items scattered throughout the levels.
3. The Bait Fang
- Description: This relic allows Shovel Knight to throw a grappling hook.
- How to Use: Press the ‘down’ button and ‘attack’ button simultaneously while in the air.
- Strategic Use: The Bait Fang is your primary tool for grappling onto specific points in the environment. This allows you to swing across large gaps, ascend to higher platforms, or even pull enemies towards you. Mastering its trajectory and when to release is key to effective use.
- When to Use: Crucial for platforming challenges that involve crossing chasms or reaching otherwise inaccessible areas. It can also be used offensively to disrupt enemy positioning or pull them into hazards.
4. The Wand of Sparks
- Description: This relic fires a short-range burst of sparks.
- How to Use: Press the ‘down’ button and ‘attack’ button simultaneously while on the ground.
- Strategic Use: The Wand of Sparks fires a concentrated burst of energy in front of Shovel Knight. While it has limited range, it can hit multiple enemies in a line. It’s a good alternative to the shovel’s direct attack when you need a slightly different angle or want to hit enemies through small gaps.
- When to Use: Useful for clearing out tightly packed enemies, hitting foes that are just out of shovel range, or when you want to conserve shovel energy for other moves.
5. The Sub-Hammer
- Description: This relic creates a powerful downward shockwave.
- How to Use: Press the ‘down’ button and ‘attack’ button simultaneously while in the air.
- Strategic Use: The Sub-Hammer’s slam creates a powerful shockwave that damages enemies and can break through specific floors. It’s particularly effective against enemies directly below you and can be used to reveal hidden areas or break through obstacles.
- When to Use: Excellent for dealing with enemies on lower platforms, breaking through destructible floors, and for creating openings in the environment. It’s a great way to deal with groups of enemies clustered beneath you.
Relics for Mobility and Exploration: Reaching New Heights
These relics are your keys to unlocking new pathways and navigating the intricate levels with grace and speed. They redefine how you interact with the game’s architecture. (See Also: how to keep snow from sticking to your shovel)
1. The Pogo Jump (standard Mechanic)
- Description: While not a ‘relic’ in the traditional sense, the pogo jump is a fundamental mechanic tied to your shovel.
- How to Use: Press the ‘down’ button while in the air.
- Strategic Use: This is arguably the most important tool in Shovel Knight’s arsenal. It allows you to bounce off enemies, spikes, and certain environmental objects, effectively extending your airtime and reaching new platforms. Mastering the pogo jump is non-negotiable for progression.
- When to Use: Constantly! It’s your primary method for platforming, avoiding damage, and reaching higher areas. You’ll use it to cross gaps, ascend to new heights, and even defeat certain enemies.
2. The Birderang
- Description: This relic allows Shovel Knight to throw a boomerang.
- How to Use: Press the ‘down’ button and ‘attack’ button simultaneously while in the air.
- Strategic Use: The Birderang flies out and then returns to Shovel Knight, hitting enemies on both the outbound and inbound journeys. This makes it excellent for hitting enemies at various ranges and can even be used to hit switches or collect items from a distance.
- When to Use: Great for dealing with enemies that are hard to reach directly, activating distant mechanisms, and for when you need to hit an enemy twice without getting too close.
3. The Flare Wand
- Description: This relic shoots a fiery projectile.
- How to Use: Press the ‘down’ button and ‘attack’ button simultaneously while on the ground.
- Strategic Use: The Flare Wand fires a slow-moving, but powerful, projectile that travels horizontally. It’s excellent for dealing with enemies at a distance or for igniting specific environmental elements. Its slow speed means you need to anticipate enemy movements.
- When to Use: Ideal for hitting enemies on platforms ahead of you, clearing out dangerous obstacles from a safe distance, and for puzzles that require igniting certain objects.
4. The Tinker Tank
- Description: This relic allows Shovel Knight to deploy a small, controllable tank.
- How to Use: Press the ‘down’ button and ‘attack’ button simultaneously while on the ground.
- Strategic Use: The Tinker Tank is a unique relic that allows you to move a small vehicle that can break through certain barriers and damage enemies. You can control its movement for a short time, making it useful for reaching new areas or clearing paths.
- When to Use: Perfect for breaking through specific wall segments, dealing with enemies in confined spaces, and for reaching areas that are inaccessible by normal means.
5. The Jousting Scale
- Description: This relic allows Shovel Knight to charge forward.
- How to Use: Press the ‘down’ button and ‘attack’ button simultaneously while on the ground.
- Strategic Use: The Jousting Scale is a powerful dash attack that propels Shovel Knight forward with great speed. It can break through certain walls and damage enemies. It’s a high-speed traversal tool that requires careful aim.
- When to Use: Excellent for quickly covering long distances, breaking through specific obstacles, and for dealing with enemies that are directly in your path. Use it to bypass dangerous sections or to quickly close the distance on a foe.
Boss Fights and Relic Synergy
The true test of your relic mastery comes during boss fights. Each boss has unique attack patterns and vulnerabilities, and the right relic can make all the difference between a hard-fought victory and a frustrating defeat. For instance, against a boss that spams projectiles, the Shield Knight is invaluable. If a boss is large and slow, the raw power of the Throwing Anchor or the area-of-effect of the Enchantress’s Dust might be more effective.
Don’t be afraid to experiment! Sometimes, a combination of relics can be surprisingly effective. Perhaps you’ll use the Bait Fang to pull an enemy into a trap, or use the Bomb Knight to clear a path for your Jousting Scale dash. The game rewards players who think creatively about how these tools interact with the environment and their enemies. Always consider the boss’s movement, attack types, and any environmental hazards present.
Finding and Upgrading Relics
Most relics are acquired by defeating specific bosses within the game, often referred to as the Knights of the Order. Each knight guards a relic that complements their unique abilities and the challenges of their stage. Some relics, like the Gravedigger’s Shovel or the Bait Fang, are introduced earlier and are essential for progression. Others, like the Pogo Maul, are hidden secrets that require diligent exploration to find.
While there aren’t direct ‘upgrades’ in the traditional sense for relics, their effectiveness is often tied to your skill in using them. Mastering the timing, trajectory, and strategic application of each relic is the true upgrade. The game is designed so that each relic has a purpose, and understanding that purpose is key to unlocking its full potential. Keep an eye out for secret areas and optional challenges, as these often hide valuable rewards and unique items that can aid you on your quest. (See Also: how to get flimsy shovel recipe)
Remember, the world of Shovel Knight is filled with secrets, and the relics are your key to unlocking them. From breaking through walls with the Sub-Hammer to reaching distant platforms with the Bait Fang, these items are indispensable. So, equip them wisely, practice their use, and prepare to face the challenges ahead with newfound confidence. Your shovel is mighty, but your relics make you legendary!
Conclusion
Mastering Shovel Knight how to use relics is an integral part of becoming a formidable knight. These items are not mere trinkets but powerful tools that enhance combat, enable traversal, and unlock hidden secrets. By understanding each relic’s unique function, activation method, and strategic applications, you can overcome any obstacle the Order of No Quarter throws your way.
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