Phantom Striker

Phantom Striker
Sprite(s)
Attributes
Type(s)	Optional Boss ( ) Main Boss () Playable character ()
Gender	Male
Affiliation(s)	Wandering Travelers
Occupation(s)	Wandering Traveler, undead hunter
Weapon(s)	Fencing foil, lightning powers
Hit points
Game Information
Debut
Appears in
Stage(s)	Roaming ( ) The Lich Yard ()
Music Track(s)	Fighting with All of Our Might ( ) The Apparition () Chaos Selecta ()

“	Power. Honor. The traits of a respectable warrior.	”
— Phantom Striker, Shovel Knight: Shovel of Hope

Phantom Striker is one of many warriors in Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove. He is also one of the Wandering Travelers. His character was created by Steven Ness as a Director for a Day.

Official Bio

“	A lone warrior, Phantom Striker appears to those that he deems worthy of challenging him. Light on his feet and wielding a fencing foil, this enigmatic fighter also controls the power of lightning! Always in search of an honorable battle, Phantom Striker may reward those who fare well against his cyclonic charge.	”

Story

Shovel of Hope and Plague of Shadows

In both Shovel of Hope and Plague of Shadows, Phantom Striker follows the progression of Shovel Knight and Plague Knight, but only appear on the map after clearing one of the main stages in the third quadrant. When encountered, the day sky turns to night and he appears in a lightning burst. He then challenges Shovel Knight and Plague Knight to a battle, once defeated, judges and rewards the knights' performance. He then leaves as he came, but says that he will continue observing their journeys. Depending on how well his opponent battled him, Phantom Striker will have different dialogue at the end of the battle and reward Shovel Knight or Plague Knight differently: If their health goes below half of its total or if they heal, Phantom Striker will leave behind ten gems with a value of 1 each, for a extra reward of 20. But if they defeat him without losing half of their health or healing, Phantom Striker will greatly compliment them and leave a reward of ten gems each with a value of 200, for a grand total of 2000 extra.

He reappears in both endings with the rest of the Wandering Travelers, facing Liquid Samurais in yet another battle.

Specter of Torment

In Specter of Torment, Phantom Striker keeps the dead from rising out of their tombs in the Lich Yard. Specter Knight seeks him out as a recruit for the Order of No Quarter. Phantom Striker does not recognize the knight's worth and challenges to a battle. Once defeated, he prefers to flee than to kneel to the Enchantress, judging her unfit to rule the Valley. He leaves, promising that he will see to the Order's defeat.

Phantom Striker reappears in the ending, trying to stop the horde of the dead from attacking the village by the Lich Yard. After this, Specter Knight takes his position as guardian of the graveyard.

King of Cards

In King of Cards, Phantom Striker appears after defeating The Big Creep inside the Eerie Manor. Phantom Striker traps King Knight, thinking he is a wraith due to Specter Knight's lingering scent left on King Knight's Joustus deck, forcing King Knight to defend himself. After being defeated, he leaves without a word. He is later seen in the Glidewing, sitting at the table. King Knight is able to duel him in a friendly game of Joustus.

He is then seen during the ending, herding The Big Creep and Invisishades (also Duelist Di, if she was taken to Glidewing by King Knight) inside the Hall of Champions, thus he is the reason the building is haunted in Shovel of Hope.

Showdown

In Shovel Knight Showdown, Phantom Striker is one of the numerous unfortunate souls who were kidnapped by the haywire Mirror of Fate.

Despite his attempts to go unnoticed, he encounters Dark Reize, who is disappointed that he has to fight a warrior past his prime. Phantom Striker is on the other hand shocked and horrified that a child, like Reize, could be corrupted so severely. Despite feeling not ready to face such a strong dark aura again, the two battle with Dark Reize retreating soon after. Later they encounter each other again, with Dark Reize surprised and disappointed that Phantom Striker is still alive. Phantom Striker is saddened by his realization of being unable to dissipate Dark Reize's corruption, and resigning himself to what he has to do, he steeled himself to strike down the corrupted child, although he ultimately can't bring himself to actually finish him off. Later, after the Mirror is shattered and everyone is freed from it, Phantom Striker is seen lamenting his failures, cursing himself for being not strong enough and past his prime. Realizing that in order to exterminate the source behind the looming darkness a champion greater than he would be needed, he decides to find someone uncorrupted and test their strength, as his last hope for the future (explaining his behavior in Shovel of Hope and Plague of Shadows).

While he was still trapped inside the Mirror, Phantom Striker also encountered Specter Knight once again, and engages him in battle since he initially thinks the undead reaper trapped him in the mirror to further convince him to join the Order, as well as to finally put an end to his unnatural existence, as Phantom Striker warns him that the magic they are dealing with is far darker than what Specter Knight knows. On the other hand, Specter Knight just wants to beat anyone who would stand between him and his revenge against The Enchantress. After encountering each other again, Specter Knight tries to bargain with Phantom Striker, asking him to wait for after he is restored to humanity by The Enchantress, but the undead hunter calls him a naive fool for believing that he can be restored to life, informing him that his curse cannot be undone and that he is twisted forever. Phantom Striker then tries once again to make Specter Knight accept his fate and be put to eternal rest, but the reaper exits from the fight victorious.

After escaping the mirror, while on his way towards The Enchantress to take revenge, Specter Knight couldn't help but have Phantom Striker's words continue to echo in his head, before pushing them aside as he climbed the Tower of Fate. Unfortunately for him, the words from the undead hunter were soon proven to be correct.

Joustus Deck

Phantom Striker	Invisishade	Invisishade	Invisishade
Zamby	Zamby	Zamby	Boneclang
Boneclang	Boneclang	Super Skeleton	Super Skeleton
Super Skeleton	Boneclang Honcho	Boneclang Honcho	Boneclang Honcho

Dialogue

Click to expand

Shovel of Hope Plague of Shadows Specter of Torment King of Cards Showdown Before his fight "Shovel Knight: What magic is this?" "Phantom Striker: Power. Honor. The traits of a respectable warrior." "Shovel Knight: Sir, I don’t believe we’ve met..." "Phantom Striker: We meet today, on the field of battle. We have both defeated many knights, and traveled far. Today we fight." "Shovel Knight: Stand aside! You and I have no reason to battle." "Phantom Striker: Conflict is a reason unto itself, brave knight. Today, you will be tested. Are you ready? " After his fight, Shovel Knight's health above half and no Ichor of Renewal is used "Phantom Striker: Your skills are as vast as I thought! I shall follow your journey from the shadows. Farewell, Shovel Knight!" After his fight, Shovel Knight's health below half or the Ichor of Renewal is used "Phantom Striker: Ha! I’ve been bested… but barely. You still need training to overcome what lies ahead. Farewell, Shovel Knight!" Before his fight "Phantom Striker: Ah. The alchemist. Tales of your exploits have reached far and wide." "Plague Knight: Heh, hahaha, uh... really? And who are you?" "Phantom Striker: An ... interested party. I seek only to find the bravest fighters, and test them." "Plague Knight: What, by rubbing your shoes in the carpet and poking them? I’ve got places to be, haha! Zap!" "Phantom Striker: Then prove your worth!" After his fight, Plague Knight's health above half and no Health Tonic used "Phantom Striker: I misjudged your ability. Your skill in dodging so many of my attacks is uncanny! You are surely capable of carrying out your quest! Take this reward, and farewell!" After his fight, Plague Knight's health below half "Phantom Striker: Ah... you see... book knowledge will never replace swordsmanship. Despite your sizable arsenal, I was still able to land many strikes. But one should never underestimate even the lowliest enemy. I shall leave you with that thought!" [If a Health Tonic was used during the fight] "Phantom Striker: And your reliance on tonics has no place in a proper duel!" After Phantom Striker left "Plague Knight: (Hahaha, I wonder if people can tell when I roll my eyes under this mask...)" Before his fight "Specter Knight: A surprise attack...? Hardly befitting the honorable warrior I had hoped to meet." "Phantom Striker: Ah, the wraith yet speaks of honor, having surrendered his own..to serve as an errand boy." "Specter Knight: Hss..I merely invite you to continue your trials, at the behest of The Enchantress. Her power is unmatched!" "Phantom Striker: And she expects this empty, broken husk to intimidate me? Your power is untrue, but mine comes from within. Let me demonstrate!" After his fight "Phantom Striker: *pant* You may match me in battle, but you and your cohorts are unfit to rule this land. Your days are numbered, wretch; I will roam free and see your kind vanquished to the last." Before his fight "Phantom Striker: Hark! My trap has ensnared another wraith. Your kind grows bolder by the day." "King Knight: No! Wait! I'm alive. And I'm no wraith!" "Phantom Striker: The sent of dark magic swirls about you like an aura of death. I've made no mistake." "King Knight: Perhaps it's my lucky Joustus deck? Its previous owner did bear a striking resemblance to the grim reaper... But truly, how could you smell it over your own pestilent pong? You're the one who seems to reek of ghosts!" "Phantom Striker: Lies. Insolence! My patience ends here, ghost! Prepare to be banished!" Talked to aboard the Glidewing "Phantom Striker: This is not a blue napkin. This is my Phantom Shroud ! ..You frustrate me, ghost. Sigh.. No matter. Why not settle our petty differences with Joustus?" Third fight in Specter Knight's story mode "Phantom Striker: Foul wretch! I told you once that I wouldn't join your cause. Why have you dragged me here!?" "Specter Knight: I didn't! But I'll drag my scythe through you, if you try to stop me. Stand aside. " "Phantom Striker: You'll not leave here, wraith. I cannot abide your existence! This is magic far darker than you know." "Specter Knight: All I know is that you impede my revenge!" Ninth fight in Specter Knight's story mode "Specter Knight: Phantom Striker! Come no closer. You know how this will end. Let us cross paths soon as mortals, after The Enchantress restores me to my former self!" "Phantom Striker: Naive fool! Your curse cannot be undone. You are beyond the help of magic! Twisted forever!" "Specter Knight: ..." "Phantom Striker: ...Accept it, apparition. You must be laid to rest. Let this be your eternal grave!" Victory speeches "Phantom Striker: Away with you, ghost! I'll strike at phantoms wherever they lie!" "Phantom Striker: I sealed a great many wraiths inside the Hall of Champions. Watch out, or you'll be next!" "Phantom Striker: Pathetic! All that effort, and you only managed to hit me [x] times!" "Phantom Striker: Impressive. The match was mine, but you still landed [x] blows. Well done indeed!"

Trivia

• His sprite model is named "Bolt".
• Phantom Striker, Propeller Knight and Mr. Hat are the only main characters in Shovel Knight to use a sword as a weapon.
  • As such, Propeller Knight and Phantom Striker's swords are both of French origin with Phantom Striker's being a fleuret and Propeller Knight's being a rapier.
• Phantom Striker's dialogue ends with praise even if Plague Knight uses the Leech Liquid.
• He is the boss of the Lich Yard in Specter of Torment and was potentially a candidate for the Order of No Quarter, but he denied the offer.
• The developers designed a Body Swap version for Phantom Striker, although only the main cast of Shovel of Hope had one added to the campaign.
• Phantom Striker is the only wandering traveler to be fought in all the campaigns.
• In Shovel Knight Showdown, Phantom Striker is noted by nearly all of the characters as an "old man". The end of his story mode reveals that he is "past his prime". This means that Phantom Striker might be older than shown.
• A recurring joke in King of Cards is that the shroud Phantom Striker wears is actually a napkin. He comments angrily about the confusion aboard the Glidewing. In the Fairy Glade, Madam Meeber mentions the Shroud again in relation to the Phantom Striker's Fairy of Phantoms: "and he comes with a little napkin too".

Gallery

See: Phantom Striker/Gallery