Shovel Blade Techniques

The Shovel Blade Techniques are items for Shovel Knight to use in Shovel Knight Dig; similarly to the accessories they act as upgrades, in this case for his main weapon, the Shovel Blade.

Usage[]

Each Shovel Blade Techniques has a very specific effect, that acts as a modifier for the rest of a run. If a stage is failed or abandoned, or a run is successfully completed, all Techniques are removed from the inventory. Specifically, once at the Surface, any Techniques acquired during a run is lost, necessarily needing to re-acquire them again during the next run of The Well in order to benefit of their effects a second time.

The Shovel Blade Techniques are divided into four types, down, up, side, and charge, each representing an upgrade for Dig Slashes while in the air, Shovel Drops, Dig Slashes while on the ground, and charge attacks. Only one Shovel Blade Techniques can be equipped in each category at the time, meaning that any previous purchase will be overwritten by a subsequent one if they are of the same type.

In order to achieve the true ending, the three Sacrifice Shrines must be activated, by either offering an Accessory or a Shovel Blade Technique. The sacrificed item is however, not lost for good, as it can later be re-acquired by meeting again Master Argus.

Acquiring[]

During Runs[]

The Shovel Blade Techniques can be purchased from Master Argus, an undead Shovel Blade Master. He will sometimes appear in a side-room inside The Well, offering a random number of different Techniques to teach; the price for tuition can be lowered if Master Argus is attacked after being distracted by chucking towards him a minor object, like a stone, in which case he will fail to parry the following attack and take the blow. Impressed by Shovel Knight, he will then offer a discount on his available techniques during that interaction. There is also a Feat tied to this, Unawares.

At the Surface[]

At the Surface, below the great tree at the far left side of the campfire, Shovel Knight can dig up Master Argus's gravestone. Upon this stone there are engraved a series of tests, which will reward each a new Shovel Blade Technique once they are cleared. Upon earning all Techniques, the Feat Scholar of Shovelry will be rewarded, and the Memento Blooming Grave will appear, making the grave blossom with many flowers.

List of Master Argus's Tests[]

Test	Unlock
Shovel Drop 5 enemies without touching the ground.	Whip Slash
Complete a stage without Shovel Dropping an enemy.	Charge Boomerang
Dig 100 times in a row without stopping.	Cyclone Slash
Complete a stage without jumping.	Glide Cloud Drop
Challenge the Omega Saw to a 60-second standoff.	Spiral Air Slash

List of all Shovel Blade Technique[]

Shovel Blade Techniques	Image	Cost	Type	Description
Hover Air Slash		TBA	Up	Briefly stops your descent when swinging the Shovel Blade.
Spiral Air Slash		TBA	Up	An aerial technique that attacks all around you. Replaces your Dig Slash in air.
Whip Slash		TBA	Side	Attack with a long-range whip technique. Replaces your Dig Slash.
Cyclone Slash		TBA	Side	Attack in front and behind simultaneously. Replaces your Dig Slash.
Super Shovel Drop		TBA	Down	Press [DOWN] to gather your strength and plummet straight down.
Charge Slash		TBA	Charge	Hold attack, then release to perform a powerful attack.
Charge Boomerang		TBA	Charge	Hold attack, then release to throw the Shovel Blade.
Glide Cloud Drop		TBA	Down	Press [DOWN] to float slowly to the ground.