The Troupple King is a large whale-like creature, whose general shape and coloration resembles that of an apple. He has blue eyes, a red top, a light-colored underbelly, light-colored fins, and a single green leaf upon his stem, which resides on the dip of his back. He wears a small yellow crown upon his head, proof of his kinghood.
Personality[]
The Troupple King is shown to be very serious and far more intolerant to disrespect than other kings, being very unforgivable and screaming at people, such as when they fish in his pond. However, he has also shown a rather silly side too, such as in his dances where he does goofy actions and faces.
Story[]
King of Cards[]
The Troupple King has a major role in King of Cards, being one of the three Joustus Judges. After being defeated, he accepts defeats after a Troupple Acolyte tells him about King Knights quest for the Joustus crown. Later he can be seen in the Glidewing, selling decrees once he's unclogged. To unclog him, go to the room with the Ledge Farmer and fall off the edge, then shoulder bash the wall to perform a spin before falling on his crown, thus unclogging the Troupple King.
Specter of Torment[]
The Troupple King appears at the end of Specter of Torment to reform The Enchantress's servant, the Dark Acolyte, into his own follower, the male Troupple Acolyte met in the other campaigns.
Showdown[]
While inside the nefarious Mirror of Fate, its prisoners can meet an illusory copy of the Troupple King, that acts as an Hazard in the Troupple Grotto - Royal Pond stage, summoning Troupples in various formations and spitting damaging Ichor, in order to attack anyone unfortunate enough to be on his path.
Shovel of Hope[]
In Shovel of Hope, the Troupple King can fill Shovel Knight's chalices with one of his three Ichor variants. He will perform a dance the first time he fills a chalice. Additionally, he will get mad at Shovel Knight if he falls into or attempt to fish in his pond.
The Troupple King's loyal follower, the Troupple Acolyte, can be found in the tavern inside the Village and sells chalices.
Plague of Shadows[]
In Plague of Shadows, Plague Knight uses the Troupple King's services to enchant his cloak to bestow it new powers, similarly to the Armorer improving Shovel Knight's armor at the Armor Outpost. However, he requires gold for it, recognizing the knight's villainy.
Additionally, Plague Knight can also learn how to dance when visiting the Troupple King for the first time and witnessing his dance. By holding [Down], Plague Knight will start waltzing by himself. This can be done at anytime, except when near Mona, where Plague Knight will instead shyly tap his fingers together.
A different, female Troupple Acolyte can be found in the Armor Outpost. She sells the chalice required to meet the Troupple King.
Pocket Dungeon[]
At some point during the events of Shovel of Hope and Plague of Shadows, the Troupple King ended up trapped, like many others, inside the insidious Pocket Dungeon. While inside the puzzle box, the Troupple King can be randomly found inside a sideroom portal, offering two variants of Ichors, although only one can be chosen at the time.
After everyone is saved, the Troupple King is also able to escape his imprisonment, and can be seen in the end credits cheering alongside Chester and Propeller Knight.
Strategy[]
King of Cards[]
As being one of three Joustus Judges, the Troupple King has to be fought. In this battle King Knight can bounce on his body and bash at the Troupple King to hurt him. Complicating matters is the fact that King Knight is confined to a small boat during the encounter while the Troupple King is freely able to swim in the water. The left or right side of the boat must be struck with a shoulder bash to push the boat along to avoid attacks; attempting to jump in the water will only hurt King Knight.
These are following attacks the Troupple King will use:
Many Troupples go around his head then fall back into the water.
Goes across the screen while many Troupples go up and down following him
Spits out magical several drops of Ichor in overhead arcs and then backs away.
When the Troupple King is at one end of the pond and flaps his fins while smiling with his eyes wide open, he is going to suddenly surge across the whole pond for a ramming attack. The attack sends several Troupples into the air afterward. King Knight must bash into the king's face and then spin off the Troupples or the monarch's back to avoid being crushed. He may perform this attack several times in a row.
He will hide in the water shaking his tail along the arena. Eventually he will pop up for a body slam. He may also repeat this move a few times.
When he gets to low health, many Troupples will kiss him, replenishing some of his health.
"Troupple King:Who has awakened me?! Mortal! Dost thou need... Wait a tic! Alchemist! News of thy villainy has reached the Troupple Pond. Begone from this sacred grotto!" "Plague Knight:But, uh, my liege... Hee hee. I've actually come to learn to d-dance. See, I can only sorta twitch..." "Troupple King:Enough! Disgraceful! Where is the
motion
? Where is the
passion
!? Thou needst a miracle! Wilt thou receive the gift of rhythm, humble alchemist?"
Refusing or canceling any request
"Troupple King:Thou wouldst be wise to waste not the Troupple King's time, mortal!"
Accepting the gift of dancing
"Troupple King:As it happens, we are miracle workers. No one is without hope... Places, everyone!"
Finishing the dance
"Troupple King:And that's how it's done! A true dancer holds [x] to practice! I shall grant you my Ichors, but... only for noble causes!" "Plague Knight:Oh, uh... Hahaha,
certainly!
Noble is my middle name! Hee hee hee!" "Troupple King:I still require a nominal repentance fee, for proper sanctification. Now.... choose your Ichor wisely!"
Visiting the King again
"Troupple King:Who has awakened me?! Mortal! Dost thou need aid?"
Impossible! I thought they'd all been destroyed long ago. Allow me to gaze into its swirling vortex... and hold still for a moment as I grant you new power!
*hrp*
"
Falling into the pond
"Troupple King:Do not sully our waters with thy filthy body! Next time, I won't be so merciful!"
"King Knight:The second Joustus Judge is nowhere to be found in this reeking bog. My cape is sodden with muck!"
After bashing the boat again
"Troupple King:My sacred apples! Soaked! My acolytes toiled long hours to gather these!
Whodarethsullymywaters?
" "King Knight:I dareth. Stand aside, foul thing! I've arrived to defeat the Troupple King, yet he cowers in hiding." "Troupple King:Dost thou realize not
towhom
thou speaketh!? It was gravely foolish to come here unprepared, mortal!" "King Knight:Lecture me not, blubbermouth! Instead, lead me to the Troupple King at once!" "Troupple King:Impudent buffoon!
That'sme!I'mangeredtomyverycore!
I shall teach you some manners myself!"
If King Knight fell into the pond at the end of the fight
"Troupple King:Blazes! What of this charlatan, then? He churneth a murk into my waters! Troupples, bubble him to me!"
Defeating the Troupple King
"Troupple Acolyte:
Halt!Ibeseechthee!Please,nomore!
" "Troupple King:Acolyte, what troubleth thee, my child?" "Troupple Acolyte:
Havemercy!
King Knight is here with the blessings of King Pridemoor. He seeks the Joustus Crown!" "Troupple King:King Pridemoor...
Bah!
Have our allies all lost their wits since the Joustus Crown began?" "Troupple Acolyte:But.. you did volunteer, my liege! And.. the contest
has
brought us all together, hasn't it?" "Troupple King:Oh,
hoho,
thou art wise, young acolyte. Perhaps I misjudged you, King Knight. I shall see thee off at the pond's edge, child. Go with King Knight, and accompany him in my stead."
Surprised to see me, young man? I simply had to accompany my most trusted
*NGGGCHK*
acolyte! I meant to lend my aid, but alas.. Outside of the protective waters of my grotto, I am beset by allergies most foul. It's...
Thisisdreadful,
it's my... blowhole. Here I hang thickly congested. How doth one unclog a waterlogged god?"
Talked to again if the King is still congested
"Troupple King:I meant to lend my aid, but alas.. Outside of the protective waters of my grotto, I am beset by allergies most foul. It's...
Thisisdreadful,
It's my... Blowhole. Here I hang thickly congested. How doth one unclog a waterlogged god?"
After unclogging the King
"Troupple King:
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh!
Providence!
Graces!
My mind hath cleared, as if from a fog! Glory to thee! A thousand thanks. Now, let us attend to matters at hand. A judicious king issueth forth decrees! May my wisdom thee in by decrees. Wouldst thou wish to write one?"
Talked to again after unclogging him
"Troupple King:My graces are thine, child. Shall we examine thy kingly decrees?"
"Troupple King:I advise issuing forth decrees, mortal, lest you become as exposed as my fins!"
Entering the secret Troupple Pond room
"Troupple King:Behold, it is I, the Troupple King. My Blessings are upon you, mortal. Grab a single chalice of magical ichor that lies before you. Choose your ichor wisely..."
Taking one of the Chalices in the room
"Troupple King:May the blessing of the Piscine and Pomaceous guide thee. Pray, solve this pocket prison posthaste!"
Random lines when bumped into
"Troupple King:
ThousmackstUswiththyfilthyflippers?!
Prithee, how darest?" "Troupple King:
Bumptheenotintothe
TrouppleKing
,mortal!!!
" "Troupple King:
Dostthouwishtotango?
Alas, with the flow of time in this pouch dungeon, I'm all fins and no juice!" "Troupple King:
Suchinsult!
Imposeth not thy horseplay on my bountiful presence."
Trivia[]
Troupple King has two different dances, one for Shovel Knight and the other for Plague Knight. Both can be replayed with the music sheet found in the pond.
A cheat code will let Troupple King perform the first dance with a different music named Par-tay Rap!. However, this music is not available as a music sheet, but can be listened to on the Sound Test Mode of Shovel Knight Showdown.
The dance unlocked by the Troupple King for Plague Knight is similar in concept to Shovel Knight's Toad Gear's cool pose and Specter Knight's Cold Shoulder.
The developers designed a Body Swap version for the Troupple King, although only the main cast of Shovel of Hope had one added to the campaign.
In Shovel Knight's guest appearance in Blade Strangers, the Troupple King makes a cameo appearance in one of Shovel Knight's Ultra Skills, where he rides on a wave of water to damage the opponent.
Gallery[]
Art[]
Shovel of Hope key art.
Shovel of Hope key art.
Father's Day 2022 artwork, featuring the Troupple King and his Troupples.
