History Characters / ShovelKnight

* PreAssKickingOneLiner:
--->'''Phantom Striker:''' Conflict is a reason unto itself, brave knight. Today, you will be tested. ''Are you ready?''

* MadScientist: While she's more calmer compared to Plague Knight, the fact she does has what appears to be a laughing fit whenever you purchase equipment or do research can't be overlooked.

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* StockAnimalDiet: As toads, they naturally enjoy eating bugs. In fact, before the encounter, they were just looking for a place to get a burger and ''flies.'' And after the encounter, they invite Shovel Knight to join them for some ''grub.''

** To Propeller Knight. Both use fencing as their preferred combat style and are both are associated with elements of the the sky (Propeller Knight for wind/air and Phantom Striker with lightning). Both were approached by Specter Knight to join the Order of No Quarter, both were beaten by Specter Knight, but Phantom Striker still refused to join, while Propeller Knight submitted.

* SublimeRhyme: His slogan/sales pitch whenever he pops out of a blue chest.

--->'''Phantom Striker:''' Ah, the wraith yet speaks of honor, having surrendered his own..to serve as an errand boy.

--->'''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."

* WorthyOpponent:

** In the Xbox versions of the game, Reize expresses interest in becoming Baz's student because he thinks Baz is cool.

* HiddenDepths: While she claims to be a "really bored woman" in Shovel Knight's story, Plague Knight's story reveals that she's secretly Plague Knight's partner in crime, complete with having a secret lab beneath her room (of which Plague Knight heavily takes advantage of), implying how she acts in ''Shovel of Hope'' is just a ploy to keep others from finding the Potionarium. Also, very fond of dancing when she's alone (or ''thinks'' she is) and is really quite good at it.

* TinyGuyHugeGirl: When standing up at her full height, she's at least OneHeadTaller than Plague Knight. [[spoiler: They're also the OfficialCouple of ''Plague of Shadows'']]

[[Characters/ShovelKnightMainCharacters Main Characters]]

[[Characters/ShovelKnightOrderOfNoQuarter Order of No Quarter]]

!!Order of No Quarter

* BreakoutCharacter: The entire idea of the "Dig the Vote" poll was based upon this, allowing the game's backers to vote on which bosses should [[PromotedToPlayable not only become playable]], but get their own campaign with their own distinct mechanics and feel; the majority vote winner was Specter Knight, with Plague Knight and King Knight taking second and third place.
* BunnyEarsLawyer: They're a colorful, sometimes humorous band of villains... Who have terrified the valley into cowering, usurped their royalty, threaten to take over the world, and are a bad enough threat that requires a hero like Shovel Knight to step in, who isn't exempt from getting his attacks handed back to him with the Order's skill at combat.
* {{Expy}}: Of [[VideoGame/MegaManClassic the Robot Masters]], being unique bosses with different stage themes and gimmicks.
* ForcedIntoEvil: Zigzagged. Almost none of them wanted to work for the Order in the first place, but were either already rather villainous (Treasure Knight being an established pirate), preferred to be left alone to their own devices (Polar Knight, Tinker Knight, Propeller Knight, and Mole Knight), trying to accomplish their own goals (Plague Knight), or blackmailed ([[spoiler:Specter Knight]]).
* NamesToRunFromReallyFast: The order title basically translates into The Order of ''No Mercy.''
* PunchClockVillain: They each seem to have their own lives outside of being Order members, such as Mole Knight's excavation and Tinker Knight's work on machinery.
* VillainsOutShopping​: They're not always being dastardly. The BossRush even takes place when Shovel Knight bursts in on them casually having dinner as a group.

[[folder:King Knight]]
[[quoteleft:250:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/05---king-knight-02_6000.jpg]]
A Knight clad in gold armor. The Enchantress gave him Pridemoor Keep, but [[FakeKing he isn't really]] [[TheUsurper the king of it]]. One of the Knights to be PromotedToPlayable thanks to the Kickstarter campaign.

* AllThatGlitters: According to Plague Knight, his crown isn't even real gold. Whether this means it's "Fools Gold" or something cheaper is up to you.
* AngryFistShake: [[spoiler:In his ending, in response to being made to scrub the floors while the rightful king once again sits on his throne]].
* AintTooProudToBeg: [[spoiler:After his final defeat, he is the one to beg for mercy from Shovel Knight to save him and his companions]].
* ArrogantKungFuGuy: Being a King-themed knight, he's ''very'' proud.
* BlingOfWar: Solid gold armor, with a "royal" cloak and a crown built into his helmet. If you equip the Ornate Armor (which also happens to be golden) during the BossRush, he'll compliment you on your taste in armor afterwards if you save the Order. Somewhat subverted, since, as stated above, his crown isn't real gold. Pretender indeed.
* BreakTheHaughty: [[spoiler:After the rightful king is restored, he forces King Knight to scrub the floors of Pridemoor Keep.]]
* BullyingADragon: He's picked on a famous adventurer, a second tier Order member, and the person sent to ''forcibly recruit'' other members of the Order.
* ButtMonkey: He's one of the easier bosses in the game, at least two Order members don't really seem to take him seriously, and [[spoiler:in both Shovel Knight and Plague Knight's epilogues, he's forced to scrub the floor for the true king. To rub salt in the wound, Plague Knight, who had betrayed him, is being knighted in the ''same room''.]]
* CarryABigStick: His WeaponOfChoice is his [[StaffOfAuthority royal scepter]].
* DeathDealer: In ''Specter of Torment'', part of his new attacks involve floating cards that go in several directions.
* ErmineCapeEffect: Always, always, ''always'' wears a fur-trimmed cape, [[spoiler:even when scrubbing floors.]]
* FlashStep: King Knight will sometimes crouch, draw his scepter, then quickly dash to the other side of the screen.
* GodSaveUsFromTheQueen: [[GenderFlip As Queen Knight]], even if she's not a real queen.
* InformedAttribute: His Kickstarter profile says that he's "charismatic", in spite of the few interactions in ''Shovel of Hope'', ''Plague of Shadows'', and ''Specter of Torment'' indicating that he annoys almost everybody he meets.
* JerkAss: He sees fit to make fun of those he deems beneath him, [[BullyingADragon even if they're a level above him]]. Even after being set straight in ''Specter of Torment'', he still snubs Specter Knight whilst eating.
* KneelBeforeZod: His ground pound will force his foe to kneel, so he can [[OminousWalk saunter forward]] and [[{{Knighting}} bring his scepter down upon their head]].[[labelnote: In case you're curious...]] The other playable knights' knockdown animations from quaking attacks just so happen to involve them having fallen to their knees.[[/labelnote]]
* {{Leitmotif}}: ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4uOuLH5xKVc In the Halls of the Usurper]]'' (his stage theme) and ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yeLYbRbY7nc The Decadent Dandy]]'' (his boss theme).
* PimpedOutCape: Comes with the kingly theme.
* PromotedToPlayable: As a result of a fan poll, he will be given his own expansion where he will be featured as the protagonist.
* {{Pride}}: One of the most arrogant bosses around.
* PuppetKing: He serves the Enchantress, and only stands in a position of power because of her.
* RedBaron: "The Decadent Dandy". Shovel Knight calls him this as an insult, so it may also count as an InsultBackfire.
* RequisiteRoyalRegalia: Combines it with [[BlingOfWar golden armor]] for just the right mix of impractical luxury and... [[ImpracticallyFancyOutfit impractical luxury]].
* RoyalBlood: Insists that he has it.
* RoyalWe: Not surprising as he does everything possible to evoke his royal rights ... until he gets called out on not being a real king.
* TheSlacker: He doesn't appear to do much aside from sit around on his throne in Pridemoor Keep and pontificate. ''Specter of Torment'' reveals that he was ''already'' part of the Order of No Quarter, but got behind on renovating the castle; the reason Specter Knight was sent after him in the first place was to get him back to work.
* TurnsRed: Will summon trumpets to rain harmful confetti on Shovel Knight, likely decreasing his maneuverability.
* UngratefulBastard: [[spoiler:As stated in the "Ain't Too Proud To Beg" entry above, he'll always be the one to cry out for help after the Boss Rush. Even after you help him, he'll berate you for making him lose his ill-gotten possessions.]]
--> '''King Knight:''' [[spoiler:My castle... my luxury... my fiefdoms! My... ''chandeliers''! Curse you, Shovel Knight!]]
* TheUsurper: Was given Pridemoor Keep by the Enchantress. The deposed king can be found within a village near the castle.
* WarmupBoss: Likely to be the first of the Order challenged, he has no particular gimmicks compared to later members.
* YourSizeMayVary: Averted. Unlike Plague Knight and Specter Knight, who have become smaller when becoming playable, King Knight's the same large size as he is as a boss.

[[folder:Specter Knight [[spoiler: Donovan]]]]
[[quoteleft:250:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/06_spectre_knight.png]]
[[caption-width:250:[[labelnote:Click]]http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/06b_donovan.png[[/labelnote]] to see his original self.]]
An undead knight who wields a scythe and master of The Lich Yard. He's the protagonist of the ''Specter of Torment'' DLC.

* AffectionateParody: There's a lot of humor in ''Specter of Torment'' based around how "edgy" Specter Knight is; he can do skateboard style tricks on his scythe, his [[BadassArmfold Cold Shoulder]] is treated as ''an unlockable move'', and the Edge Farmer, upon seeing said Cold Shoulder, commends Specter Knight for being edgy. However, the story is still fairly serious, and shows Specter Knight's fate as being legitimately tragic.
* AntiVillain: In ''Specter of Torment''. [[spoiler: He does the Enchantress's bidding not of his own volition, is only doing it to protect [[EvenEvilHasLovedOnes Reize,]] and even in his flashbacks he and Luan were only fighting Shield Knight and robbing the tower so they could get the amulet to protect Luan's son from danger.]]
* BadassCape: Before joining the Order of No Quarter he wore a cape. The ending of ''Specter of Torment'' shows him changing the way he wears it to become the cloak he wears as a boss.
* BerserkButton: [[spoiler: He has a deep-seated grudge with Shield Knight, as she is one of the last things he remembers before he died, so much so that the realization that the Enchantress is possessing her body is all it takes for him to finally summon the willpower to turn on her.]]
* [[spoiler: BrainwashedAndCrazy: When Donovan approached the cursed amulet, he became increasingly hostile to the point of attacking Shield Knight and killing Luan. He eventually managed to grab the amulet, but this caused the room to collapse and fatally wound him. After the Enchantress's spirit left the amulet and possessed Shield Knight, Donovan seemed to return to his senses and tried to apologize to Luan.]]
** [[spoiler: After making his deal with the Enchantress to keep from dying, he even fights former allies for her. He only musters enough will to oppose her once he learns that her original self was Shield Knight and he remembers his promise to Luan to protect Reize. Unfortunately, His magic amulet only had enough power to restore one person to their former self, and in using it on Reize, he fell under the Enchantress's control once again.]]
** [[spoiler: However, if the player collects every skull, Red implies that Specter Knight is secretly plotting against the Enchantress.]]
* TheComicallySerious: One of the [[EasterEgg nifty aspects]] of holding up or down in the air while jumping off rails in ''Specter of Torment''? Specter Knight ''does skateboard style tricks'' on his scythe. [[spoiler: And if you equip Donovan's set, he does them ON A SHORT SWORD!]]
* [[CastFromHitPoints Cast From Will]]: Like the previous campaigns completing ''Specter of Torment'' unlocks New Game+, but it comes with a cruel twist. Not only does Specter Knight's Will and Darkness meters become one and the same but this now massive meter constantly ticks down, even in the Tower of Fate. That means all the toys you bring over require you to use ''your very life'' as fuel. And the Will Skull, now redundant, is completely disabled. And if THAT wasn't bad all the food in the game is replaced with bombs making killing enemies and activating checkpoint your only means of regaining health mid mission.
* DarthVaderClone: He's got the menacing armor, a flowing cloak, red WeaponOfChoice, and was resurrected by The Enchantress to serve her, being her primary enforcer.
** And on a funnier note he doesn't visit Pridemoor Keep to recruit King Knight. He's sent there because King Knight is screwing around and behind schedule with Pridemoor's renovations. Specter Knight is sent there to slap him around and get him back on schedule, not unlike the reason Vader was sent to the second Death Star in ''Episode VI'' [[spoiler:and the first in ''Rogue One'']].
** For added FridgeBrilliance, keep in mind the final dialogue between Specter Knight and Black Knight. Specter Knight claims there is no hope to stop the Enchantress. Black Knight holds on to his hope. Both use the word "hope" in their final words to each other. Suddenly, the subtitle of Shovel Knight's story makes perfect sense. Much like Episode IV, he is A New Hope.
* DespairEventHorizon: He's crossed this by the time the ''Specter of Torment'' ends.
--> '''Specter Knight:''' There's no hope of stopping her. The Order of No Quarter will sweep through this land without mercy. She's too strong...
--> '''Black Knight:''' The strength [[spoiler: of her former self gives me hope she can be reached.]]
--> '''Specter Knight:''' A fool's errand. [[spoiler: She will destroy you, as she did me, and show no remorse. I have no choice but to serve. I am now bound to her, perhaps forever.]]
* TheDragon: Due to the premise of ''Specter of Torment'' being that he's recruiting the members of the Order of No Quarter, this means that he was, if not still is, the primary enforcer of The Enchantress.
* EarlyBirdBoss: While the rematch with him will quickly demonstrate that he's not ''that'' difficult, he ''is'' fought early on before the player is likely to have gotten lots of extra health and magic, or access to relics like the throwing arc or, potentially, the lob casing that would make him easier to fight in the air. And don't get us started on his [[TurnsRed last ditch move]].
* {{Expy}}:
** Of Death from ''Franchise/{{Castlevania}}''. He doesn't go for the projectile spam, but he does throw his scythe around and try to use Death's run-up-and-slash move.
** His described gameplay style, which puts emphasis on his speed and {{wall jump}}ing, is fairly similar to ''VideoGame/NinjaGaiden''. He can also air dash like Zero from ''VideoGame/MegaManX'', and grind on rails and chain attacks like ''Franchise/SonicTheHedgehog''.
** To [[VideoGame/MegamanClassic Bass]] from the ''Franchise/MegaMan'' franchise. Both are TheDragon to the main antagonists, secretly wish for their own freedom, [[spoiler: and eventually rebel to help the protagonists while settling a personal score]]. His appearance [[spoiler: as Donovan]] is also highly similar to [[VideoGame/MegaManBattleNetwork Bass.EXE]].
** To Shadow, from VideoGame/FinalFantasyVI. The ninja and thief archetypes notwihstanding, both [[spoiler:use a pseudonym to [[ThatManIsDead dissociate themselves from their past life]], and pass nights awake constantly reminiscing of their [[MyGreatestFailure regrettable misdeeds]], which are linked to a [[RegretfulTraitor close friend being scorned]] and [[TakeCareOfTheKids a child they must look after]].]]
** [[spoiler: To [[Film/StarWars Darth Vader]] As mentioned in DarthVaderClone. He also was a former hero, corrupted by evil, attacked his allies, severely wounded and left in a weakened state, revived to serve as the BigBad's enforcer, secretly wishes to free himself from his master's control, had to fight a son-like figure (who was intended to be his replacement), before finally turning on his master and sacrificing himself to protect said son-like figure.]]
* EvenEvilHasLovedOnes: [[spoiler:He is still loyal to Luan in his death and is determined to protect Reize, to the point where he willingly throws his one chance of resurrection away for his sake.]]
* EvilCostumeSwitch: In the end of his campaign, he turns his red cape into his GrimReaper garb from the main game. [[spoiler: In his backstory, when he is resurrected by the Enchantress, he changes his armor and cloak. His former self's garb can be reacquired at the end of the game.]]
* [[spoiler: FightingFromTheInside: his campaign shows that he used to be a very different person, but the cursed amulet and his deal with the Enchantress has found him fighting former allies. But after every mission he stares at a locket given to him by Luan and remembers his former self. He manages to use the last of his willpower to fight the Enchantress and free Reize, the son of his former partner whom he had promised to protect, from her control. This uses up all the magic he has gathered in the amulet, thus destroying any hope he had of completely breaking free from the Enchantress's control. Although, there is still enough willpower left in him, at the end, to be the only knight who does not kneel before her.]]
* FlunkyBoss: Summons three skeleton minions at a time to assist him in battle. They pose little threat, but if not slain he can later consume them to restore his health.
* GrimReaper: Has skeleton minions, uses a scythe, and wears an evil cloak.
* GrindBoots: In ''Specter of Torment'', he can slide along rails using his scythe.
* HeroicSacrifice: With a twist, considering he's already dead. [[spoiler: He sacrifices his chance at being restored to life to save Reize from the corruption of the Enchantress. Unfortunately for him, [[JustAsPlanned that's exactly what she wanted.]]]]
* HeroicWillpower: [[spoiler: Even after using his magic amulet to free Reize instead of himself, he retained enough of his own willpower to be the only knight who does not kneel to the Enchantress.]]
* HiddenDepths: His official bio on the Kickstarter describes one of his bad points as being "overly sentimental". This is finally seen in ''Specter of Torment'' where he's often seen staring at the phase locket brooding about [[spoiler: his old friend Luan.]]
* HonoraryUncle: Luan considered him this to his son. [[spoiler: Luan's son is Reize.]]
* InterfaceScrew: Capable of plunging the arena into [[BlackoutBasement flickering darkness]] during the battle.
* InTheHood: Comes with his Grim Reaper look, [[spoiler: though he wore one even before becoming Specter Knight]].
* {{Leitmotif}}: ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDJMKv2Old8 La Danse Macabre]]'' (his stage theme) and ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xe_XgkJ44_E The Apparition]]'' (his boss theme).
* {{Nerf}}: Logically in the BossRush: His [[BlackoutBasement flickering darkness]] InterfaceScrew is much less annoying thanks to the bricked background. The rest of his arsenal, however is unchanged.
* NeverMyFault: He largely blames [[spoiler:Shield Knight]] for his current condition, failing to realize [[spoiler:that she was the one who warned him to not go after the Amulet he was seeking, as well as that he offed himself and Luan due to being blinded by his greed. Although it's also likely the Enchantress might of had a part in this to accomplish her gambit to rid him of his free will]].
* {{Ninja}}: Has a NinjaRun, can run up and somersault off walls, weapon held in a reverse grip, and his aerial attacks have a SingleStrokeBattle look to them. [[spoiler: His former self was even more so, with a face mask, sword sheath placed on his lower back, and his preferred secondary weapon is {{caltrops}}.]]
* NinjaRun: Has a loose version of this as his running animation. [[spoiler: Played completely straight as his former self, Donovan.]]
* NobleTopEnforcer: By the end of ''Specter of Torment'' [[spoiler: any loyalty to the Enchantress is all but destroyed, now only serving her because he had no other choice if he was to save Reize. During the ending when the Order of No Quarter is seen kneeling before her he descends to the ground, [[DefiantToTheEnd but he refuses to kneel.]]]]
* NotSoAboveItAll: Implied in his Kickstarter profile, where it says that he "tries too hard to be cool". In Shovel Knight's epilogue, it shows him playing one of Mona's games (hackey sack, except with a potion), and getting frustrated when he can't keep up the pace.
* NotSoStoic: In the epilogue for ''Plague of Shadows'', [[spoiler:he charges into the area you find the Phase Locket, looks through the chest in a panicked fashion, and angrily slices it in half when he can't find it.]]
** FridgeBrilliance: [[spoiler: That is the locket that Luan gave to him before they entered the Tower of Fate.]]
* [[spoiler: OnlyKnownByTheirNickname: The only character with the title of Knight to avert this. Before becoming known as Spectre Knight, his name was Donovan.]]
* PreAssKickingOneLiner:
-->[Against Shovel Knight] '''Specter Knight''': ''"[The Enchantress] granted me new life... So that I may take yours!"''
-->[Against Plague Knight] '''Specter Knight''': "''How tragic that you shall never emerge from cowardice! For here...your story must end.''"
-->[Against Black Knight] '''Specter Knight''': ''"[[BorrowedCatchphrase Steel]]'' ''[[RoaringRampageOfRevenge thy]]'' ''[[ItsPersonal shovel!]]"''
* PrecisionGuidedBoomerang: His tossed scythe always returns to him, even if he teleports to a different spot.
* PromotedToPlayable: As a result of a fan poll, he's the protagonist of the ''Specter of Torment'' prequel campaign.
* RedBaron: Is known as "The Apparition".
* RedemptionEqualsDeath: Or, since he's already dead, Redemption Equals [[spoiler: Permanent Undeath]].
* ReforgedIntoAMinion: He passed away before Shovel Knight's campaign started, and was resurrected by the Enchantress to work for her.
* RoaringRampageOfRevenge: He was relatively alright with working for the Enchantress... Right up until the part where Black Knight [[spoiler: called her Shield Knight and he realized [[BerserkButton who she really was]].]]
--> '''Specter Knight:''' It was ''[[spoiler: Shield Knight]]'' all along! She took ''everything!'' [[spoiler: The amulet! Luan! She stole my very life away!]] ''*Draws his scythe*'' '''''THIS ENDS TONIGHT!'''''
* SignatureMove: His scythe throwing seems like the obvious one, however another is flying forward for a lunge attack. The latter of these two takes the form of the Judgement Orb curio that allows you to lunge at your nearest opponent for your air dash attack, even though walls.
* SinisterScythe: His weapon of choice. It's ''especially'' sinister, with its massive size and red-and-black coloring.
* StealthPun: As an Expy of ''Castlevania'''s Death, this means that he is technically [[spoiler:a Death Knight]].
* TakeMeInstead: In finale of ''Specter of Torment'' in order to [[spoiler: uphold his promise to Luan to protect Reize he offers himself up to The Enchantress as her eighth knight for the Order of No Quarter to stop her from making Reize her eighth instead. After using the amulet, his only shot at truly living again, to purify Reize of the darkness The Enchantress tainted him with she speaks as though getting him to waste the locket's power and cement his reliance on her was her plan all along.]]
* TheUndead: Underneath his cloak, he appears to be a shriveled corpse, but the Enchantress' magic keeps him in the realm of the living.
* TomTheDarkLord: ''Specter of Torment'' reveals his real name is Donovan. Yes, the ghostly GrimReaper's name is ''Don.''
* TragicKeepsake: [[spoiler:The Phase Locket is implied to be this during the ending of ''Plague of Shadows''. ''Specter of Torment'' reveals that the locket was a gift from his former companion Luan.]]
* TragicMonster: [[spoiler: A thief simply trying to protect the son of his best friend is warped into the BigBad's undead servant.]]
* TurnsRed: He turns the arena dark once he's low enough on health.
* YourSizeMayVary: Like with Plague Knight, his sprites have been downsized to accommodate becoming [[PromotedToPlayable a fully playable character]] although he's still a bit bigger than both Shovel Knight and Plague Knight. [[spoiler: In the ending of ''Specter of Torment'', he's shown lifting off and ground and increasing the size of his cloak, becoming indistinguishable from his boss sprite save the armor color he finished the game in.]]
* VillainProtagonist: ''Specter of Torment'' is from his perspective, and due to being a prequel, means that he'll be recruiting the Order of No Quarter, the main obstacles Shovel Knight will face.
* VillainTeleportation: He employs this frequently, especially in order to catch his spinning scythe.
* WakeUpCallBoss: Unlike Black Knight and King Knight, who are rather easy and predictable, Spectre Knight hovers in the air and moves around very quickly to prevent the player from chain-bouncing him for very long, has an intricate set of movement patterns and attacks that need to be memorized to ensure victory, and can punish players who try to blitz him down with all-out aggression. And, at low health, he pulls out an InterfaceScrew that can turn the tide in his favor rather quickly. In his terminology, His fight will be your time.... '''MULTIPLE TIMES'''.

[[folder:Plague Knight]]
[[quoteleft:250:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/07_plague_knight.jpg]]
A cloaked knight who wears a PlagueDoctor mask. He specializes in chemical warfare of the explosive variety. He's hiding in the depths of The Explodatorium. He's also the protagonist of the ''Plague of Shadows'' expansion.

* ActuallyPrettyFunny: As a "reward" for beating him, Reize tells Plague Knight a really bad pun involving octopi, this actually gets Plague Knight to lose his composure laughing.
* {{Adorkable}}: His interactions with Mona once their feelings become more overt. Especially if you try to dance in front of her after learning how to from the Troupple king, where he does ShyFingerTwiddling instead.
** During the end of ''Specter of Torment'' he and Mona are seen tearing down their lab to set it up below town for ''Plague of Shadows''. A chain they're both tugging on gets loose and pulls him up to her eye level, faces barely inches from one another, looking each other in the eyes. Both of their reactions is to shyly turn away and fidget.
* AlchemyIsMagic: While the game specifically refers to Plague Knight's Alchemy as science, it's treated like the standard magical potions.
* AmazingTechnicolorPopulation: Judging by his exposed hands, he appears to have green skin.
* AnIcePerson: His Frost Burst allows him to rain harmful ice shards on enemies when he uses his [[RocketJump burst jump]].
* AnimalMotifs: Crows. He wears the raven mask of a PlagueDoctor and carries around a staff with a decorative raven head. Many characters lampshade this during his campaign.
* ASinisterClue: It's pretty subtle, but if one pays close attention, they can see that Plague Knight carries and throws bombs with his left hand.
* AwesomeButImpractical: The Pandemonium Cloak, it requires all 420 Cipher Coins to obtain and could be considered Plague Knight's InfinityPlusOneSword since it allows him to always be able to use three bombs, even with bomb-types that limit their uses. However, what bombs you have equipped are entirely up to the RandomNumberGod, you may get an extremely useful combination, or you might get something that leaves you at a severe disadvantage. It ''also'' randomly changes your Arcana, so you may not be able to use the ones you need at any given moment. And to top it all off, a good or bad combination only lasts 10 seconds (you're locked into the bomb type, burst, Arcana it gives you during that time) before it changes and you're once again at the mercy of random chance.
* BadBoss: His story opens with a couple of his minions running when they hear him coming out of fear of being experimented on, and whenever you see them in the field in gameplay, you can blow them up, some of them even beg you not to.
* BraggingRightsReward: The Pandemonium Cloak can only be obtained with the Pandemonium Chalice, which itself can only be gotten if Plague Knight has scoured every inch of every level before the final boss [[GottaCatchThemAll to collect all 420 Cipher Coins]].
* CantSpitItOut: [[spoiler:Causes the ThirdActMisunderstanding in ''Plague of Shadows'' when he can't bring himself to tell Mona what he really thinks of her.]] It's foreshadowed after Plague Knight tries to impress Mona with his dancing skills, but twiddles his thumbs when he's around her.
* TheChewToy: Suffers more AmusingInjuries than the other playable knights over the course of his adventure.
* CombatPragmatist: A trait that Polar Knight hates him for. He stays as far away from you as he can in his boss fight, either jumping or [[TeleportSpam teleporting frequently]] across the stage while throwing bombs or spawning explosive vats. This aspect also plays a key part in his playstyle; his mobility allows him to play keep away with almost every boss, and the potion mechanic encourages you to figure out what's best for the situation.
* CoolMask: His signature green PlagueDoctor mask, which makes him look like a bird.
* CoveredInGunge: Played serious, getting covered in the Troupple King's ichor is Plague Knight's equivalent to upgrading his armor ... [[{{Squick}} although he still finds it pretty gross]].
* CuteWitch: Body swap mode gives Female!Plague Knight a witch hat.
* DeadpanSnarker: Some of his internalized quotes are incredibly snarky, his line after beating Phantom Striker is probably the best example.
--> '''Plague Knight''': Hee, I wonder if people can tell when I roll my eyes under this mask.
--> '''Plague Knight''': [after getting catapulted [[spoiler:into Armor Outpost]]] Ugh.. Percy couldn't hit the broad side of a barn!
* DifficultButAwesome: His gameplay style. He jumps lower than Shovel Knight (but can double jump and do a "bomb burst" to jump higher), lacks his pogo jumping ability and has a default attack that basically amounts to a grenade: until you learn to control him, you'll easily end up overshooting platforms and fail to hit enemies that Shovel Knight could kill with no difficulty. This is made up by his ridiculous mobility when mastered, a vastly customizable main attack with an answer for basically any situation and RegeneratingMana that allows him to spam his Arcana much more freely than Shovel Knight can use his Relics. Overlaps with MagikarpPower due to his starting equipment not being that great.
* DoppelgangerSpin: In ''Specter of Torment'', he can summon up to two clones to help disguise himself.
* EvenEvilHasLovedOnes: For all his insanity and tendency to use his minions as guinea pigs, he truly does care for Mona. [[spoiler:Wanting her to love him is the reason he tried making the Ultimate Potion in the first place (not that he needed to).]]
* EveryoneCanSeeIt: During ''Plague of Shadows'', it's mentioned how everyone can see how Plague Knight has a crush on the Magicist. [[spoiler:This is subverted, however, as he actually loves Mona.]]
* ExplosivePropulsion: In ''Plague of Shadows'', he can boost himself mid-air by causing an explosion at his feet.
* ForScience: One of his key motivations is doing crazy experiments. He launches his own campaign against his teammates on the basis of collecting material for his experiments. His minions mention that he sometimes experiments on them, and his battle cry is "For Science."
* ForTheEvulz: During his ending montage, him [[spoiler:and Mona]] steal all of Treasure Knight's treasure (and then bomb him for good measure). This after they both say that his gold was useless to them since they could just alchemize their own if they wanted to.
* GameplayAndStorySegregation: It's mentioned at one point (after he defeats Treasure Knight) that as an alchemist he could just craft all the gold he wanted out of sawdust and mouse skulls, however in actual gameplay he still needs to scour for treasure in order to buy things like bomb upgrades and armor ichor. Although this might be because it'd be harder to pass off crafted gold, judging by Chester not being willing to accept gold from an alchemist.
* GetBackHereBoss: Chances are you'll spend most of the battle chasing after him while getting viciously bombarded by him.
* GigglingVillain: Laughing seems to be a borderline VerbalTic for Plague Knight.
* HardLevelsEasyBosses: While it'll get easier as he obtains new upgrades and Arcana, levels can still give Plague Knight a lot of trouble. However with his bombs and the ability to change the trajectory of his explosives to be whatever the player may want, he normally rips through bosses with relative ease.
* HavingABlast: Explosives are his WeaponOfChoice. He utilizes his potions to this effect by throwing them like grenades. The playable version of him can also "burst" (cause an explosion) to reach higher places.
* HiddenDepths:
** After getting scolded by the Troupple King, he learns how to dance the tango.
** In spite of constantly making flippant remarks to everybody and seeming like he's above them, [[spoiler:he's actually very insecure about his strength and power; the reason he's creating the Serum Supernus in the first place is because he doesn't feel he's good enough for Mona.]]
* HurricaneOfPuns: Stammers through one after he's recruited.
-->'''Plague Knight:''' This tower sure is seeing a... heh... '''burst'''... of activity lately! Business is... '''booming!''' Uhhh, I'm having.... ''hee hee!'' '''A blast!'''
* InferioritySuperiorityComplex: [[spoiler:His main flaw and the focus of his character arc.]]
* InformedFlaw:
** Stated to be [[FragileSpeedster physically weak, but he's ''very'' mobile]] and moves by jumping frenetically all over his arena. {{Zigzagged|Trope}} within his game mode, where, while his gameplay style makes it difficult to maneuver and gives him less base health (in comparison to Shovel Knight), his potent alchemy skills make up for it with versatile attacks and regeneration potions. This trope also plays into the story line, where nearly every character belittles him in one way or another whether they mean to or not. Even Plague Knight himself believes it. [[spoiler:It's part of what drives him to craft the Potion of Ultimate Power, so he'll be "strong" enough to deserve Mona.]]
** He's also mocked for being a coward by some of the Knights in the Order of No Quarter; despite this, the only thing Plague Knight is reluctant about is his feelings, in combat proper he isn't intimidated by a single foe, he insults and taunts all of them as a matter of course.
** Black Knight questions Plague Knight's motives for coming to the Tower of Fate. When he hears them,[[spoiler: he calls him a fool for not recognizing love even when it's staring him in the face]]. Although to be fair, [[spoiler:a part of that seems to hinge on the fact he doesn't think he's strong enough, judging by his reaction to Black Knight telling him Mona attempted to bribe him because she wanted to protect him]].
* JerkAss: He's very quick to insult people (whether to their face or not), [[BadBoss abuses his own henchmen]], and during ''Plague of Shadows'', blows up the house one of his acolytes has lived in his entire life, and never apologizes. The only person that is generally free from this attitude is Mona.
* JerkWithAHeartOfGold: Maybe ‘gold’ is going a bit far, but he [[spoiler:can listen to The Baz’s sob story and take him under his wing as a result.]] He also [[SincerityMode says that he respects Tinker Knight’s craft when encountering him,]] and is willing to simply leave if Tinker Knight agreed give up his essence.
* {{Leitmotif}}: ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6SJkjRcSJs Flowers of Antimony]]'' (his stage theme) and ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhO4BdvHrjs The Vital Vitriol]]'' (his boss theme).
* LimitedWardrobe: Opening Plague Knight's wardrobe in his secret room in the Explodatorium will reveal that he has nine pairs of the same green mask he currently wears. Only one mask stands out, which is yellow with a spotted pattern.
* MadScientist: Specializes in alchemy, and doesn't exactly seem to be the most stable of characters. In fact, ''Plague of Shadows'' reveals he's actually TheStarscream, only using the Order of No Quarter for his own scientific ends.
* MagicStaff: Plague Knight has one, although he only utilizes it with the Staff of Surging for a {{Shoryuken}} or the Staff of Striking to swing it like a SimpleStaff.
* MagikarpPower: His "InformedFlaw" of being physically weak is more apparent during his mode due to him starting with sub-par equipment and having less total health (unlike his boss fight). You have to build his abilities by researching and buying them from Mona [[spoiler:or Percy after she leaves]], as well as trading "useless relics" (the ones Shovel Knight uses) to Chester for Arcana.
* MirrorBoss: [[spoiler:He fights a shadowy version of himself as the penultimate boss of ''[[MeaningfulName Plague of Shadows]]'', with the same fighting style and even the '''same music''' and animations as his boss fight in the main story.]]
* NonindicativeName: He doesn't really have much to do with disease or poison, aside from his PlagueDoctor mask, but "Chemist Knight" doesn't sound nearly as cool.
* NotQuiteFlight: His Float Burst upgrade allows him to slowly glide after using his [[RocketJump bomb burst]], which can make platforming and boss fights significantly easier.
* OfficialCouple: [[spoiler:With Mona at the end of ''Plague of Shadows''.]]
* OOCIsSeriousBusiness: He loses most of his liveliness and merriment after [[spoiler:Mona leaves her laboratory]].
* PlagueDoctor: The basis of his character design, although he's really more of an alchemist and scientist in actual practice.
* PragmaticVillainy: In ''Plague of Shadows'', [[spoiler:he decides to blow up the Enchantress's tower after finding out Mona loves him, since it would greatly sway public opinion toward him and allow him to do more or less what he wants in the open.]]
* PreAssKickingOneLiner: ''"Now let's have a lesson, shall we? I promise... Hee! It will be '''enlightening!'''"''
* ProgressivelyPrettier: His playable version is shorter, his colors are more vibrant, and his cloak has more details compared to his original Boss Version, where he is taller, looks more threatening and has a more subdued color scheme.
* PromotedToPlayable: As a result of a fan poll, he is the protagonist of his own scenario, ''Plague of Shadows''.
* RocketJump: Has two options, he can launch himself into the air using his own explosives, or use the Staff of Surging Arcana to magically propel himself skywards.
* SmokeOut: With vials of chemicals. When playable, he uses the Smoke Bomb Arcana to disappear and become invulnerable to all forms of damage, even instant-death spikes.
* SpamAttack: His Staff of Striking allows him to spam melee attacks for as long as his Arcana power holds out, it can easily allow Plague Knight to rip through bosses (with the exception of Shovel Knight and Dark Knight, due to their extended MercyInvincibility).
* SpinAttack: His Spin Burst upgrade launches him forward like a cannonball, slamming into and damaging enemies. [[ShoutOut It bears a remarkable resemblance]] to another [[Franchise/{{Metroid}} energy-charged somersaulting attack...]]
* {{Squick}}: In-universe, whenever the Troupple King hoarks his ichor all over Plague Knight for his 'armor upgrade', Plague Knight will always retort with a rather sharp "Yuck!".
* TheStarscream: The prologue to ''Plague of Shadows'' reveals he was only pretending loyalty to the Order of No Quarter in that game mode. In reality, he was planning on making a potion potent enough to allow him to take anything he desires. [[spoiler:Which fortunately, isn't a dark or evil desire at all]]. By sheer coincidence, each of the knights carry the exact crucial ingredients he needs to make his potion, setting up the events of his story.
* TemporaryPlatform: His Vat Arcana allows him to create FloatingPlatforms in the form of glass vats filled with volatile liquid, they slowly sink if created in mid-air, and [[HavingABlast explode]] if they hit the ground, or after a short time if made on the ground.
* ThrowDownTheBomblet: His primary form of attack is throwing down bombs. As a playable character he can even customize his bombs with different casings, powder and fuses so that they have different properties when tossed.
* TinyGuyHugeGirl: He's about as tall as Shovel Knight, and Mona is one of the tallest [=NPCs=], period. [[spoiler: You see she's about twice his size while they waltz together after the credits.]]
* TokenEvilTeammate: Less obvious within Shovel Knight's story, but Plague Knight's actually even more evil than his fellow brethren, even willing to turn on them within his own game mode just to collect their essences for his "ultimate potion". [[spoiler: Subverted as he only wanted to make the ultimate potion in order to woo Mona. He can be just as much of a jerk as any of the rest of the Order, but he's no more evil. Personally, he doesn't even care about taking over the world. By the end of ''Plague of Shadows'', he's hailed as a hero alongside Shovel Knight.]]
* TrashTalk: He taunts his former teammates before he fights them within the ''Plague of Shadows'' expansion, even though some of them tell him he's not worth fighting and he should just see himself off.
* TurnsRed: Will throw in quick succession several bombs and summon chemical flasks to enhance the explosion of his bombs more often.
* TwiceShy: He and [[spoiler: Mona have feelings for one another and can't puzzle out they feel the same about one another.]] Especially apparent in the ending of ''Plague of Shadows''.
* UnderestimatingBadassery: Despite being a renown alchemist and explosives expert, none of the other members of the Order treat him with any respect, considering him weak and cowardly. [[spoiler:He then proceeds to kick every one of their asses and steal their essences.]]
* UnreliableNarrator: In ''Plague of Shadows''. Due to his campaign and ''Shovel of Hope'' taking place at the same time, [[spoiler: his run in with Shovel Knight himself seem skewed in his favor; Despite Shovel Knight beating him in a fair fight in the original campaign, ''[=PoS=]'' shows it as Plague Knight winning and Shovel beating him with dirty tactics.]]
* VerbalTic: Frequently litters his speech with random "Hee!"s.
* VillainProtagonist: Plague Knight doesn't become less evil within his own game mode. In fact, said game mode actually makes him out as him being even ''more'' evil than his fellow brethren due to having his own goals within the Order of No Quarter that involves collecting their essences.[[spoiler:This is subverted once his motives for making said potion becomes apparent - to woo love interest Mona over to him. He is hailed as a hero by the end, and likes that idea just fine. It's easier to do science when you're praised for it instead of hated.]]
* VillainTeleportation: As if his constant jumping around wasn't annoying enough, he'll also pull this.
* YourSizeMayVary: As a boss, he's about as tall as King Knight. As a playable character, he's about as tall as Shovel Knight. [[spoiler: If you bomb your way into his secret room in the Explodatorium, you'll see the larger, more hooked mask he wears as a boss battle sitting alongside the smaller masks he wears as a playable character. This implies that both sizes are canon and he uses some form of trickery to seem larger when you play as Shovel Knight. Fitting, considering the InferioritySuperiorityComplex he suffers from. ''Specter of Torment'' furthers this idea by showing both appearances at different points. He uses the boss appearance for his boss encounter and in the Tower of Fate, but he's back to his playable size in his section of the WhereAreTheyNowEpilogue.]]

[[folder:Treasure Knight]]
[[quoteleft:250:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/08---treasure-knight-02_1578.jpg]]
A Knight clad in a diving suit. He's found in the Iron Whale, a gigantic submarine-like vehicle. He attacks with an anchor attached to a harpoon gun.

* AnchorsAway: His WeaponOfChoice, as he as a cannon/harpoon gun that fires an anchor.
* ArmCannon: Uses it to fire an anchor on a chain, which he also uses as a grappling hook.
* BerserkButton: Becomes enraged after Plague Knight states there is something more valuable than ''gold''.
* BreakTheHaughty: [[spoiler:In his ending, he's left with nothing except a single penny... Or a ''Bait Bomb'', courtesy of Plague Knight.]]
* ButtMonkey: [[spoiler:In both game's endings, he has his entire treasure trove stolen from him while he just sulks in the corner. In ''Plague of Shadows'' specifically, he also he gets bombed just for the heck of it.]]
* CastFromMoney: The character poll suggested one of his abilities would have been this, if he'd become a playable character.
* {{Greed}}: As his name would suggest, he spends his time searching the sea floor for treasure and confronts anyone who would try to take it...
** {{Pirate}}: ...Though he's not above stealing from others to increase his hoard.
* LaserGuidedKarma: In the ending, [[spoiler:the people who he pillaged take their money back from him, and leave him with nothing but a penny]]. In ''Plague of Shadows'', [[spoiler:Plague Knight and Mona both steal all of his fortune (despite earlier [[HypocriticalHumor stating they were above petty theft because they could just create gold]]), and [[KickTheDog leave him a bomb]]]].
* {{Leitmotif}}: ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ynLNyLH8MbY A Thousand Leagues Below]]'' (his stage theme) and ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kpoQJxeF_E The Bounty Hunter]]'' (his boss theme).
* NonStandardCharacterDesign: He wears a diving suit as opposed to armor like everyone else, and his proportions look more along the lines of a retro, RubberhoseAnimation character.
* OOCIsSeriousBusiness: [[spoiler:If saved after his second defeat, he states that no amount of gold is worth the pain Shovel Knight will have to face later]].
* PetTheDog: After [[spoiler:Shovel Knight saves the Order, he can talk to each one. Treasure Knight is one of the few to wish him luck in the final fight.]]
* PreAssKickingOneLiner: ''"Let us duel. Winner takes all..."''
* RedBaron: "The Bounty Hunter".
* SchmuckBait: Occasionally, he'll toss out a treasure chest. [[spoiler:Trying to open it will not only hurt Shovel Knight, but also steal some of his gold.]]
* ShockwaveStomp: An attack he can do. In this case, the shockwave is a wave of gold coins. Even when you refight him during the Boss Gauntlet (where the gold apparently appears out of {{Hammerspace}} when he does that attack).
* ShutUpKirk: Shovel Knight criticizes him for his greed, but he's having none of it.
-->'''Shovel Knight:''' You are to lay claim to the sea itself? Your greed knows no bounds, Treasure Knight.
-->'''Treasure Knight:''' Your hands are no less dirty. Even now, others are paying for your avarice.
* TheTeamBenefactor: ''Specter of Torment'' reveals that he is the bookkeeper of The Order and pays the soldiers.
* TreasureRoom: Mountains of gold are visible in the background of his boss room. The gold also covers the floor of the room, to the point that his ShockwaveStomp sends out waves of them.

[[folder:Mole Knight]]
[[quoteleft:250:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/09---mole-knight-02_1381.jpg]]
A rotund knight who has mole-like claws and fiery ports on his armor. He's digging his way through the Lost City.

* {{Acrofatic}}: Even though he's very stubby, he can ''jet'' himself through his arena, and he only gets faster as the fight goes on.
* AnimalMotifs: Moles, naturally.
* ArrogantKungFuGuy: He is always eager to prove his digging superiority.
* AstonishinglyAppropriateAppearance: His armor resembles both a furnace and a large mole.
* DefeatEqualsFriendship: Shovel Knight and Plague Knight both befriend him, and the latter [[spoiler: lends him the aid of his Shovel Knight slime for extra digging power.]]
* DishingOutDirt: He frequently burrows into the walls and floor of his boss room, and can attack by sending walls of dirt hurtling at Shovel Knight or even dropping dirt blocks all around him.
* DopplegangerSpin: 4 piles of dirt emerge from the floor, one of them contain Mole Knight digging from the floor. Each pile Shovel Knight doesn't dig bursts forth and spews lava, although everything is defused if he digs up Mole Knight.
* {{Expy}}: He seems to be one of [[VideoGame/MegaManZX Flammole the Moleroid]], both being mole-themed characters with fire-elemental powers.
* FastTunnelling: He can tunnel into the walls and burst through with such force he can immediately dive right into the opposite wall.
* FlamingHair: The longer plume in his Body Swap counterpart seems to imply this trope.
* GracefulLoser: He recognizes Shovel Knight as his better after the rematch in the Tower of Fate.
--->'''Mole Knight:''' I have to hand it to you, you have superior digging technique. We should share notes.
* {{Leitmotif}}: ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WdVfnKCYdJ8 An Underlying Problem]]'' (his stage theme) and ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ri3UljPGpkk The Claws of Fate]]'' (his boss theme).
* MagmaMan: In addition to digging, Mole Knight can cover himself in fire and flick off lava at Shovel Knight.
* MoleMiner: He's actually just a guy in a mole-like suit of armor, but still applies since he's excavating the Lost City.
* PlayingWithFire: Magma, technically. He coats himself in it and lobs balls of it. There's no shortage of the stuff in his stage, either.
* PreAssKickingOneLiner: ''"I will bury you!"''
* PunchClockVillain: More than any other knight in the Order. He's clearly more interested in his excavation project than whatever the Enchantress has planned.
* RedBaron: "The Claws of Fate"
* RunningGag: Mistaking his assailants for his workers.
* TopHeavyGuy: His torso looks like a bulb with toothpicks for legs.
* TurnsRed: Will trap Shovel Knight by surrounding him with large blocks of dirt and begin to move much faster while tunneling.
* WorthyOpponent: If you save him after the BossRush, he says that Shovel Knight's digging techniques are better than his, and that they should share notes.

[[folder:Tinker Knight]]
[[quoteleft:250:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/10-tinker-knight_7318.jpg]]
A tiny knight who wears a wielding mask. He may be short, but he makes up for it with ingenuity. Don't underestimate him. He has a workshop in the Clockwork Tower.

* AdvancingBossOfDoom: In ''Specter of Torment'', [[spoiler:Tinker Knight's mecha will pursue Specter Knight from behind over a series of platforms and pits.]]
* ButtMonkey: He's the smallest member of the Order and tends to trip a lot. His only attack is throwing wrenches at you. [[spoiler:Until he gets into his medieval tank.]]
** Averted in ''Specter of Torment'' where he's far more dangerous, doesn't trip, and there will be no cheesing him this time. [[spoiler: And then in phase two he sets his mech to auto-pilot and attacks you in tandem with it.]]
* DubNameChange: He is named Machine Knight in the Japanese Version.
* FriendToAllChildren: [[spoiler:In the ending to Shovel Knight's story, he's shown to have put his tinkering skills to work making tin toys for children.]]
* GadgeteerGenius: While it may be a bit off given the setting, Tinker Knight is a master gadeteer.
* {{Leitmotif}}: ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcGV9VdnvhQ Of Devious Machinations]]'' (his stage theme) and ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CuJRI15as8 The Schemer]]'' (his boss theme). [[spoiler:And ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKRngIDQsms The Destroyer]]'' when he busts out his Tinker Tank.]]
* OneHitKill: [[spoiler:The Mobile Gear will instantly defeat his first form.]]
* RedBaron: "The Schemer". [[spoiler:"The Destroyer" for the Tinker Tank]].
* SequentialBoss: At first, all he does is run around throwing wrenches in the air, but after he's defeated in this phase, [[spoiler:he jumps into his [[HumongousMecha Tinker Tank]]]].
* ShorterMeansSmarter: Is, without question, the shortest member of the Order, but also quite possibly the smartest member as well (even Plague Knight requires assistants for his alchemy).
* ShoutOut: To [[VideoGame/MegaMan Metal Man]]. In addition to the conveyor belts in both characters' stages, [[spoiler:he also has a massive weakness to his own cog weapon (he utilizes the Mobile Gear in his ''Specter of Torment'' boss battle).]]
* TheKlutz: Trips over his own feet constantly in his boss fight.
* TokenGoodTeammate: While most of the Order are more rude and/or selfish than outright evil, ''Specter of Torment'' paints him as the nicest of the bunch. When encountered in the Tower of Fate, he recommends that the Order's rule over the land should be a fair and just one.
-->'''Tinker Knight:''' ''Tools of war can force a kind of peace, but I think our rule should be fair and just. None but fools would break things and not rush to fix them.''
* TookALevelInBadass: In ''Specter of Torment'', he's far more dangerous even without the use of his mech and much less clumsy, as opposed to being a complete joke in ''Shovel of Hope'' and ''Plague of Shadows''. However, as ''Specter of Torment'' takes place before the former two campaigns chronologically, this is an inversion.
* TurnsRed: He will desperately fling wrenches all over the place when damaged enough. [[spoiler:During the second phase of the fight, he will turn the slow-moving missiles of his mech into bouncing bombs, making the way to the top of his mech more dangerous]].
* WrenchWench: In Body Swap mode.

[[folder:Polar Knight]]
[[quoteleft:250:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/11---polar-knight-02_2838.jpg]]
A huge viking-helmeted knight. Apparently, he and Shovel Knight have fought before. He wields a massive snow shovel and is found in the remote Stranded Ship.

* BadassBeard: Appropriate for being a Viking knight, he has quite the Nordic beard.
* BeardOfBarbarism: See above, though he's far from savage.
* BigEater: Implied when speaking to him at the dinner table in ''Specter of Torment''.
--> '''Polar Knight:''' This stuffy keep is no place for warriors, but the meat is plentiful. I may sit here awhile yet.
* BraidsOfBarbarism: On the female version, the male Polar Knight's beard and the pelt on his back and shoulders are both replaced by ''massive'' thick braids.
* BrawnHilda: The female version of Polar Knight is, as you may expect, a giant, fearsome, muscular woman.
* DubNameChange: He is named Frost Knight in the Japanese Version.
* EvilCounterpart:
** He wields a large snow shovel and a number of his attacks are bigger, more powerful versions of Shovel Knight's attacks and appears to have been an avid adventurer, having met Shovel Knight before their fight in the game.
** Additionally, he has a Norse theming, and his circular shoulderplates resemble bucklers with particularly aggressive bosses, [[spoiler: as well as the exact same beauty mark that is meant to foreshadow the relationship between Shield Knight and the Enchantress]]. This resemblance is heightened with Body Swap mode, which shifts the bucklers down to her forearms.
* InformedFlaw: He's said to have the most annoying laugh in the Order. [[TheStoic He doesn't laugh]].
* {{Leitmotif}}: ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4R2rLplMo8 A Cool Reception]]'' (his stage theme) and ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9EOHANtbPA The Stalwart]]'' (his boss theme).
* MysteriousPast: His familiarity with the heroes is left ambiguous. As noted in TheRival he and Shovel Knight have met and fought before, with Polar Knight asking he'd join them, even when he's beaten through the entire Order, Polar Knight still extends a hand in allegiance. Shovel Knight's campaign ends with him staring off into the sunset, contemplating, while ''Plague of Shadows'' ends with him sharing a campfire [[spoiler:with Black Knight]] with the title being "Reunion." One of his Rail Riders, after you've defeated him in ''Specter of Torment'', says that he's dealing with loss.
* NonStandardCharacterDesign: He looks more like a Viking as opposed to the more heavily armored or clothed members of the cast, and is one of the few Knights in the game aside from Shield Knight to have his face exposed.
* PetTheDog: During the Epilogue of ''Specter of Torment'' [[spoiler: he's seen tending to Terrorpin, Black Knight's mount.]]
* RedBaron: "The Stalwart".
* TheBigGuy: Largest member of the Order, and is only rivaled by Baz for largest character in the game.
* TheRival: While Black Knight is a mirror of Shovel Knight, Polar Knight is his opposite, being a ruthless Viking knight wielding a snow shovel. Pre-fight dialogue implies they've fought before, and Polar Knight seems to genuinely wish that Shovel Knight would join up with them.
* PetTheDog: In the epilogue for ''Specter of Torment', [[spoiler:he's seen tending to the wounded Terrorpin]].
* PreAssKickingOneLiner: ''"The bitter cold will claim you!"''
** There's also this quote before the BossRush:
--> "Hmph. [[ItMakesSenseInContext Pass the salt]]."
* TheStoic: Doesn't emote beyond the occasional "Hmph!"
** NotSoStoic: In ''Plague of Shadows'', he flies into a rage when Plague Knight, a "weak wizard", challenges him.
* TurnsRed: Will start digging up ''one hit kill spikes'' from the ground of his arena.
* WorthyOpponent: He and Shovel Knight have fought before, and he has enough respect for Shovel Knight that he wishes that he could have fought alongside him in the Order of No Quarter. This doesn't extend to Plague Knight, who he considers a weakling that relies on cheap tricks to win.

[[folder:Propeller Knight]]
[[quoteleft:250:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/12-propeller-knight_1380.jpg]]
A flamboyant knight with helicopter-like headgear. He's the captain of the Flying Machine.

* AffablyEvil: He doesn't seem to really hold any grudge against Shovel Knight, asking him if he likes the view of his Flying Machine. He also thinks that it'd be neat if the two went on an adventure together.
* AllWorkVsAllPlay: His pre-battle dialogue gives this vibe towards Shovel Knight, saying he's all about work with no rest.
* AmbiguouslyBi: His mannerisms seem to evoke this, not to mention that during his ending he's endeared himself to several women ... and one burly Bag Guy.
* BlowYouAway: Using his propeller hat, becomes especially dangerous after he's had one of his airships blast a couple BottomlessPits into his stage.
* EvilCounterpart: To Phantom Striker. Both use fencing as their preferred combat style and are both are associated with elements of the the sky (Propeller Knight for wind/air and Phantom Striker with lightning). Both were approached by Specter Knight to join the Order of No Quarter, both were beaten by Specter Knight, but Phantom Striker refused, while Propeller Knight submitted.
* EvilLaugh: One of the few villains with an audible laugh clip ... but unlike Black Knight, his is more silly.
* ForcedIntoEvil: He initially refused to become a knight for the Enchantress, until Specter Knight beat him into submission.
* FunnyForeigner: Supplementary material claims he has an outrageous accent. In-game, his slightly irregular speech patterns hint at his foreignness, but the accent isn't specifically [[FunetikAksent written out]].
* GracefulLoser: When Shovel Knight lifts up The Order of No Quarter then Propeller Knight will compliment him and say that they join together in an adventure one day. In ''Plague of Shadows'' he will be a waiter for Plague Knight and Mona while they are on a date on his airship.
* GratuitousEnglish: In the French localization, he speaks in broken French and peppers his dialogue with a few English words, like how English speakers are portrayed in French comedy.
* GratuitousFrench: Calls Shovel Knight his "petite[[note]]Note the feminine modification[[/note]]" blue friend and (appropriately for a fencer) starts the battle with an 'En Guard!"
* HandsomeLech: Acts like one. [[spoiler:The ending reveals his charms are true; he manages to make women and even a ''[[EvenTheGuysWantHim bulky guy]]'' swoon over him]].
* HatOfFlight: See those helicopter blades? Those are not just for show. He spends a large part of his boss fight flying out of reach.
* ImpaledWithExtremePrejudice: Tries to do this to Shovel Knight in their battle by using his hat to blow Shovel Knight into the sky and then catching him on his rapier.
* {{Leitmotif}}: ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1kf-OJdvb4 High Above the Land]]'' (his stage theme) and ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2P2Wq6qL3M The Spin Controller]]'' (his boss theme).
* {{Nerf}}: {{Downplayed}} in the BossRush version of his fight, there's no BottomlessPits pits to worry about. In fact, The ships that normally create them once he's 1/3 of his health now just shoot bombs after 2/3 is remaining and stays that way. The rest of his moveset is still present, however.
** His incarnation in ''Plague of Shadows'' had to be nerfed slightly because it was apparently ''too'' difficult.
* RedBaron: "The Spin Controller".
* RoyalRapier: Styled as somewhat of a noble and wields a rapier.
* SkyPirate: Though they're not too big on piracy, his crew is styled as this.
* TheTragicRose: He drops one during his defeat animation.
* TurnsRed: Will summon a backup battleship to break part of the arena and attempt to pull or push Shovel Knight into the pits.

!!Wandering Travelers
[[folder:General]]
* AndTheAdventureContinues: [[spoiler:In the ending, we see the four of them preparing to fight a team of Liguid Samurai and Archers, with narration noting they're "Always ready for battle"]]
* BonusBoss: None of them are mandatory to beat the original game or ''Plague of Shadows'', but offer a nice challenge.
* HeroOfAnotherStory: The composer's notes for their theme, "Fighting With All Our Might", implies they are this.
* {{Tuckerization}}: Intentionally done, as all 4 are based on high-tier backers of the Kickstarter.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Reize Seatlan]]
[[quoteleft:250:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/13-reize_4792.jpg]]
A group of evil knights is terrorizing the countryside? Reize Seatlan is on the scene! This plucky young adventurer travels the land, helping people in need and following his own invented Knight's Vows. But which of these knights are good, and which ones are bad?

* {{Animesque}}: His design is noticeably more anime-styled than the other characters, complete with AnimeHair and IdiotHair.
* ActuallyPrettyFunny: Makes a terrible joke after being defeated by Plague Knight which manages to get him into a laughing fit nonetheless.
* AscendedExtra: He plays a much bigger role in the ''Specter of Torment'' campaign.
* BrainwashedAndCrazy: In ''Specter of Torment'', [[spoiler:the Enchantress uses her magic to corrupt him into her minion. Specter Knight's final act before submitting to her is to free him.]]
* DivingKick: One of his attacks involve jumping into the air, than diving towards Shovel Knight.
* FinalBoss: [[spoiler:Of the ''Specter of Torment'' campaign.]]
* EvilCostumeSwitch: [[spoiler:When the Enchantress brainwashes him, he takes on a much darker look.]]
* GuestFighter: Initially seen in VideoGame/ValdisStoryAbyssalCity as an AssistCharacter.
* HorribleJudgeOfCharacter: One could forgive him for Shovel Knight for subject of tales he heard of a shovel-wielding knight terrorizing civilians (presumably Black Knight), but in ''Plague of Shadows'' he confuses Plague Knight for some unknown legendary, heroic alchemist, even saying "That looks like a face I could trust". Even in ''Specter of Torment'', upon breaking into the castle [[spoiler:he ''still'' manages to confuse the [[BigBad Enchantress]] herself for an ally]].
* MirrorBoss: [[spoiler:Dark Reize in ''Specter of Torment'' has many moves similar to Specter Knight's playable appearance, using an energy boomerang to perform slashing attacks and slash dashes. The version of the fight in Specter Knight's challenges only ups the similarities by giving Specter Knight the Skeleton Sniper curio, which acts similarly to one of Dark Reize's new attacks.]]
* MoralityPet: [[spoiler:He's secretly this to Specter Knight, due to being the son of his old companion Luan who made him promise to protect Reize should he die.]]
* NonStandardCharacterDesign: See {{Animesque}} above.
* NotWhatItLooksLike: Thinks Shovel Knight is a murderous criminal.
* OneWingedAngel: [[spoiler:As Nightmare Reize in ''Specter of Torment''.]]
* PlayingWithFire: Can surround himself with a barrier of fireballs. [[spoiler:Dark Reize's boomerangs and teleportation are made of TechnicolorFire]]
* PrecisionGuidedBoomerang: Attacks with a pair of huge crystal boomerangs that can fly all over the screen, hit Shovel Knight several times, and still always return to him.
%%* ScarfOfAsskicking
* TurnsRed: Reize will create several fireballs that will orbit around him, giving extra protection.

[[folder:Mr. Hat]]
[[quoteleft:250:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/14-mr-hat_447.jpg]]
Mr. Hat is obsessed with hats, but for good reason! For although he wears a helmet, each hat that he places atop his head gives him the powers of that hat's owner! Mr. Hat can switch from a charismatic foppish dandy to military genius in a moment, and he takes great pride in his varied fighting styles. Lately, though, there have been rumblings of an even greater warrior who wields a Shovel Blade; one with a wonderfully blue, horned helmet...

* BadassGrandpa: Is implied to be an old man according to Plague Knight, who outright calls him a geezer based on his style. Though given his helmet, which hides his face, Mr. Hat's real age is left ambiguous.
* BerserkButton: Hoods.
-->'''Mr. Hat:''' !!! You miscreant! ''Hoods!'' That's not even a proper hat! No structure, no support! No... ''flair''!
-->'''Plague Knight:''' Hats are a waste of felt, old man! They fall off in the wind! Hoods are objectively more utilitarian!
-->'''Mr. Hat:''' How... How ''dare'' you, sirrah...... I demand satisfaction! ''HAVE AT YOU!''
* CashGate: You have to spend 3000 gems to make everyone leave his shop before he'll challenge you; however, he drops over 5000 when you beat him. [[spoiler:If you chase him around town after beating him, you can get all the gems you spent back as well.]] Subverted in ''Plague of Shadows'', where he just fights Plague Knight outright.
* TheCameo: While he's not fought in ''Specter of Torment'', he can be seen sipping tea in the WhereAreTheyNowEpilogue [[spoiler:right before the Enchantress attacks the Armor Outpost]].
* DemotedToExtra: Downplayed, due to his nature as a BonusBoss. In ''Specter of Torment'', he's just a cameo who gets no dialogue or even an optional boss fight.
* {{Expy}}: He's the closest thing to Mega Man in the game, as his [[PowerCopying equipping of different hats gives him different powers.]]
* QuintessentialBritishGentleman: Sharply dressed and very polite as well.
* InsistentTerminology: Shovel Knight is confused as to why Mr. Hat wants his helmet, since it is, well, a helmet. But Mr. Hat insists that as a piece of headgear it still counts.
* NiceHat: With the additional bonus of gaining a special power for whatever hat he wears. After you beat him as Plague Knight, he says that the hats don't work on anyone else but him.
* ShoutOut: One of his hats allows him to bounce on a cane like a pogo stick to get around, just like a [[VideoGame/{{Ducktales}} certain duck]] is known to do.

[[folder:The Baz]]
[[quoteleft:250:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/15-baz_5504.jpg]]
The storm is coming... With a fearsome rope whip and the toughest-looking armor around, one might think that the traveling warrior Baz would be a shoe-in to join up with the Order of No Quarter. Imagine his surprise when he was rejected! He now roams the land, taking out his anger on passersby. Could he ever prove himself strong enough to earn the title of "Baz Knight"?

%%* BuildingSwing: Using his rope whip.
* ButtMonkey: Things don't usually go The Baz's way. [[spoiler:In ''Specter of Torment'', he shows up only to be ''immediately'' told GetOut by Specter Knight. There isn't even a fight!]]
* DemotedToExtra: Downplayed, due to his nature as a BonusBoss. In ''Specter of Torment'', [[spoiler:he's more or less just a quick gag who doesn't even get a boss fight, leaving The Tower immediately after being told to scram]].
* GuestFighter: A regular fixture on WebVideo/TwoBestFriendsPlay, The Baz was added as a secret boss after Matt and Woolie supported the game's Kickstarter campaign. Other players may also recognize him from ''VideoGame/{{Divekick}}'', where he is a playable character.
* DefeatMeansFriendship: After Plague Knight defeats him, he can offer The Baz to become one of his minions. Happy to finally be offered a membership of an organisation, The Baz gladly accepts this.
* HeroicWannabe: Or rather, Villainous Wannabe. He wishes to be a member of the Order of No Quarter. He challenges Shovel Knight in hope to get in.
* InelegantBlubbering: After being defeated by Shovel Knight, he throws a tantrum worthy of a three-year-old.
* InsaneTrollLogic: He believes that becoming a scientist works like KlingonPromotion; if he can kill a scientist, like, say, Plague Knight, he becomes one himself.
* MythologyGag: His being rejected from the Order is a callback to The Baz's origins as a rejected Street Fighter character.
* ShockAndAwe: He can discharge lightning with certain attacks.
* SmallNameBigEgo: He fully admits in ''Specter of Torment'' that his reason for trying to join the Order was to be "the main event".
* SoreLoser: After being beaten, The Baz throws a crying fit like a big baby. Subverted in ''Plague of Shadows'' where, after being defeated by Plague Knight, he accepts his loss with more dignity this time. [[spoiler:Plague Knight can also recruit him to be his minion, even giving him robes similar to the ones already working for him]].
* ThrowTheDogABone:
** In the ending, [[spoiler:he's seen with the other Wandering Travelers preparing for battle, finally in an Order of a sort]]. In ''Plague of Shadows'', [[spoiler:Plague Knight can recruit him, and Baz is completely fine with it]].
** In the Xbox versions of the game, Reize expresses interest in becoming Baz's student because he thinks Baz is cool.
* TurnsRed: The Baz will create a lightning storm that will strike him, giving a brief shield from time to time.
* WhipItGood: He uses a whip for a weapon. This somehow also makes him immune to the shovel plant. Must be the [[EverythingsBetterwithSpinning spinning]].

[[folder:Phantom Striker]]
[[quoteleft:250:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/16-phantom-striker_8341.jpg]]
A lone warrior, Phantom Striker appears to those that he deems worthy of challenging him. Light on his feet and wielding a rapier, 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.

* AscendedExtra: Serves as the boss of the Lich Yard in ''Specter of Torment'', where Specter Knight attempts to recruit him into the Order of No Quarter. [[ForegoneConclusion Needless to say, he doesn't join.]]
* BloodKnight: Has apparently battled several other knights before Shovel Knight, and believes conflict itself is reason enough for a fight.
%%* BlowYouAway: Gains these abilities when he TurnsRed.
* CombatPragmatist: In ''Specter of Torment'' he does a sneak attack on Specter Knight because he knows what Specter is capable of and is decidedly not taking any chances.
* CulturedWarrior: Besides being adept with his rapier and lightning magic he's also well-spoken and erudite.
* GoodCounterpart:
** He has a teleportation-oriented ability-set, [[MaybeMagicMaybeMundane could be]] a ghost of some sort, and is a fairly serious fighter, similar to Specter Knight, but is an ultimately honorable, heroic fighter. He even takes Specter Knight's boss position in the Lich Yard in ''Specter of Torment''.
** To Propeller Knight. Both use fencing as their preferred combat style and are both are associated with elements of the the sky (Propeller Knight for wind/air and Phantom Striker with lightning). Both were approached by Specter Knight to join the Order of No Quarter, both were beaten by Specter Knight, but Phantom Striker still refused to join, while Propeller Knight submitted.
* GracefulLoser: Accepts his defeat, but warns Shovel Knight that he needs to be even stronger for the later challenges. Even more so if you do well enough in your fight with him -- he compliments your fighting skills, says he'll be watching, and leaves a lot of extra money for you.
** He leaves similarly well in ''Plague of Shadows'' if you do well in his boss fight praising Plague Knight's ability of dodging. However if drink a tonic he will leave with a pretty snippy comment about it...
* HoldTheLine: [[spoiler: In ''Specter of Torment'', he's shown in the town that would become the Lich Yard trying to stop Specter Knight's forces from razing it. While he kept the loss of life to a minimum by letting the villagers evacuate, it's a ForegoneConclusion that he fails and the town is destroyed.]]
* MaybeMagicMaybeMundane: It's left ambiguous if he has powers like other castmembers, or if he's a ghost, as per his name.
* OOCIsSeriousBusiness: He considers Specter Knight to be so dishonorable that he ''goes for a cheap shot'', something he didn't even do against Plague Knight, in spite of knowing he's an Order member.
* ShockAndAwe: Most of his abilities are lightning-based.
* ShoutOut: One of his attacks, where he points his rapier upward and then stabs forward, visually resembles that of one of [[VideoGame/MegaManDrWilysRevenge Enker]]'s attacks.
* TeleportSpam: He has an attack where he repeatedly teleports, each disappearance leaving behind ball lightning that moves toward your location when it appeared. He uses it much more in ''Specter of Torment''.
* WorthyOpponent:
** What he sees Shovel Knight as, especially if you do well enough in the fight with him.
** He can praise Plague Knight as well if you beat him without losing half of your health.
** Averted for Specter Knight. He sees him as being so completely dishonorable that he attempts a sneak attack before the boss fight.

!!Townsfolk and other [=NPCs=]

[[folder:The Bard]]
[[quoteleft:250:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/17-bard_4909.jpg]]
This talented composer has written songs for various customers, including the Order of No Quarter. He has one problem, though: his entire musical collection has been scattered across the land. He asks Shovel Knight for help in retrieving his music sheets, and will pay 500 gold for each one retrieved.

* CreatorCameo: He's quite obviously Jake Kaufman in a suit of armor.
* DeadpanSnarker: He comes off as very sarcastic sometimes.
* HappyDance: He dances with joy whenever you've got a new music sheet for him.
* NoodleIncident: Asking for info in regards to the songs he wrote reveals they were commissioned by various characters, including the Order of No Quarter. He also reveals some misadventures in the process, such as being given an amulet as payment for composing a song for the Enchantress; he recommends ''not'' taking an amulet as payment when asked about the song from the Enchantress's second phase.
%%* WanderingMinstrel: He's actually one of these.

[[folder:Gastronomer]]
[[quoteleft:250:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/18-gastronomer_1560.jpg]]
A master chef who will cook nourishing meals for Shovel Knight in exchange for Meal Tickets, improving his maximum health.

* SupremeChef: His meals are so hearty and healthy that they increase Shovel Knight's maximum health value, permanently.
* RhymesOnADime: Everything he says is in rhyme.
--> "I'll dazzle your palate in no time or less! So ''bon apetit'', and don't mind the mess!

[[folder:Magicist]]
[[quoteleft:250:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/19-magicist_1512.jpg]]
A mage who sells magic upgrades to Shovel Knight, improving his maximum mana. Reprises this role in ''Plague of Shadows'', which also shows her to be a frequent research collaborator of Plague Knight.

* AbsentMindedProfessor: She is an expert in magical relics, but her speech patterns imply that she is not fully "there" when conversing with Shovel Knight.
* AllLoveIsUnrequited: She's insists she's attracted to Plague Knight, but he's either too oblivious or just doesn't care since he only has eyes for Mona. [[spoiler: at the end of the story, she hooks up with Percy.]]
** Funny enough when talking to her, she will often say Plague Knight would look more charming if he added something to his style, ex: Put a feather on his hood, other times she will flat out state what she likes in a man, ex: Tall, long hair, it gets to the point where Plague Knight couldn’t physically fit that standard; [[spoiler:at the end, the Magicist realizes she was describing a man like Percy, not Plague Knight.]]
* AscendedExtra: She get's a larger role in ''Plague of Shadows'', being privy to Plague Knight's machinations and interacting more with the story.

[[folder:Chester]]
[[quoteleft:250:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/20-chester_9654.jpg]]
An intrepid salesman/explorer. He sells Shovel Knight magical Relics that he can use to supplement his Shovel Blade while fighting against the Order of No Quarter.

* InexplicableTreasureChests: In each Order of No Quarter stage, Chester can be found hanging out inside of blue treasure chests, in which he has found a new Relic that he'll sell to Shovel Knight on the spot[[spoiler:, or an Arcana to trade for the Relic that Plague Knight found.]]
* IntrepidMerchant: He's always one step ahead of you and ready to sell you treasure that he just found. [[spoiler:He didn't actually find any of them himself. Plague Knight found them all and traded them to Chester in exchange for Arcanas, but Shovel Knight doesn't need to know that...]]
* PunnyName: Get it?
* SublimeRhyme: His slogan/sales pitch whenever he pops out of a blue chest.
-->'''Shovel of Hope:''' In the village or out in the field, I have all the deals!\\
'''Plague of Shadows:''' Poured in a beaker or stuffed in a bag, Chester's always got the swag!

[[folder:The Troupple King]]
[[quoteleft:250:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/23_troupple_king.png]]
A forest deity that appears to be a cross between an apple and a trout. If you hold your Troupple chalice aloft to him, he'll grant you Ichor with magical properties.

* BerserkButton: He won't be amused if you try to fish near him. He's also not pleased if you manage to [[NonLethalKO drown in his lake.]]
* {{Expy}}: He appears to be one of Manbo from ''Videogame/TheLegendOfZeldaLinksAwakening''. An aquatic creature who does a lengthy dance sequence before he helps you out. He grants you potions just like Crazy Tracy from the same game.
* HealingPotion: One of his potions can do this; others can grant invincibility and attract items to you.
* LuckBasedMission: In order to receive gifts from him, you need to have a free chalice and get lucky when fishing in the sparkling spots.
* NoHeroDiscount: Inverted. He provides Shovel Knight with ichor for free, but Plague Knight has to pay through the beak, since he's a villain. [[note]]Though, from a gameplay perspective this is actually because you're buying '''armor upgrades''' as Plague Knight, rather than single-use potions, since Plague Knight chased off the Aerial Anvil and probably couldn't get them to service him anyway.[[/note]]
* NoPronunciationGuide: Averted. His acolyte helpfully informs you that it "Rhymes with 'mouthful'". The king himself explains the proper pronunciation of ichor as eye-core.
* {{Planimal}}: He's half-apple, half-trout.

[[folder:The Dancer]]
A woman that hangs around in the pub and enjoys dancing. She'll dance around the pub for you if you speak with her after defeating Specter Knight.

* [[YouGottaHaveBlueHair You Gotta Have Green Hair]]: along with an entirely green ensemble, right down to her eye shadow.
* FelonyMisdemeanor: The reason she wants Shovel Knight to beat up Specter Knight? [[spoiler:The latter refused show any enjoyment of her dance (and it's implied that it took effort on his part).]]
* FunnyAfro: Sports one nearly twice the size of her own head.
* LifeOfTheParty: She'll dance around on tables if you ask her to dance and eventually causes the other patrons to join in the festivities by clapping along to her song.

[[folder:Croaker]]
A frog-man who will regale Shovel Knight with a wide variety of puns.

* PungeonMaster: Every one of his lines is a pun-base joke based on some character in the game. There's even an achievement for listening to every one of his puns.

[[folder:Mona]]
[[quoteleft:250:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/21_mona.jpg]]
A really bored woman who is holed up to the left of the juice bar. You can pay her 100 gold to play a mini-game where you hit flasks at targets. She plays a bigger role in ''Plague of Shadows'', where it's revealed that she's Plague Knight's accomplice [[spoiler:and love interest.]]

* {{Adorkable}}: Plague Knight unexpectedly dropping in on her reveals that she likes to turn on some tunes and dance the day away when she's alone. In her flustered state after being found out, she admits that she does this ''all the time''.
** During the end of ''Specter of Torment'' she and Plague Knight are seen tearing down their lab to set it up below town for ''Plague of Shadows''. A chain they're both tugging on gets loose and pulls Plague Knight up to her eye level, faces barely inches from one another, looking each other in the eyes. Both of their reactions is to shyly turn away and fidget.
* AscendedExtra: She plays a bigger role in ''Plague of Shadows'' and even gets a new portrait.
* AmazingTechnicolorPopulation: Her skin is green.
* ArmorPiercingQuestion: Deliver a series of ''very sharp ones'' directed at Plague Knight as their journey is coming to an end:
-->'''Mona:''' Let me ask you something, Plague Knight. Where do '''''I''''' fit, in your big plans? Are we partners? Are we more?
-->'''Plague Knight:''' W-wait... I... I... I...
-->'''Mona:''' This whole time, I though we were in this together... Was I just a tool to you?
* TheDragon: She becomes this to Plague Knight in ''Plague of Shadows'', where she assists him in his research and develops new equipment for him against payment.
* DeadpanSnarker: She's usually really bored, but if you manage to score high enough, she'll be impressed.
* HiddenDepths: While she claims to be a "really bored woman" in Shovel Knight's story, Plague Knight's story reveals that she's secretly Plague Knight's partner in crime, complete with having a secret lab beneath her room (of which Plague Knight heavily takes advantage of), implying how she acts in ''Shovel of Hope'' is just a ploy to keep others from finding the Potionarium. Also, very fond of dancing when she's alone (or ''thinks'' she is) and is really quite good at it.
* HotWitch: She has some shades of this, with the green skin, dark attire, and knack for conjuration and potioneering.
* MadScientist: While she's more calmer compared to Plague Knight, the fact she does has what appears to be a laughing fit whenever you purchase equipment or do research can't be overlooked.
* MeaningfulName: Knowing her occupation, her name may be a reference to the Monas Hieroglyphica, an alchemical symbol created to represent the planetary metal glyphs.
* MiniGame: She has one where you can hit the targets with your shovel.
* StatuesqueStunner: She's one of the taller [=NPCs=] in the game, and ''Plague of Shadows'' shows that she's also quite shapely. [[spoiler: No wonder Plague Knight has a crush on her.]]
* TinyGuyHugeGirl: When standing up at her full height, she's at least OneHeadTaller than Plague Knight. [[spoiler: They're also the OfficialCouple of ''Plague of Shadows'']]
* TwiceShy: [[spoiler: She's in love with Plague Knight. He's in love with ''her''. Neither of them is particularly good at hiding it, either, but somehow the other is utterly clueless. It takes the forming of the Ultimate Potion and the creation of some horrendous Plague Knight-looking abomination to get them to finally be square with each other on the matter.]]

[[folder: Percy]]
[[quoteleft:250:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/22_percy.png]]
A horse-man who serves as one of Plague Knight's colleagues, he mechanically fills the Bard's payment role in the ''Plague of Shadows'' expansion (actually listening to the music is handled by another NPC). He also fancies himself something of a love guru, but his advice is terrible.
[[hardline]]
* AscendedExtra: More so than even Mona (who had a minigame attached to her in Shovel Knight's campaign), Percy was actually in Shovel Knight's story as an unnamed NPC fanboying over the catapult on top of the Aerial Anvil. ''Plague of Shadows'' gave him a degree of story prominence, a portrait and a better animated sprite.
* TheDitz: Percy is a bit thick, which is best demonstrated by his inability to recognize sheet music. He is also a terrible shot with the catapult. Plague Knight often makes fun of his intelligence, or rather lack there of, under his breath.
** Though that being said, after [[spoiler: Mona disappears for the rest of the game after meeting with the Black Knight]], Percy takes over the position and does just as good a job. Of course, he does mention that [[spoiler:Mona left very thorough notes, so he's probably just following directions]].
** On that note though, [[spoiler:[[AchievementsInIgnorance he is somehow able to create the Pandemonium Chalice if you do indeed collect all the Cipher Coins despite Mona saying it probably wouldn't work]]]].

[[folder:Oolong]]
A strange creature that resides in the Potionarium. He is essentially a living music instrument, and is able to read and perform the "useless" pieces of paper Percy throws away.
[[hardline]]
* AffectionateNickname: He holds Plague Knight in high regard and calls him "Doctor Knight".
* IronButtMonkey: It's possible for Plague Knight to force feed him his explosive potions and make him regurgitate the potions effects [[VideoGameCrueltyPotential with visible discomfort on his part]]. Not only does the game encourage this by giving you a music sheet the first time you do this, there's even an achievement for feeding him every type of potion.
* YouNoTakeCandle: He has a rather strange manner of speaking, frequently getting grammar wrong and occasionally talking in {{pluralses}}.

[[folder:Luan [[spoiler: Seatlan]]]]
[[quoteleft:250:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/24_luan.png]]
Donovan’s partner in the flashback sequences of ''Specter of Torment''. He and Donovan went to the Tower of Fate after hearing rumors of [[BigBad an amulet]] with the power over life and death that hid there. [[spoiler:It turns out the reason they’re after the amulet is because Luan wants to use it to protect his son, Reize.]]
[[hardline]]
* CanonImmigrant: An interesting variation, in the case that [[spoiler:Reize's [[http://seizui.wikidot.com/reize-seatlan universal backstory]] establishes that Luan had already existed prior to ''Shovel Knight'', meaning he was reworked to fit the game's universe.]]
* DeathByIrony: [[spoiler:Donovan, the very person he'd assigned to protect his son, Reize, is ultimately a factor that plays a part in getting Luan himself killed.]]
* GenerationXerox: [[spoiler:In TheStinger of ''Specter of Torment'', it’s said that his son Reize is just like him when he was younger. Luan knows this, and it’s exactly why he wants Donovan to watch over Reize in case he passes away before his time.]]
* NoGoodDeedGoesUnpunished: [[spoiler:He went to the Tower of Fate to find an amulet to protect his son. When he starts having second thoughts about taking the amulet, he ends up being mortally wounded by his closest friend.]]
* PosthumousCharacter: He’s dead before the main story begins.
* RedOniBlueOni: The blue to Donovan’s red. Ironic, considering Luan wears red while Donovan wears blue.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Dark Acolyte]]
[[quoteleft:250:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/25_dark_acolyte.png]]
A follower of the Enchantress who transports Specter Knight to each level [[spoiler:until he's replaced by Reize.]]
[[hardline]]
* BackForTheFinale: [[spoiler: Returns just in time to lead Specter to the Enchantress.]]
* ColdBloodedTorture: [[spoiler: The Enchantress has him sent to the dungeon after Reize takes over the mirror. Once he returns, he says that he likely would've starved had it not been for Black Knight's unexpected raid on the Tower of Fate.]]
* CreepyChild: You would expect this from the assistant of an undead knight, but he's actually a nice kid.
* TheDragon: Specter Knight's assistant.
* HeelFaceTurn: [[spoiler: During the epilogue, he's transformed into the Troupple Acolyte from ''Shovel of Hope.'']]
* UndyingLoyalty: To Specter Knight. [[spoiler: It's telling when he comes back from the dungeon, it's ''him'' that the acolyte is loyal to, rather than the Enchantress. Though the torture might have had something to do with it.]]
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Red]]
[[quoteleft:250:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/26_red.png]]
A red skeleton hanging around the Tower of Fate. In exchange for the red skulls you find scattered around the Valley, he'll sell Specter Knight some of his Curios.
[[hardline]]
* DungeonShop: One wonders how he expects many potential skull-hunters in the Tower of Fate.
* IWillFindYou: The whole reason he's searching for red skulls is because he lost his lady love a long time ago. By the time we meet him, he's amassed an incredible collection. [[spoiler:Specter Knight can, and if you're anywhere near thorough will, find her skull, but it's not until you buy all of Red's curios that he finally looks at her skull and realizes it's her.]]
* LatinLover: His clothing and [[spoiler: the Mexican folk dance he performs when reunited with his lover]] evoke this.
* MeaningfulName: They don't get more descriptive than this.
* OddFriendship: He and Specter Knight get along surprisingly well, given that he's a jovial romantic, while Specter Knight is a cynical, hardened warrior. Upon [[HundredPercentCompletion getting all Red Skulls]] and giving them to him, allowing you to access the [[spoiler:Donovan Set and Caltrop subweapons]], Specter Knight sincerely thanks him, and Red in turn shows concern over Specter Knight's possible thoughts of insubordination toward the Enchantress.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Missy]]
[[quoteleft:250:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/27_missy.png]]
One of the denizens of the Tower of Fate, who summons any Will/Darkness wisps Specter Knight [[MeaningfulName missed.]]
[[hardline]]
* AntiFrustrationFeature: Her main purpose.
* HeelFaceTurn: [[spoiler: Implied to become a Troupple Acolyte of ''Plague of Shadows'' alongside the Dark Acolyte.]]
* PunnyName: You can look for her if you MISS out on the hidden wisps.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Legion & Manny]]
[[quoteleft:250:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/28_legion_manny.png]]
A pair of weird beings that appear to be made up of small, black bug-things inhabiting old robes and teddy bear masks. After Specter Knight pays them enough tribute, they will sell him upgrades: Manny upgrades your cloak, and Legion upgrades your curios.
[[hardline]]
* CashGate: Both of them require Specter Knight to make three offerings of gold apiece before they will offer their services; a total of 2400 gold is required for Manny, while Legion needs 3000.
* PunnyName: [[IAmLegion Geddit?]]
* TheWormThatWalks: They're comprised of multiple bugs manipulating old robes.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Horace]]
A suit of AnimatedArmor that sits in the Endless Parapet, a secret area of the Tower. If you find him, he'll host a climbing minigame for you.
[[hardline]]
* TheArtifact: InUniverse; he was here before the Enchantress began her reign, and none of her forces really bother him.
* RiseToTheChallenge: His minigame is basically scaling the platforms to see how high you can get while avoiding the electric barrier rising from below.
* SpearCounterpart: Gameplay-wise, Horace is pretty much the ''Specter of Torment'' equivalent to Mona in ''Shovel of Hope''.
[[/folder]]

!!Guest Characters

[[folder:Kratos]]
* AndYourRewardIsClothes: Defeating him rewards you with the [[NamesToRunAwayFromReallyFast Chaos Armor,]] which turns Shovel Knight's normal attacks into 3-hit combos with increased reach and gives him the ability to float in air when performing one while jumping, much like Kratos. His shovel drop also causes him to stop in midair and pierces straight through dirt blocks without bouncing off. It also causes health and magic pickups turn into green and blue orbs that home automatically into Shovel Knight and defeating an enemy or dealing damage to a boss may cause a red orb to appear, which makes Shovel Knight's next attack fire out a fireball that goes through enemies and scenery.
* GuestFighter: From ''VideoGame/GodOfWar''.
* SequentialBoss: Once he gets low on health, he goes into Rage of Sparta, getting a full health refill and starts throwing bits of the arena at you. Once you deplete his health in that mode, the arena crumbles completely and you have to fight him on a series of falling platforms.
* StopPokingMe: A subdued version, which is ironic considering [[UnstoppableRage who's at the receiving end of it]]: when he's starting to leave after the battle, he'll pull a hood over his head and start walking away slowly. Hitting him with the shovel causes his hood to fall off, causing him to stop, pull it back up and continue walking slightly faster. You can keep repeating this to make him walk faster and faster until he finally leaves the screen.
* WorthyOpponent: Acknowledges you as one for defeating him armed only with a shovel.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Rash, Zitz, and Pimple]]
* AndYourRewardIsClothes: Defeating them rewards you with the Toad Armor, which allows Shovel Knight to sprint, deliver rapid-fire strikes, and increase the size of his shovel when doing a downward strike.
%%* AssKickingPose: They love to do this.
* BadassBaritone: Pimple. His VoiceGrunting is the deepest in the game, by a wide margin.
%%* CoolShades: Rash.
* GracefulLoser: If they are defeated, they name Shovel Knight an honorary battle toad, give him armor to match, and even invite him to get in on an AssKickingPose.
* GuestFighter: From ''VideoGame/{{Battletoads}}''.
* MascotWithAttitude: All of them, but [[CoolShades especially]] Rash.
* SequentialBoss: They are fought in multiple stages, with the first two representing levels of ''VideoGame/{{Battletoads}}'' (including the infamous speeder bike section).
* ShapeshifterWeapon: The Toads can transform their bodies to attack, turning into weights and making their fists and feet gigantic.
* StockAnimalDiet: As toads, they naturally enjoy eating bugs. In fact, before the encounter, they were just looking for a place to get a burger and ''flies.'' And after the encounter, they invite Shovel Knight to join them for some ''grub.''
* UnexpectedGameplayChange: The second stage of their boss battle involves hoverbikes.
[[/folder]]

!!Main Characters

[[folder:Shovel Knight]]
[[quoteleft:250:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/01-shovel-knight_4948.jpg]]
The titular Blue Burrower himself. Shovel Knight rushes Shovel Blade first into danger to defeat the Enchantress and save his lost love.

* TenMinuteRetirement: While it's not precisely stated how long he was out of action, he's still sharp enough for most of his enemies to either respect or fear him.
* TheAce: [[BrokenAce Not so]] [[MyGreatestFailure much any more]], but he was this without question back in the day. Any NPC who recognizes him ''immediately'' gives him the respect he deserves. [[UnderestimatingBadassery Others just tend to poke fun at his size or his shovel.]]
* ActionGirl: Qualifies in bodyswap mode.
* {{Adorkable}}: Small, brightly-colored, incredibly dedicated to knightly speech and behavior, and loves him some bad puns.
* AudienceSurrogate: Kinda. In ''Plague Of Shadows'', he's basically a player invoking VideoGameCrueltyPotential, attacking Plague Knight when he's vulnerable and leaving the Order to rot. Not to mention, Mona mentions that he just seems to really like destroying stuff, much like how many completionists will destroy anything they can to find all the secrets possible.
* BadassGay: Potentially in bodyswap mode, which allows for a male Shield Knight with a male Shovel Knight, and the same for females.
* BattleCouple: With Shield Knight as seen in the prelude, [[spoiler:they even battle The Enchantress together.]]
* BewareTheNiceOnes: Shovel Knight is about as chivalrous-- er, ''[[LamePun shovelrous]]'' as it gets, and is regularly very polite and considerate. If he considers you a ''threat'', however, may God help you. Just ask '''[[VideoGame/GodOfWar Kratos]]'''.
* BrokenAce: Has this twice: once when he reaches Polar Knight and another when he reaches the final level in the Tower of Fate.
* CallToAgriculture: After losing Shield Knight to the Tower of Fate, Shovel Knight couldn't bring himself to keep adventuring, and used his shovel for farming instead. His adventure begins when rogue knights start ravaging the land.
* CloudCuckooLander: [[spoiler:As an apparent consequence of becoming an NPC in ''Plague of Shadows'', he appears to be doing everything a player might do; his boss battle reflects a player's erratic movements and item usage, and Mona comments that he "seems to love busting up glassware".]]
* TheComicallySerious: Shovel Knight's polite speech is in sharp contrast to that of the TotallyRadical accent of the VideoGame/{{Battletoads}} once they meet within the Xbox version of the game. The fact that he keeps calm even while talking to them borders on this trope, especially since the way he answers them implies that they dumbfound him.
* {{Determinator}}: '''Nothing''' will stop him from reaching the Tower of Fate.
* {{Expy}}: Of [[VideoGame/MegaManClassic Mega Man]]. Both wear blue and have a default weapon plus several other, more situational weapons. While Mega Man [[PowerCopying copies abilities]] from defeated bosses, Shovel Knight uses relics found in stages.
* TheFaceless: Like just about every other knight character, he is never seen without his face-obscuring helmet.
* GeniusBruiser: More of an InformedAttribute, what Shovel Knight is praised the most for in his prowess is the sheer, peerless level of raw ''skill''. Bear in mind, he became the greatest and most respected knight in the land with nothing but a shovel, even with the likes of [[MagicKnight Black Knight]] and [[MightyGlacier Polar Knight]] out there to contend with, ''and'' he can take eight knights of borderline-superhuman prowess handily with nothing but that aforementioned shovel at his back.
** Then comes his appearance in ''Plague of Shadows'', [[spoiler: and this becomes far more than mere word of mouth. In his boss fight in the Explodatorium, Shovel Knight has access to his full arsenal, and he uses it all ''masterfully''. Trap him in a blown away section of ground? He'll free himself with the War Horn. Back him into a corner? He'll bust out the Phase Locket and engage rapid-fire Shovel Drops. Trying to use your range over him? Here comes the Flare Wand! Running low on life and just trying to ''get some breathing room?'' Don't look now -- he just sent the Orb of Chaos after you.]]
* HartmanHips: Body Swapped Shovel Knight has a distinct hourglass figure in official art.
* HeadsIWinTailsYouLose: In the boss fight against him in ''Plague of Shadows'', if the player loses, they die and have to start again. If they defeat Shovel Knight, Shovel Knight stands back up, attacks Plague Knight while he's busy celebrating, and steals the essence Plague Knight was trying to get. Plague Knight later steals it from Shovel Knight when the latter is sleeping however, causing things to works out for him in the end.
* TheHero: A combination of Mega Man and Link in terms of platforming and battle abilities.
* HeroOfAnotherStory: Shovel Knight becomes this within ''Plague of Shadows'' where the game still portrays him as being on a quest (this time as an NPC [[spoiler:and boss for Plague Knight's stage]]).
* HeroicBSOD: Before the events of the game, when Shield Knight is sealed away in the Tower of Fate. The reappearance of the Tower both breaks him out of it and kicks off the plot.
* HurtingHero: He dreams of Shield Knight falling constantly, and his catching her makes no difference.
* HyperspaceArsenal: Shovel Knight has a wide array of relics that could impress a certain [[Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda other hero]]. [[spoiler:He uses this arsenal against ''you'' in ''Plague of Shadows'', where he's the boss of the Explodatorium]].
* ImprobableWeaponUser:
** His main weapon is a Shovel Blade, which is exactly the weird combination weapon that it sounds like. This is {{Lampshaded}} by several knight [=NPCs=] in the village, who laugh at the idea of using a shovel as a weapon. It is, however, quite effective in combat, acting a lot like a BladeOnAStick. This also lampshaded by [[VideoGame/GodOfWar Kratos]] when you fight him, due to him being dismayed at the thought of fighting a "peasant" armed with an unlikely weapon... until you've beaten him, that is. It is then revealed that Shovel Knight can't just use any sort of shovel as a weapon -- the shovel Kratos gives him is, according to its description, "only good for digging dirt". [[spoiler:You have to give it to the armorer in order to get something useful out of it.]]
** Shovel Knight also finds such items as [[MusicalAssassin the War Horn]] and even a Fishing Rod (which has an ''anchor'' for a hook) during his adventures.
* KnightInShiningArmor: It's even his IdleAnimation! He becomes even shinier when he dons the (useless) Gold Armor.
* LogicalWeakness: [[spoiler:When fighting him as a boss in ''Plague of Shadows'', one of the most effective strategies is to use a Berserker potion to give Plague Knight collision damage, much like Shovel Knight would suffer from back when he was playable.]]
* MagicKnight: He's able to use a variety of magical relics to supplement his shovel-play.
** SquishyWizard: Gains shades of this when using the Conjurer's Coat. It gives him a bigger pool of magic power which is easier to refill, but it also makes him take more damage.
* MultiRangedMaster: As long he has relics, he can cover virtually anything coming from anywhere.
* NiceGuy:
** He politely addresses most wandering travelers and tries to avoid pointless battles. He also tries to cheer up a grumpy frog, albeit with horrible jokes.
** Zigzagged in ''Plague of Shadows'' [[spoiler:he attacks Plague Knight from behind the two times after he was defeated and ignores the pleas of King Knight when The Order of No Quarter is hanging from the Tower of Fate. Then again, this could likely be due to Plague Knight being an UnreliableNarrator]].
* PintSizedPowerHouse: One of the smallest characters in the game, yet he handily trounces huge guys like Polar Knight or Treasure Knight.
* PreAssKickingOneLiner: Occasionally delivers one towards the Knights of the Order of No Quarter:
-->[Against King Knight] '''Shovel Knight:''' "Prepare for Justice. ''Shovel Justice!''".
-->[Against Propeller Knight] '''Shovel Knight:''' "Get down here and face me, you ''gyroscopic jester!''".
* PutOnABus: As he retired from adventure because Shield Knight was seemingly killed, he doesn't show up at all in ''Specter of Torment''.
* ShovelStrike: His weapon and tool of choice. He isn't called "Shovel Knight" for nothing.
* TinyGuyHugeGirl: Well, not so much the latter on Shield Knight's part --certainly not to the extent of Plague Knight and Mona-- but enough that she could use the little guy like a teddy bear.
* TookALevelInJerkass: Noticeable during the ''Plague of Shadows'' expansion, he has no problem attacking a distracted foe from behind (twice, actually), and after all of the Order of No Quarter has been defeated (by Plague Knight) he decides to just leave them hanging for their lives, instead of helping them back up. It doesn't help that these two instances are about his only interactions in the entire expansion. However, [[https://twitter.com/YachtClubGames/status/804766788068093952 a Tweet from Yacht Club Games]] suggests that since ''Plague of Shadows'' is presented from Plague Knight's perspective, [[UnreliableNarrator there may be some bias and misinterpretation on Plague Knight's part]].
* TopHeavyGuy: Seems to have this build, but he's also a PintSizedPowerhouse, since he's shorter than most of the other characters.
* SwordPlant: By pressing down during a jump, Shovel Knight can bounce off of enemies ''a la'' Link in ''VideoGame/ZeldaIITheAdventureOfLink'' and Scrooge [=McDuck=] in ''VideoGame/DuckTales''. This is often used for traversing BottomlessPits.
* UnderestimatingBadassery: Shovel Knight's been out of the adventure game for a while, and people have largely forgotten him in turn. As a result, when many see a very tiny man running around with a shovel for a weapon, they react about the way you'd expect.
* WolverinePublicity: Due to his status as an Indie game icon, he frequently cameos in other Indie titles, such as ''{{VideoGame/Runbow}}'', ''VideoGame/YookaLaylee'', and ''VideoGame/AzureStrikerGunvolt 2'', and these cameos tend to be very prominently advertised.
* YourSizeMayVary: Not in the game itself but across his various cameos in other indie titles. Typically he's short (for example: He's an inch shorter in ''Indivisible'' than its teenage protagonist) but in others he can be towering (''Bloodstained'').

[[folder:Shield Knight]]
[[quoteleft:250:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/02-shield-knight_5699.jpg]]
Shovel Knight's beloved. Years ago, she journeyed alongside Shovel Knight on many adventuring campaigns, and the two were inseparable and unstoppable partners. However, during a journey to the Tower of Fate, a cursed amulet unleashed its magic, and Shield Knight disappeared. Shovel Knight now searches the land for any clue as to her fate and whereabouts.

* ActionGirl: Absolutely, and it's showcased quite well [[spoiler:both in the final fight of the main game, where she fights alongside Shovel Knight, and when she appears as a boss in the flashbacks of ''Specter of Torment'', where she's more than a match for a Specter Knight in his prime.]]
* BadassGay: Potentially in bodyswap mode, which allows for a male Shield Knight with a male Shovel Knight, and the same for females.
* BadassInDistress: Emphasis on the badass. [[spoiler:She's fully capable of assisting Shovel Knight right after being freed from a curse that's lasted for who knows how long. On top of that, she holds off an attack that downs him instantly long enough for Black Knight carry Shovel Knight to safety]].
* BattleCouple: As shown in the prelude, she was this with Shovel Knight. [[spoiler:We get to see this in action when they team up again against the Enchantress.]]
* {{Determinator}}: Just as much as the one she loves. [[spoiler: Highlighted in her HeroicSacrifice. Black Knight is ''certain'' the Remnant of Fate's final attack will annihilate her? Well, [[CrowningMomentOfAwesome Shield Knight decides otherwise]].]]
* {{Expy}}: To [[VideoGame/MegaManClassic Proto Man]]. Both utilize shields, wear red armour, and have a major relation to the retrospective protagonist. They also [[spoiler:are first encountered in-game as an antagonist, before allying with the protagonist to fight the final boss. However, the reasons for doing this are different - while Proto Man was simply deceived by Wily, in contrast, Shield Knight was possessed.]]
* FashionableAsymmetry: She uses a pair of Asymmetrical Shields; one fist-sized, and one almost as tall as she is.
* FauxActionGirl: Subverted. At first she looks like an allegedly competent knight who still managed to get herself kidnapped to fulfill the classic "rescue your girlfriend" ExcusePlot, but it's revealed that [[spoiler:she failed to prevent Donovan (the future Specter Knight) from activating a cursed amulet, turning her into the Enchantress. And during the final boss battle, it's shown she's every bit as badass as Shovel Knight is]].
* TheHeart: Her apparent demise in the Tower of Fate [[spoiler:caused Shovel Knight and Black Knight to part ways]].
* HeroAntagonist: In a flashback sequence in ''Specter of Torment'', where she appears as a boss.
* HeroicSacrifice: [[spoiler:Sacrifices herself at the end of the game to save an injured Shovel Knight from the Remnant of Fate's final attack. Subverted in that she turns out to be alright.]]
* LuckilyMyShieldWillProtectMe: The larger of her Asymmetrical Shields is nearly as tall as she is, and can turn aside all manner of attacks. [[spoiler:It's even enough to stop the Remnant of Fate's final attack, albeit at the apparent cost of the shield itself.]]
* {{Leitmotif}}: "Requiem of Shield Knight", a somber tune that plays whenever Shovel Knight dreams about trying to catch her [[spoiler:or when he's actually catching her]]. In ''Specter of Torment'', [[spoiler:it gets a BossRemix]].
* NonStandardCharacterDesign: Downplayed. She's one of the only Knights in the game (the other being Polar Knight) whose face is uncovered, but her armor, aside from the "wings" on her helmet, is still decorated much like everyone else's.
* OneHeadTaller: The top of Shovel Knight's head (not his helmet's horns) is level with Shield Knight's shoulders.
* ShieldBash: Her fighting style. Generally, she uses her shields to stop attacks until she can get close enough to pulverize the enemy with her shields.
* ThrowingYourShieldAlwaysWorks: One of her main attacks during her boss fight in ''Specter of Torment''.
* WhatHappenedToTheMouse: [[spoiler: Doesn't show up at all in ''Plague of Shadows''. Though it's implied that Shovel Knight still manages to save her, she doesn't even appear in the credits sequence.]]

[[folder:Black Knight]]
[[quoteleft:250:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/03-black-knight_7740.jpg]]
Shovel Knight's rival, who will show up repeatedly to try to prove himself.

* AntiVillain: [[spoiler:He only opposes Shovel Knight because his primary concern is Shield Knight's safety, and the Enchantress is possessing Shield Knight's body.]] ''Even more so'' in ''Plague of Shadows'' where he only opposes Plague Knight because he's concerned about The Enchantress' safety, and before the final boss, [[spoiler:he brings Mona to tell Plague Knight he ''does not'' need to create the Ultimate Potion to make her love him]].
* AttackReflector: Like Shovel Knight, he can and will reflect projectiles. He will only do that after the first battle, though.
* CatchPhrase: "Steel thy shovel!". Also serves as a PreAssKickingOneLiner, as it is said right before his battle starts.
** BorrowedCatchphrase: [[spoiler: Turns out Specter Knight used "Steel thy shovel!" as a PreAssKickingOneLiner towards Black Knight during Shovel Knight's TenMinuteRetirement.]]
* CowardlyLion: When it comes to [[spoiler: how he's been dealing with the issue of Shield Knight. He recognizes she's trapped within the Enchantress, so he keeps anybody from ever meeting her because, well, everybody else in the land wants her ''dead''. However, he later shamefully admits that, beyond somewhat trying to speak to her, he never made any ''real'' attempt to save Shield Knight from nothing else but fear of the Enchantress' power.]]
* EvilCounterpart: To Shovel Knight, naturally. [[spoiler:Subverted eventually.]]
* EvilLaugh: Gives one prior to and during his boss battle. ''Specter of Torment'' shows that Terrorpin, his steed, shares the same trait.
* ExactWords: The Enchantress' safety is his only concern. [[spoiler: Emphasis on ''safety'', not the ''Enchantress'' herself. [[CantKillYouStillNeedYou Were it not for Shield Knight's pseudo-hostage situation, he'd be aiming his shovel her way just as well]].]]
* {{Expy}}: Of [[VideoGame/MegaManClassic Bass]] and [[Videogame/MegamanClassic Proto Man]]. A black-armored [[TheRival rival]] to a blue-armored hero, similar, but upgraded, forms of attack to said hero, is fiercely independent [[spoiler:, and is actually an ally on the player's side, not the main antagonist's]].
** FridgeBrilliance: Both Protoman and Bass are seen as Megaman's foil in certain ways.
* GoThroughMe: He answers to no one and has no allegiance to the Order of No Quarter, but [[spoiler: due to Shield Knight underneath,]] he's named himself the Enchantress' personal bodyguard. If he catches wind of anybody with ill intent towards her, he ''will'' hunt them down and personally quell it.
* ImprobableWeaponUser: Like Shovel Knight, he wields a Shovel Blade.
* JerkWithAHeartOfGold: He's pretty insufferable in his opposition of Shovel Knight, he openly mocks Plague Knight not unlike the stereotypical JerkJock, and according to Reize, he's even been terrorizing the land on the side. [[spoiler: But everything he does is to protect Shield Knight while being shamed by his own cowardice to actually physically oppose the Enchantress. The outcome is a fervent desperation to keep her from being attacked -- really all he knows ''how'' to do.]]
** In addition, he ends up gaining the direct ire of Plague Knight [[spoiler: for potentially ruining his relationship with Mona because of his assertion to Mona of a rumor that he was pining for the Magicist rather than Mona, then had the gall to mock him for being upset.]] It is later revealed that [[spoiler: he legitimately did not understand the context of said relationship and attempts to help Plague Knight see that he doesn't need a potion to win her heart by bringing her to the Tower.]]
** Once he recognizes Specter Knight as [[spoiler:Donovan]], he tones down his aggression, expresses concern for his safety, and tries using words rather than blows to convince Specter Knight to help him.
* TheLancer: [[spoiler:He used to travel with Shield Knight and Shovel Knight. He ends up saving Shovel Knight at the end of the game.]]
* MirrorBoss: Can use several maneuvers akin to those Shovel Knight can, some even better than him.
* MixAndMatchCritters: In ''Specter of Torment'', he has a rhino/turtle creature named "Terrorpin" as a mount that fights alongside him.
* MountedCombat: In ''Specter of Torment'' he fights on the back of [[MixAndMatchCritters a rhino turtle]] creature named Terrorpin.
* NotSoStoic: [[spoiler:He's left broken in his final defeat and reveals that he feels helpless about confronting The Enchantress]].
* OneWingedAngel: [[spoiler: A forced version, the Enchantress forces her power into him after he refuses to serve her, causing him to sprout wings and go into a berserker rage.]]
%%* PowerGivesYouWings: [[spoiler:Specifically, the Enchantress's power grants him this in his third and last battle.]]
* PreAssKickingOneLiner:
** ''"Steel thy shovel!"'' in the first encounters.
** ''"I warned you to stay away!"'' in the last one. ([[TookALevelInBadass He then makes you wish you had.]])
** ''"Prepare to taste steel!"'' when he fights Plague Knight.
* RedBaron: "The Rival". [[spoiler:Later on, this is replaced with "The Defender", as his true motives come to light]].
* TheRival: At least tries to prove himself as this, persistently challenging and confronting Shovel Knight, no matter how many times he has been defeated. The title of his boss theme also outright refers to him as this.
* SpikesOfVillainy: His helmet and shovel are notably more pointy than Shovel Knight's. [[spoiler:Subverted by the fact he's not evil at all]].
* RecurringBoss: He's fought a total of three times throughout the game -- first at the end of the intro stage, again in a map encounter about halfway through the game, and once more at the end of the first Tower of Fate stage. As ''Specter of Torment'' doesn't have a world map, he's only encountered twice in that campaign.
* TennisBoss: While it's not a required method of engaging him, hitting his purple fire attack will reflect it towards him. He will hit it back repeatedly during any encounter other than the initial boss battle.
** Notably, Shovel Knight can be the one to make the serve via the Flare Wand.
* UnwittingInstigatorOfDoom: Accidentally referring to the Enchantress as [[spoiler: Shield Knight]] in front of Specter Knight leads to [[spoiler: Specter Knight attempting rebellion against her, which ultimately culminates in the loss of his free will and any hope of returning to life.]]
* VocalDissonance: Apparently he has a high-pitched, squeaky voice. His EvilLaugh in-game actually seems to back that up.
* WakeUpCallBoss: He gets much more difficult in the third fight.
* WalkingSpoiler: Highlighting anything tagged will spoil a big reveal near the end of the game.
* WarmUpBoss: He's the boss of the intro stage.
** WakeUpCallBoss: To players familiar with ''Shovel of Hope'' and ''Plague of Shadows'', Black Knight and his trusty steed, Terrorpin, are meant to show the ''Specter of Torment'' players that bosses aren't going to be the same this time around.
* WeUsedToBeFriends: [[spoiler:He was once Shovel Knight's [[TheLancer Lancer]], but the loss of Shield Knight created a rift between them]].
** Happens again in ''Specter of Torment'' [[spoiler: with Specter Knight. All it takes is fight in the prologue for Black Knight to recognize Specter Knight's fighting style and even call him by name. At that point he takes a more familiar tone with him, but the tensions between the two are very high especially after Specter Knight learns that the Enchantress is possessing [[BerserkButton Shield Knight.]]]]
* WrongGenreSavvy: In the ''Plague of Shadows'' run of the Plains of Passage, Black Knight asserts that Plague Knight seeks the Ultimate Potion to win the Magicist's love. [[spoiler: He's not wrong at all about the motives, just the target. [[ThirdActMisunderstanding This causes problems later]].]]

[[folder:The Enchantress]]
[[quoteleft:250:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/04-enchantress_6698.jpg]]
The magic-wielding villainess of the story and the one who commands the Order of No Quarter.

* AmazingTechnicolorPopulation: Her skin appears to be an odd greenish-blue. [[spoiler:It helps to mask TheReveal that she's a possessed Shield Knight.]]
* TheBattleDidntCount: After being defeated by Plague Knight, she claims that she doesn't really care if he takes her essence and that killing him would be a terrible waste of such a useful alchemist. Seeing what she is capable of when fighting Shovel Knight, she likely wasn't being facetious and really was holding back.
* BigBad: The Order of No Quarter is subservient to her, and she is the one that Shovel Knight must defeat to save his love.
* BossArenaUrgency: Somewhat. Some of her attacks regenerate the floor, but she'll still destroy enough to put Shovel Knight at more risk.
* CantKillYouStillNeedYou: Her excuse for not going OneWingedAngel and finishing off Plague Knight in the ''Plague of Shadows'' expansion is that she still has need of his alchemical talents.
* EvilLaugh/NoblewomansLaugh: Gives a couple in ''Specter of Torment'', generally after forcing Specter Knight into doing her bidding.
* {{Expy}}:
** Her design appears to be that of [[Disney/SleepingBeauty Maleficent]], from the green skin to the black, spiky dress and horn-like headdress.
** The [[GenderFlip Enchanter]]'s armored design deliberately invokes [[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZelda Ganondorf]]. Given that one of the ways to fight them is to [[TennisBoss hit their projectiles back at them]], it's fairly appropriate.
* GenreSavvy: She shows shades of it. She avoids insurrection by letting the Order of No Quarter do more or less whatever they please, mainly stays in the Tower of Fate [[spoiler: likely to keep anybody from interfering with her possession]], and after Black Knight's second time refusing her, she picks up on that he has some ulterior motive and turns him on Shovel Knight by force. [[spoiler: Even when Shovel Knight corners her, she keeps her cool and attempts to [[BreakThemByTalking break his resolve]] in exploiting her and Shield Knight's shared form.]] [[SubvertedTrope Ultimately though, none of it works out.]]
* HotWitch: Not ''overtly'', mind you, but she's quite a looker. [[spoiler: Though this may be due to forming over Shield Knight.]]
* HumanoidAbomination: Apart from being an unfathomably powerful witch, [[spoiler: she's not even an actual person. She's something of the embodiment of the Tower of Fate and its twisted magics, only able to take form around whoever should take up her amulet. That aside, nothing implies she was ever an actual living being or is some manner of ghost -- her raw essence being referred to as the "Remnant of Fate" appears to solidify her position as the tower's incarnation.]]
* KnightOfCerebus: Unlike the generally quirky Order members that work under her, she lacks any particularly amusing characteristics, and darkens the tone whenever she has a physical presence.
* NightmareFace: [[spoiler: After being reduced to the Remnant of Fate, she occasionally alters her visage to display a vicious-looking, howling fanged maw.]]
* NoblewomansLaugh: In ''Specter of Torment'', she uses this as her EvilLaugh.
* ObviouslyEvil: She wears all black, has sickly green skin, wears a horned headdress, and lives in an ominous tower. How ''wouldn't'' she be evil?
* OddNameOut: She's the only member of the "main" cast that doesn't have "Knight" in her name.
* OneWingedAngel: After being [[spoiler:freed from the amulet and separated from Shield Knight, she takes on a new monstrous form.]]
* PreAssKickingOneLiner: ''"Let us dance together into the abyss!"''
** In general, LetsDance appears to be her go-to analogy for preparing for battle, as she uses a similar line in facing Plague Knight.
* RedBaron:
** [[spoiler:"The Possessor"]], and "The Betrayer".
** [[spoiler:"Remnant of Fate" is the official name given for her second form, according to Challenge Mode]].
* SequentialBoss: Thankfully, once you beat her first form, you don't have to fight it again.
* TennisBoss: Not required, but it's one of the better ways to fight her. [[TurnsRed At first.]]
* TurnsRed: BOTH of her forms do this -- the first flies underneath the arena and attacks you from there, and then moves around more when she eventually gets back up, and the second gets even more attacks.
* WalkingSpoiler: [[spoiler: The mere fact that she's actually a spirit possessing Shield Knight makes her qualified as one]].
* WhatHappenedToTheMouse: In ''Plague of Shadows'', [[spoiler:after being defeated by Plague Knight, she escapes and isn't seen again after that, though odds are that she was finished off by Shovel Knight.]]

!!Order of No Quarter
[[folder:General]]
* BreakoutCharacter: The entire idea of the "Dig the Vote" poll was based upon this, allowing the game's backers to vote on which bosses should [[PromotedToPlayable not only become playable]], but get their own campaign with their own distinct mechanics and feel; the majority vote winner was Specter Knight, with Plague Knight and King Knight taking second and third place.
* BunnyEarsLawyer: They're a colorful, sometimes humorous band of villains... Who have terrified the valley into cowering, usurped their royalty, threaten to take over the world, and are a bad enough threat that requires a hero like Shovel Knight to step in, who isn't exempt from getting his attacks handed back to him with the Order's skill at combat.
* {{Expy}}: Of [[VideoGame/MegaManClassic the Robot Masters]], being unique bosses with different stage themes and gimmicks.
* ForcedIntoEvil: Zigzagged. Almost none of them wanted to work for the Order in the first place, but were either already rather villainous (Treasure Knight being an established pirate), preferred to be left alone to their own devices (Polar Knight, Tinker Knight, Propeller Knight, and Mole Knight), trying to accomplish their own goals (Plague Knight), or blackmailed ([[spoiler:Specter Knight]]).
* NamesToRunFromReallyFast: The order title basically translates into The Order of ''No Mercy.''
* PunchClockVillain: They each seem to have their own lives outside of being Order members, such as Mole Knight's excavation and Tinker Knight's work on machinery.
* VillainsOutShopping​: They're not always being dastardly. The BossRush even takes place when Shovel Knight bursts in on them casually having dinner as a group.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:King Knight]]
[[quoteleft:250:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/05---king-knight-02_6000.jpg]]
A Knight clad in gold armor. The Enchantress gave him Pridemoor Keep, but [[FakeKing he isn't really]] [[TheUsurper the king of it]]. One of the Knights to be PromotedToPlayable thanks to the Kickstarter campaign.

* AllThatGlitters: According to Plague Knight, his crown isn't even real gold. Whether this means it's "Fools Gold" or something cheaper is up to you.
* AngryFistShake: [[spoiler:In his ending, in response to being made to scrub the floors while the rightful king once again sits on his throne]].
* AintTooProudToBeg: [[spoiler:After his final defeat, he is the one to beg for mercy from Shovel Knight to save him and his companions]].
* ArrogantKungFuGuy: Being a King-themed knight, he's ''very'' proud.
* BlingOfWar: Solid gold armor, with a "royal" cloak and a crown built into his helmet. If you equip the Ornate Armor (which also happens to be golden) during the BossRush, he'll compliment you on your taste in armor afterwards if you save the Order. Somewhat subverted, since, as stated above, his crown isn't real gold. Pretender indeed.
* BreakTheHaughty: [[spoiler:After the rightful king is restored, he forces King Knight to scrub the floors of Pridemoor Keep.]]
* BullyingADragon: He's picked on a famous adventurer, a second tier Order member, and the person sent to ''forcibly recruit'' other members of the Order.
* ButtMonkey: He's one of the easier bosses in the game, at least two Order members don't really seem to take him seriously, and [[spoiler:in both Shovel Knight and Plague Knight's epilogues, he's forced to scrub the floor for the true king. To rub salt in the wound, Plague Knight, who had betrayed him, is being knighted in the ''same room''.]]
* CarryABigStick: His WeaponOfChoice is his [[StaffOfAuthority royal scepter]].
* DeathDealer: In ''Specter of Torment'', part of his new attacks involve floating cards that go in several directions.
* ErmineCapeEffect: Always, always, ''always'' wears a fur-trimmed cape, [[spoiler:even when scrubbing floors.]]
* FlashStep: King Knight will sometimes crouch, draw his scepter, then quickly dash to the other side of the screen.
* GodSaveUsFromTheQueen: [[GenderFlip As Queen Knight]], even if she's not a real queen.
* InformedAttribute: His Kickstarter profile says that he's "charismatic", in spite of the few interactions in ''Shovel of Hope'', ''Plague of Shadows'', and ''Specter of Torment'' indicating that he annoys almost everybody he meets.
* JerkAss: He sees fit to make fun of those he deems beneath him, [[BullyingADragon even if they're a level above him]]. Even after being set straight in ''Specter of Torment'', he still snubs Specter Knight whilst eating.
* KneelBeforeZod: His ground pound will force his foe to kneel, so he can [[OminousWalk saunter forward]] and [[{{Knighting}} bring his scepter down upon their head]].[[labelnote: In case you're curious...]] The other playable knights' knockdown animations from quaking attacks just so happen to involve them having fallen to their knees.[[/labelnote]]
* {{Leitmotif}}: ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4uOuLH5xKVc In the Halls of the Usurper]]'' (his stage theme) and ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yeLYbRbY7nc The Decadent Dandy]]'' (his boss theme).
* PimpedOutCape: Comes with the kingly theme.
* PromotedToPlayable: As a result of a fan poll, he will be given his own expansion where he will be featured as the protagonist.
* {{Pride}}: One of the most arrogant bosses around.
* PuppetKing: He serves the Enchantress, and only stands in a position of power because of her.
* RedBaron: "The Decadent Dandy". Shovel Knight calls him this as an insult, so it may also count as an InsultBackfire.
* RequisiteRoyalRegalia: Combines it with [[BlingOfWar golden armor]] for just the right mix of impractical luxury and... [[ImpracticallyFancyOutfit impractical luxury]].
* RoyalBlood: Insists that he has it.
* RoyalWe: Not surprising as he does everything possible to evoke his royal rights ... until he gets called out on not being a real king.
* TheSlacker: He doesn't appear to do much aside from sit around on his throne in Pridemoor Keep and pontificate. ''Specter of Torment'' reveals that he was ''already'' part of the Order of No Quarter, but got behind on renovating the castle; the reason Specter Knight was sent after him in the first place was to get him back to work.
* TurnsRed: Will summon trumpets to rain harmful confetti on Shovel Knight, likely decreasing his maneuverability.
* UngratefulBastard: [[spoiler:As stated in the "Ain't Too Proud To Beg" entry above, he'll always be the one to cry out for help after the Boss Rush. Even after you help him, he'll berate you for making him lose his ill-gotten possessions.]]
--> '''King Knight:''' [[spoiler:My castle... my luxury... my fiefdoms! My... ''chandeliers''! Curse you, Shovel Knight!]]
* TheUsurper: Was given Pridemoor Keep by the Enchantress. The deposed king can be found within a village near the castle.
* WarmupBoss: Likely to be the first of the Order challenged, he has no particular gimmicks compared to later members.
* YourSizeMayVary: Averted. Unlike Plague Knight and Specter Knight, who have become smaller when becoming playable, King Knight's the same large size as he is as a boss.

[[folder:Specter Knight [[spoiler: Donovan]]]]
[[quoteleft:250:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/06_spectre_knight.png]]
[[caption-width:250:[[labelnote:Click]]http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/06b_donovan.png[[/labelnote]] to see his original self.]]
An undead knight who wields a scythe and master of The Lich Yard. He's the protagonist of the ''Specter of Torment'' DLC.

* AffectionateParody: There's a lot of humor in ''Specter of Torment'' based around how "edgy" Specter Knight is; he can do skateboard style tricks on his scythe, his [[BadassArmfold Cold Shoulder]] is treated as ''an unlockable move'', and the Edge Farmer, upon seeing said Cold Shoulder, commends Specter Knight for being edgy. However, the story is still fairly serious, and shows Specter Knight's fate as being legitimately tragic.
* AntiVillain: In ''Specter of Torment''. [[spoiler: He does the Enchantress's bidding not of his own volition, is only doing it to protect [[EvenEvilHasLovedOnes Reize,]] and even in his flashbacks he and Luan were only fighting Shield Knight and robbing the tower so they could get the amulet to protect Luan's son from danger.]]
* BadassCape: Before joining the Order of No Quarter he wore a cape. The ending of ''Specter of Torment'' shows him changing the way he wears it to become the cloak he wears as a boss.
* BerserkButton: [[spoiler: He has a deep-seated grudge with Shield Knight, as she is one of the last things he remembers before he died, so much so that the realization that the Enchantress is possessing her body is all it takes for him to finally summon the willpower to turn on her.]]
* [[spoiler: BrainwashedAndCrazy: When Donovan approached the cursed amulet, he became increasingly hostile to the point of attacking Shield Knight and killing Luan. He eventually managed to grab the amulet, but this caused the room to collapse and fatally wound him. After the Enchantress's spirit left the amulet and possessed Shield Knight, Donovan seemed to return to his senses and tried to apologize to Luan.]]
** [[spoiler: After making his deal with the Enchantress to keep from dying, he even fights former allies for her. He only musters enough will to oppose her once he learns that her original self was Shield Knight and he remembers his promise to Luan to protect Reize. Unfortunately, His magic amulet only had enough power to restore one person to their former self, and in using it on Reize, he fell under the Enchantress's control once again.]]
** [[spoiler: However, if the player collects every skull, Red implies that Specter Knight is secretly plotting against the Enchantress.]]
* TheComicallySerious: One of the [[EasterEgg nifty aspects]] of holding up or down in the air while jumping off rails in ''Specter of Torment''? Specter Knight ''does skateboard style tricks'' on his scythe. [[spoiler: And if you equip Donovan's set, he does them ON A SHORT SWORD!]]
* [[CastFromHitPoints Cast From Will]]: Like the previous campaigns completing ''Specter of Torment'' unlocks New Game+, but it comes with a cruel twist. Not only does Specter Knight's Will and Darkness meters become one and the same but this now massive meter constantly ticks down, even in the Tower of Fate. That means all the toys you bring over require you to use ''your very life'' as fuel. And the Will Skull, now redundant, is completely disabled. And if THAT wasn't bad all the food in the game is replaced with bombs making killing enemies and activating checkpoint your only means of regaining health mid mission.
* DarthVaderClone: He's got the menacing armor, a flowing cloak, red WeaponOfChoice, and was resurrected by The Enchantress to serve her, being her primary enforcer.
** And on a funnier note he doesn't visit Pridemoor Keep to recruit King Knight. He's sent there because King Knight is screwing around and behind schedule with Pridemoor's renovations. Specter Knight is sent there to slap him around and get him back on schedule, not unlike the reason Vader was sent to the second Death Star in ''Episode VI'' [[spoiler:and the first in ''Rogue One'']].
** For added FridgeBrilliance, keep in mind the final dialogue between Specter Knight and Black Knight. Specter Knight claims there is no hope to stop the Enchantress. Black Knight holds on to his hope. Both use the word "hope" in their final words to each other. Suddenly, the subtitle of Shovel Knight's story makes perfect sense. Much like Episode IV, he is A New Hope.
* DespairEventHorizon: He's crossed this by the time the ''Specter of Torment'' ends.
--> '''Specter Knight:''' There's no hope of stopping her. The Order of No Quarter will sweep through this land without mercy. She's too strong...
--> '''Black Knight:''' The strength [[spoiler: of her former self gives me hope she can be reached.]]
--> '''Specter Knight:''' A fool's errand. [[spoiler: She will destroy you, as she did me, and show no remorse. I have no choice but to serve. I am now bound to her, perhaps forever.]]
* TheDragon: Due to the premise of ''Specter of Torment'' being that he's recruiting the members of the Order of No Quarter, this means that he was, if not still is, the primary enforcer of The Enchantress.
* EarlyBirdBoss: While the rematch with him will quickly demonstrate that he's not ''that'' difficult, he ''is'' fought early on before the player is likely to have gotten lots of extra health and magic, or access to relics like the throwing arc or, potentially, the lob casing that would make him easier to fight in the air. And don't get us started on his [[TurnsRed last ditch move]].
* {{Expy}}:
** Of Death from ''Franchise/{{Castlevania}}''. He doesn't go for the projectile spam, but he does throw his scythe around and try to use Death's run-up-and-slash move.
** His described gameplay style, which puts emphasis on his speed and {{wall jump}}ing, is fairly similar to ''VideoGame/NinjaGaiden''. He can also air dash like Zero from ''VideoGame/MegaManX'', and grind on rails and chain attacks like ''Franchise/SonicTheHedgehog''.
** To [[VideoGame/MegamanClassic Bass]] from the ''Franchise/MegaMan'' franchise. Both are TheDragon to the main antagonists, secretly wish for their own freedom, [[spoiler: and eventually rebel to help the protagonists while settling a personal score]]. His appearance [[spoiler: as Donovan]] is also highly similar to [[VideoGame/MegaManBattleNetwork Bass.EXE]].
** To Shadow, from VideoGame/FinalFantasyVI. The ninja and thief archetypes notwihstanding, both [[spoiler:use a pseudonym to [[ThatManIsDead dissociate themselves from their past life]], and pass nights awake constantly reminiscing of their [[MyGreatestFailure regrettable misdeeds]], which are linked to a [[RegretfulTraitor close friend being scorned]] and [[TakeCareOfTheKids a child they must look after]].]]
** [[spoiler: To [[Film/StarWars Darth Vader]] As mentioned in DarthVaderClone. He also was a former hero, corrupted by evil, attacked his allies, severely wounded and left in a weakened state, revived to serve as the BigBad's enforcer, secretly wishes to free himself from his master's control, had to fight a son-like figure (who was intended to be his replacement), before finally turning on his master and sacrificing himself to protect said son-like figure.]]
* EvenEvilHasLovedOnes: [[spoiler:He is still loyal to Luan in his death and is determined to protect Reize, to the point where he willingly throws his one chance of resurrection away for his sake.]]
* EvilCostumeSwitch: In the end of his campaign, he turns his red cape into his GrimReaper garb from the main game. [[spoiler: In his backstory, when he is resurrected by the Enchantress, he changes his armor and cloak. His former self's garb can be reacquired at the end of the game.]]
* [[spoiler: FightingFromTheInside: his campaign shows that he used to be a very different person, but the cursed amulet and his deal with the Enchantress has found him fighting former allies. But after every mission he stares at a locket given to him by Luan and remembers his former self. He manages to use the last of his willpower to fight the Enchantress and free Reize, the son of his former partner whom he had promised to protect, from her control. This uses up all the magic he has gathered in the amulet, thus destroying any hope he had of completely breaking free from the Enchantress's control. Although, there is still enough willpower left in him, at the end, to be the only knight who does not kneel before her.]]
* FlunkyBoss: Summons three skeleton minions at a time to assist him in battle. They pose little threat, but if not slain he can later consume them to restore his health.
* GrimReaper: Has skeleton minions, uses a scythe, and wears an evil cloak.
* GrindBoots: In ''Specter of Torment'', he can slide along rails using his scythe.
* HeroicSacrifice: With a twist, considering he's already dead. [[spoiler: He sacrifices his chance at being restored to life to save Reize from the corruption of the Enchantress. Unfortunately for him, [[JustAsPlanned that's exactly what she wanted.]]]]
* HeroicWillpower: [[spoiler: Even after using his magic amulet to free Reize instead of himself, he retained enough of his own willpower to be the only knight who does not kneel to the Enchantress.]]
* HiddenDepths: His official bio on the Kickstarter describes one of his bad points as being "overly sentimental". This is finally seen in ''Specter of Torment'' where he's often seen staring at the phase locket brooding about [[spoiler: his old friend Luan.]]
* HonoraryUncle: Luan considered him this to his son. [[spoiler: Luan's son is Reize.]]
* InterfaceScrew: Capable of plunging the arena into [[BlackoutBasement flickering darkness]] during the battle.
* InTheHood: Comes with his Grim Reaper look, [[spoiler: though he wore one even before becoming Specter Knight]].
* {{Leitmotif}}: ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDJMKv2Old8 La Danse Macabre]]'' (his stage theme) and ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xe_XgkJ44_E The Apparition]]'' (his boss theme).
* {{Nerf}}: Logically in the BossRush: His [[BlackoutBasement flickering darkness]] InterfaceScrew is much less annoying thanks to the bricked background. The rest of his arsenal, however is unchanged.
* NeverMyFault: He largely blames [[spoiler:Shield Knight]] for his current condition, failing to realize [[spoiler:that she was the one who warned him to not go after the Amulet he was seeking, as well as that he offed himself and Luan due to being blinded by his greed. Although it's also likely the Enchantress might of had a part in this to accomplish her gambit to rid him of his free will]].
* {{Ninja}}: Has a NinjaRun, can run up and somersault off walls, weapon held in a reverse grip, and his aerial attacks have a SingleStrokeBattle look to them. [[spoiler: His former self was even more so, with a face mask, sword sheath placed on his lower back, and his preferred secondary weapon is {{caltrops}}.]]
* NinjaRun: Has a loose version of this as his running animation. [[spoiler: Played completely straight as his former self, Donovan.]]
* NobleTopEnforcer: By the end of ''Specter of Torment'' [[spoiler: any loyalty to the Enchantress is all but destroyed, now only serving her because he had no other choice if he was to save Reize. During the ending when the Order of No Quarter is seen kneeling before her he descends to the ground, [[DefiantToTheEnd but he refuses to kneel.]]]]
* NotSoAboveItAll: Implied in his Kickstarter profile, where it says that he "tries too hard to be cool". In Shovel Knight's epilogue, it shows him playing one of Mona's games (hackey sack, except with a potion), and getting frustrated when he can't keep up the pace.
* NotSoStoic: In the epilogue for ''Plague of Shadows'', [[spoiler:he charges into the area you find the Phase Locket, looks through the chest in a panicked fashion, and angrily slices it in half when he can't find it.]]
** FridgeBrilliance: [[spoiler: That is the locket that Luan gave to him before they entered the Tower of Fate.]]
* [[spoiler: OnlyKnownByTheirNickname: The only character with the title of Knight to avert this. Before becoming known as Spectre Knight, his name was Donovan.]]
* PreAssKickingOneLiner:
-->[Against Shovel Knight] '''Specter Knight''': ''"[The Enchantress] granted me new life... So that I may take yours!"''
-->[Against Plague Knight] '''Specter Knight''': "''How tragic that you shall never emerge from cowardice! For here...your story must end.''"
-->[Against Black Knight] '''Specter Knight''': ''"[[BorrowedCatchphrase Steel]]'' ''[[RoaringRampageOfRevenge thy]]'' ''[[ItsPersonal shovel!]]"''
* PrecisionGuidedBoomerang: His tossed scythe always returns to him, even if he teleports to a different spot.
* PromotedToPlayable: As a result of a fan poll, he's the protagonist of the ''Specter of Torment'' prequel campaign.
* RedBaron: Is known as "The Apparition".
* RedemptionEqualsDeath: Or, since he's already dead, Redemption Equals [[spoiler: Permanent Undeath]].
* ReforgedIntoAMinion: He passed away before Shovel Knight's campaign started, and was resurrected by the Enchantress to work for her.
* RoaringRampageOfRevenge: He was relatively alright with working for the Enchantress... Right up until the part where Black Knight [[spoiler: called her Shield Knight and he realized [[BerserkButton who she really was]].]]
--> '''Specter Knight:''' It was ''[[spoiler: Shield Knight]]'' all along! She took ''everything!'' [[spoiler: The amulet! Luan! She stole my very life away!]] ''*Draws his scythe*'' '''''THIS ENDS TONIGHT!'''''
* SignatureMove: His scythe throwing seems like the obvious one, however another is flying forward for a lunge attack. The latter of these two takes the form of the Judgement Orb curio that allows you to lunge at your nearest opponent for your air dash attack, even though walls.
* SinisterScythe: His weapon of choice. It's ''especially'' sinister, with its massive size and red-and-black coloring.
* StealthPun: As an Expy of ''Castlevania'''s Death, this means that he is technically [[spoiler:a Death Knight]].
* TakeMeInstead: In finale of ''Specter of Torment'' in order to [[spoiler: uphold his promise to Luan to protect Reize he offers himself up to The Enchantress as her eighth knight for the Order of No Quarter to stop her from making Reize her eighth instead. After using the amulet, his only shot at truly living again, to purify Reize of the darkness The Enchantress tainted him with she speaks as though getting him to waste the locket's power and cement his reliance on her was her plan all along.]]
* TheUndead: Underneath his cloak, he appears to be a shriveled corpse, but the Enchantress' magic keeps him in the realm of the living.
* TomTheDarkLord: ''Specter of Torment'' reveals his real name is Donovan. Yes, the ghostly GrimReaper's name is ''Don.''
* TragicKeepsake: [[spoiler:The Phase Locket is implied to be this during the ending of ''Plague of Shadows''. ''Specter of Torment'' reveals that the locket was a gift from his former companion Luan.]]
* TragicMonster: [[spoiler: A thief simply trying to protect the son of his best friend is warped into the BigBad's undead servant.]]
* TurnsRed: He turns the arena dark once he's low enough on health.
* YourSizeMayVary: Like with Plague Knight, his sprites have been downsized to accommodate becoming [[PromotedToPlayable a fully playable character]] although he's still a bit bigger than both Shovel Knight and Plague Knight. [[spoiler: In the ending of ''Specter of Torment'', he's shown lifting off and ground and increasing the size of his cloak, becoming indistinguishable from his boss sprite save the armor color he finished the game in.]]
* VillainProtagonist: ''Specter of Torment'' is from his perspective, and due to being a prequel, means that he'll be recruiting the Order of No Quarter, the main obstacles Shovel Knight will face.
* VillainTeleportation: He employs this frequently, especially in order to catch his spinning scythe.
* WakeUpCallBoss: Unlike Black Knight and King Knight, who are rather easy and predictable, Spectre Knight hovers in the air and moves around very quickly to prevent the player from chain-bouncing him for very long, has an intricate set of movement patterns and attacks that need to be memorized to ensure victory, and can punish players who try to blitz him down with all-out aggression. And, at low health, he pulls out an InterfaceScrew that can turn the tide in his favor rather quickly. In his terminology, His fight will be your time.... '''MULTIPLE TIMES'''.

[[folder:Plague Knight]]
[[quoteleft:250:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/07_plague_knight.jpg]]
A cloaked knight who wears a PlagueDoctor mask. He specializes in chemical warfare of the explosive variety. He's hiding in the depths of The Explodatorium. He's also the protagonist of the ''Plague of Shadows'' expansion.

* ActuallyPrettyFunny: As a "reward" for beating him, Reize tells Plague Knight a really bad pun involving octopi, this actually gets Plague Knight to lose his composure laughing.
* {{Adorkable}}: His interactions with Mona once their feelings become more overt. Especially if you try to dance in front of her after learning how to from the Troupple king, where he does ShyFingerTwiddling instead.
** During the end of ''Specter of Torment'' he and Mona are seen tearing down their lab to set it up below town for ''Plague of Shadows''. A chain they're both tugging on gets loose and pulls him up to her eye level, faces barely inches from one another, looking each other in the eyes. Both of their reactions is to shyly turn away and fidget.
* AlchemyIsMagic: While the game specifically refers to Plague Knight's Alchemy as science, it's treated like the standard magical potions.
* AmazingTechnicolorPopulation: Judging by his exposed hands, he appears to have green skin.
* AnIcePerson: His Frost Burst allows him to rain harmful ice shards on enemies when he uses his [[RocketJump burst jump]].
* AnimalMotifs: Crows. He wears the raven mask of a PlagueDoctor and carries around a staff with a decorative raven head. Many characters lampshade this during his campaign.
* ASinisterClue: It's pretty subtle, but if one pays close attention, they can see that Plague Knight carries and throws bombs with his left hand.
* AwesomeButImpractical: The Pandemonium Cloak, it requires all 420 Cipher Coins to obtain and could be considered Plague Knight's InfinityPlusOneSword since it allows him to always be able to use three bombs, even with bomb-types that limit their uses. However, what bombs you have equipped are entirely up to the RandomNumberGod, you may get an extremely useful combination, or you might get something that leaves you at a severe disadvantage. It ''also'' randomly changes your Arcana, so you may not be able to use the ones you need at any given moment. And to top it all off, a good or bad combination only lasts 10 seconds (you're locked into the bomb type, burst, Arcana it gives you during that time) before it changes and you're once again at the mercy of random chance.
* BadBoss: His story opens with a couple of his minions running when they hear him coming out of fear of being experimented on, and whenever you see them in the field in gameplay, you can blow them up, some of them even beg you not to.
* BraggingRightsReward: The Pandemonium Cloak can only be obtained with the Pandemonium Chalice, which itself can only be gotten if Plague Knight has scoured every inch of every level before the final boss [[GottaCatchThemAll to collect all 420 Cipher Coins]].
* CantSpitItOut: [[spoiler:Causes the ThirdActMisunderstanding in ''Plague of Shadows'' when he can't bring himself to tell Mona what he really thinks of her.]] It's foreshadowed after Plague Knight tries to impress Mona with his dancing skills, but twiddles his thumbs when he's around her.
* TheChewToy: Suffers more AmusingInjuries than the other playable knights over the course of his adventure.
* CombatPragmatist: A trait that Polar Knight hates him for. He stays as far away from you as he can in his boss fight, either jumping or [[TeleportSpam teleporting frequently]] across the stage while throwing bombs or spawning explosive vats. This aspect also plays a key part in his playstyle; his mobility allows him to play keep away with almost every boss, and the potion mechanic encourages you to figure out what's best for the situation.
* CoolMask: His signature green PlagueDoctor mask, which makes him look like a bird.
* CoveredInGunge: Played serious, getting covered in the Troupple King's ichor is Plague Knight's equivalent to upgrading his armor ... [[{{Squick}} although he still finds it pretty gross]].
* CuteWitch: Body swap mode gives Female!Plague Knight a witch hat.
* DeadpanSnarker: Some of his internalized quotes are incredibly snarky, his line after beating Phantom Striker is probably the best example.
--> '''Plague Knight''': Hee, I wonder if people can tell when I roll my eyes under this mask.
--> '''Plague Knight''': [after getting catapulted [[spoiler:into Armor Outpost]]] Ugh.. Percy couldn't hit the broad side of a barn!
* DifficultButAwesome: His gameplay style. He jumps lower than Shovel Knight (but can double jump and do a "bomb burst" to jump higher), lacks his pogo jumping ability and has a default attack that basically amounts to a grenade: until you learn to control him, you'll easily end up overshooting platforms and fail to hit enemies that Shovel Knight could kill with no difficulty. This is made up by his ridiculous mobility when mastered, a vastly customizable main attack with an answer for basically any situation and RegeneratingMana that allows him to spam his Arcana much more freely than Shovel Knight can use his Relics. Overlaps with MagikarpPower due to his starting equipment not being that great.
* DoppelgangerSpin: In ''Specter of Torment'', he can summon up to two clones to help disguise himself.
* EvenEvilHasLovedOnes: For all his insanity and tendency to use his minions as guinea pigs, he truly does care for Mona. [[spoiler:Wanting her to love him is the reason he tried making the Ultimate Potion in the first place (not that he needed to).]]
* EveryoneCanSeeIt: During ''Plague of Shadows'', it's mentioned how everyone can see how Plague Knight has a crush on the Magicist. [[spoiler:This is subverted, however, as he actually loves Mona.]]
* ExplosivePropulsion: In ''Plague of Shadows'', he can boost himself mid-air by causing an explosion at his feet.
* ForScience: One of his key motivations is doing crazy experiments. He launches his own campaign against his teammates on the basis of collecting material for his experiments. His minions mention that he sometimes experiments on them, and his battle cry is "For Science."
* ForTheEvulz: During his ending montage, him [[spoiler:and Mona]] steal all of Treasure Knight's treasure (and then bomb him for good measure). This after they both say that his gold was useless to them since they could just alchemize their own if they wanted to.
* GameplayAndStorySegregation: It's mentioned at one point (after he defeats Treasure Knight) that as an alchemist he could just craft all the gold he wanted out of sawdust and mouse skulls, however in actual gameplay he still needs to scour for treasure in order to buy things like bomb upgrades and armor ichor. Although this might be because it'd be harder to pass off crafted gold, judging by Chester not being willing to accept gold from an alchemist.
* GetBackHereBoss: Chances are you'll spend most of the battle chasing after him while getting viciously bombarded by him.
* GigglingVillain: Laughing seems to be a borderline VerbalTic for Plague Knight.
* HardLevelsEasyBosses: While it'll get easier as he obtains new upgrades and Arcana, levels can still give Plague Knight a lot of trouble. However with his bombs and the ability to change the trajectory of his explosives to be whatever the player may want, he normally rips through bosses with relative ease.
* HavingABlast: Explosives are his WeaponOfChoice. He utilizes his potions to this effect by throwing them like grenades. The playable version of him can also "burst" (cause an explosion) to reach higher places.
* HiddenDepths:
** After getting scolded by the Troupple King, he learns how to dance the tango.
** In spite of constantly making flippant remarks to everybody and seeming like he's above them, [[spoiler:he's actually very insecure about his strength and power; the reason he's creating the Serum Supernus in the first place is because he doesn't feel he's good enough for Mona.]]
* HurricaneOfPuns: Stammers through one after he's recruited.
-->'''Plague Knight:''' This tower sure is seeing a... heh... '''burst'''... of activity lately! Business is... '''booming!''' Uhhh, I'm having.... ''hee hee!'' '''A blast!'''
* InferioritySuperiorityComplex: [[spoiler:His main flaw and the focus of his character arc.]]
* InformedFlaw:
** Stated to be [[FragileSpeedster physically weak, but he's ''very'' mobile]] and moves by jumping frenetically all over his arena. {{Zigzagged|Trope}} within his game mode, where, while his gameplay style makes it difficult to maneuver and gives him less base health (in comparison to Shovel Knight), his potent alchemy skills make up for it with versatile attacks and regeneration potions. This trope also plays into the story line, where nearly every character belittles him in one way or another whether they mean to or not. Even Plague Knight himself believes it. [[spoiler:It's part of what drives him to craft the Potion of Ultimate Power, so he'll be "strong" enough to deserve Mona.]]
** He's also mocked for being a coward by some of the Knights in the Order of No Quarter; despite this, the only thing Plague Knight is reluctant about is his feelings, in combat proper he isn't intimidated by a single foe, he insults and taunts all of them as a matter of course.
** Black Knight questions Plague Knight's motives for coming to the Tower of Fate. When he hears them,[[spoiler: he calls him a fool for not recognizing love even when it's staring him in the face]]. Although to be fair, [[spoiler:a part of that seems to hinge on the fact he doesn't think he's strong enough, judging by his reaction to Black Knight telling him Mona attempted to bribe him because she wanted to protect him]].
* JerkAss: He's very quick to insult people (whether to their face or not), [[BadBoss abuses his own henchmen]], and during ''Plague of Shadows'', blows up the house one of his acolytes has lived in his entire life, and never apologizes. The only person that is generally free from this attitude is Mona.
* JerkWithAHeartOfGold: Maybe ‘gold’ is going a bit far, but he [[spoiler:can listen to The Baz’s sob story and take him under his wing as a result.]] He also [[SincerityMode says that he respects Tinker Knight’s craft when encountering him,]] and is willing to simply leave if Tinker Knight agreed give up his essence.
* {{Leitmotif}}: ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6SJkjRcSJs Flowers of Antimony]]'' (his stage theme) and ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhO4BdvHrjs The Vital Vitriol]]'' (his boss theme).
* LimitedWardrobe: Opening Plague Knight's wardrobe in his secret room in the Explodatorium will reveal that he has nine pairs of the same green mask he currently wears. Only one mask stands out, which is yellow with a spotted pattern.
* MadScientist: Specializes in alchemy, and doesn't exactly seem to be the most stable of characters. In fact, ''Plague of Shadows'' reveals he's actually TheStarscream, only using the Order of No Quarter for his own scientific ends.
* MagicStaff: Plague Knight has one, although he only utilizes it with the Staff of Surging for a {{Shoryuken}} or the Staff of Striking to swing it like a SimpleStaff.
* MagikarpPower: His "InformedFlaw" of being physically weak is more apparent during his mode due to him starting with sub-par equipment and having less total health (unlike his boss fight). You have to build his abilities by researching and buying them from Mona [[spoiler:or Percy after she leaves]], as well as trading "useless relics" (the ones Shovel Knight uses) to Chester for Arcana.
* MirrorBoss: [[spoiler:He fights a shadowy version of himself as the penultimate boss of ''[[MeaningfulName Plague of Shadows]]'', with the same fighting style and even the '''same music''' and animations as his boss fight in the main story.]]
* NonindicativeName: He doesn't really have much to do with disease or poison, aside from his PlagueDoctor mask, but "Chemist Knight" doesn't sound nearly as cool.
* NotQuiteFlight: His Float Burst upgrade allows him to slowly glide after using his [[RocketJump bomb burst]], which can make platforming and boss fights significantly easier.
* OfficialCouple: [[spoiler:With Mona at the end of ''Plague of Shadows''.]]
* OOCIsSeriousBusiness: He loses most of his liveliness and merriment after [[spoiler:Mona leaves her laboratory]].
* PlagueDoctor: The basis of his character design, although he's really more of an alchemist and scientist in actual practice.
* PragmaticVillainy: In ''Plague of Shadows'', [[spoiler:he decides to blow up the Enchantress's tower after finding out Mona loves him, since it would greatly sway public opinion toward him and allow him to do more or less what he wants in the open.]]
* PreAssKickingOneLiner: ''"Now let's have a lesson, shall we? I promise... Hee! It will be '''enlightening!'''"''
* ProgressivelyPrettier: His playable version is shorter, his colors are more vibrant, and his cloak has more details compared to his original Boss Version, where he is taller, looks more threatening and has a more subdued color scheme.
* PromotedToPlayable: As a result of a fan poll, he is the protagonist of his own scenario, ''Plague of Shadows''.
* RocketJump: Has two options, he can launch himself into the air using his own explosives, or use the Staff of Surging Arcana to magically propel himself skywards.
* SmokeOut: With vials of chemicals. When playable, he uses the Smoke Bomb Arcana to disappear and become invulnerable to all forms of damage, even instant-death spikes.
* SpamAttack: His Staff of Striking allows him to spam melee attacks for as long as his Arcana power holds out, it can easily allow Plague Knight to rip through bosses (with the exception of Shovel Knight and Dark Knight, due to their extended MercyInvincibility).
* SpinAttack: His Spin Burst upgrade launches him forward like a cannonball, slamming into and damaging enemies. [[ShoutOut It bears a remarkable resemblance]] to another [[Franchise/{{Metroid}} energy-charged somersaulting attack...]]
* {{Squick}}: In-universe, whenever the Troupple King hoarks his ichor all over Plague Knight for his 'armor upgrade', Plague Knight will always retort with a rather sharp "Yuck!".
* TheStarscream: The prologue to ''Plague of Shadows'' reveals he was only pretending loyalty to the Order of No Quarter in that game mode. In reality, he was planning on making a potion potent enough to allow him to take anything he desires. [[spoiler:Which fortunately, isn't a dark or evil desire at all]]. By sheer coincidence, each of the knights carry the exact crucial ingredients he needs to make his potion, setting up the events of his story.
* TemporaryPlatform: His Vat Arcana allows him to create FloatingPlatforms in the form of glass vats filled with volatile liquid, they slowly sink if created in mid-air, and [[HavingABlast explode]] if they hit the ground, or after a short time if made on the ground.
* ThrowDownTheBomblet: His primary form of attack is throwing down bombs. As a playable character he can even customize his bombs with different casings, powder and fuses so that they have different properties when tossed.
* TinyGuyHugeGirl: He's about as tall as Shovel Knight, and Mona is one of the tallest [=NPCs=], period. [[spoiler: You see she's about twice his size while they waltz together after the credits.]]
* TokenEvilTeammate: Less obvious within Shovel Knight's story, but Plague Knight's actually even more evil than his fellow brethren, even willing to turn on them within his own game mode just to collect their essences for his "ultimate potion". [[spoiler: Subverted as he only wanted to make the ultimate potion in order to woo Mona. He can be just as much of a jerk as any of the rest of the Order, but he's no more evil. Personally, he doesn't even care about taking over the world. By the end of ''Plague of Shadows'', he's hailed as a hero alongside Shovel Knight.]]
* TrashTalk: He taunts his former teammates before he fights them within the ''Plague of Shadows'' expansion, even though some of them tell him he's not worth fighting and he should just see himself off.
* TurnsRed: Will throw in quick succession several bombs and summon chemical flasks to enhance the explosion of his bombs more often.
* TwiceShy: He and [[spoiler: Mona have feelings for one another and can't puzzle out they feel the same about one another.]] Especially apparent in the ending of ''Plague of Shadows''.
* UnderestimatingBadassery: Despite being a renown alchemist and explosives expert, none of the other members of the Order treat him with any respect, considering him weak and cowardly. [[spoiler:He then proceeds to kick every one of their asses and steal their essences.]]
* UnreliableNarrator: In ''Plague of Shadows''. Due to his campaign and ''Shovel of Hope'' taking place at the same time, [[spoiler: his run in with Shovel Knight himself seem skewed in his favor; Despite Shovel Knight beating him in a fair fight in the original campaign, ''[=PoS=]'' shows it as Plague Knight winning and Shovel beating him with dirty tactics.]]
* VerbalTic: Frequently litters his speech with random "Hee!"s.
* VillainProtagonist: Plague Knight doesn't become less evil within his own game mode. In fact, said game mode actually makes him out as him being even ''more'' evil than his fellow brethren due to having his own goals within the Order of No Quarter that involves collecting their essences.[[spoiler:This is subverted once his motives for making said potion becomes apparent - to woo love interest Mona over to him. He is hailed as a hero by the end, and likes that idea just fine. It's easier to do science when you're praised for it instead of hated.]]
* VillainTeleportation: As if his constant jumping around wasn't annoying enough, he'll also pull this.
* YourSizeMayVary: As a boss, he's about as tall as King Knight. As a playable character, he's about as tall as Shovel Knight. [[spoiler: If you bomb your way into his secret room in the Explodatorium, you'll see the larger, more hooked mask he wears as a boss battle sitting alongside the smaller masks he wears as a playable character. This implies that both sizes are canon and he uses some form of trickery to seem larger when you play as Shovel Knight. Fitting, considering the InferioritySuperiorityComplex he suffers from. ''Specter of Torment'' furthers this idea by showing both appearances at different points. He uses the boss appearance for his boss encounter and in the Tower of Fate, but he's back to his playable size in his section of the WhereAreTheyNowEpilogue.]]

[[folder:Treasure Knight]]
[[quoteleft:250:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/08---treasure-knight-02_1578.jpg]]
A Knight clad in a diving suit. He's found in the Iron Whale, a gigantic submarine-like vehicle. He attacks with an anchor attached to a harpoon gun.

* AnchorsAway: His WeaponOfChoice, as he as a cannon/harpoon gun that fires an anchor.
* ArmCannon: Uses it to fire an anchor on a chain, which he also uses as a grappling hook.
* BerserkButton: Becomes enraged after Plague Knight states there is something more valuable than ''gold''.
* BreakTheHaughty: [[spoiler:In his ending, he's left with nothing except a single penny... Or a ''Bait Bomb'', courtesy of Plague Knight.]]
* ButtMonkey: [[spoiler:In both game's endings, he has his entire treasure trove stolen from him while he just sulks in the corner. In ''Plague of Shadows'' specifically, he also he gets bombed just for the heck of it.]]
* CastFromMoney: The character poll suggested one of his abilities would have been this, if he'd become a playable character.
* {{Greed}}: As his name would suggest, he spends his time searching the sea floor for treasure and confronts anyone who would try to take it...
** {{Pirate}}: ...Though he's not above stealing from others to increase his hoard.
* LaserGuidedKarma: In the ending, [[spoiler:the people who he pillaged take their money back from him, and leave him with nothing but a penny]]. In ''Plague of Shadows'', [[spoiler:Plague Knight and Mona both steal all of his fortune (despite earlier [[HypocriticalHumor stating they were above petty theft because they could just create gold]]), and [[KickTheDog leave him a bomb]]]].
* {{Leitmotif}}: ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ynLNyLH8MbY A Thousand Leagues Below]]'' (his stage theme) and ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kpoQJxeF_E The Bounty Hunter]]'' (his boss theme).
* NonStandardCharacterDesign: He wears a diving suit as opposed to armor like everyone else, and his proportions look more along the lines of a retro, RubberhoseAnimation character.
* OOCIsSeriousBusiness: [[spoiler:If saved after his second defeat, he states that no amount of gold is worth the pain Shovel Knight will have to face later]].
* PetTheDog: After [[spoiler:Shovel Knight saves the Order, he can talk to each one. Treasure Knight is one of the few to wish him luck in the final fight.]]
* PreAssKickingOneLiner: ''"Let us duel. Winner takes all..."''
* RedBaron: "The Bounty Hunter".
* SchmuckBait: Occasionally, he'll toss out a treasure chest. [[spoiler:Trying to open it will not only hurt Shovel Knight, but also steal some of his gold.]]
* ShockwaveStomp: An attack he can do. In this case, the shockwave is a wave of gold coins. Even when you refight him during the Boss Gauntlet (where the gold apparently appears out of {{Hammerspace}} when he does that attack).
* ShutUpKirk: Shovel Knight criticizes him for his greed, but he's having none of it.
-->'''Shovel Knight:''' You are to lay claim to the sea itself? Your greed knows no bounds, Treasure Knight.
-->'''Treasure Knight:''' Your hands are no less dirty. Even now, others are paying for your avarice.
* TheTeamBenefactor: ''Specter of Torment'' reveals that he is the bookkeeper of The Order and pays the soldiers.
* TreasureRoom: Mountains of gold are visible in the background of his boss room. The gold also covers the floor of the room, to the point that his ShockwaveStomp sends out waves of them.

[[folder:Mole Knight]]
[[quoteleft:250:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/09---mole-knight-02_1381.jpg]]
A rotund knight who has mole-like claws and fiery ports on his armor. He's digging his way through the Lost City.

* {{Acrofatic}}: Even though he's very stubby, he can ''jet'' himself through his arena, and he only gets faster as the fight goes on.
* AnimalMotifs: Moles, naturally.
* ArrogantKungFuGuy: He is always eager to prove his digging superiority.
* AstonishinglyAppropriateAppearance: His armor resembles both a furnace and a large mole.
* DefeatEqualsFriendship: Shovel Knight and Plague Knight both befriend him, and the latter [[spoiler: lends him the aid of his Shovel Knight slime for extra digging power.]]
* DishingOutDirt: He frequently burrows into the walls and floor of his boss room, and can attack by sending walls of dirt hurtling at Shovel Knight or even dropping dirt blocks all around him.
* DopplegangerSpin: 4 piles of dirt emerge from the floor, one of them contain Mole Knight digging from the floor. Each pile Shovel Knight doesn't dig bursts forth and spews lava, although everything is defused if he digs up Mole Knight.
* {{Expy}}: He seems to be one of [[VideoGame/MegaManZX Flammole the Moleroid]], both being mole-themed characters with fire-elemental powers.
* FastTunnelling: He can tunnel into the walls and burst through with such force he can immediately dive right into the opposite wall.
* FlamingHair: The longer plume in his Body Swap counterpart seems to imply this trope.
* GracefulLoser: He recognizes Shovel Knight as his better after the rematch in the Tower of Fate.
--->'''Mole Knight:''' I have to hand it to you, you have superior digging technique. We should share notes.
* {{Leitmotif}}: ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WdVfnKCYdJ8 An Underlying Problem]]'' (his stage theme) and ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ri3UljPGpkk The Claws of Fate]]'' (his boss theme).
* MagmaMan: In addition to digging, Mole Knight can cover himself in fire and flick off lava at Shovel Knight.
* MoleMiner: He's actually just a guy in a mole-like suit of armor, but still applies since he's excavating the Lost City.
* PlayingWithFire: Magma, technically. He coats himself in it and lobs balls of it. There's no shortage of the stuff in his stage, either.
* PreAssKickingOneLiner: ''"I will bury you!"''
* PunchClockVillain: More than any other knight in the Order. He's clearly more interested in his excavation project than whatever the Enchantress has planned.
* RedBaron: "The Claws of Fate"
* RunningGag: Mistaking his assailants for his workers.
* TopHeavyGuy: His torso looks like a bulb with toothpicks for legs.
* TurnsRed: Will trap Shovel Knight by surrounding him with large blocks of dirt and begin to move much faster while tunneling.
* WorthyOpponent: If you save him after the BossRush, he says that Shovel Knight's digging techniques are better than his, and that they should share notes.

[[folder:Tinker Knight]]
[[quoteleft:250:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/10-tinker-knight_7318.jpg]]
A tiny knight who wears a wielding mask. He may be short, but he makes up for it with ingenuity. Don't underestimate him. He has a workshop in the Clockwork Tower.

* AdvancingBossOfDoom: In ''Specter of Torment'', [[spoiler:Tinker Knight's mecha will pursue Specter Knight from behind over a series of platforms and pits.]]
* ButtMonkey: He's the smallest member of the Order and tends to trip a lot. His only attack is throwing wrenches at you. [[spoiler:Until he gets into his medieval tank.]]
** Averted in ''Specter of Torment'' where he's far more dangerous, doesn't trip, and there will be no cheesing him this time. [[spoiler: And then in phase two he sets his mech to auto-pilot and attacks you in tandem with it.]]
* DubNameChange: He is named Machine Knight in the Japanese Version.
* FriendToAllChildren: [[spoiler:In the ending to Shovel Knight's story, he's shown to have put his tinkering skills to work making tin toys for children.]]
* GadgeteerGenius: While it may be a bit off given the setting, Tinker Knight is a master gadeteer.
* {{Leitmotif}}: ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcGV9VdnvhQ Of Devious Machinations]]'' (his stage theme) and ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CuJRI15as8 The Schemer]]'' (his boss theme). [[spoiler:And ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKRngIDQsms The Destroyer]]'' when he busts out his Tinker Tank.]]
* OneHitKill: [[spoiler:The Mobile Gear will instantly defeat his first form.]]
* RedBaron: "The Schemer". [[spoiler:"The Destroyer" for the Tinker Tank]].
* SequentialBoss: At first, all he does is run around throwing wrenches in the air, but after he's defeated in this phase, [[spoiler:he jumps into his [[HumongousMecha Tinker Tank]]]].
* ShorterMeansSmarter: Is, without question, the shortest member of the Order, but also quite possibly the smartest member as well (even Plague Knight requires assistants for his alchemy).
* ShoutOut: To [[VideoGame/MegaMan Metal Man]]. In addition to the conveyor belts in both characters' stages, [[spoiler:he also has a massive weakness to his own cog weapon (he utilizes the Mobile Gear in his ''Specter of Torment'' boss battle).]]
* TheKlutz: Trips over his own feet constantly in his boss fight.
* TokenGoodTeammate: While most of the Order are more rude and/or selfish than outright evil, ''Specter of Torment'' paints him as the nicest of the bunch. When encountered in the Tower of Fate, he recommends that the Order's rule over the land should be a fair and just one.
-->'''Tinker Knight:''' ''Tools of war can force a kind of peace, but I think our rule should be fair and just. None but fools would break things and not rush to fix them.''
* TookALevelInBadass: In ''Specter of Torment'', he's far more dangerous even without the use of his mech and much less clumsy, as opposed to being a complete joke in ''Shovel of Hope'' and ''Plague of Shadows''. However, as ''Specter of Torment'' takes place before the former two campaigns chronologically, this is an inversion.
* TurnsRed: He will desperately fling wrenches all over the place when damaged enough. [[spoiler:During the second phase of the fight, he will turn the slow-moving missiles of his mech into bouncing bombs, making the way to the top of his mech more dangerous]].
* WrenchWench: In Body Swap mode.

[[folder:Polar Knight]]
[[quoteleft:250:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/11---polar-knight-02_2838.jpg]]
A huge viking-helmeted knight. Apparently, he and Shovel Knight have fought before. He wields a massive snow shovel and is found in the remote Stranded Ship.

* BadassBeard: Appropriate for being a Viking knight, he has quite the Nordic beard.
* BeardOfBarbarism: See above, though he's far from savage.
* BigEater: Implied when speaking to him at the dinner table in ''Specter of Torment''.
--> '''Polar Knight:''' This stuffy keep is no place for warriors, but the meat is plentiful. I may sit here awhile yet.
* BraidsOfBarbarism: On the female version, the male Polar Knight's beard and the pelt on his back and shoulders are both replaced by ''massive'' thick braids.
* BrawnHilda: The female version of Polar Knight is, as you may expect, a giant, fearsome, muscular woman.
* DubNameChange: He is named Frost Knight in the Japanese Version.
* EvilCounterpart:
** He wields a large snow shovel and a number of his attacks are bigger, more powerful versions of Shovel Knight's attacks and appears to have been an avid adventurer, having met Shovel Knight before their fight in the game.
** Additionally, he has a Norse theming, and his circular shoulderplates resemble bucklers with particularly aggressive bosses, [[spoiler: as well as the exact same beauty mark that is meant to foreshadow the relationship between Shield Knight and the Enchantress]]. This resemblance is heightened with Body Swap mode, which shifts the bucklers down to her forearms.
* InformedFlaw: He's said to have the most annoying laugh in the Order. [[TheStoic He doesn't laugh]].
* {{Leitmotif}}: ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4R2rLplMo8 A Cool Reception]]'' (his stage theme) and ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9EOHANtbPA The Stalwart]]'' (his boss theme).
* MysteriousPast: His familiarity with the heroes is left ambiguous. As noted in TheRival he and Shovel Knight have met and fought before, with Polar Knight asking he'd join them, even when he's beaten through the entire Order, Polar Knight still extends a hand in allegiance. Shovel Knight's campaign ends with him staring off into the sunset, contemplating, while ''Plague of Shadows'' ends with him sharing a campfire [[spoiler:with Black Knight]] with the title being "Reunion." One of his Rail Riders, after you've defeated him in ''Specter of Torment'', says that he's dealing with loss.
* NonStandardCharacterDesign: He looks more like a Viking as opposed to the more heavily armored or clothed members of the cast, and is one of the few Knights in the game aside from Shield Knight to have his face exposed.
* PetTheDog: During the Epilogue of ''Specter of Torment'' [[spoiler: he's seen tending to Terrorpin, Black Knight's mount.]]
* RedBaron: "The Stalwart".
* TheBigGuy: Largest member of the Order, and is only rivaled by Baz for largest character in the game.
* TheRival: While Black Knight is a mirror of Shovel Knight, Polar Knight is his opposite, being a ruthless Viking knight wielding a snow shovel. Pre-fight dialogue implies they've fought before, and Polar Knight seems to genuinely wish that Shovel Knight would join up with them.
* PetTheDog: In the epilogue for ''Specter of Torment', [[spoiler:he's seen tending to the wounded Terrorpin]].
* PreAssKickingOneLiner: ''"The bitter cold will claim you!"''
** There's also this quote before the BossRush:
--> "Hmph. [[ItMakesSenseInContext Pass the salt]]."
* TheStoic: Doesn't emote beyond the occasional "Hmph!"
** NotSoStoic: In ''Plague of Shadows'', he flies into a rage when Plague Knight, a "weak wizard", challenges him.
* TurnsRed: Will start digging up ''one hit kill spikes'' from the ground of his arena.
* WorthyOpponent: He and Shovel Knight have fought before, and he has enough respect for Shovel Knight that he wishes that he could have fought alongside him in the Order of No Quarter. This doesn't extend to Plague Knight, who he considers a weakling that relies on cheap tricks to win.

[[folder:Propeller Knight]]
[[quoteleft:250:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/12-propeller-knight_1380.jpg]]
A flamboyant knight with helicopter-like headgear. He's the captain of the Flying Machine.

* AffablyEvil: He doesn't seem to really hold any grudge against Shovel Knight, asking him if he likes the view of his Flying Machine. He also thinks that it'd be neat if the two went on an adventure together.
* AllWorkVsAllPlay: His pre-battle dialogue gives this vibe towards Shovel Knight, saying he's all about work with no rest.
* AmbiguouslyBi: His mannerisms seem to evoke this, not to mention that during his ending he's endeared himself to several women ... and one burly Bag Guy.
* BlowYouAway: Using his propeller hat, becomes especially dangerous after he's had one of his airships blast a couple BottomlessPits into his stage.
* EvilCounterpart: To Phantom Striker. Both use fencing as their preferred combat style and are both are associated with elements of the the sky (Propeller Knight for wind/air and Phantom Striker with lightning). Both were approached by Specter Knight to join the Order of No Quarter, both were beaten by Specter Knight, but Phantom Striker refused, while Propeller Knight submitted.
* EvilLaugh: One of the few villains with an audible laugh clip ... but unlike Black Knight, his is more silly.
* ForcedIntoEvil: He initially refused to become a knight for the Enchantress, until Specter Knight beat him into submission.
* FunnyForeigner: Supplementary material claims he has an outrageous accent. In-game, his slightly irregular speech patterns hint at his foreignness, but the accent isn't specifically [[FunetikAksent written out]].
* GracefulLoser: When Shovel Knight lifts up The Order of No Quarter then Propeller Knight will compliment him and say that they join together in an adventure one day. In ''Plague of Shadows'' he will be a waiter for Plague Knight and Mona while they are on a date on his airship.
* GratuitousEnglish: In the French localization, he speaks in broken French and peppers his dialogue with a few English words, like how English speakers are portrayed in French comedy.
* GratuitousFrench: Calls Shovel Knight his "petite[[note]]Note the feminine modification[[/note]]" blue friend and (appropriately for a fencer) starts the battle with an 'En Guard!"
* HandsomeLech: Acts like one. [[spoiler:The ending reveals his charms are true; he manages to make women and even a ''[[EvenTheGuysWantHim bulky guy]]'' swoon over him]].
* HatOfFlight: See those helicopter blades? Those are not just for show. He spends a large part of his boss fight flying out of reach.
* ImpaledWithExtremePrejudice: Tries to do this to Shovel Knight in their battle by using his hat to blow Shovel Knight into the sky and then catching him on his rapier.
* {{Leitmotif}}: ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1kf-OJdvb4 High Above the Land]]'' (his stage theme) and ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2P2Wq6qL3M The Spin Controller]]'' (his boss theme).
* {{Nerf}}: {{Downplayed}} in the BossRush version of his fight, there's no BottomlessPits pits to worry about. In fact, The ships that normally create them once he's 1/3 of his health now just shoot bombs after 2/3 is remaining and stays that way. The rest of his moveset is still present, however.
** His incarnation in ''Plague of Shadows'' had to be nerfed slightly because it was apparently ''too'' difficult.
* RedBaron: "The Spin Controller".
* RoyalRapier: Styled as somewhat of a noble and wields a rapier.
* SkyPirate: Though they're not too big on piracy, his crew is styled as this.
* TheTragicRose: He drops one during his defeat animation.
* TurnsRed: Will summon a backup battleship to break part of the arena and attempt to pull or push Shovel Knight into the pits.

!!Wandering Travelers
[[folder:General]]
* AndTheAdventureContinues: [[spoiler:In the ending, we see the four of them preparing to fight a team of Liguid Samurai and Archers, with narration noting they're "Always ready for battle"]]
* BonusBoss: None of them are mandatory to beat the original game or ''Plague of Shadows'', but offer a nice challenge.
* HeroOfAnotherStory: The composer's notes for their theme, "Fighting With All Our Might", implies they are this.
* {{Tuckerization}}: Intentionally done, as all 4 are based on high-tier backers of the Kickstarter.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Reize Seatlan]]
[[quoteleft:250:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/13-reize_4792.jpg]]
A group of evil knights is terrorizing the countryside? Reize Seatlan is on the scene! This plucky young adventurer travels the land, helping people in need and following his own invented Knight's Vows. But which of these knights are good, and which ones are bad?

* {{Animesque}}: His design is noticeably more anime-styled than the other characters, complete with AnimeHair and IdiotHair.
* ActuallyPrettyFunny: Makes a terrible joke after being defeated by Plague Knight which manages to get him into a laughing fit nonetheless.
* AscendedExtra: He plays a much bigger role in the ''Specter of Torment'' campaign.
* BrainwashedAndCrazy: In ''Specter of Torment'', [[spoiler:the Enchantress uses her magic to corrupt him into her minion. Specter Knight's final act before submitting to her is to free him.]]
* DivingKick: One of his attacks involve jumping into the air, than diving towards Shovel Knight.
* FinalBoss: [[spoiler:Of the ''Specter of Torment'' campaign.]]
* EvilCostumeSwitch: [[spoiler:When the Enchantress brainwashes him, he takes on a much darker look.]]
* GuestFighter: Initially seen in VideoGame/ValdisStoryAbyssalCity as an AssistCharacter.
* HorribleJudgeOfCharacter: One could forgive him for Shovel Knight for subject of tales he heard of a shovel-wielding knight terrorizing civilians (presumably Black Knight), but in ''Plague of Shadows'' he confuses Plague Knight for some unknown legendary, heroic alchemist, even saying "That looks like a face I could trust". Even in ''Specter of Torment'', upon breaking into the castle [[spoiler:he ''still'' manages to confuse the [[BigBad Enchantress]] herself for an ally]].
* MirrorBoss: [[spoiler:Dark Reize in ''Specter of Torment'' has many moves similar to Specter Knight's playable appearance, using an energy boomerang to perform slashing attacks and slash dashes. The version of the fight in Specter Knight's challenges only ups the similarities by giving Specter Knight the Skeleton Sniper curio, which acts similarly to one of Dark Reize's new attacks.]]
* MoralityPet: [[spoiler:He's secretly this to Specter Knight, due to being the son of his old companion Luan who made him promise to protect Reize should he die.]]
* NonStandardCharacterDesign: See {{Animesque}} above.
* NotWhatItLooksLike: Thinks Shovel Knight is a murderous criminal.
* OneWingedAngel: [[spoiler:As Nightmare Reize in ''Specter of Torment''.]]
* PlayingWithFire: Can surround himself with a barrier of fireballs. [[spoiler:Dark Reize's boomerangs and teleportation are made of TechnicolorFire]]
* PrecisionGuidedBoomerang: Attacks with a pair of huge crystal boomerangs that can fly all over the screen, hit Shovel Knight several times, and still always return to him.
%%* ScarfOfAsskicking
* TurnsRed: Reize will create several fireballs that will orbit around him, giving extra protection.

[[folder:Mr. Hat]]
[[quoteleft:250:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/14-mr-hat_447.jpg]]
Mr. Hat is obsessed with hats, but for good reason! For although he wears a helmet, each hat that he places atop his head gives him the powers of that hat's owner! Mr. Hat can switch from a charismatic foppish dandy to military genius in a moment, and he takes great pride in his varied fighting styles. Lately, though, there have been rumblings of an even greater warrior who wields a Shovel Blade; one with a wonderfully blue, horned helmet...

* BadassGrandpa: Is implied to be an old man according to Plague Knight, who outright calls him a geezer based on his style. Though given his helmet, which hides his face, Mr. Hat's real age is left ambiguous.
* BerserkButton: Hoods.
-->'''Mr. Hat:''' !!! You miscreant! ''Hoods!'' That's not even a proper hat! No structure, no support! No... ''flair''!
-->'''Plague Knight:''' Hats are a waste of felt, old man! They fall off in the wind! Hoods are objectively more utilitarian!
-->'''Mr. Hat:''' How... How ''dare'' you, sirrah...... I demand satisfaction! ''HAVE AT YOU!''
* CashGate: You have to spend 3000 gems to make everyone leave his shop before he'll challenge you; however, he drops over 5000 when you beat him. [[spoiler:If you chase him around town after beating him, you can get all the gems you spent back as well.]] Subverted in ''Plague of Shadows'', where he just fights Plague Knight outright.
* TheCameo: While he's not fought in ''Specter of Torment'', he can be seen sipping tea in the WhereAreTheyNowEpilogue [[spoiler:right before the Enchantress attacks the Armor Outpost]].
* DemotedToExtra: Downplayed, due to his nature as a BonusBoss. In ''Specter of Torment'', he's just a cameo who gets no dialogue or even an optional boss fight.
* {{Expy}}: He's the closest thing to Mega Man in the game, as his [[PowerCopying equipping of different hats gives him different powers.]]
* QuintessentialBritishGentleman: Sharply dressed and very polite as well.
* InsistentTerminology: Shovel Knight is confused as to why Mr. Hat wants his helmet, since it is, well, a helmet. But Mr. Hat insists that as a piece of headgear it still counts.
* NiceHat: With the additional bonus of gaining a special power for whatever hat he wears. After you beat him as Plague Knight, he says that the hats don't work on anyone else but him.
* ShoutOut: One of his hats allows him to bounce on a cane like a pogo stick to get around, just like a [[VideoGame/{{Ducktales}} certain duck]] is known to do.

[[folder:The Baz]]
[[quoteleft:250:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/15-baz_5504.jpg]]
The storm is coming... With a fearsome rope whip and the toughest-looking armor around, one might think that the traveling warrior Baz would be a shoe-in to join up with the Order of No Quarter. Imagine his surprise when he was rejected! He now roams the land, taking out his anger on passersby. Could he ever prove himself strong enough to earn the title of "Baz Knight"?

%%* BuildingSwing: Using his rope whip.
* ButtMonkey: Things don't usually go The Baz's way. [[spoiler:In ''Specter of Torment'', he shows up only to be ''immediately'' told GetOut by Specter Knight. There isn't even a fight!]]
* DemotedToExtra: Downplayed, due to his nature as a BonusBoss. In ''Specter of Torment'', [[spoiler:he's more or less just a quick gag who doesn't even get a boss fight, leaving The Tower immediately after being told to scram]].
* GuestFighter: A regular fixture on WebVideo/TwoBestFriendsPlay, The Baz was added as a secret boss after Matt and Woolie supported the game's Kickstarter campaign. Other players may also recognize him from ''VideoGame/{{Divekick}}'', where he is a playable character.
* DefeatMeansFriendship: After Plague Knight defeats him, he can offer The Baz to become one of his minions. Happy to finally be offered a membership of an organisation, The Baz gladly accepts this.
* HeroicWannabe: Or rather, Villainous Wannabe. He wishes to be a member of the Order of No Quarter. He challenges Shovel Knight in hope to get in.
* InelegantBlubbering: After being defeated by Shovel Knight, he throws a tantrum worthy of a three-year-old.
* InsaneTrollLogic: He believes that becoming a scientist works like KlingonPromotion; if he can kill a scientist, like, say, Plague Knight, he becomes one himself.
* MythologyGag: His being rejected from the Order is a callback to The Baz's origins as a rejected Street Fighter character.
* ShockAndAwe: He can discharge lightning with certain attacks.
* SmallNameBigEgo: He fully admits in ''Specter of Torment'' that his reason for trying to join the Order was to be "the main event".
* SoreLoser: After being beaten, The Baz throws a crying fit like a big baby. Subverted in ''Plague of Shadows'' where, after being defeated by Plague Knight, he accepts his loss with more dignity this time. [[spoiler:Plague Knight can also recruit him to be his minion, even giving him robes similar to the ones already working for him]].
* ThrowTheDogABone:
** In the ending, [[spoiler:he's seen with the other Wandering Travelers preparing for battle, finally in an Order of a sort]]. In ''Plague of Shadows'', [[spoiler:Plague Knight can recruit him, and Baz is completely fine with it]].
** In the Xbox versions of the game, Reize expresses interest in becoming Baz's student because he thinks Baz is cool.
* TurnsRed: The Baz will create a lightning storm that will strike him, giving a brief shield from time to time.
* WhipItGood: He uses a whip for a weapon. This somehow also makes him immune to the shovel plant. Must be the [[EverythingsBetterwithSpinning spinning]].

[[folder:Phantom Striker]]
[[quoteleft:250:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/16-phantom-striker_8341.jpg]]
A lone warrior, Phantom Striker appears to those that he deems worthy of challenging him. Light on his feet and wielding a rapier, 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.

* AscendedExtra: Serves as the boss of the Lich Yard in ''Specter of Torment'', where Specter Knight attempts to recruit him into the Order of No Quarter. [[ForegoneConclusion Needless to say, he doesn't join.]]
* BloodKnight: Has apparently battled several other knights before Shovel Knight, and believes conflict itself is reason enough for a fight.
%%* BlowYouAway: Gains these abilities when he TurnsRed.
* CombatPragmatist: In ''Specter of Torment'' he does a sneak attack on Specter Knight because he knows what Specter is capable of and is decidedly not taking any chances.
* CulturedWarrior: Besides being adept with his rapier and lightning magic he's also well-spoken and erudite.
* GoodCounterpart:
** He has a teleportation-oriented ability-set, [[MaybeMagicMaybeMundane could be]] a ghost of some sort, and is a fairly serious fighter, similar to Specter Knight, but is an ultimately honorable, heroic fighter. He even takes Specter Knight's boss position in the Lich Yard in ''Specter of Torment''.
** To Propeller Knight. Both use fencing as their preferred combat style and are both are associated with elements of the the sky (Propeller Knight for wind/air and Phantom Striker with lightning). Both were approached by Specter Knight to join the Order of No Quarter, both were beaten by Specter Knight, but Phantom Striker still refused to join, while Propeller Knight submitted.
* GracefulLoser: Accepts his defeat, but warns Shovel Knight that he needs to be even stronger for the later challenges. Even more so if you do well enough in your fight with him -- he compliments your fighting skills, says he'll be watching, and leaves a lot of extra money for you.
** He leaves similarly well in ''Plague of Shadows'' if you do well in his boss fight praising Plague Knight's ability of dodging. However if drink a tonic he will leave with a pretty snippy comment about it...
* HoldTheLine: [[spoiler: In ''Specter of Torment'', he's shown in the town that would become the Lich Yard trying to stop Specter Knight's forces from razing it. While he kept the loss of life to a minimum by letting the villagers evacuate, it's a ForegoneConclusion that he fails and the town is destroyed.]]
* MaybeMagicMaybeMundane: It's left ambiguous if he has powers like other castmembers, or if he's a ghost, as per his name.
* OOCIsSeriousBusiness: He considers Specter Knight to be so dishonorable that he ''goes for a cheap shot'', something he didn't even do against Plague Knight, in spite of knowing he's an Order member.
* ShockAndAwe: Most of his abilities are lightning-based.
* ShoutOut: One of his attacks, where he points his rapier upward and then stabs forward, visually resembles that of one of [[VideoGame/MegaManDrWilysRevenge Enker]]'s attacks.
* TeleportSpam: He has an attack where he repeatedly teleports, each disappearance leaving behind ball lightning that moves toward your location when it appeared. He uses it much more in ''Specter of Torment''.
* WorthyOpponent:
** What he sees Shovel Knight as, especially if you do well enough in the fight with him.
** He can praise Plague Knight as well if you beat him without losing half of your health.
** Averted for Specter Knight. He sees him as being so completely dishonorable that he attempts a sneak attack before the boss fight.

!!Townsfolk and other [=NPCs=]

[[folder:The Bard]]
[[quoteleft:250:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/17-bard_4909.jpg]]
This talented composer has written songs for various customers, including the Order of No Quarter. He has one problem, though: his entire musical collection has been scattered across the land. He asks Shovel Knight for help in retrieving his music sheets, and will pay 500 gold for each one retrieved.

* CreatorCameo: He's quite obviously Jake Kaufman in a suit of armor.
* DeadpanSnarker: He comes off as very sarcastic sometimes.
* HappyDance: He dances with joy whenever you've got a new music sheet for him.
* NoodleIncident: Asking for info in regards to the songs he wrote reveals they were commissioned by various characters, including the Order of No Quarter. He also reveals some misadventures in the process, such as being given an amulet as payment for composing a song for the Enchantress; he recommends ''not'' taking an amulet as payment when asked about the song from the Enchantress's second phase.
%%* WanderingMinstrel: He's actually one of these.

[[folder:Gastronomer]]
[[quoteleft:250:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/18-gastronomer_1560.jpg]]
A master chef who will cook nourishing meals for Shovel Knight in exchange for Meal Tickets, improving his maximum health.

* SupremeChef: His meals are so hearty and healthy that they increase Shovel Knight's maximum health value, permanently.
* RhymesOnADime: Everything he says is in rhyme.
--> "I'll dazzle your palate in no time or less! So ''bon apetit'', and don't mind the mess!

[[folder:Magicist]]
[[quoteleft:250:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/19-magicist_1512.jpg]]
A mage who sells magic upgrades to Shovel Knight, improving his maximum mana. Reprises this role in ''Plague of Shadows'', which also shows her to be a frequent research collaborator of Plague Knight.

* AbsentMindedProfessor: She is an expert in magical relics, but her speech patterns imply that she is not fully "there" when conversing with Shovel Knight.
* AllLoveIsUnrequited: She's insists she's attracted to Plague Knight, but he's either too oblivious or just doesn't care since he only has eyes for Mona. [[spoiler: at the end of the story, she hooks up with Percy.]]
** Funny enough when talking to her, she will often say Plague Knight would look more charming if he added something to his style, ex: Put a feather on his hood, other times she will flat out state what she likes in a man, ex: Tall, long hair, it gets to the point where Plague Knight couldn’t physically fit that standard; [[spoiler:at the end, the Magicist realizes she was describing a man like Percy, not Plague Knight.]]
* AscendedExtra: She get's a larger role in ''Plague of Shadows'', being privy to Plague Knight's machinations and interacting more with the story.

[[folder:Chester]]
[[quoteleft:250:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/20-chester_9654.jpg]]
An intrepid salesman/explorer. He sells Shovel Knight magical Relics that he can use to supplement his Shovel Blade while fighting against the Order of No Quarter.

* InexplicableTreasureChests: In each Order of No Quarter stage, Chester can be found hanging out inside of blue treasure chests, in which he has found a new Relic that he'll sell to Shovel Knight on the spot[[spoiler:, or an Arcana to trade for the Relic that Plague Knight found.]]
* IntrepidMerchant: He's always one step ahead of you and ready to sell you treasure that he just found. [[spoiler:He didn't actually find any of them himself. Plague Knight found them all and traded them to Chester in exchange for Arcanas, but Shovel Knight doesn't need to know that...]]
* PunnyName: Get it?
* SublimeRhyme: His slogan/sales pitch whenever he pops out of a blue chest.
-->'''Shovel of Hope:''' In the village or out in the field, I have all the deals!\\
'''Plague of Shadows:''' Poured in a beaker or stuffed in a bag, Chester's always got the swag!

[[folder:The Troupple King]]
[[quoteleft:250:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/23_troupple_king.png]]
A forest deity that appears to be a cross between an apple and a trout. If you hold your Troupple chalice aloft to him, he'll grant you Ichor with magical properties.

* BerserkButton: He won't be amused if you try to fish near him. He's also not pleased if you manage to [[NonLethalKO drown in his lake.]]
* {{Expy}}: He appears to be one of Manbo from ''Videogame/TheLegendOfZeldaLinksAwakening''. An aquatic creature who does a lengthy dance sequence before he helps you out. He grants you potions just like Crazy Tracy from the same game.
* HealingPotion: One of his potions can do this; others can grant invincibility and attract items to you.
* LuckBasedMission: In order to receive gifts from him, you need to have a free chalice and get lucky when fishing in the sparkling spots.
* NoHeroDiscount: Inverted. He provides Shovel Knight with ichor for free, but Plague Knight has to pay through the beak, since he's a villain. [[note]]Though, from a gameplay perspective this is actually because you're buying '''armor upgrades''' as Plague Knight, rather than single-use potions, since Plague Knight chased off the Aerial Anvil and probably couldn't get them to service him anyway.[[/note]]
* NoPronunciationGuide: Averted. His acolyte helpfully informs you that it "Rhymes with 'mouthful'". The king himself explains the proper pronunciation of ichor as eye-core.
* {{Planimal}}: He's half-apple, half-trout.

[[folder:The Dancer]]
A woman that hangs around in the pub and enjoys dancing. She'll dance around the pub for you if you speak with her after defeating Specter Knight.

* [[YouGottaHaveBlueHair You Gotta Have Green Hair]]: along with an entirely green ensemble, right down to her eye shadow.
* FelonyMisdemeanor: The reason she wants Shovel Knight to beat up Specter Knight? [[spoiler:The latter refused show any enjoyment of her dance (and it's implied that it took effort on his part).]]
* FunnyAfro: Sports one nearly twice the size of her own head.
* LifeOfTheParty: She'll dance around on tables if you ask her to dance and eventually causes the other patrons to join in the festivities by clapping along to her song.

[[folder:Croaker]]
A frog-man who will regale Shovel Knight with a wide variety of puns.

* PungeonMaster: Every one of his lines is a pun-base joke based on some character in the game. There's even an achievement for listening to every one of his puns.

[[folder:Mona]]
[[quoteleft:250:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/21_mona.jpg]]
A really bored woman who is holed up to the left of the juice bar. You can pay her 100 gold to play a mini-game where you hit flasks at targets. She plays a bigger role in ''Plague of Shadows'', where it's revealed that she's Plague Knight's accomplice [[spoiler:and love interest.]]

* {{Adorkable}}: Plague Knight unexpectedly dropping in on her reveals that she likes to turn on some tunes and dance the day away when she's alone. In her flustered state after being found out, she admits that she does this ''all the time''.
** During the end of ''Specter of Torment'' she and Plague Knight are seen tearing down their lab to set it up below town for ''Plague of Shadows''. A chain they're both tugging on gets loose and pulls Plague Knight up to her eye level, faces barely inches from one another, looking each other in the eyes. Both of their reactions is to shyly turn away and fidget.
* AscendedExtra: She plays a bigger role in ''Plague of Shadows'' and even gets a new portrait.
* AmazingTechnicolorPopulation: Her skin is green.
* ArmorPiercingQuestion: Deliver a series of ''very sharp ones'' directed at Plague Knight as their journey is coming to an end:
-->'''Mona:''' Let me ask you something, Plague Knight. Where do '''''I''''' fit, in your big plans? Are we partners? Are we more?
-->'''Plague Knight:''' W-wait... I... I... I...
-->'''Mona:''' This whole time, I though we were in this together... Was I just a tool to you?
* TheDragon: She becomes this to Plague Knight in ''Plague of Shadows'', where she assists him in his research and develops new equipment for him against payment.
* DeadpanSnarker: She's usually really bored, but if you manage to score high enough, she'll be impressed.
* HiddenDepths: While she claims to be a "really bored woman" in Shovel Knight's story, Plague Knight's story reveals that she's secretly Plague Knight's partner in crime, complete with having a secret lab beneath her room (of which Plague Knight heavily takes advantage of), implying how she acts in ''Shovel of Hope'' is just a ploy to keep others from finding the Potionarium. Also, very fond of dancing when she's alone (or ''thinks'' she is) and is really quite good at it.
* HotWitch: She has some shades of this, with the green skin, dark attire, and knack for conjuration and potioneering.
* MadScientist: While she's more calmer compared to Plague Knight, the fact she does has what appears to be a laughing fit whenever you purchase equipment or do research can't be overlooked.
* MeaningfulName: Knowing her occupation, her name may be a reference to the Monas Hieroglyphica, an alchemical symbol created to represent the planetary metal glyphs.
* MiniGame: She has one where you can hit the targets with your shovel.
* StatuesqueStunner: She's one of the taller [=NPCs=] in the game, and ''Plague of Shadows'' shows that she's also quite shapely. [[spoiler: No wonder Plague Knight has a crush on her.]]
* TinyGuyHugeGirl: When standing up at her full height, she's at least OneHeadTaller than Plague Knight. [[spoiler: They're also the OfficialCouple of ''Plague of Shadows'']]
* TwiceShy: [[spoiler: She's in love with Plague Knight. He's in love with ''her''. Neither of them is particularly good at hiding it, either, but somehow the other is utterly clueless. It takes the forming of the Ultimate Potion and the creation of some horrendous Plague Knight-looking abomination to get them to finally be square with each other on the matter.]]

[[folder: Percy]]
[[quoteleft:250:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/22_percy.png]]
A horse-man who serves as one of Plague Knight's colleagues, he mechanically fills the Bard's payment role in the ''Plague of Shadows'' expansion (actually listening to the music is handled by another NPC). He also fancies himself something of a love guru, but his advice is terrible.

* AscendedExtra: More so than even Mona (who had a minigame attached to her in Shovel Knight's campaign), Percy was actually in Shovel Knight's story as an unnamed NPC fanboying over the catapult on top of the Aerial Anvil. ''Plague of Shadows'' gave him a degree of story prominence, a portrait and a better animated sprite.
* TheDitz: Percy is a bit thick, which is best demonstrated by his inability to recognize sheet music. He is also a terrible shot with the catapult. Plague Knight often makes fun of his intelligence, or rather lack there of, under his breath.
** Though that being said, after [[spoiler: Mona disappears for the rest of the game after meeting with the Black Knight]], Percy takes over the position and does just as good a job. Of course, he does mention that [[spoiler:Mona left very thorough notes, so he's probably just following directions]].
** On that note though, [[spoiler:[[AchievementsInIgnorance he is somehow able to create the Pandemonium Chalice if you do indeed collect all the Cipher Coins despite Mona saying it probably wouldn't work]]]].

[[folder:Oolong]]
A strange creature that resides in the Potionarium. He is essentially a living music instrument, and is able to read and perform the "useless" pieces of paper Percy throws away.