Just to show that it's not all strange internet cartoons I have Heroclix ideas for, here's a new set concept!

For those not in the know, Shovel Knight, a side-scrolling platform game developed and published by Yacht Club Games, combines old-style NES/SNES era graphics with a glorious chiptune soundtrack and pretty much perfect platform controls to make probably the best video game experience of the last who knows how long. If you enjoy video games and you haven't experienced Shovel Knight, you really should.

But anyway, on to the Clix!



#SK001 Shovel Knight
Team: No Affiliation
Range: 0
Points: 75
Keywords: Warrior, Armor, Code of Shovelry, Wandering Travelers

8 11 17 2

8 10 17 2

8 10 17 2

7 9 16 2

7 9 16 2

6 9 16 2

6 8 16 2

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

Equip a Relic: At the beginning of your turn, choose one:
Flare Wand - Shovel Knight can use Penetrating/Psychic Blast Range 5 .
Chaos Orb - Shovel Knight can make a ranged attack Range 2 . If it hits, he/she make another ranged attack Range 2 as if he/she occupied the square his hit target occupied.
Phase Locket - Shovel Knight can use Super Senses, but succeeds on 3-6.
Ichor of Renewal: Shovel Knight can use Regeneration.
You cannot choose the same Relic on consecutive turns.
Shovel Blade: Shovel Knight can use Blades/Claws/Fangs. Shovel Knight ignores and destroys Hindering Terrain Markers and Objects when he/she moves through them.
Shovel Drop: Shovel Knight can use Leap/Climb. If he/she moves four squares or less using Leap/Climb, he/she may immediately make a close combat attack. If the attack hits, Shovel Knight can Leap/Climb two more squares and make another close combat attack.

Sidestep: For Shovelry!
Toughness: Greatest of Heroes
Combat Reflexes: Strike the Earth!
Exploit Weakness: Charge Strike

Shovel Knight is, naturally, the central hero of the game. I mean, it's named after him, so... yeah. Who else would it be (I see you glaring at me over there, Link!)?

Shovel Knight has a lot going for him. He has Indomitable to keep him going, Sidestep to keep him on the move, and a fair bout of Toughness and Combat Reflexes to keep him around.

Keeping him from being your standard character, Shovel Knight has the Shovel Blade, which allows him to use BCF, but also allows him to dig up Hindering Terrain Markers and Objects in search of treasure.

His most powerful technique is the Shovel Drop, in which he leaps high into the air and then drops down on his enemy shovel-first. He then bounces off of that enemy and on to the next. He can use this ability to devastating effect in the game, and he can now do it on the tabletop as well.

Late dial, he trades the Shovel Drop for good old-fashioned Exploit Weakness, charging his Shovel Blade to penetrate through his enemies' armor.

But that's not all! Thanks to Chester, he also has relics at his disposal. His Relic Equip trait allows you to add some ranged options to Shovel Knight's combat style, a highly effective form of Super Senses, and Regeneration to heal him back up.

You'll notice I gave Shovel Knight both male and female third person pronouns on his card, and that's because I think it'd be neat if each main character came in two sculpt flavors a la the Court of Owls Initiate from Joker's Wild to represent Body Swap Mode, in which you can choose whether Shovel Knight and the main characters are male or female at your leisure.

#SK002 Black Knight
Team: No Affiliation
Range: 5
Points: 75
Keywords: Warrior, Armor, Code of Shovelry

8 10 17 2

8 10 17 2

8 10 17 2

7 10 16 2

7 9 16 2

6 9 16 2

6 8 16 2

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

The Rival: If there is an opposing Shovel Knight on the map, Both Black Knight and Shovel Knight cannot attack any characters other than each other.
I Kept My Promise, Shield Knight.: When a friendly Shovel Knight takes damage, he may be placed adjacent to Black Knight, who may use the Carry ability, but only to Carry Shovel Knight.
Black Knight's Shovel Drop: Black Knight can use Leap/Climb and Blades/Claws/Fangs. When he uses Leap/Climb, he may use Quake as a free action when actions clear.
Annoying Laugh: Black Knight can use Perplex, but only to decrease combat values.

Any good video game protagonist worth his salt has a dark doppelganger rival. Mario has Wario. Mega Man has Bass. Sonic the Hedgehog has Shadow. Heck, even Pit from Kid Icarus has Dark Pit (real creative on the name there - but at least Dark Pit has some of the best theme music in all of video games).

Shovel Knight has the Black Knight. He's the first boss you face in the game, and the most persistent. You'll face him twice more. Black Knight has similar techniques to Shovel Knight - he's got the shovel and the Shovel Drop technique, though his is less about bouncing on enemies and more about slamming hard into the ground. He's got the armor. He's got the knighthood.

But he also does things a little differently. He frequently lets loose with a shrill, annoying little laugh in combat, which I chose to reflect on his dial as a downward-only Perplex. And he shoots purple blasts of energy.

As Shovel Knight's rival, he demands single combat with the Cerulean Coward until one is down. But as was shown at the end of the game, he can also come to Shovel Knight's aid when the blue guy needs it most. Black Knight can get a critically wounded Shovel Knight out of harm's way, providing a decent escape and chance to heal up for our hero.

Fun stuff! Shovel Knight is among my favorite games, and you've done crazy justice to the characters so far in terms of lore and mechanics! Looking forward to seeing what's next!

...now I need to beat Spectre of Torment.

Yes you do.

I bought Shovel Knight on my 3DS in late 2015 on a whim. I wanted a new game to play, the physical copy was cheap compared to other 3DS games, and I'd heard good things about it. Then I fell right in love with the game. Bought the Amiibo. Downloaded the soundtrack. Eagerly awaited the Specter update. Bought the GunVolt Striker pack almost solely because I had the Shovel Knight amiibo.

Now I'm trying out Body Swap mode, all girls because why the heck not, and eagerly awaiting King Knight's game.

Thanks for checking the thread out! Why it's so fun designing Clix stats, I can't say, but I love it and I am glad to meet with approval.

You got the fundamentals down for 'em both. Loving the relic choice and how you utilize them. Even though I almost feel his Ichor would be once per game, given how you don't heal to full health I suppose it's passable. Only thing I would personally change is Exploit being Close Combat E instead.

Black Knight's got his fair share of representation, too. I actually like that laugh power.

Yep. Shovel Knight is great. It was after seeing a clip of the final Black Knight battle I was reminded of Bass' boss fight in Mega Man 8, and that cemented the deal. Had to get it. Glad I did.

Specter of Torment just was too awesome. It upped the anti on an already great soundtrack. Listen to those tunes all the time.

#SK003 King Knight
Team: No Affiliation
Range: 0
Points: 55
Keywords: Armor, Order of No Quarter

7 10 17 3

7 9 16 2

7 9 16 2

6 9 16 2

6 9 15 1

6 8 15 1

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

The Decadent Dandy: Once per game, King Knight can use Pulse Wave as if he had a range of 6.

Charge: "As The Embodiment of Opulence, I Demand Tribute!"
Leap/Climb: Not Actually a King
Quake: Jumping Smash
Willpower: Commanding Presence
Combat Reflexes: Experienced With Repelling Invaders
Close Combat Expert: Master of Single Combat

Of course King Knight doesn't have the Ruler keyword. He's not actually a king, he's a king-themed knight.

Odds are that King Knight is the first of the Order of No Quarter that you face in the game, though I suppose you could choose to go after Specter Knight first if you really wanted to. But King Knight is the safest bet. His repertoire is limited, his attacks are easy to avoid, and there's just something satisfying about beating the crap out of a gold-obsessed pretender to the throne.

As such, King Knight is the weakest of the Order knights in my Heroclix plans. He doesn't have going on for him - average stats, basic powers, little in the way of defenses.

Once per game, though, he can whip out those giant bugles and Pulse Wave, so that's a threat to worry about. But really, as a non-king who was given his throne at Pridemoor Keep but still feels entitled to being treated like royalty, King Knight most likely won't be a big threat on the Heroclix table, just like he isn't in the game.

There's probably a metaphor here about aristocracy, huh?

I did think about making the Ichor "Once Per Game, Heal Shovel Knight to Click 1" for game accuracy, but that felt kinda broken, where simple Regeneration felt a bit more fair.

My intent with Exploit in the rear dial was to pair it up with Blades to simulate the effects of the Charge Handle, as that ability cuts through pretty much everything.

Thanks for the feedback!

#SK004a Specter Knight
Team: No Affiliation
Range: 5
Points: 70
Keywords: Monster, Order of no Quarter

8 10 18 3

8 10 18 2

7 10 17 2

7 9 17 2

7 9 16 2

6 9 16 2

5 9 15 2

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

Strike in the Darkness: Targeting: Ignores Hindering Terrain
Spinning Scythe Throw : After Specter Knight makes a range attack you may place him within X amount of squares from his target. With X being Specter Knight's range minus the number of squares he currently is positioned from his target.
Dash Slash: Specter Knight can use Charge and Blades/Claws/Fangs.
La Danse Macabre: STOP. Immediately place three Brittle Boneclang bystanders within three squares of Specter Knight.

Phasing/Teleport: Formidable as a Phantasm
Stealth: Specter in the Dark
Penetrating/Psychic Blast: Scythe Throw
Super Senses: Tattered Crimson Cloak



Brittle Boneclang
Team: No Affiliation
Range: 0

5 8 13 2

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

The one thing I know is tricky about my Specter Knight design here is that trait. I am honestly not sure I worded it very well to convey what I want it to do. If you've played the game and fought him in the Lich Yard, you may understand what my intent is and may be able to help me word it better.

Essentially, you draw a line from Specter Knight up to five squares. One of the squares must include a viable target. After the attack concludes, place Specter Knight where the line you drew ends. It's supposed to simulate when he throws his scythe in a boomerang arc, vanishes, and then reappears to catch it.

That tricky wording aside, I'd like to think Specter Knight is fairly straightforward. Strong defense and Super Senses make him tough to hit, his trait allows him plenty of repositioning options, and he's deadly at a range up top.

He stops mid-dial to change up his tactics, summoning three skeletal minions and going into Stealth mode, where he can also use Charge and B/C/F.

Totally wasn't thinking about Blades being on those Expoit clicks. Derp.

Great, wimpy King Knight.

That Specter is brilliant! You got him down, man. Lovin' these theme music quotes. I would personally simplify the trait maybe by writing:
After Specter Knight makes a range attack you may place him within X amount of squares from his target. With X being Specter Knight's range minus the number of squares he currently is positioned from his target.

#SK004b Prime Specter Knight
Real Name: Donovan
Team: No Affiliation
Range: 0
Points: 75
Keywords: Monster, Warrior, Order of No Quarter

8 11 18 2

8 10 18 2

8 10 17 2

7 10 17 2

7 9 17 2

7 9 16 2

7 9 16 2

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

Wall Climb: Movement: Ignores Elevated Terrain
Equip a Curio: At the beginning of your turn, choose one:
Throwing Sickle - Specter Knight can use Precision Strike, Range 4
Shadow Mirror - Specter Knight can use Giant Reach: 3
Judgement Rush - Specter Knight can use Charge, ignoring Blocking and Hindering Terrain.
Will Skull - Specter Knight can use Regeneration.
You cannot choose the same Curio on consecutive turns.
Dark Portal: If Specter Knight has not taken his first action of the game, he can use Phasing/Teleport at a speed of 10.
Rail Grind: Specter Knight can use Hypersonic Speed, but only along the rim of Elevated Terrain.
Dash Slash: Before making a Close Attack, Specter Knight can be moved one square from his current position.

Sidestep: Recruit the Order
Blades/Claws/Fangs: Deadly Scythe
Toughness: Former Adventurer
Super Senses: Undead
Energy Shield/Deflection: Nimble
Combat Reflexes: Blade Master

You may have noticed that Specter Knight had a lower-case "a" after his set number. I felt that Specter of Torment deserved such a different dial that he was an excellent candidate for Prime status. The Specter Knight you play as is not quite fully integrated into his spectral status, and as thus is grounded. No Flight. He can't summon the darkness at will, so no Stealth.

But he's also a bit stubborn still, and defiant of the Enchantress, so he's got himself some Indomitable to keep him going.

Shovel Knight has his Relics, but Specter Knight has Curios, which serve the same overall purpose, but with different effects. Judgement Rush is my particular favorite - Charge right through terrain, nailing the nearest opponent.

Thanks to special powers, Specter has his Rail Grind and Dash Slash abilities, making him a nimble attacker no matter where he is on his dial.

#SK005 Treasure Knight
Team: No Affiliation
Range: 6
Points: 80
Keywords: Armor, Pirate, Order of No Quarter

9 10 18 3

9 10 18 3

9 10 17 3

8 10 17 2

8 10 16 2

8 10 16 2

8 9 16 2

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

The Bounty Hunter: Once per game, Treasure Knight can place a Treasure Chest marker within range and line of fire. Opposing characters within four squares of the marker are placed adjacent to the Marker unless they take a Power Action to roll a d6.
6: The character is not affected by the Treasure Chest.
5: The character moves one square closer to the Treasure Chest.
4: Two squares closer.
3: Three squares closer.
2-1: Adjacent.
Any character who ends Treasure Knight's turn adjacent to the Treasure Chest is dealt 2 penetrating damage.
Grapple Slam: When Treasure Knight makes a ranged attack, he may be placed in a square adjacent to the target and then use Quake as a free action.

Running Shot: "Your Very Presence Tarnishes."
Sidestep: "Get Out of Here, You Bottom Feeder!"
Energy Explosion: Burst of Coins
Invulnerability: The Iron Whale
Toughness: Impenetrable Diving Suit

Up next is the Order's financier, Treasure Knight! He's got great movement underwater, so he's right at home in Water Terrain, where he is free to dart around, launching his anchor-cannon at opponents and causing lots of problems for clusters thanks to Energy Explosion.

Later on in his dial, he switches tactics a bit but is still great at busting crowds, launching his anchor at an enemy and zooming over at him, ending that attack with a free Quake.

And causing even more problems for groups is his once-per-game Trait, in which he lets his Treasure Chest do the talking for him, drawing enemies in and blowing them up. They have the option of taking an action right then and there to resist the Chest's suction, though depending on the roll of the die, they may not succeed.

Defensively, he's got fairly high numbers and good reducers all down his dial.

#SK006 Plague Knight
Team: No Affiliation
Range: 5
Points: 65
Keywords: Scientist, Order of No Quarter, Minions of Plague Knight

6 10 17 2

6 10 17 2

6 10 16 2

6 9 16 2

5 9 16 2

5 8 16 2

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

Plague of Shadows: Plague Knight can use Stealth. Modify his attack by +1 when adjacent to a friendly character named Mona.
Change Casing: Before making a ranged attack, choose one effect:
Plague Knight can use Precision Strike.
Plague Knight can use Improved Targeting: Ignores Elevated Terrain.
Plague Knight can use Smoke Cloud.
Flowers of Antimony: Plague Knight can use Combat Reflexes and Poison.

Running Shot: Bombs Away!
Leap Climb: Bomb Burst
Energy Explosion: Let's Get Volatile!
Pulse Wave: Boom!
Ranged Combat Expert: Let's Experiment!

Plague Knight, unlike Specter Knight, is largely the same from boss fight to playable character. He jumps around, he hides in shadows, he throws bombs. I didn't feel like he needed two versions, so I just did one that combines the boss fight with the playable character.

First up, we have his trait, which combines his tendency to vanish into darkness during his boss fight with his driving love for his assistant Mona, which, as it turns out, informs the entire plot of his campaign.

He can change up the casings of his bombs, giving him different effects. You want a straight-forward hard lob? Precision Strike is for you. You want a high arc that ignores Elevated? You got it. You want to lay down some cover so you can take advantage of your traited Stealth no matter where you are? Smoke Cloud.

Plague Knight is definitely not an opponent you want to base, either. His Sharpshooter keeps him throwing bombs even in close combat (unless the rules have changed on that), and his special Defense power grants him both Poison and Combat Reflexes. And as a nice little cherry on top, he's got some top-loaded Ranged Combat Expert to make sure he can deal some nasty damage with his bombs.

Whoa. Totally missed that "a" for Specter. Definitely deserves that prime. Likin' the dial. You even got rail grinding on there. Nice. Though considering how often I used taht dark claw a penetrating close combat expert with giant reach might have been one of my choices.

Treasure Knight's done well.

I was actually hoping for 2 Plagues. Fundamentally, they do the same thing, yes, but considering how he actually faces his counterpart I imagine an LE that's a darkened version of the sculpt would be fitting. Boss Plague also zips around and vanishes alot so Super Senses and maybe Phasing would work for that. Playable Plague has the Arcana to differentiate him. I respect your decision, but two versions would easily work.

I do like the traits for Plague.

Would get this set on behalf of my son.

#SK007 Mole Knight
Team: No Affiliation
Range: 0
Points: 80
Keywords: Armor, Order of No Quarter

9 11 17 3

9 10 17 3

9 10 16 2

8 10 16 2

8 9 16 2

8 9 15 2

8 9 15 2

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

Tears Through the Earth: Movement: Ignores and Destroys Blocking Terrain
An Underlying Problem: Mole Knight can use Hypersonic Speed, but only if at least one of the squares he moves through contains Blocking Terrain
Master Digger: Mole Knight can use Toughness and Barrier, but can only place up to two Barrier tokens, and they must be adjacent to him. He may then as a free action use Force Blast on one of the Barrier tokens as if it were a character. If the Barrier token would enter an opposing character's square, deal that character 2 damage.

Poison: Lava Plume
Toughness: "You're Out of Your Depth, Spelunker!"
Combat Reflexes: "My Technique is Flawless!"

Mole Knight I think would be a fun piece to play. I knew right off the bat he needed Hypersonic Speed, but how to do it? It shouldn't be standard HSS, because that's not the way he operates. He's only super fast when launching himself out of the walls, so that's how it had to be. The best way to replicate it, I felt, was to make his HSS situational, where he had to at some point in his HSS movement, go through a wall or some other sort of Blocking Terrain. That felt accurate to his boss fight, and could prove to be very tactically useful, opening up movement options for his team.

The other special aspect I wanted to bring in was his ability to summon blocks and launch them at you. I opted to generate that by a special form of Barrier that can be pushed a la Force Blast. If that block hits you, you take some damage, so that's a good chance for Mole Knight to deal some pain without an attack roll. The power appears sporadically though, so that mitigates its meta potential.

On the standard side of things, Mole Knight has plenty of Toughness to rely on, a bit of Poison at the end of the dial, and some Combat Reflexes there as well to minimize the chances of being hit.

On the right map, Mole Knight is a deadly hit and run artist who will cause no end of grief.