Black Knight - Shovel Knight

Black Knight (sometimes known as The Black Knight) is a main character and boss who appears in Shovel Knight and all its DLCs. He is Shovel Knight's mysterious rival that, in story, has well intentions. His fighting style differs from Shovel Knight, despite their same choice of weapon, a black Shovel Blade with a red-edged blade and handle.

Black Knight is clad in bulky, black obsidian armor that appears similar to Shovel Knight's but darker and more sinister-looking, as to reinforce he is the opposite of Shovel Knight. He wears a black barbute-styled helmet with long, pointy red horns protruding from the top. His shoulder pauldrons are outlined in red as well as a red pelvic area.

As outlined in official media and the game, he's quite literally the Yin to Shovel Knight’s Yang, the Black Knight calls nobody master. Possibly a real historical reference to how knights that had black armor indicated they served no lord. Black Knight's skill rivals that of Shovel Knight, or at least that's what he's often tried to prove himself. No matter the times he's been defeated, despite Shovel Knight's Confusion, his spirit has not faltered: implying he has an Indomitable Will kind of attitude within him.

He displays confidence and malevolence during battles with his enemies, even laughing in a maniacally way before and during his fights. Compared to Shovel Knight, he doesn't mind a round of duel and doesn't answer to anyone, even when the powerful Enchantress' was wreaking havoc. However, despite being rivals, he also appears to have some good intentions in his interactions with Shovel Knight. It's implied that, despite his pride and rough edged personality, he's scared of hurting people he respects or loves. Like when he did not take more decisive actions against The Enchantress, a fact that he himself begrudgingly admits and is ashamed of. All in all, Black Knight's arrogant and brash attitude hides within a soul that is both noble and strongly independent.

Like Shovel Knight and many others that have similar height, he's capable of thrusting his shovel many times in an attempt to slash at his enemies without tiring and, although he's lost to Shovel Knight every time he's encountered him, he's risen again and shown that he's capable of retreating as if nothing happened. A common theme across all campaigns appears to be how Black Knight is somehow both one step ahead of the titular protagonists and yet also one step behind.

Due to him being a loner, Black Knight always investigates on his own any perceived evil that could threaten the Valley.