Shield of Cthulhu



The Shield of Cthulhu is an Expert Mode shield accessory obtained from the Treasure Bag dropped by the Eye of Cthulhu. Equipping it allows the player to perform a dash attack by double-tapping either the or  key. Dashing into an enemy deals 30 damage, and grants momentary invincibility.

Tips

 * Players can dash to boost themselves to the maximum sprint speed provided by their sprinting accessories. This also works with mounts, like the Unicorn Mount, if the mount is summoned immediately following the dash.
 * Getting this shield early and using the dash defensively will greatly increase a player's survival during boss battles. It remains a very valuable defensive tool until replaced with the Tabi.
 * However, it should be noted that the Tabi is not a direct replacement for the Shield, since it does not provide any invincibility frames while dashing – one of the Shield's greatest strengths.
 * When dashing below a 1-block-wide hole and using the key (or otherwise, a hole below and pressing the  key), the Shield of Cthulhu allows the player to move through 1-block-wide holes. This seems similar to a hoik effect and can be useful where there are a lot of these gaps, e.g. in the Dungeon.
 * The Shield can be used to effectively defend oneself while fishing, as it is not a weapon that needs to be switched to in the hotbar to use.
 * One should use caution around terrain hazards as one wrong push of the movement key can send the player hurling straight into that hazard.
 * The Shield can be used as a form of reducing damage. Similar to the Slime Mount, dashing and hitting an enemy will grant the player temporary invincibility.
 * Players can deal higher damage if they dash at an enemy and hit it with a weapon at the same time.
 * The Shield of Cthulhu can synergize with the to block attacks, granting the Striking Moment buff.
 * While dashing towards any solid wall, the player can tap the opposite direction at the exact moment their character comes in contact to perform a wall bounce, conserving speed and instantly changing directions. This also works with the Tabi and the Master Ninja Gear.
 * The Shield can allow players to use the and its upgrades relatively safely without a mount, since they will bounce before taking damage.
 * The is a good complement to the shield, as it will allow the player to dash through critters without bumping into them.
 * Dashing into a Caster AI projectile will completely nullify it; this is a useful tactic against the fireballs shot by Goblin Sorcerers, Dark Casters in the Dungeon, and Fire Imps.
 * Unlike most accessories, the Shield of Cthulhu deals melee damage. Therefore it will be affected by melee damage buffs.

Trivia

 * The Shield does not affect players trying to fight each other, even with PvP enabled.
 * If the player is currently moving in one direction, and double taps the opposite direction key while still holding the previous direction key, they will dash in the same direction that they are moving in.
 * If the Shield is equipped in a hidden accessory slot, it will still be visible while dashing; however, it will not take any dyes into account.
 * When walking with the Shield in a visible accessory slot, part of its sprite is cut off during the frame where it is most forward.
 * If a Cobalt Shield or it's upgrades (such as the Ankh Shield) are equipped in a slot below the Shield of Cthulhu, the Shield of Cthulhu will not be seen, even during dash attacks. However, if the Shield of Cthulhu is below the other shield, then the Shield of Cthulhu will be seen instead.