During this year's Game Awards, Yacht Club Games unveiled a new DLC campaign for "Shovel Knight." Titled "Specter of Torment," the DLC will launch in Spring 2017 and is going to focus on the adventures of Specter Knight. No specific release date has yet been stated.
This will be the second free DLC for the game. Unlike the first DLC, however, "Specter of Torment" is being built from the ground-up to feature entirely new stage designs and boss encounters, as reported by Gamespot. It is also a prequel instead of running parallel to the main story.
Added into the game with the DLC are new enemies, new locations, new music and new items. New boss battles will be added as well as new armor pieces designed specifically for Specter Knight. Previous bosses, such as the Knights in the Order of No Quarter, will have brand new tactics and abilities.
Shown in the official trailer are the Wandering Travelers such as Baz, Reize and Phantom Striker. However, these encounters are different from the ones found in the main campaign, likely to take advantage of the new mechanics.
In regards to story, the official website stated the game will focus on Specter Knight as he travels the lands to recruit the Order of No Quarter into the service of The Empress. In comparison, the previous DLC focused on Plague Knight teaming up with Mona as he creates the Ultimate Potion and destroys the Tower of Fate.
Like in the "Plague of Shadows" DLC, travelling and fighting will be handled differently due to how Specter Knight is controlled. While Shovel Knight can use his shovel to bounce off platforms and enemies, Specter Knight grapples onto ledges and jumps in a diagonal manner.
The DLC was originally scheduled to release this year but had to be pushed back for further polishing and to include more content. It is not going to be the final DLC as the site also states there will be further updates that allow players to control Shield Knight as well as a DLC centered on King Knight.
"Shovel Knight: Specter of Torment" will be offered for free.