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Expert mode icon
Expert Mode-Only Content: This information applies only to Expert Mode and Expert Mode worlds.
PC versionConsole versionMobile versionOld Chinese versiontModLoader versiontModLoader 1
PC/Console/Mobile/Old Chinese/tModLoader/tModLoader 1.3-Legacy-Only Content: This information applies only to the PC, Console, Mobile, Old Chinese, tModLoader, and tModLoader Legacy versions of Terraria.
Shield of Cthulhu
  • Shield of Cthulhu item sprite
  • Shield of Cthulhu equipped
Stack digit 1
Statistics
Type
Damage30 (Melee)
Knockback9 (Very strong)
Defense2
Critical chance4%
TooltipAllows the player to dash into the enemy
Double tap a direction
Rarityrainbow
Sell30
Shield of Cthulhu (demo)

A player using the dash ability against a Target Dummy.

The Shield of Cthulhu is an Expert mode accessory 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 ◀ Left or ▶ Right key. Dashing into an enemy deals 30 damage, and grants momentary invincibility.

Notes

  • Unlike most shields, the Shield of Cthulhu does not grant knockback immunity.
  • The Master Ninja Gear, Tabi, or Solar Flare armor set will all cancel the Shield of Cthulhu's dash ability.
  • The Shield's dash works when Cursed. This is because the debuff only applies to items from the inventory, not the accessories.
  • The Shield's dash damage increases drastically when using stealth mode provided by the Psycho Knife.
  • Damage done by the Shield is not randomized – barring critical hits, it will always do the same amount of damage to enemies with the same defense rating.
  • Players gain invulnerability from melee attacks when using the shield.
  • The player's invulnerability timer resets after they hit something with the shield, meaning an enemy can hit the player again right after they have dashed into something.
  • Players can deal higher damage if they dash at an enemy and hit it with a weapon at the same time.

Tips

  • Players can use the Shield's dash to boost themselves to the maximum sprint speed provided by their sprinting accessories. This also works with 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.
    • It should be noted that the Tabi is not a direct replacement for the Shield however, 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 ▲ Up key (or otherwise, a hole below and pressing the ▼ Down 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.

Trivia

  • The Shield does not affect players trying to fight each other even with PvP enabled.
  • If the Shield is equipped in a hidden accessory slot, it will still be visible while dashing.
  • 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.
  • When the Shield appears after dashing while the Shield is in a hidden accessory slot, 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.
  • This item is potentially themed off of the Demoman's shields from the multiplayer first-person shooter video game Team Fortress 2, where the player can also dash and deal damage with a shield equipped.

History

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