This article may contain spoilers for recently-released DELTARUNE chapters. If you wish to not receive spoilers for Chapter 3, please refrain from reading this article.
The Shadow Mantle is an armor in Deltarune. It is a black cloak that protects its wearer against Dark and Star type attacks. It might be sentient, but this is not confirmed.
The Shadow Mantle is first mentioned in Deltarune when Seam receives two Shadow Crystals in Chapter 2. It is described as resembling an old piece of cloth with a mysterious power that could help the heroes to defeat an opponent who has the third Shadow Crystal. Seam considers giving the Shadow Mantle to the heroes but cannot find it, wondering aloud if anyone has taken it.
Seam remarks: "You have collected 2 Shadow Crystals. Unfortunately, without the Shadow Mantle, you may remain in 2. Fate is approaching... and it is not on your side."
Method to obtain[]
The Shadow Mantle can be obtained within Chapter 3's Sword Route by defeating Eram in the final S-rank minigame. To fight them, the player must first gain access to the S-Rank Room. This can be done by:
Achieving S-Rank, T-Rank, or Z-Rank in each round of TV Time, or
Purchasing a fake S-Rank from the Pippins south of the Green Room for 1,500 points.
Once eligible, the player must complete the secret S-Rank minigame backstage after each round of TV Time. Along the way, the player needs to find the Ice Key in Round 1, then use it in Round 2 to obtain the Shelter Key. After returning to the Green Room for the third time, the S-Rank Room will be unlocked, allowing the player to access the final secret minigame. If the player fails to complete the first two minigames, Ramb will turn to stone, preventing access to the third minigame.
The boss fight against Eram consists of four phases and requires roughly 50 hits to win. Upon victory, the player receives the Shadow Mantle.
After defeating the boss, all consoles in TV World will shut down and become inaccessible, Simply starting the fight disables the security lights in short stealth section required to access the Egg room console. However, the TripTicket needed to access the Egg area can still be found under the B-rank room's gum ball machine. To obtain it, the player must insert 1,225 points into the machine to enter a special area. When they return, the machine will be gone, revealing the TripTicket underneath.
While defeating the Roaring Knight is extremely difficult without the Shadow Mantle, it is still possible. The Shadow Mantle reduces the Knight’s damage output, making the fight more manageable.
Description[]
Shadows flow like water. Provides great protection against Dark and Star attacks.
Flavor Text[]
Hell yeah, what is this?[When equipping it to Susie]
Should I wear this...?[When equipping it to Ralsei]
No... for someone taller.[When attempting to equip it to Noelle]
Trivia[]
This may be the same Mantle worn by King in Chapter 1.
This has further merit as Toby Fox while playing through Deltarune Chapter 1, he, rather randomly, comments that the king has a “cool mantle bro.”
The Shadow Mantle may be related to the unused Sky Mantle armor item, which will reduce the damage the wearer takes from Elec/Holy attacks.
The boss is called "Nightmare" in the files. It is more commonly known as Eram by the fan base.
Every song involved with obtaining the Mantle is capitalized in the Spotify and Deezer releases of the soundtrack (tracks 33 through 38).
Noelle responds that the mantle is for “for someone taller” while refusing to equip it despite being taller than Kris, giving some merit to some theories that the Shadow Mantle should be worn by Susie.
The Shadow Mantle was formerly thought by many to be used for the green soul as it was agreed upon in the community that the Chapter 3 secret boss would utilize the green soul, and the player would literally not be able to defend against the attacks without it, which is why Seam held it to be so important.
