The Dark Gauntlet is a relic in Castlevania: Lords of Shadow. It is a piece of Aghartian mage-smith technology once bound to the Black Knight Golem that grants its owner great strength, giving them access to an assortment of powerful combat techniques, as well as the ability to move heavy objects.
Background and characteristics
The Dark Gauntlet is an ancient relic forged in the pits of Hell. It grants its wielder tremendous strength, giving them the ability to move heavy obstacles by punching them, along with the ability to conjure the flames of hell from its fist to incinerate enemies. It also grants its user the ability to defend and counter mystical attacks.
Claudia's father added the gauntlet to the Black Knight Golem during the final stages of its design. It is not revealed how the gauntlet came into his possession, but it can be assumed that he was not aware of its origin. The gauntlet forces itself onto Gabriel's left arm after defeating the Black Knight. Its description in the inventory reveals its nature as a demonic relic and cryptically states that it was meant to serve a far darker purpose.
It is not until toward the end of the game that this is elaborated upon, channeling the necrotic energy against the first Necromancer with their own staff to slay them and even taking that power in from shattering the staff to cast out and slay the second Necromancer. Upon defeating the Dracolich, as well as the third Necromancer, a portion of the green souls/energy is absorbed into the gauntlet, allowing it to activate the switch on the platform and open up the final level.
Zobek then reveals that the Dark Gauntlet could be used to control Gabriel. Since the gauntlet has been made with dark magic and Zobek has control over all magic spells (due to being the Lord of the Dead), he would be able to manipulate Gabriel in case he eventually became stronger than him and kill him if needed.
The gauntlet's true origin as the tool of a Lord of Shadow is alluded to when Gabriel first acquires it, as it forcibly bonds itself to him in the same manner as when he obtains the Cyclone Boots and the Seraph Shoulders.
Combat techniques
- Flame Dragontail: An uppercut attack which sends enemies into the air, allowing to link this attack to aerial combos.
- Flame Claws: When Shadow Magic is activated, the player is able to attack by launching several claws made of shadow energy when running with the Cyclone Boots.
- Earthquake Punch: A powerful downward punch creating an expansive shockwave.
- Avalanche Punch: An aerial attack launching energy waves downward, can drag enemies into the air, allowing to link this attack with aerial combos.
- Air Wave Flap: Used in combination with the Seraph Shoulders, lift enemies into the air with a Dark Gauntlet uppercut to then repel them away using the wings of the Seraph Shoulders.
- Landslide Punch: While airborne, use this attack to swoop back down to the ground with a huge Dark Gauntlet punch.
- Tremor Punch: A devastating forward punch. Can be used to move obstacles.
Item Data
| Item Data: Dark Gauntlet | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Image | Name - Game Type - Users Description |
Attributes / Consume | Statistics / Sell | Found | Notes | |||
| A piece of Aghartian mage-smith technology. (...) | Find: The Black Knight |
|||||||
| A powerful forward punch. Charge it up by holding the [Block] and [Direct Attack] buttons until your Dark Gauntlet glows red, then release for extra devastation. This attack can knock back enemies in front of you, or even kill them in one shot. The Tremor Punch can also activate certain switches. | First Obtained: When Dark Gauntlet obtained |
Sequence: [Block] + (hold) [Direct Attack] (requires Dark Gauntlet) | ||||||
| Powerful downwards punch. Charge it up by holding the [Block] and [Area Attack] buttons until your Dark Gauntlet glows red, then release for extra range and power. This attack can knock back enemies surrounding you, or even kill them in one shot. The Earthquake Punch can also activate certain mechanical switches. | First Obtained: When Dark Gauntlet obtained |
Sequence: [Block] + (hold) [Area Attack] (requires Dark Gauntlet) | ||||||
| Dark Gauntlet assisted uppercut. This attack will lift up many nearby enemies, allowing you to continue the combo with additional aerial moves. | First Obtained: When Cyclone Boots obtained |
Sequence: [Block], then (hold) [Jump] (requires Cyclone Boots and Dark Gauntlet) | ||||||
| While you are airborne, use this attack to swoop back down to the ground with a huge Dark Gauntlet punch. Press and hold the [Guard] and the [Direct Attack] buttons, charge the Gauntlet for as long as you can, and then release to set off the attack. | Buy: 2500 SP (after Dark Gauntlet obtained) |
Sequence: (in the air) [Block] + (hold) [Direct Attack] (requires Dark Gauntlet) | ||||||
| While you are airborne, use this attack to throw a wave of Dark Gauntlet power downwards. Nearby smaller enemies will be lifted into the air, allowing you to continue the combo with further attacks. Press and hold the [Block] and the [Area Attack] buttons, charge the Gauntlet for as long as you can, and then release to set off the attack. | Buy: 2500 SP (after Dark Gauntlet obtained) |
Sequence: (in the air) [Block] + (hold) [Area Attack] (requires Dark Gauntlet) | ||||||
| Use the Dark Gauntlet while sprinting to throw several claws of damaging Shadow Magic energy towards your enemy. With your Shadow Magic active, double tap the left stick to begin to sprint, then press the [Direct Attack] button at any time to use the Flame Claws. | Buy: 3500 (after Cyclone Boots obtained) |
Sequence: (Shadow Magic active) [Move] x2 [Direct Attack] (requires Shadow Magic, Dark Gauntlet, Cyclone Boots) | ||||||
| After lifting enemies into the air with a Dark Gauntlet uppercut, you can flap the Seraph Shoulders to repel them away from you with this combo. Good when surrounded or in a tight spot to buy time! | Buy: 3500 SP (after Seraph Shoulders obtained) |
Sequence: [Block] + (hold) [Jump], [Jump] (requires Dark Gauntlet and Seraph Shoulders) | ||||||
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