Is It Possible to Beat Shovel Knight Without Touching Gold? 

Fun fact: When the devs found out about the screen transition trick at 3:00, they decided to implement it as an intentional feature so that it would be 100% consistent.

you know a challenge will be rough when within the first five minutes you have to break reality

I love that this "no gold challenge" can only be beaten by judiciously spending what little gold you're forced to gain.

I want this to be a speedrun category. The movement tech is just too crazy to not include in a speedrun.

I would say that the Silver Play Button joke at the beginning is comedy gold, but I think that might break the rules of the run.

I'd love to see a version of this as plague knight. He's got some weird movement that I'd love to see exploited

This view is genuinely a masterclass in story telling, musical mood setting and an explanation of the human ability to push through adversity. . . And when to lean back on our creations for a little bit of help (tas) your challenge videos are like little movies and its mind boggling how small your channel is. As a writer im a true fan, please keep up the good work and happy pride.

6:09 8:24 Always gotta appreciate the use of some Omori music. :D Love how you use it during the "I have a solution!" parts. 17:47 And for some tense moments too... 32:08 And the Duet for the nostalgic reflection on how far you've gotten?? Beautiful.

The silver plate bit was so genius and seemless. This channel really is super underated. Also the music choice in this video was incredible. The last thing I expected was music from the original escapists

This guy really went from making a high quality kirby TAS explanation to consistenly putting out some of the best challenge videos on the entire platform AND more Kirby tas explanations. Like bruh this guy is amazing

28:34 Dude, there's literally a little sparkle animation that shows up over the gem's exact location every time you collect it. Great challenge and awesome job, it was funny to see you fumble on this very specific little thing though lol

I've been on a bit of a Sample binge lately and I just gotta say how much I appreciate your integrity with these challenges, as well as your consistent hubris throughout them all. This is one of the only challenge channels that never leave me wishing they'd done things differently, or that they hadn't bent the rules in one way or another. It's great. Perfectly encapsulates how I would want to approach these challenges should I ever try them myself.

genuinely got chills at tthat ending "what we did to get here" monolgue, and would love to see the other campaigns done moneyless

Bro admitting to TAS'ing a section to not waste an extra hours of his life on this already hard af challenge is valid af

This was one of the most neatly put together videos I’ve seen in a while. I loved this. I’m personally a sucker for the types of videos that make something that seems boring or monotonous on the surface into an actual story. With its ups, it’s downs, it’s struggles, it’s successes, and a heartfelt love letter at the end to everything we’ve went through to get there. I’d totally love to see the other campaigns done in this same way

I was not expecting the duet as the final song... That caught me off-guard. The game music throughout the video was incredible and very fitting.

OMORI fans currently in shambles

This game, and the devs, deserve every bit of love. I once streamed some speedruns of this game as a little nobody for a month or two. The devs themselves came to visit and chat with me, a nobody on Twitch. Dudes are awesome.

I love challenges like these; ones that seem almost impossible at a first glance but utilize strategies that most people wouldn't even think of to pull it off in an almost cinematic fashion. Also, I gotta say, the music selection for this video was on point. So many soundtracks from so many great titles. We had The Escapist, Hollow Knight, Celeste, even Minecraft at one point. I was especially surprised to hear multiple Omori songs considering I only just played the game like a month ago and hadn't seen anyone use the soundtrack yet. It makes me think about how many times I might have actually heard the soundtrack before playing the game. Anyways, great video, will definitely be checking out more.

I love how hes like, “this trick took me so long to perfect” knowing damn well he TASed that shit

Y'know I usually come into these kind of videos thinking "eh, maybe possible but I wouldn't be surprised if it isn't" but this time I was fully convinced from the start that you'd have to pick up gold somewhere along the line, and that this would become a minimum gold challenge instead, but you absolutely nailed it with a ton of tricks I would have never imagined even existed! Really curious about the other characters, and if you'd be able to floor me once again. also i can't believe you would use tas tools simply unbelieveable smh (on a slightly more serious note about that though, how exactly did you tas it? last I heard tasing pc games is pretty difficult unless you're on linux)

God this game kicks ass. I literally cheered out loud when I saw this in my subscription feed. I'd absolutely love to see you try the other campaigns, especially with their much more evolved movement tech!

You really sound like you’re coming into your own with the commentary! I love it and can’t wait to see more!

This is the first I’ve come across your channel… I just want to say how incredibly well put together this was. The challenge itself felt like it was made up of micro challenges, that pushed your creativity and then execution, but then carried into other parts of the game. Very fun to watch, I’ll be excited to watch your other content.

Phenomenal vid, as always, you've got some of the highest effort and highest quality content on YT right now. Keep up the great work!

There are some seriously cool strats in this one, cool stuff!

The effort put into this video deserves a million views at least. Incredible strats

This channel is quickly becoming one of my favourites, and I find myself watching this video in particular over and over again. It's a perfect showcase of your skill, perseverance, storytelling and amazing sense of humour and it's definitely a comfort video of mine. You deserve all the subscribers and views for the hard work that clearly goes into making such high quality stuff.

I've been subscribed ever since the original Kirby TAS, and you're so good at making really entertaining challenges and coupling that with REALLY entertaining commentary. Keep up the fantastic work!

Glad my knowledge from 2 player mode made me predict a lot of these. For example, the fishing rod can grab players as well. The locket can air stall. With those combined, me and my friend could basically save each other from pits

The editing here was absurd! Amazing job with the background music, the explanations of the tricks, the gameplay itself while being able to pull off said tricks. Truly a great video.

Masterfully done and narrated as always, and from all the OSTs chosen I can tell you have sublime taste in videogames ;)

Wasn't expecting such a sentimental ending there but I'll take it. I love how you explain the routing in these runs btw. With good editing, those tend to be the most entertaining parts for me

This was one of my favorite videos from your channel, probably because I just love shovel knight but also the problem solving was incredible and *spoilers!!!* It's always super satisfying when one of these challenges actually works without flaw, because often there is this one level where it's literally impossible to do but not here, very nice.

finally got around to watching this video, and it was a treat! i love your explanation style so much, honestly. it's why i keep watching even when i've never played these games before-

I love the production you put into the videos. like that montage at the end was great

Me whenever I beat something simple in a game that should’ve taken me a couple minutes but took me hours: “Yeah, you could say I game from time to time” (14:14)

I think you're one of my favourite challenge runners on this site - you have an amazing grasp of what makes a good challenge run! If I were you, I would have spent the leftover money at the end on extra magic, but the fact you chose to only spend money on necessities just makes it even more amazing. Super excited to see what you do next!

Really cool video, looking forward to more of these challenges from you

This video is incredible, not only about completing challenge itself but also about how you explained the way you did it; great job!

incredibly made video as usual sample!! good shit here, especially love the choice of backing tracks, like you hit all my faves: celeste, pheonix wright, DR, mudeth's Isaac OST, 999, Omori, all sorts of ear candy in there, well done

I love the omori music Edit: never mind you used duet and now I’m crying

It's crazy how great this game is, even after so many years. Sick content btw!

i havnt even played shovel knight before and yet you still made me get extremely interested in all of it somehow,you make amazing videos,keep up the good work

The Path of Pain music kicking in at the end of treasure knight’s last room genuinely gave me chills, that song is haunting when used in the right context

This is actually the first "Is It Possible to Beat X Without Y" videos I've seen that I found as interesting and fun as I would've imagined by the title. You've done good, mate!

Sample your content is amazing, your skits are freaking beautifully crafted and your challenges are unique You are awesome and I love what you do!

Okay so, this video just got better and better, and that ending genuinely made me happy :)) amazing channel!

That maneuver with the phaselocket is great, I always use "locket stalling" in the propeller knight lvl when the winds pick up. Just an extra tidbit, you can use the fishing pole midair, you get a little cloud under you and the animation still plays.

Always a great day when Sample uploads!

What an amazing video man, such good commentary and editing, subscribed

18:37 This was my favorite part, when shovel knight said “it’s shovelin time” and shoveled all over

I actually tried to do this run myself a while ago, and i wasn’t able to do it even when using amiibo, so seeing that it’s actually possible without is really cool

As always, great video! I am so glad yo have discovered this channel! Also, the video was so well made I actually forgot that you are a TASer, that last bit killed me

I’ve been watching all your stuff since I found you! Such good content

Here’s a challenge idea for you: Beat the main route of OMORI without using any moves that inflict emotions. Also, nice job with this challenge! You really used your brains here a lot.

Massive respect for the effort put into this! Love the Omori and Danganronpa music too

I was introduced to your channel via the kirby no jumping videos and every video released before and after that has always been really fun to watch when it pops up on my youtube recommended

dude this is now my favorite challenge run on youtube, amazing work!

We need a no gold except robbery from the bosses challenge for the other campaigns, it'd be so cool to see

That final plot twist was hilarious

I legitimately didn't get bored at all watching the whole video. Keep up the great work!

This was incredibly impressive. You must really love this game. Congrats on 100k!

Hey sample I wanted to let you know that I have attempted this a while ago. Although I did stop in the middle after the iron whale broke me, after 7 hours of attempts I did manage to beat the lich yard using only the fishing hook

Sample, I've been watching a while but this one earned you that sub. Great work. Is there any chance you have a list of your backtracks somewhere? I recognized Hollow Knight, but I heard another that I think is 999. And there was one earlier than those that sounded a bit like a DanganRonpa. It is itching my brain a little.

What a marvelously well-done ending. A really great conclusion to a challenge video like this. Excited to see you try another Shovel Knight campaign without collecting gold! They sound like pretty fun ones to attempt.😊

The algorithm blessed me with this video and I literally cannot get enough of your content. Subbed.

Y'know, I love when shovel knight said "its shoveling time" and proceed to shovel all those people.

Using Omori music in the Lich Yard is a special kind of cruel to people who have played Omori lmao

Great vid as always Sample. Really hoping to see the other knights

The music was perfect throughout! This was fun to watch, but now I'd love to watch you just play it straight through (even if it's not a single-segment) with all of these tricks!

He used money to buy the game.... Let thst sink in

Man it's very impressive how you tackled that last room of the iron whale. Great work, TASple!

Your videos is the perfect showcase of «Limitation breaths creativity». Amazing!

Wow, this is your best video yet! Happy I subscribed a few back, can't wait to see how the channel continues to grow!

Your entire channel is hilarious man. You're a good person. It bleeds out of your voice and personality. Keep trucking. You made my night.

I came to your channel for the KSSU TAS run commentary, but I stayed for the challenge runs Holy hell man, the editing is top notch, the jokes are great, the music choice is flawless, the tension is perfect You’re very quickly becoming one of my go-to favorite channels on the site

I have always loved this game, and I'm so happy that you made a video on it. I wish more people knew about this game

The whole video had me intrigued, but the ending montage of solemn music and bitter sweet ends made me subscribe, thank you Sample🤝

Top tier explanation. Absolutely fantastic! You visualized the simple exploit wonderfully

I’ve always thought of trying this challenge myself, but never did cause I thought it wouldn’t be too interesting. Yet again, you’ve managed to surprise me and really turn this into something interesting. Guess you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover. Would love to see all the other character’s campaigns done in this challenge as well!

The way my breath caught when you revealed the fishing rod's ability and that NDRV3 music dropped, oh my god. I just discovered your channel today from the Super Meat Boy video and your editing is SUBLIME. Instant sub.

The amount of ingeniosity required for this type of video always baffles me ! You're incredible

This is one of my favourite challange video ever. I can't believe I wasn't subscribed. Got my sub.

That music at the end made me a little teary eyed. Thank you for putting it here. It was a nice choice. :)

Jeeze man, what a well put together video, with some darn good background music to boot!

I gotta say, this is _the_ best "beat game without x" video I've seen. The humor hits, your skill is entertaining to watch, and the narrative keeps one's attention.

I can't wait to see more of this game goldless! I just bought Shovel Knight on my Wii U (yeah the Wii U, I know, RIP) and have been enjoying it a lot. Shovel Knight was a game I respected far before I played it.

100k subs achieved,king. It sounds so interesting that I subbed :)

Every video this guy makes is an absolute banger. With less than 100k subs his vids have the production quality of someone with millions

That's a 10/10 video, good job man best half an hour of my year

my god i love these videos, please keep it up!!

I just watched 30 minutes without realizing it. This video was awesome! Super entertaining. The way you describe how you use the items is phenomenal. Glad I could subscribe before 100k! (Well technically I subscribed a long time ago but I don’t remember subscribing so… just think of my current subscription as a new one! Totally earned)

Thank you for having really good background music choice. Celeste and Omori always provide chill vibes

I would love to see videos like this for the other campaigns!

This is the best coin-related gameplay I've seen since Ultrakill.

Your choice of music is very interesting and unique and from some of my favorite games! I really didn't expect to be hearing Omori and 999 music

Very well produced. Excellent video, and wow there were a lot of gamer moments to achieve this challenge. WP

man. shovel knight is such a cool game. I managed to beat the main story but I died so often and some stages required tons of retries to clear. watching this makes me want to pick it up again and get good at it. there's so many challenges even in the game itself of using all your tools to beat stages. honestly I'd have to say that my favorite part of shovel knight was when the shovel knight said

Recently defeated boss, barely clinging to life as they try to shove their life savings into Sample’s pockets: “WHY ARE YOU RUNNING”