Editing Shadow Boss

{{EnemyTabs}}
{{RemovedSandboxOnly|date=5th of June 2026}}
{{For|[[Shadow]]|[[Hidden Boss]]}}
{{Zombie
|image1 = ShadowBoss-2.png
|mode_appearance = [[Sandbox Mode|Sandbox]] via:<br/>[[Golden Mode|{{Color|GoldenMode}}]]<br/>[[Legacy Fallen Mode|{{Color|LegacyFallenMode}}]]<br/>{{InfoboxContainer|Challenges|*[[Juggernaut (Challenge)|Juggernaut]]
*[[Jailed Towers (Challenge)|Jailed Towers]]
*[[Legion (Challenge)|Legion]]
*[[Oops! All slimes!]]
*[[Vanguard (Challenge)|Vanguard]]}}
----
Originally:<br>[[Fallen Mode|{{Color|LegacyFallenMode|Fallen}}]]<br>[[Polluted Wasteland II|{{Color|NuclearMode}}]]<br/>[[Badlands II|{{Color|WesternMode}}]]<br/>[[Pizza Party|{{Color|PizzeriaMode}}]]
|first_wave_appearance = 24 (Golden, Legacy Fallen & Challenges)
----
Originally:<br>24 (Fallen, Nuclear, Western & Pizzeria)<br>23 (Hardcore)
|base_hp = [[File:HealthIcon.png|20px|Health]]750<br/>{{InfoboxContainer|Challenges|*[[File:HealthIcon.png|20px|Health]]1,500 ([[Juggernaut (Challenge)|Juggernaut]])}}
|speed = [[File:SpeedIcon.png|20px|Speed]]Fast (6)
|cash = {{Money|5}} on death
|spawned_by = *[[Mystery Boss]] (Golden, Legacy Fallen, Hardcore & Nuclear)
*[[Uber Mystery]] (Formerly)
|hidden = {{Attr|Hidden|Yes}}
|fly = No
|ghost = No
|lead = No
|immunity = None
}}
{{QuoteContainer|<tabber>
|-|Current =
{{QuoteBox|Prepare for another boss!<br/>(Hint: even more camo defense.)|Beginning of Wave 24 ([[Golden Mode|Golden]])}}
{{QuoteBox|A fast boss that's ALSO hidden?<br/>You GOTTA be kidding me!<br/>Please tell me you've got units to detect it by now..|[[Commander (Narrator)|Commander]] dialogue on Wave 24 ([[Legacy Fallen Mode|Legacy Fallen]])<br/>[[Commander (Narrator)|Commander]] dialogue on Wave 23 ([[Hardcore Mode|Hardcore]])}}
|-|Translated =
{{QuoteBox|Is this a beginner?<br/>I was lying!<br/>If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact us.|[[Commander (Narrator)|Commander]] dialogue on Wave 24 ([[Translated#Dialogue|Translated Fallen]])<br/>[[Commander (Narrator)|Commander]] dialogue on Wave 23 ([[Translated#Dialogue|Translated Hardcore]])}}
|-|April Fools 2022 =
{{QuoteBox|A fast boss that's AWSO hidden?<br/>You GOTTA be kidding me! .⁰(☒д☒ₒ )⁰.<br/>Pwease teww me you've got units to detect it by now.. <nowiki>|</nowiki>   ´ω`<nowiki>|</nowiki>Φ|[[Commander (Narrator)|Commander]] dialogue on Wave 24 ([[April Fools 2022#Narration|April Fools 2022 Fallen]])<br/>[[Commander (Narrator)|Commander]] dialogue on Wave 23 ([[April Fools 2022#Narration|April Fools 2022 Hardcore]])}}
|-|Version 1 =
{{QuoteBox|Prepare for another boss!<br/>(Hint: even more camo defense.)|Beginning of Wave 24 (Pre-Overhaul, [[Golden Mode|Golden]] & [[Fallen Mode|Fallen]])}}
</tabber>}}
__TOC__
==Description==
The '''Shadow Boss''' is a large and fast [[Enemies|enemy]] that cannot be attacked by towers without hidden detection. Without major hidden detection defenses, this boss can easily sneak past defenses with little punishment. While it has less health than the [[Mega Slow]] and [[Giant Boss]], it is quite fast, making it a large threat.

The '''Shadow Boss''' formerly appeared in [[Hardcore Mode|Hardcore]] mode and [[Fallen Mode|Fallen]] mode. It also appears in two [[Sandbox Mode|Sandbox]] exclusive modes, [[Legacy Fallen Mode|Legacy Fallen]] mode and [[Golden Mode|Golden]] mode.

Upon its death, the [[Mystery Boss]] may spawn a '''Shadow Boss''' in [[Hardcore Mode|Hardcore]] mode, [[Legacy Fallen Mode|Legacy Fallen]] mode and [[Golden Mode|Golden]] mode. It could also be spawned by the [[Nuclear Monster]].

==Appearance==
{{Tabber
|Current
|The current version of the '''Shadow Boss''' has a translucent black body with a white emissive slash across its face with two lines leaking from the right side of it. It wears a black cape, has white bandages on its arms and has two pairs of translucent horns on its head, with the second pair being much smaller than the first. It also emits purple smoke from its torso.

It will fade completely, then fade back into view at regular intervals. It plays a yelping sound on death.
|Version 3
|The third version of the '''Shadow Boss''' is similar to the current version, except it had no horns on its head.
|Version 2
|The second version of the '''Shadow Boss''' is similar to the current version, except it had no face.
|Version 1
|The first version of the '''Shadow Boss''' was similar to the [[Ninja]] enemy as it had a dark navy skin color, black fabric legs and a dark navy fabric torso. It had a black fabric headband and cape and two pairs of black horns, one of which was much smaller than the other. It wore navy gloves and had multiple grey bandages on each arm. It had a drooling zombie face with glowing white eyes.
}}

==Strategy==
*At least one tower with high DPS and hidden detection is needed when the '''Shadow Boss''' debuts.
**A Level 3 [[Accelerator]] or a few Level 2 or 3 [[Golden Minigunner]]s can effectively deal with at least most of the '''Shadow Boss's''' health.
***However, its charge-up time, cooldown and the fast speed of the '''Shadow Boss''' mean that placing the [[Accelerator]] where it has less coverage of the map is very risky.
**An abundance of less powerful towers, like the [[Militant]], [[Warden]], [[Golden Scout]], [[Golden Soldier]], or [[Minigunner]]s can also dispatch the '''Shadow Boss'''.
**It is advised not to skip Waves 22 for [[Hardcore Mode|Hardcore]] mode as the enemies that spawn can take damage for the '''Shadow Boss''' that debut on the following wave.
*You can use the [[Warden]], [[Frost Blaster]], and [[Freezer]] to slow the '''Shadow Boss''' down, as it has a fast speed.
**Be aware that due to its large size, it is slowed down for a shorter duration of time by freezing towers and the [[Warden]], compared to average-sized [[enemies]].
**The [[Toxic Gunner]] cannot detect the '''Shadow Boss''' because it does not have hidden detection at any level.
***While the [[Sledger]], [[Cryomancer]] and [[Electroshocker]] do not have hidden detection, they can indirectly freeze or stun the '''Shadow Boss''' if there is a non-hidden enemy near it.
*On Wave 25 in [[Hardcore Mode]], three '''Shadow Bosses''' will spawn, which can be dangerous if you do not have a sufficient defense.
**High DPS towers, such as the [[Ace Pilot]], [[Accelerator]] or [[Golden Minigunner]] are the best ways to counter these, although the [[Accelerator]] is preferred due to the horde of [[Lead Boss]]es spawning alongside them.
**[[Ranger]]s that are buffed by a Level 4+ [[Ace Pilot]] can also be effective against them due to their high damage, though this may be more difficult to afford compared to other options.
**Towers can freeze or stun them like the [[Warden]] and [[Freezer]] can be effective as they may rush past your defenses.
**The Level 4+ [[Military Base]]'s ''Airstrike'' ability can severely damage the three of them if you time the ability right.
*The [[Mortar]] cannot target '''Shadow Bosses''', but it can hit them through splash damage, if another detectable enemy is near the '''Shadow Boss'''.
**The [[Rocketeer]] can be effective against the '''Shadow Boss''' because of its hidden detection and high DPS.
*The [[Commander]] is recommended against the '''Shadow Boss''' as it boosts the firerate of towers and can deal extra damage to the '''Shadow Boss''' itself.
*A Level 4+ [[Ace Pilot]] can give hidden detection to towers that do not have it, allowing them to deal damage to the '''Shadow Boss'''.
**The tower must be in range of the [[Ace Pilot]]'s runway for them to receive hidden detection.
*Slow firing towers such as the [[Hunter]] are less effective against the '''Shadow Boss''' due to its speed.

==Gallery==
{{Gallery|
{{GalleryHeader|Previous Variants}}
<gallery>
ShadowBoss2.png|Third version (8 May 2021 – 23 March 2022)
NewShadowBoss.png|Second version (29 October 2020 – 8 May 2021)
Shadow Boss.png|First version (13 October 2019 – 29 October 2020)
</gallery>

{{GalleryHeader|Corpse Variants}}
<gallery>
CorpseShadowBoss.png|Second [[Corpse (Enemy)|Corpse]] variant, current version (12 March 2025 – Present)
</gallery>

{{GalleryHeader|Trailers}}
<gallery>
Tower Defense Simulator Frost Invasion Trailer|'''Shadow Boss''' in the game trailer.
Tower Defense Simulator- ☢️ NUCLEAR Update!☢️|'''Shadow Boss''' in the game trailer.
</gallery>

{{GalleryHeader|Miscellaneous}}
<gallery>
IndexShadowBoss.png|'''Shadow Boss''' on its [[Index]] icon.
</gallery>
}}

==Trivia==
*The cape used by the '''Shadow Boss''' is a retextured version of the {{RLinkC|215748322|Guardian of the Night Cape}} accessory from the Roblox catalog.
*The headband used by the first version of the '''Shadow Boss''' is the {{RLinkC|11297708|Black Ninja Headband of the Silent Sun}} accessory from the Roblox catalog.

==Update History==
{{scroll|text =
*'''13 October 2019''' - [[Release v1.0|Release v1.0.0]]
**'''Shadow Boss''' added.
*'''29 November 2019''' - [[Release v1.4|Release v1.4.0]]
**Speed increased from Above Average to Fast (6).
*'''29 October 2020''' - [[Overhaul v1.0|Overhaul v1.0.0]]
**Health decreased from 1,000 to 750.
**Appearance changed.
**Death sound changed.
**No longer appears in Golden mode as it has been removed.
*'''8 May 2021''' - [[Overhaul v1.3|Overhaul v1.3.0]]
**Appearance changed.
**{{Bug}} The horns on the '''Shadow Boss''' fall off when spawning.
*'''23 March 2022''' - [[v1.1.0]]f
**{{Bugfix}} The horns on the '''Shadow Boss''' no longer fall off when spawning.
*'''29 July 2022''' - [[v1.3.0]]
**Now appears in [[Polluted Wasteland II]].
*'''30 September 2022''' - [[v1.4.0]]
**Now appears in [[Badlands II]].
*'''31 October 2022''' - [[v1.4.2]]
**Now appears in [[Pizza Party]].
*'''2 August 2024''' - [[v1.27.0]]
**No longer naturally appears in [[Fallen Mode|Fallen]] mode, as it has been replaced by the [[Possessed Armor]].
*'''22 January 2025''' - [[v1.50.0]]
**No longer appears in [[Pizza Party]].
*'''5 Febuary 2025''' - [[v1.52.0]]
**No longer appears in [[Badlands II]].
*'''12 February 2025''' - [[v1.53.0]]
**'''Shadow Boss''' now appears in [[Golden Mode|Golden]] mode and [[Legacy Fallen Mode|Legacy Fallen]] mode, if activated through [[Sandbox Mode|Sandbox]] mode.
*'''19 February 2025''' - [[v1.54.0]]
**No longer appears in [[Polluted Wasteland II]].
**{{Bug}} Appears twice in the [[Index]], one of them not loading in any model.
*'''30 April 2025''' - [[v1.63.0]]
**{{Bug}} '''Shadow Boss''' no longer uses the death sound effect.
*'''24 September 2025''' - [[v1.75.0]]
**No longer appears in public rotation of [[Challenge Maps]], as they exclusively appear within [[Sandbox Mode|Sandbox]] mode.
*'''5 June 2026''' - [[v2.0.0]]
**'''Shadow Boss''' removed from the main game, as it has been replaced by [[Elite Phantom]]. Now appears exclusively in [[Sandbox Mode|Sandbox]] mode.
**{{Bug}} '''Shadow Boss's''' model no longer appears in the [[Index]].
}}


{{LegacyFallen|[[Giant Boss]]|Wave 22|Shadow Boss|Wave 24|[[Glitch]]|Wave 26}}
{{Golden|[[Dark Necromancer]]|Wave 23|Shadow Boss|Wave 24|[[Charge]]|Wave 26}}
{{FallenNuclear|[[Amalgamation (Polluted Wasteland)|Amalgamation]]|Wave 22|Shadow Boss|Wave 24|[[Glitch]]|Wave 26}}



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