The Enlightened Crown is a powerful and intriguing item in Don't Starve Together (DST), introduced in the Return of Them update. It offers a unique blend of utility, combat enhancement, and aesthetic customization, making it a sought-after item among players. This article delves into the crown's features, its uses, and strategies for maximizing its benefits in the game.

Introduction to the Enlightened Crown

The Enlightened Crown is dropped by the Celestial Champion, a formidable boss in DST. It serves multiple purposes, including providing light, enhancing combat capabilities, and offering a means to customize its appearance through different mushroom spores.

The Enlightened Crown displayed on a character in Don't Starve Together
The Enlightened Crown provides light and combat enhancements.

Key Features:

  • Light Source: The crown acts as a light source when worn, requiring sanity above 85% to function continuously.
  • Combat Enhancement: It summons a minor Gestalt that attacks enemies for 42.5 damage per hit, costing one sanity point per attack.
  • Customization: The crown has five slots for mushroom spores, which change its light color and are immune to spoilage.

Obtaining and Crafting Enlightened Shards

Enlightened Shards are obtained by defeating the Celestial Champion or deconstructing the Enlightened Crown using a Deconstruction Staff. These shards can be used in Mushroom Lights to create permanent, customizable light sources.

The Celestial Champion boss in Don't Starve Together
Defeating the Celestial Champion is necessary to obtain the Enlightened Crown.

Uses of Enlightened Shards:

Use Description
Mushroom Lights Insert shards into Mushroom Lights to create permanent light sources with customizable colors.
Spoilage Prevention Shards prevent spoilage of items placed inside them, useful for storing perishable items.
Lunar Rift Activation Shards can be given to Grainy Transmission to activate the Lunar Rift.

Strategies for Using the Enlightened Crown

Combat and Exploration

  • Sanity Management: Keep sanity above 85% to maintain the crown's light and combat benefits.
  • Gestalt Summoning: Use the crown's Gestalt to deal additional damage in combat, especially against tough enemies.

Different types of mushroom spores used for customizing the Enlightened Crown
The crown summons a Gestalt that aids in combat.

Customization and Aesthetics

  • Color Combinations: Experiment with different mushroom spore combinations to achieve unique light colors.

The Gestalt summoned by the Enlightened Crown attacking an enemy
Mushroom spores can be used to change the light color of the crown.

  • Roleplay and Cosmetics: The crown's appearance can be customized to fit character skins or themes.

Multiplayer Benefits

  • Shared Light: The crown provides light for nearby players, aiding in group exploration and combat.
  • Team Synergy: Combine the crown with other items or abilities to enhance team performance.

Comparison with Other Light Sources

Item Features Advantages
Enlightened Crown Continuous light, combat enhancement, customization High utility, combat benefits
Glowcap Portable light source, no combat benefits Easy to obtain, no sanity requirement
Bulbous Lightbugs Portable, no slots required, long-lasting Convenient for solo play

Conclusion and Additional Resources

The Enlightened Crown is a versatile item that offers both practical and aesthetic benefits in DST. By understanding its features and strategies for use, players can enhance their gameplay experience. For further learning, explore the following resources:

  • Don't Starve Together Wiki: Detailed information on items, characters, and game mechanics.
  • Klei Entertainment Forums: Community discussions and updates on game features.
  • YouTube Guides: Tutorials and strategies for maximizing the Enlightened Crown's potential.

Mushroom Lights created using Enlightened Shards
Mushroom Lights provide permanent, customizable light sources.

Final Thoughts

The Enlightened Crown represents the blend of utility and customization that makes DST engaging. Whether you're a seasoned player or just starting out, this item can significantly enhance your survival and exploration experience. Experiment with different strategies and combinations to unlock its full potential.