We currently use the term "bonus bosses" on the wiki to refer to bosses holding Shadow Crystals. The original name of that page used to be "Holders of the Shadow Crystals" before that article got moved to Category:Bonus Boss Enemies. Now, with the recent category reorganization efforts, that category should have its contents moved to an article and replaced with a navigational gallery. Now, the question is, how should we name that article?
Some options we have:
Bonus Bosses. Same as the current name, and technically correct for all members of that category, but there exist additional bosses that are optional but do not hold Shadow Crystals. In addition to that, I don't think "bonus boss" is the most searched-for term.
Secret Bosses. This is different from Bonus Bosses in that it's more searched for, but it also implies things that are even less true. Is the Knight a secret boss? The secret is that you can actually beat it, but the boss itself isn't really a secret. In addition to that, "secret" also implies "bonus", so there would definitely be "secret" bosses that do not drop Shadow Crystals.
Hidden Bosses: Same as Secret Bosses but with different wording and less popular.
Holders of the Shadow Crystals: The original page name, albeit verbose. It is true to what the category represents, and there would be no confusion as to what is considered a holder of a Shadow Crystal. I don't think anyone would specifically search for "holders of the Shadow Crystals", though.
Shadow Crystal Boss: Like the previous name, but less verbose. I suppose the advantage is also that when searching for "Shadow Crystal" users would also find "Shadow Crystal Bosses". It's still rather literal, but I guess that's better than being incorrect.
Shadow Boss: Seemingly a fan popular name, it implies the boss is holding a Shadow Crystal while also saying they are rather hidden. But it's still a fan name, unlike other proposed options.
You can propose new ideas for terms, but I won't be able to add them to the poll, because it'll reset the votes. If there's a particularly popular new suggestion, we can re-poll. I'll leave this one up until the end of week, just like the Weird Route vote. Thank you for voting!
"Bonus", "Hidden", "Secret" are all adjectives that are inaccurate to the concept we're actually categorizing here. Chapter 3's boss was neither hidden nor secret. And while one outcome of the fight was "bonus"/optional, the fight itself wasn't.
That only leaves the shadow crystal drop (and a leitmotif, for 3/4...) as the connective tissue between these bosses. Given the crystal's prominence on the chapter select screen, it's clear to me that it'd be a safe bet to assume this pattern will continue for at least the next two chapters as well.
I'm in favor of "Shadow Crystal Bosses" or "Shadow Bosses", with a preference to the latter for its simplicity and not-completely-uncommon usage.
I prefer the term “Shadow Crystal Boss”. It is the most accurate and concise way to describe bosses that drop Shadow Crystals and provides no room for ambiguity, unlike terms such as “secret boss” or “hidden boss”. The term “Shadow Boss” veers a bit too much towards fanon for my liking, akin to “Snowgrave Route” vs “Weird Route”.
I also heard the term "Super Boss" being thrown around a lot. Are people searching for that?
It would be more accurate than the current name, since "Super Bosses" are harder than required fights and other optional bosses, and will likely continue to do so.
I know this isn't the most important aspect of an article name, and isn't an outright disqualifier, but I fear the name "Shadow Crystal Bosses" will never see usage outside of the wiki. It's just too long and clunky for the community at large to refer to the bosses with when they can instead say "Shadow Bosses" or "Crystal Bosses", which is what I imagine will end up happening either way. An improvement over "Holder of the Shadow Crystals" for sure though!
Shadow Crystal Boss / Crystal Boss is the most literal, but it's also an important thing to specify. Chapter 3 has its crystal boss, but there's a separate secret boss that also technically falls under "Shadow Boss" (Shadow Mantle)
So, Crystal Boss might be the better name in this case. All Crystal Bosses could be considered "Shadow Bosses," but the name "Shadow Boss" is broad enough to include a non-Crystal boss. Could also use "Crystal Holder" if you want to be even more specific, since they all hold Shadow Crystals. That's what I've been calling Knight in the subreddit, to mention them without spoiling who they are.
I think the Shadow Mantle should count. Even though it's not required to fight before getting that Chapter's Shadow Crystal, it's intended to be so. And all of the songs related to it (Dump, SWORD, NORTHERNLIGHT, GLACEIR, BIT ROOTS, ERAM, and BURNING EYES) go at the end of it's Dark World section in the OST, later than where they would logically go. This trait is shared with the Shadow Crystal Holders of the other chapters.
On the other hand, you can say the same about Miss Mizzle being intended to be fought before getting Chapter 4's Shadow Crystal, because while not required, she's part of the intended quest to learn the melody to fight The Hammer of Justice
Objection! If Miss Mizzle has a song associated with her, it would be "Even Higher". That song is in it's proper-ish place in the OST, after "A DARK ZONE" and before "Piano that may not be played that well".
I think Shadow Crystal Boss is the best, most accurate term. It's a little wordy though. Definitly have a redirect for Secret Bosses too, because that's what people will be searching.
