What is the best way to build a hellevator in Terraria?

Building a hellevator in Terraria is one of the most efficient ways to travel from the surface to the Underworld, which is located at the very bottom of the world. A hellevator is essentially a vertical shaft that spans the entire height of the map, allowing for quick and easy access to the Underworld. This is particularly useful for gathering resources, fighting bosses, or exploring the biome. Below is a detailed guide on how to build a hellevator, including mechanics, strategies, tips, and considerations.

To start, you will need the right tools and resources. The most important tool is a pickaxe with sufficient mining power to break through the various types of blocks you will encounter. Early in the game, a Gold or Platinum Pickaxe will suffice, but later on, you will want to upgrade to a Molten Pickaxe or better. You will also need a lot of ropes or platforms to help you descend safely, as well as torches or other light sources to illuminate the shaft. Additionally, having a grappling hook or wings can make the process much easier, as they allow you to control your descent and avoid fall damage.

The first step is to choose a location for your hellevator. Ideally, this should be near your base or a central point in your world for easy access. Once you have chosen a spot, start digging straight down. You can use a rope to mark the center of your hellevator, which will help you maintain a straight path. As you dig, place torches or other light sources along the walls to keep the area well-lit. This will help you see where you are going and prevent enemies from spawning in the shaft.

As you dig deeper, you will encounter different layers of the world, including the Underground, Caverns, and eventually the Underworld. Each layer has its own types of blocks and hazards. In the Underground and Cavern layers, you may encounter water, lava, or large pockets of ore. To deal with water, you can either dig around it or use a bucket to remove it. For lava, you will need to either block it off with non-flammable blocks or use a Lava Charm or Obsidian Skin Potion to protect yourself. Large pockets of ore can be mined for resources, but be careful not to stray too far from your vertical path.

One common mistake is not digging the hellevator wide enough. A hellevator should be at least three blocks wide to allow for easy movement and to prevent enemies from blocking your path. If you are using platforms or ropes, make sure they are placed in the center of the shaft so you can easily grab them as you descend. Another mistake is not preparing for fall damage. Even with ropes or platforms, it is easy to fall too quickly and take damage. To avoid this, consider using a Lucky Horseshoe or a Cloud in a Bottle to negate fall damage.

Advanced techniques for building a hellevator include using explosives to speed up the digging process. Bombs or Dynamite can clear large areas quickly, but be careful not to destroy important structures or resources. You can also use a Drill Containment Unit, which is a late-game mount that allows you to dig extremely fast. However, this requires defeating the Moon Lord, so it is not an option early in the game.

Resource management is also important when building a hellevator. Make sure you have enough torches, ropes, and platforms before you start. It is also a good idea to bring along a few healing potions and some food to restore health and mana as needed. If you are playing in Expert or Master Mode, consider bringing along some buff potions to increase your mining speed or defense.

In terms of class and equipment considerations, melee characters may find it easier to build a hellevator due to their higher defense and access to powerful pickaxes. However, ranged and magic characters can also build hellevators effectively, especially if they have access to tools like the Drill Containment Unit. Summoners may find it more challenging, as they rely on minions for combat and may not have the same level of defense or mining power.

Finally, once your hellevator is complete, you can use it to quickly travel to the Underworld for farming resources, fighting bosses, or exploring. You can also add additional features to your hellevator, such as teleporters or minecart tracks, to make it even more efficient. With proper planning and execution, a hellevator can be one of the most useful structures in your Terraria world.