What is the best summoner weapon for early-game Terraria?

In early-game Terraria, the summoner class can be challenging to play due to limited weapon options and low defense. However, with the right strategies and preparation, you can make the most of the available summoner weapons to progress effectively. The best early-game summoner weapon is the Slime Staff, but it is extremely rare. If you cannot obtain it, the Finch Staff is a more reliable option, especially for players who choose the Journey's End seed "For the worthy" or "Everything" where it is guaranteed in Living Wood Chests.

The Slime Staff has a 1 in 10,000 drop chance from most slimes, making it one of the rarest items in the game. However, it is worth farming if you are dedicated to the summoner class. To increase your chances, create a small farm in the Forest biome with a flat area and a water candle to boost spawn rates. Use battle potions to further increase enemy spawns. Stand in a safe spot and let slimes come to you. This method can take time, but the Slime Staff is a powerful early-game summon weapon that deals decent damage and can help you clear enemies quickly.

If farming for the Slime Staff is too time-consuming, the Finch Staff is a great alternative. It is obtained from Living Wood Chests found in Living Trees. To find a Living Tree, explore the surface of your world until you spot a large tree with a hollow trunk. Inside, you may find a Living Wood Chest containing the Finch Staff. This weapon summons a small bird that attacks enemies, making it a reliable option for early-game summoners.

Once you have a summon weapon, focus on increasing your summoner capabilities. Equip the Finch Staff or Slime Staff and use armor that boosts summon damage. The Flinx Fur Coat, crafted from Flinx Fur dropped by Ice Flinx in the Snow biome, is an excellent early-game summoner armor. It increases your minion count by one and provides a small boost to summon damage. Combine this with the Finch Staff or Slime Staff to maximize your damage output.

Accessories are also important for summoners. The Band of Regeneration, crafted from a Life Crystal and a Shackle, provides health regeneration, which is useful for survivability. The Hermes Boots or their upgrades increase movement speed, helping you avoid enemy attacks. The Shield of Cthulhu, obtained from defeating the Eye of Cthulhu, provides a dash ability, which is invaluable for dodging attacks.

When fighting bosses, summoners should focus on mobility and positioning. Build an arena with multiple layers of platforms to allow easy movement. Place campfires and heart lanterns for health regeneration. Use buff potions like the Summoning Potion to increase your minion count and the Ironskin Potion for extra defense. The Well Fed buff, obtained from eating food, also provides a small boost to all stats.

A common mistake early-game summoners make is neglecting defense. Summoners have low defense, so it is important to prioritize survivability. Use accessories like the Band of Regeneration and the Shield of Cthulhu to stay alive. Avoid standing still during combat, as this makes you an easy target for enemies and bosses.

Advanced techniques for summoners include using whips alongside your summons. Whips are a new addition to Terraria and allow summoners to deal direct damage while their minions attack. The Leather Whip, crafted from 12 leather at a workbench, is an early-game whip that can be useful for increasing your damage output. Use the whip to tag enemies, which increases the damage your minions deal to them.

Resource management is crucial for summoners. Gather materials like wood, stone, and gel to craft essential items like platforms, torches, and campfires. Collect herbs to brew potions that enhance your combat effectiveness. Mining for ores like iron or lead and silver or tungsten will allow you to craft better armor and accessories.

In summary, the best early-game summoner weapon is the Slime Staff, but it is rare. The Finch Staff is a more reliable option and can be found in Living Wood Chests. Equip summoner armor like the Flinx Fur Coat and use accessories that boost survivability and mobility. Build an arena for boss fights and use buff potions to enhance your combat effectiveness. Avoid common mistakes like neglecting defense and standing still during combat. Use whips to increase your damage output and manage your resources carefully. With these strategies, you can effectively play as a summoner in early-game Terraria.