How do I prepare for the Goblin Army event in Terraria?

Preparing for the Goblin Army event in Terraria requires careful planning, as this event can be challenging, especially for newer players. The Goblin Army is an invasion event that occurs randomly after certain conditions are met, such as breaking a Shadow Orb or Crimson Heart, or after the player has at least 200 health and has defeated the Eater of Worlds or Brain of Cthulhu. The event consists of waves of Goblin enemies, including Goblin Peons, Goblin Thieves, Goblin Sorcerers, and Goblin Archers, culminating in the appearance of the Goblin Summoner, who can teleport and cast powerful shadowflame attacks.

To prepare for the Goblin Army, you should first ensure your character is well-equipped. This means having strong weapons, armor, and accessories. For early-game players, weapons like the Minishark, Starfury, or a good bow with Jester's Arrows are effective. Melee players can use weapons like the Blade of Grass or the Flamarang. Magic users should consider weapons like the Water Bolt or the Space Gun with Meteor Armor. Summoners can use the Imp Staff if available. Armor should be upgraded to at least Gold or Platinum tier, or better if you have access to Shadow or Crimson armor. Accessories like the Cloud in a Bottle, Hermes Boots, and the Band of Regeneration are helpful for mobility and survivability.

Next, you should prepare your base for the invasion. The Goblin Army will spawn near your spawn point, so it is crucial to fortify your base. Build walls around your base to block enemy movement, and create platforms or walkways to give yourself room to maneuver. Place campfires and heart lanterns around your base to provide health regeneration. If you have access to traps, such as dart traps or boulder traps, set them up to deal additional damage to the invading goblins. You can also dig a moat around your base to slow down enemies, though this is less effective against flying enemies like the Goblin Sorcerer.

Buff potions are essential for surviving the Goblin Army. Craft or gather potions like Ironskin, Regeneration, Swiftness, and Archery (if using a bow). Food items like Cooked Fish or Pumpkin Pie can also provide a well-fed buff, increasing your health regeneration and overall stats. If you have access to heart statues, wire them up to a timer to spawn hearts during the battle for extra healing.

During the event, focus on taking out the Goblin Sorcerers first, as they can teleport and deal significant damage with their shadowflame attacks. Use ranged weapons or magic to keep your distance from the melee enemies. If you are overwhelmed, retreat to a safe area within your base and use your platforms to kite enemies. Avoid getting cornered, as the Goblin Peons and Thieves can deal heavy damage in close quarters.

Common mistakes to avoid include underestimating the Goblin Army's strength and not preparing your base adequately. Some players make the mistake of fighting the goblins in an open area, which makes it harder to control the battle. Another mistake is not using buff potions, which can make a significant difference in survivability. Additionally, players often forget to set up healing stations like campfires and heart lanterns, which can lead to unnecessary deaths.

Advanced techniques include using lava traps to deal passive damage to the goblins. Place a thin layer of lava at the entrance of your base, but be careful not to let it destroy dropped items. You can also use summoning weapons like the Imp Staff to deal additional damage while focusing on ranged attacks. If you have access to the Goblin Tinkerer NPC, consider reforging your accessories to improve their stats.

Resource requirements for preparing for the Goblin Army include materials for building defenses, such as wood, stone, and torches. You will also need potion ingredients like Daybloom, Mushrooms, and Iron Ore for Ironskin Potions. If you plan to use traps, gather wire, pressure plates, and trap components. For weapons and armor, gather ores like Gold, Platinum, or Meteorite, depending on your progression.

Class and equipment considerations depend on your playstyle. Melee players should focus on high-defense armor and weapons with good knockback. Ranged players should prioritize bows or guns with high damage output and accuracy. Magic users should focus on mana regeneration and powerful spells. Summoners should ensure they have a strong summoning weapon and accessories that boost minion damage.

In summary, preparing for the Goblin Army involves equipping strong weapons and armor, fortifying your base, using buff potions, and setting up healing stations. Avoid common mistakes like fighting in open areas or neglecting buffs. Use advanced techniques like lava traps and summoning weapons to gain an edge. With proper preparation, you can successfully defend against the Goblin Army and reap the rewards, such as the Goblin Tinkerer NPC and valuable loot like the Harpoon or Shadowflame weapons.