What is the best weapon to use against the Vortex Pillar in Terraria?

The Vortex Pillar is one of the four Celestial Pillars in Terraria, and it is associated with the ranged class. Defeating it is crucial for progressing toward the final boss, the Moon Lord. The Vortex Pillar is surrounded by powerful enemies, and its shield must be broken by killing 100 of these enemies before you can damage the pillar itself. To effectively defeat the Vortex Pillar, you need to focus on both crowd control and high single-target damage, as the enemies are numerous and the pillar itself has a lot of health.

First, letÔÇÖs discuss the mechanics of the Vortex Pillar fight. The pillar is protected by a shield that can only be broken by killing 100 Vortex enemies in its vicinity. These enemies include Vortex Soldiers, Vortex Riflemen, and Vortex Hornets, all of which deal significant ranged damage. Once the shield is down, you can attack the pillar directly. The pillar itself does not move or attack, but the enemies will continue to spawn, making it a chaotic fight. Your goal is to balance killing enemies to survive while dealing enough damage to the pillar to destroy it quickly.

For preparation, you should focus on obtaining the best gear available for your chosen class. If you are using ranged weapons, the Vortex Beater or Phantasm are excellent choices. The Vortex Beater is a powerful gun that fires bullets rapidly, while the Phantasm is a bow that shoots multiple arrows with high accuracy. Both weapons are crafted using Vortex Fragments, which are dropped by the Vortex Pillar itself, so you will need to defeat it at least once to obtain these weapons. If you are using melee weapons, the Solar Eruption or Daybreak are strong options. For magic users, the Nebula Blaze or Razorblade Typhoon are effective. Summoners can use the Stardust Dragon or Stardust Cell Staff.

In terms of accessories, prioritize items that increase your damage output and survivability. The Celestial Shell, Celestial Stone, and Avenger Emblem are great for boosting damage. For defense, consider the Ankh Shield and Worm Scarf. Wings or a flying mount like the UFO Mount are essential for mobility. Buffs are also crucial. Use potions like Ironskin, Endurance, Lifeforce, and Regeneration to increase your survivability. For damage, use potions like Archery (for ranged), Magic Power (for magic), and Summoning (for summoners). Food buffs like Exquisitely Stuffed will also help.

When engaging the Vortex Pillar, start by focusing on the enemies. Use weapons with area-of-effect (AoE) capabilities to clear groups quickly. For ranged users, the Phantasm is excellent for this purpose. Melee users can use the Solar Eruption to hit multiple enemies at once. Magic users can rely on the Razorblade Typhoon for its homing projectiles. Summoners should let their minions handle the crowd control while they focus on dodging. Once the shield is down, switch to high single-target damage weapons to destroy the pillar as quickly as possible. The Vortex Beater or Phantasm are ideal for ranged users, while the Solar Eruption or Daybreak work well for melee. Magic users can use the Nebula Blaze, and summoners can continue relying on their minions.

One common mistake is underestimating the enemies. The Vortex PillarÔÇÖs enemies deal significant damage, and their attacks can quickly overwhelm you if you are not careful. Always prioritize dodging and use platforms or terrain to your advantage. Another mistake is not preparing enough buffs. The fight is long and intense, so having a full set of buffs is essential. Additionally, avoid standing still for too long, as the enemiesÔÇÖ attacks are highly accurate and can hit you even if you are moving.

Advanced techniques include using traps and environmental hazards to your advantage. If you have time, set up a small arena with heart statues and campfires for healing. Lava traps can also help kill enemies quickly, but be careful not to get caught in them yourself. Another optimization is to use the UFO Mount for constant mobility, allowing you to dodge attacks more effectively.

In summary, defeating the Vortex Pillar requires a balance of crowd control and high single-target damage. Use the best weapons and accessories for your class, prepare with buffs, and focus on dodging enemy attacks. Avoid common mistakes like underestimating the enemies or neglecting buffs. With proper preparation and strategy, you can defeat the Vortex Pillar and move closer to the final battle with the Moon Lord.