How do I prepare for the Old One's Army event in Terraria?
The Old One's Army is a unique event in Terraria that involves defending the Eternia Crystal from waves of enemies. This event is tied to the Tavernkeep NPC, who provides access to the event and sells special Defender Medals used to purchase powerful sentry weapons and armor. Preparing for the Old One's Army requires careful planning, as the event becomes progressively more difficult depending on your progression in the game. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide to help you prepare effectively.
First, understand the mechanics of the event. The Old One's Army consists of multiple waves of enemies, culminating in a boss fight in the final wave. The event takes place at an Eternia Crystal Stand, which you must protect. If the crystal is destroyed, the event ends in failure. The difficulty of the event scales with your world progression, so itÔÇÖs important to prepare accordingly. The event has three tiers: Tier 1 (pre-Hardmode), Tier 2 (post-Mechanical Bosses), and Tier 3 (post-Golem). Each tier introduces stronger enemies and more challenging waves.
To start, youÔÇÖll need to summon the event. This requires an Eternia Crystal, which can be purchased from the Tavernkeep for 25 Defender Medals. Defender Medals are earned by completing the event or from certain enemies during the event. Once you have the crystal, place it on the Eternia Crystal Stand, which is also sold by the Tavernkeep. The stand must be placed on a flat surface, and youÔÇÖll need to clear a large area around it to build an arena.
Building an effective arena is crucial. The arena should be wide enough to allow movement but not so large that enemies can bypass your defenses. A common strategy is to create a long, flat platform with walls on either side to funnel enemies toward the crystal. Place platforms at different heights to allow for vertical movement and to deploy sentries effectively. You can also use traps, such as dart traps or flame traps, to deal additional damage to enemies. However, avoid using lava or other environmental hazards that might interfere with your sentries or block enemy movement.
Next, focus on your equipment and class setup. The Old One's Army event favors classes that can deal consistent damage from a distance, such as ranged or magic users. However, summoners can also excel due to the eventÔÇÖs reliance on sentries. For Tier 1, consider using weapons like the Minishark or the Demon Bow for ranged, the Water Bolt or Space Gun for magic, and the Imp Staff for summoners. For Tier 2, upgrade to weapons like the Megashark, Daedalus Stormbow, or Crystal Serpent. In Tier 3, endgame weapons like the S.D.M.G., Razorblade Typhoon, or Stardust Dragon Staff are ideal.
Accessories are equally important. Equip items that boost your damage, defense, and mobility. For example, the Lightning Boots or Frostspark Boots enhance movement speed, while the Obsidian Shield or Ankh Shield provide defense and knockback resistance. Damage-boosting accessories like the Ranger Emblem, Sorcerer Emblem, or Summoner Emblem are also valuable. DonÔÇÖt forget to use buff potions, such as Ironskin, Regeneration, and Swiftness, to enhance your combat effectiveness.
During the event, prioritize defending the crystal. Enemies will spawn from both sides of the arena, so position yourself to intercept them before they reach the crystal. Use sentries strategically to cover multiple lanes of attack. The Ballista, Explosive Trap, and Lightning Aura sentries are particularly effective. Keep an eye on the crystalÔÇÖs health and repair it using the Etherian Mana provided by the Tavernkeep if it takes damage.
One common mistake is underestimating the eventÔÇÖs difficulty. Even in Tier 1, the Old One's Army can be challenging if youÔÇÖre not properly prepared. Avoid spreading your defenses too thin or relying solely on melee combat, as this can leave the crystal vulnerable. Another mistake is neglecting to use buff potions or failing to repair the crystal during the event. Always keep an eye on your resources and adjust your strategy as needed.
Advanced techniques include optimizing your sentry placement and using crowd control weapons. For example, the Nimbus Rod or Clinger Staff can create persistent damage zones that weaken enemies over time. Combining these with sentries can significantly reduce the pressure on the crystal. Additionally, consider using the Nurse NPC to heal during the event, though this requires careful positioning to avoid drawing enemies toward her.
In summary, preparing for the Old One's Army involves building a well-designed arena, equipping appropriate gear, and using strategic sentry placement. Focus on ranged or summoner classes for consistent damage, and donÔÇÖt forget to use buff potions and repair the crystal as needed. By following these steps and avoiding common mistakes, youÔÇÖll be well-equipped to defend the Eternia Crystal and emerge victorious in the Old One's Army event.
First, understand the mechanics of the event. The Old One's Army consists of multiple waves of enemies, culminating in a boss fight in the final wave. The event takes place at an Eternia Crystal Stand, which you must protect. If the crystal is destroyed, the event ends in failure. The difficulty of the event scales with your world progression, so itÔÇÖs important to prepare accordingly. The event has three tiers: Tier 1 (pre-Hardmode), Tier 2 (post-Mechanical Bosses), and Tier 3 (post-Golem). Each tier introduces stronger enemies and more challenging waves.
To start, youÔÇÖll need to summon the event. This requires an Eternia Crystal, which can be purchased from the Tavernkeep for 25 Defender Medals. Defender Medals are earned by completing the event or from certain enemies during the event. Once you have the crystal, place it on the Eternia Crystal Stand, which is also sold by the Tavernkeep. The stand must be placed on a flat surface, and youÔÇÖll need to clear a large area around it to build an arena.
Building an effective arena is crucial. The arena should be wide enough to allow movement but not so large that enemies can bypass your defenses. A common strategy is to create a long, flat platform with walls on either side to funnel enemies toward the crystal. Place platforms at different heights to allow for vertical movement and to deploy sentries effectively. You can also use traps, such as dart traps or flame traps, to deal additional damage to enemies. However, avoid using lava or other environmental hazards that might interfere with your sentries or block enemy movement.
Next, focus on your equipment and class setup. The Old One's Army event favors classes that can deal consistent damage from a distance, such as ranged or magic users. However, summoners can also excel due to the eventÔÇÖs reliance on sentries. For Tier 1, consider using weapons like the Minishark or the Demon Bow for ranged, the Water Bolt or Space Gun for magic, and the Imp Staff for summoners. For Tier 2, upgrade to weapons like the Megashark, Daedalus Stormbow, or Crystal Serpent. In Tier 3, endgame weapons like the S.D.M.G., Razorblade Typhoon, or Stardust Dragon Staff are ideal.
Accessories are equally important. Equip items that boost your damage, defense, and mobility. For example, the Lightning Boots or Frostspark Boots enhance movement speed, while the Obsidian Shield or Ankh Shield provide defense and knockback resistance. Damage-boosting accessories like the Ranger Emblem, Sorcerer Emblem, or Summoner Emblem are also valuable. DonÔÇÖt forget to use buff potions, such as Ironskin, Regeneration, and Swiftness, to enhance your combat effectiveness.
During the event, prioritize defending the crystal. Enemies will spawn from both sides of the arena, so position yourself to intercept them before they reach the crystal. Use sentries strategically to cover multiple lanes of attack. The Ballista, Explosive Trap, and Lightning Aura sentries are particularly effective. Keep an eye on the crystalÔÇÖs health and repair it using the Etherian Mana provided by the Tavernkeep if it takes damage.
One common mistake is underestimating the eventÔÇÖs difficulty. Even in Tier 1, the Old One's Army can be challenging if youÔÇÖre not properly prepared. Avoid spreading your defenses too thin or relying solely on melee combat, as this can leave the crystal vulnerable. Another mistake is neglecting to use buff potions or failing to repair the crystal during the event. Always keep an eye on your resources and adjust your strategy as needed.
Advanced techniques include optimizing your sentry placement and using crowd control weapons. For example, the Nimbus Rod or Clinger Staff can create persistent damage zones that weaken enemies over time. Combining these with sentries can significantly reduce the pressure on the crystal. Additionally, consider using the Nurse NPC to heal during the event, though this requires careful positioning to avoid drawing enemies toward her.
In summary, preparing for the Old One's Army involves building a well-designed arena, equipping appropriate gear, and using strategic sentry placement. Focus on ranged or summoner classes for consistent damage, and donÔÇÖt forget to use buff potions and repair the crystal as needed. By following these steps and avoiding common mistakes, youÔÇÖll be well-equipped to defend the Eternia Crystal and emerge victorious in the Old One's Army event.