What is the best way to farm for the Influx Waver in Terraria?

Farming for the Influx Waver in Terraria requires defeating the Martian Saucer, a mini-boss that spawns during the Martian Madness event. The Influx Waver is a powerful melee weapon that fires a projectile with high damage and homing capabilities, making it a sought-after item for melee players. To efficiently farm for this weapon, you need to understand the mechanics of the Martian Madness event, prepare your character and world, and execute a strategy to maximize your chances of obtaining the Influx Waver.

First, you must trigger the Martian Madness event. This event occurs when a Martian Probe detects you and escapes. The probe spawns randomly in the outer two-thirds of the world, usually in the Space layer. Once it detects you, it will turn red and attempt to flee. If it escapes, the Martian Madness event begins. To increase the chances of encountering a probe, create a large flat area in the Space layer, preferably with a Water Candle and Battle Potion to boost spawn rates. You can also use a Solar Tablet to force a Solar Eclipse, which increases enemy spawn rates and may help the probe appear faster.

Once the event starts, Martian enemies will spawn in waves. The Martian Saucer, the mini-boss that drops the Influx Waver, appears in later waves. To efficiently farm the Saucer, you need to create a suitable arena. Build a long platform with campfires, heart lanterns, and honey pools for regeneration. Add a few layers of platforms to allow for vertical movement, and consider using traps or lava to deal with weaker enemies. Place a Nurse NPC nearby for quick healing, and ensure you have a bed set as your spawn point in case you die.

For combat, the Influx Waver is a melee weapon, so a melee-focused build is ideal. Equip armor like Beetle Armor or Solar Flare Armor for high defense and melee bonuses. Use accessories such as the Warrior Emblem, Fire Gauntlet, and Celestial Shell to boost melee damage and attack speed. The Ankh Shield is recommended for immunity to debuffs, and wings or a Mount like the UFO Mount will help you maneuver around the Saucer. Buffs like Endurance Potion, Ironskin Potion, and Lifeforce Potion will increase your survivability, while a Flask of Ichor can reduce the Saucer's defense.

The Martian Saucer has two phases. In the first phase, it fires lasers and missiles. Focus on dodging its attacks while dealing damage with a strong melee weapon like the Terra Blade or Daybreak. Once its health drops below 50%, it enters its second phase, where it becomes more aggressive and fires a barrage of projectiles. Use your mobility to avoid these attacks and continue dealing damage. The Saucer has a chance to drop the Influx Waver upon defeat, with a drop rate of 11.11%.

Common mistakes include not preparing adequately for the event, such as lacking proper buffs or a suitable arena. Another mistake is underestimating the Saucer's second phase, which can overwhelm unprepared players. To optimize your farming, consider using a Summon weapon like the Stardust Dragon to deal additional damage while you focus on dodging. You can also use a Magic Mirror or Recall Potion to quickly return to your arena if you die, minimizing downtime.

Resource management is crucial. Stock up on healing potions, buff potions, and ammunition if using ranged weapons. Ensure your arena is well-lit and equipped with regeneration items. If you have access to the Celestial Pillars, consider defeating them first to obtain powerful endgame gear, which will make farming the Saucer easier.

In summary, farming for the Influx Waver involves triggering the Martian Madness event, preparing a suitable arena, and equipping a melee-focused build with strong accessories and buffs. Focus on dodging the Saucer's attacks while dealing consistent damage, and use advanced techniques like summoning minions or optimizing your arena layout to improve your chances. With proper preparation and execution, you can efficiently farm for the Influx Waver and add this powerful weapon to your arsenal.