What is the best way to farm for the Vortex Beater in Terraria?

Farming for the Vortex Beater in Terraria requires defeating the Lunatic Cultist and then the Vortex Pillar, which is part of the Celestial Events. The Vortex Beater is a powerful ranged weapon dropped by the Vortex Pillar, and it is highly sought after for its rapid-fire projectiles and homing capabilities. To efficiently farm for this weapon, you need to prepare thoroughly, understand the mechanics of the Celestial Events, and optimize your strategy for defeating the Vortex Pillar repeatedly.

First, you must defeat the Lunatic Cultist, who spawns after you destroy the four Cultists at the Dungeon entrance. The Lunatic Cultist is a challenging boss, so you should prepare with strong weapons, armor, and accessories. For ranged players, the Phantasm or Tsunami bows are excellent choices, while melee players can use the Solar Eruption or Daybreak. Magic users should consider the Razorblade Typhoon or Nebula Blaze, and summoners can rely on the Stardust Dragon or Xeno Staff. After defeating the Lunatic Cultist, the Celestial Events will begin, and four Celestial Pillars will spawn in different biomes across the world. The Vortex Pillar is the one you need to focus on for the Vortex Beater.

The Vortex Pillar is surrounded by a shield that can only be broken by defeating 100 Vortex enemies. These enemies include Vortex Soldiers, Vortex Riflemen, and Storm Divers, among others. They are fast and deal significant damage, so you need to be well-prepared. A good strategy is to build a small arena near the Vortex Pillar with platforms, campfires, heart lanterns, and honey pools for regeneration. You can also use traps and lava to deal passive damage to enemies while you focus on the stronger ones. Make sure to use buffs like Ironskin, Endurance, and Lifeforce potions to increase your survivability.

Once you break the Vortex Pillar's shield, you can attack it directly. The Vortex Pillar has a large health pool, so you need to deal consistent damage. Ranged weapons like the Phantasm or Chlorophyte Bullets work well here, as they can target the Pillar from a safe distance. After defeating the Vortex Pillar, it will drop 12-60 Vortex Fragments, which are used to craft the Vortex Beater at an Ancient Manipulator. However, the Vortex Beater itself has a 11.11% drop chance from the Pillar, so you may need to defeat it multiple times to obtain the weapon.

To optimize your farming, you can use a Solar Eruption or Daybreak to deal damage to multiple enemies at once, speeding up the process of breaking the Pillar's shield. Additionally, using a summon like the Stardust Dragon can help you focus on dodging while your minions deal damage. If you are playing in multiplayer, coordinating with teammates to cover different areas around the Pillar can make the process faster and more efficient.

Common mistakes to avoid include underestimating the Vortex enemies, which can overwhelm you if you are not careful. Always keep moving and use platforms to avoid their attacks. Another mistake is not preparing enough buffs or healing items, which can lead to unnecessary deaths. Make sure to stock up on potions and have a Nurse nearby for quick healing if needed.

Advanced techniques include using the Rod of Discord to teleport away from dangerous situations, or setting up a teleporter network around the Pillar to quickly move between safe spots. You can also use the UFO Mount or Shrimpy Truffle for increased mobility, allowing you to dodge attacks more effectively.

In terms of resource requirements, you will need a lot of ammunition if you are using ranged weapons, so stock up on Chlorophyte Bullets or other high-damage ammo. For crafting the Vortex Beater, you need 18 Vortex Fragments and 10 Luminite Bars, which are obtained by defeating the Moon Lord. Make sure to have an Ancient Manipulator ready for crafting.

Class and equipment considerations are crucial. Ranged players should use Shroomite Armor with the appropriate helmet for their weapon type, while melee players can use Solar Flare Armor. Magic users should wear Nebula Armor, and summoners should use Stardust Armor. Accessories like the Sniper Scope, Magic Quiver, or Celestial Shell can further enhance your combat effectiveness.

In summary, farming for the Vortex Beater involves defeating the Lunatic Cultist, breaking the Vortex Pillar's shield by killing 100 Vortex enemies, and then defeating the Pillar itself. Prepare with strong weapons, armor, and buffs, and build an arena to improve your chances of success. Use advanced techniques like teleporters and mounts to stay mobile, and avoid common mistakes like underestimating enemies or neglecting healing items. With persistence and the right strategy, you will eventually obtain the powerful Vortex Beater.