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 at the Dungeon entrance after you have defeated the Golem. The Lunatic Cultist is a challenging boss, so you should prepare with strong weapons, armor, and accessories. For ranged players, the Shroomite Armor is ideal, as it boosts ranged damage and critical strike chance. Pair this with weapons like the Tsunami or the Phantasm, which are excellent for dealing high damage at range. Accessories such as the Ranger Emblem, Magic Quiver, and Sniper Scope will further enhance your ranged capabilities. Buffs like Archery Potions, Endurance Potions, and Ironskin Potions are also highly recommended.

Once the Lunatic Cultist is defeated, the Celestial Events will begin. Four pillars will spawn in different biomes across the world: Solar, Nebula, Stardust, and Vortex. The Vortex Pillar is the one you need to focus on for the Vortex Beater. Each pillar is surrounded by a shield that can only be broken by defeating 100 enemies specific to that pillar. For the Vortex Pillar, you will face enemies like Vortexians, Storm Divers, and Alien Queens. These enemies are fast and deal significant damage, so you need to be cautious and prioritize dodging their attacks.

To efficiently farm the Vortex Pillar, you should set up a small arena near the pillar. This arena should include platforms for mobility, campfires and heart lanterns for health regeneration, and a few defensive structures to block projectiles. Using a grappling hook or wings will help you maneuver around the arena and avoid enemy attacks. Once the shield is broken, the Vortex Pillar itself will become vulnerable. Focus your attacks on the pillar while continuing to dodge incoming enemies. The Vortex Beater has a 11.11% drop chance from the pillar, so you may need to defeat it multiple times to obtain the weapon.

One common mistake is underestimating the difficulty of the Celestial Events. The enemies are much stronger than those encountered earlier in the game, and their attacks can quickly overwhelm unprepared players. Make sure to have a full set of potions, including healing potions, and consider using the Nurse NPC for quick healing if necessary. Another mistake is not focusing on the pillar once the shield is down. The longer you take to defeat the pillar, the more enemies will spawn, making the fight increasingly difficult.

Advanced techniques include using the UFO Mount or the Shrimpy Truffle Mount for increased mobility, allowing you to dodge attacks more effectively. You can also use traps and sentries to deal additional damage to enemies while you focus on the pillar. For ranged players, the Chlorophyte Bullets are highly recommended, as they home in on enemies, making it easier to deal damage while moving.

Resource requirements for this farm include a steady supply of ammunition, potions, and healing items. You should also have a stock of building materials for setting up your arena. Preparation is key, so make sure to gather all necessary resources before starting the farm.

In terms of class and equipment considerations, ranged is the most effective class for this farm due to the Vortex Beater being a ranged weapon. However, melee and magic classes can also be effective if you prefer those playstyles. For melee, the Solar Eruption or Daybreak are excellent choices, while magic users can use the Nebula Blaze or Razorblade Typhoon.

Specific examples of successful strategies include setting up a long platform with campfires and heart lanterns, using the UFO Mount to stay mobile, and focusing on the pillar while using Chlorophyte Bullets to deal consistent damage. By following these steps and avoiding common mistakes, you can efficiently farm for the Vortex Beater and add this powerful weapon to your arsenal.