What is the best way to farm for the Stardust Dragon Staff in Terraria?

The Stardust Dragon Staff is one of the most powerful summon weapons in Terraria, and farming for it can be a rewarding but challenging task. This weapon is obtained by defeating the Lunatic Cultist and the subsequent Lunar Events, specifically the Stardust Pillar. The Stardust Dragon Staff is a summon weapon that summons a Stardust Dragon to fight for you, dealing high damage and being highly effective against both bosses and regular enemies. To farm for this weapon, you need to focus on defeating the Stardust Pillar repeatedly, as it drops the fragments needed to craft the staff.

First, you need to prepare for the Lunar Events. This means you should have already defeated the Lunatic Cultist, which triggers the Lunar Events. Once the events start, four pillars will appear in your world, each corresponding to a different class of weapons: Solar, Nebula, Vortex, and Stardust. The Stardust Pillar is the one you need to focus on for the Stardust Dragon Staff. The Stardust Pillar is located in a random area of your world, so you may need to explore to find it. Once you locate the Stardust Pillar, you need to defeat the enemies around it to lower its shield. After the shield is down, you can attack the pillar itself.

To effectively farm the Stardust Pillar, you need to have a strong setup. A summoner build is ideal, but other classes can also be effective if you have the right gear. For a summoner, the best pre-Lunar Event weapons include the Xeno Staff and the Tempest Staff. These weapons will help you deal with the enemies around the pillar more efficiently. You should also have a good set of armor, such as the Spooky Armor or Tiki Armor, which boosts your summon damage and the number of minions you can have. Accessories like the Papyrus Scarab, Necromantic Scroll, and Summoner Emblem will further enhance your summoning capabilities.

In terms of preparation, make sure you have a good supply of potions. Summoning Potions will increase the number of minions you can summon, while other buffs like Endurance Potions, Ironskin Potions, and Regeneration Potions will help you survive the onslaught of enemies. It's also a good idea to set up a small arena near the Stardust Pillar. This can include platforms for mobility, campfires for health regeneration, and heart lanterns for additional health regeneration. If you have access to them, honey pools and bast statues can also provide extra defense and regeneration.

When fighting the Stardust Pillar, focus on taking out the enemies first. The pillar itself is not too difficult to defeat once the shield is down, but the enemies can overwhelm you if you're not careful. Use your minions to target the enemies while you focus on dodging attacks. Once the shield is down, attack the pillar with your strongest weapons. The Stardust Pillar will drop Stardust Fragments, which are used to craft the Stardust Dragon Staff. You need 18 Stardust Fragments to craft the staff at an Ancient Manipulator.

One common mistake is not having enough mobility. The enemies around the Stardust Pillar can be fast and aggressive, so having wings or a good pair of boots is essential. Another mistake is not having enough minions. Make sure you have the maximum number of minions possible, as they will be your primary source of damage. Additionally, don't forget to use buffs. They can make a significant difference in your survivability and damage output.

For advanced techniques, consider using a minecart track or teleporters to quickly move around the arena. This can help you avoid enemy attacks and reposition yourself as needed. You can also use traps and lava to deal additional damage to enemies, though this requires some setup. If you're playing in multiplayer, coordinate with your team to focus on different tasks, such as one player dealing with enemies while another attacks the pillar.

In summary, farming for the Stardust Dragon Staff involves defeating the Stardust Pillar multiple times to gather Stardust Fragments. Preparation is key, so make sure you have the right gear, potions, and arena setup. Focus on taking out the enemies first, then attack the pillar. Avoid common mistakes like lacking mobility or not using buffs, and consider advanced techniques like minecart tracks or teleporters for better mobility. With the right strategy and preparation, you'll be able to farm the Stardust Dragon Staff efficiently and add this powerful weapon to your arsenal.