What is the best weapon to use against the Stardust Pillar in Terraria?

The Stardust Pillar is one of the four Celestial Pillars in Terraria, and it is the final pillar you will face before the Moon Lord. It is associated with the Summoner class, as it drops fragments used to craft powerful summoner weapons and armor. To effectively defeat the Stardust Pillar, you need to understand its mechanics, prepare the right gear, and employ a solid strategy.

The Stardust Pillar is surrounded by a shield that can only be broken by defeating 100 enemies in its vicinity. These enemies are primarily summoner-themed, such as Stargazers, Flow Invaders, and Milkyway Weavers. The Stargazers fire homing projectiles, Flow Invaders move erratically and explode on death, and Milkyway Weavers summon smaller enemies. The pillar itself does not attack until its shield is down, but the enemies it spawns can be quite dangerous if not handled properly.

To prepare for the Stardust Pillar, you should focus on high-damage weapons that can quickly clear the 100 enemies required to break the shield. For melee players, the Solar Eruption is an excellent choice due to its wide area of effect and high damage output. Ranged players should consider using the Phantasm with Holy Arrows, as it can rapidly fire arrows that deal massive damage to groups of enemies. Magic users can rely on the Razorblade Typhoon or the Lunar Flare, both of which are effective at hitting multiple targets. Summoners should use the Stardust Dragon or Stardust Cell Staff, as these minions can deal consistent damage to the enemies around the pillar.

In terms of armor, you should wear the best gear available for your chosen class. Melee players should use Solar Flare armor, ranged players should use Vortex armor, magic users should use Nebula armor, and summoners should use Stardust armor. Accessories should be tailored to your class, with a focus on increasing damage, critical strike chance, and mobility. The Celestial Shell, Celestial Stone, and Ankh Shield are excellent choices for all classes, while class-specific accessories like the Papyrus Scarab for summoners or the Magic Quiver for ranged players can further enhance your effectiveness.

Before engaging the Stardust Pillar, make sure to set up a small arena with platforms and campfires for health regeneration. You can also place heart lanterns and honey pools for additional healing. Buffs are crucial for this fight, so use potions like Ironskin, Regeneration, Swiftness, and Endurance. Summoners should also use the Summoning Potion to increase the number of minions they can summon.

When the fight begins, focus on clearing the enemies as quickly as possible. Use your weapon's area-of-effect capabilities to hit multiple targets at once. Keep moving to avoid enemy projectiles, especially those from Stargazers. Once the shield is down, the Stardust Pillar will start attacking with a series of homing projectiles. These can be dodged by moving in a circular pattern around the pillar. Continue to deal damage while avoiding the projectiles, and the pillar will eventually be defeated.

Common mistakes to avoid include standing still for too long, which makes you an easy target for enemy attacks, and neglecting to use buffs, which can significantly reduce your effectiveness. Another mistake is not focusing on the enemies first, as failing to break the shield quickly can lead to being overwhelmed by the pillar's attacks.

Advanced techniques include using the Rod of Discord to teleport out of danger, and setting up traps or lava pits to help kill enemies faster. You can also use the Nurse NPC to heal during the fight, but be careful not to rely on her too much, as the enemies can quickly overwhelm you if you are not paying attention.

In summary, defeating the Stardust Pillar requires a combination of the right gear, proper preparation, and effective combat strategies. By focusing on clearing the enemies quickly, using buffs, and maintaining mobility, you can overcome this challenging encounter and obtain the Stardust Fragments needed to craft powerful summoner gear.