How do I craft a lunar flare in Terraria?

To craft the Lunar Flare in Terraria, you need to follow a specific progression path that involves defeating bosses, gathering rare materials, and using advanced crafting stations. The Lunar Flare is a powerful magic weapon that fires a projectile that explodes into smaller flares upon hitting an enemy or surface. It is one of the endgame weapons, so crafting it requires significant preparation and effort. Here is a detailed guide on how to craft the Lunar Flare.

First, you need to understand the crafting recipe for the Lunar Flare. It requires 18 Luminite Bars and 20 Solar Fragments. Luminite Bars are crafted from Luminite Ore, which is dropped by the Moon Lord, the final boss in Terraria. Solar Fragments are obtained by defeating the Solar Pillar, one of the four Celestial Pillars that appear during the Lunar Events. These events are triggered after defeating the Lunatic Cultist, who spawns at the Dungeon entrance after you defeat the Golem.

To start, you need to prepare for the Lunar Events and the Moon Lord fight. This means having strong gear, potions, and a well-designed arena. For magic users, the best pre-Moon Lord gear includes the Spectre Armor, which provides high magic damage and healing capabilities. You should also have accessories like the Celestial Emblem, Sorcerer Emblem, and Mana Flower to boost your magic damage and mana efficiency. Potions like Magic Power, Mana Regeneration, and Endurance are essential for surviving the tough battles ahead.

Once you are ready, defeat the Lunatic Cultist to trigger the Lunar Events. During these events, four Celestial Pillars will spawn in different parts of the world. Focus on the Solar Pillar, as it drops Solar Fragments. The Solar Pillar is guarded by tough enemies, so make sure to clear them out carefully. Use weapons like the Razorblade Typhoon or Nebula Blaze to deal with the enemies efficiently. After destroying the Solar Pillar, you will receive Solar Fragments. You need 20 of these for the Lunar Flare.

Next, you need to defeat the Moon Lord to obtain Luminite Ore. The Moon Lord is a challenging boss, so make sure your arena is well-prepared with platforms, heart lanterns, and campfires for regeneration. Use weapons like the Nebula Arcanum or Razorpine to deal consistent damage. After defeating the Moon Lord, you will receive Luminite Ore. You need 90 Luminite Ore to craft 18 Luminite Bars. You also need to craft a Luminite Anvil, which is made from 12 Luminite Bars and requires an Ancient Manipulator, a crafting station dropped by the Lunatic Cultist.

Once you have the Luminite Bars and Solar Fragments, go to the Ancient Manipulator to craft the Lunar Flare. The Ancient Manipulator is essential for crafting endgame items, so make sure you have it placed in your base. With all the materials ready, simply open the crafting menu at the Ancient Manipulator and select the Lunar Flare to craft it.

Some important tips and considerations include making sure you have enough healing items and buffs for the Lunar Events and Moon Lord fight. It is also helpful to have a nurse NPC nearby for quick healing during battles. Avoid common mistakes like underestimating the difficulty of the Lunar Events or not preparing your arena properly. Advanced techniques include using teleporters and traps in your arena to make the fights easier.

In summary, crafting the Lunar Flare requires defeating the Lunatic Cultist, completing the Lunar Events to obtain Solar Fragments, and defeating the Moon Lord for Luminite Ore. With the right preparation, gear, and strategy, you can craft this powerful magic weapon and dominate the endgame content in Terraria.