What materials are needed to craft a sextant in Terraria?

To craft a Sextant in Terraria, you need to understand the mechanics of fishing and the Angler NPC quests. The Sextant is one of the three components required to craft the Cell Phone, a highly useful informational accessory. The Sextant is specifically obtained as a reward from the Angler NPC after completing fishing quests. Here is a detailed explanation of how to obtain the Sextant, including strategies, tips, and considerations.

First, you need to locate the Angler NPC. The Angler is a young boy who can be found sleeping on the beach in the Ocean biome. To rescue him, simply interact with him, and he will move into your world. Once he is in your town, you can start completing his daily fishing quests. Each day, the Angler will ask you to catch a specific fish from a specific biome or condition. Completing these quests is the only way to obtain the Sextant.

To complete fishing quests, you will need a fishing rod, bait, and access to the required biome. Early-game fishing rods like the Wooden Fishing Rod or the Reinforced Fishing Rod are sufficient to start, but better rods like the Sitting Duck's Fishing Rod or the Mechanic's Rod will improve your chances of catching the quest fish. Bait can be obtained by catching critters like worms, grasshoppers, or fireflies with a bug net. The more bait you have, the better, as it increases your chances of catching fish quickly.

Once you have the necessary equipment, head to the biome specified by the Angler. For example, if the quest requires a fish from the Jungle biome, you will need to fish in a Jungle lake. Make sure you have enough bait and a suitable fishing rod. Cast your line into the water and wait for a bite. When you catch the quest fish, return to the Angler and turn it in. He will reward you with a random item, which could include the Sextant.

The Sextant is a rare reward, so you may need to complete multiple quests to obtain it. The drop rate for the Sextant is approximately 2.5%, meaning you might need to complete around 40 quests on average to get it. This can be time-consuming, so patience is key. To optimize your chances, try to complete quests every day. The Angler resets his quest at 4:30 AM in-game time, so you can complete one quest per day.

One common mistake is not having enough bait or using a low-quality fishing rod. This can make fishing frustrating and inefficient. Always stock up on bait and upgrade your fishing rod as soon as possible. Another mistake is not checking the Angler's quest requirements carefully. Some quests require specific conditions, such as fishing during rain or in a specific depth of water. Make sure you meet these conditions to catch the quest fish.

Advanced techniques include creating fishing spots in different biomes. You can dig small lakes in each biome and fill them with water to create convenient fishing spots. This saves time traveling to distant biomes for quests. Additionally, using fishing potions, sonar potions, and crate potions can improve your efficiency. Fishing potions increase your fishing power, sonar potions let you see what is on your line before reeling it in, and crate potions increase your chances of catching crates, which can contain useful items.

Resource requirements for fishing include a fishing rod, bait, and optionally, potions. Early-game rods like the Wooden Fishing Rod are easy to craft, requiring only wood. Better rods like the Sitting Duck's Fishing Rod can be purchased from the Traveling Merchant. Bait can be gathered using a bug net, which is also sold by the Merchant NPC. Potions require alchemy ingredients like water bottles, herbs, and specific fish or critters.

Class and equipment considerations are minimal for fishing, as it does not require combat. However, having mobility accessories like Hermes Boots or a Cloud in a Bottle can help you travel to fishing spots quickly. If you are playing in hardmode, consider using wings or a mount for faster movement.

In summary, obtaining the Sextant in Terraria involves completing fishing quests for the Angler NPC. You need a fishing rod, bait, and access to various biomes. The process can be time-consuming due to the low drop rate, but with patience and preparation, you can obtain the Sextant. Use advanced techniques like creating fishing spots and using potions to improve your efficiency. Avoid common mistakes like not having enough bait or using a low-quality rod. With these strategies, you will be well on your way to crafting the Cell Phone and gaining access to valuable information in Terraria.