What is the best way to farm for Goblin Tinkerer items in Terraria?

Farming for Goblin Tinkerer items in Terraria primarily revolves around defeating Goblin Scouts and triggering the Goblin Army event. The Goblin Tinkerer is a valuable NPC who sells items like the Tinkerer's Workshop, Rocket Boots, and the Reforge function, which allows you to improve your gear's modifiers. To farm for these items, you need to focus on two main aspects: finding Goblin Scouts and summoning the Goblin Army.

First, let's discuss Goblin Scouts. These enemies spawn in the outer thirds of the world, typically in the Forest biome near the edges of the map. They are relatively rare, so you need to prepare for a bit of a grind. To increase your chances of finding Goblin Scouts, create a long platform or pathway in the outer areas of your world. This will give you more space to encounter them. Equip items that increase your movement speed, such as Hermes Boots or its upgrades, to cover more ground quickly. Additionally, using a Hunter Potion can help you spot Goblin Scouts more easily, as it highlights enemies on your screen.

Once you find a Goblin Scout, defeat it to obtain Tattered Cloth. You need 10 Tattered Cloth to craft a Goblin Battle Standard, which is used to summon the Goblin Army. To craft the standard, you also need 5 Wood and a Loom. The Loom can be crafted with 12 Wood at a Sawmill, which requires 10 Wood, 2 Iron Bars, and a Chain to make. Ensure you have these materials ready before you start farming.

After crafting the Goblin Battle Standard, you can summon the Goblin Army at any time. However, it's best to prepare for the event to make it easier and more efficient. Build a small arena with platforms and traps to help you deal with the waves of goblins. Place campfires and heart lanterns around the arena for health regeneration. Equip yourself with strong weapons and armor appropriate for your current progression. For example, if you're in pre-hardmode, weapons like the Minishark, Star Cannon, or Molten Fury are excellent choices. Armor sets like Molten or Necro can provide good defense and bonuses.

During the Goblin Army event, focus on defeating the Goblin Sorcerers and Goblin Warlocks, as they have a chance to drop the Shadowflame Hex Doll and Shadowflame Bow, respectively. These are powerful weapons that can help you in later stages of the game. The Goblin Peons and Goblin Thieves are easier to deal with but still drop useful items like Spiky Balls and Harpoons.

One common mistake is not preparing adequately for the Goblin Army event. Without proper gear and an arena, the event can be overwhelming, especially for newer players. Make sure you have enough healing potions and buffs like Ironskin, Regeneration, and Swiftness to increase your survivability and damage output.

Advanced techniques include using lava traps to automate the killing of weaker goblins. Place a thin layer of lava at the bottom of your arena, ensuring it doesn't destroy the loot. This can help you focus on the stronger enemies while the weaker ones are dealt with automatically. Additionally, using summoner weapons like the Imp Staff or Hornet Staff can provide extra damage without requiring constant input from you.

Resource requirements for this farming method include basic materials like Wood, Iron Bars, and Chains for crafting the Loom and Goblin Battle Standard. You also need a steady supply of healing potions and buffs. If you're using traps, you'll need wire, which can be purchased from the Mechanic NPC after rescuing her from the Dungeon.

Class and equipment considerations depend on your current progression. Melee players should focus on high-defense armor and weapons with good crowd control, like the Starfury or Night's Edge. Ranged players can use bows or guns with piercing or explosive ammunition. Mages should use spells like the Water Bolt or Demon Scythe for area damage. Summoners can rely on their minions to deal consistent damage while they focus on dodging.

In summary, farming for Goblin Tinkerer items involves finding Goblin Scouts, crafting Goblin Battle Standards, and summoning the Goblin Army. Prepare an arena, gather necessary resources, and equip yourself with strong gear to handle the event efficiently. Use advanced techniques like lava traps and summoner weapons to optimize your farming. Avoid common mistakes like inadequate preparation and focus on defeating the stronger goblins for better loot. With these strategies, you can efficiently farm for Goblin Tinkerer items and improve your gameplay experience in Terraria.