How do I increase my summoner minion damage in Hardmode Terraria?

Increasing your summoner minion damage in Hardmode Terraria requires a combination of the right equipment, accessories, buffs, and strategies. Summoners rely on their minions to deal damage, so optimizing your setup is crucial for maximizing their effectiveness. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide to help you achieve this.

First, letÔÇÖs discuss the mechanics. Summoner damage is influenced by several factors, including your summon weapon, armor, accessories, buffs, and reforges. Minion damage scales with summon damage bonuses, which are provided by armor sets, accessories, and buffs. Additionally, the number of minions you can summon is determined by your summon capacity, which can be increased through accessories and armor. Reforging your accessories to increase summon damage or critical strike chance can also significantly boost your minionÔÇÖs effectiveness.

To start, youÔÇÖll need to acquire the best summoner armor available in Hardmode. The Spider Armor is an excellent early Hardmode option, providing a significant boost to summon damage and increasing your minion capacity. Later, you can upgrade to the Forbidden Armor or the Tiki Armor, which offer even greater summon damage bonuses and additional minion slots. The Stardust Armor, obtained from the Stardust Pillar, is the best summoner armor in the game, providing a massive boost to summon damage and allowing you to summon a powerful Stardust Dragon or Stardust Cell minion.

Next, focus on obtaining powerful summon weapons. In early Hardmode, the Spider Staff is a great choice, summoning spider minions that deal consistent damage. As you progress, you can upgrade to the Optic Staff, which summons twin minions that deal high damage. The Pirate Staff and Deadly Sphere Staff are also strong options. The best summon weapons in the game are the Stardust Dragon Staff and the Stardust Cell Staff, both of which are obtained from the Stardust Pillar.

Accessories play a crucial role in increasing summoner damage. The Papyrus Scarab, Pygmy Necklace, and Hercules Beetle are essential accessories that boost summon damage and increase minion capacity. The Necromantic Scroll and Summoner Emblem also provide significant summon damage bonuses. Reforging these accessories to Menacing or Lucky can further enhance your minionÔÇÖs damage output. Additionally, the Celestial Shell and Celestial Stone provide all-around stat boosts, including increased summon damage.

Buffs are another important factor. Use the Summoning Potion to increase your minion capacity and the Bewitching Table to temporarily boost your minion count. The Wrath Potion and Rage Potion increase your damage and critical strike chance, respectively, which also benefits your minions. The Well Fed buff provides a small but useful boost to all stats, including summon damage.

When preparing for battles, make sure to set up a suitable arena. Platforms, campfires, heart lanterns, and honey pools can provide healing and regeneration, while buff stations like the Sharpening Station and Ammo Box can enhance your minionÔÇÖs effectiveness. Use traps and environmental hazards to your advantage, especially during boss fights.

Common mistakes to avoid include neglecting your accessories and buffs, as these provide significant damage boosts. Also, avoid using outdated summon weapons or armor, as they will not be effective in later stages of Hardmode. Make sure to reforge your accessories and weapons to maximize their potential.

Advanced techniques include using hybrid builds that combine summoner gear with other class-specific items. For example, using the Terra Blade or Vampire Knives alongside your minions can provide additional damage and survivability. Additionally, using the Nurse NPC to heal during boss fights can give you an edge in tough battles.

Resource requirements include gathering materials for crafting summon weapons and armor, as well as obtaining accessories and buffs. Farming for Souls of Night and Light, Spider Fangs, and other Hardmode materials is essential for crafting powerful summoner gear. Preparation also involves setting up farms for potion ingredients and ensuring you have enough gold for reforging.

In summary, increasing your summoner minion damage in Hardmode Terraria involves acquiring the best summoner armor and weapons, optimizing your accessories and buffs, and setting up a suitable arena for battles. By following these strategies and avoiding common mistakes, you can maximize your minionÔÇÖs damage output and tackle even the toughest challenges in the game.