How do I unlock the best endgame weapons for a summoner build in Terraria?

To unlock the best endgame weapons for a summoner build in Terraria, you need to focus on progressing through the gameÔÇÖs stages while prioritizing summoner-specific gear, accessories, and strategies. Summoners rely on minions and sentries to deal damage, so your goal is to maximize the number and strength of your summons while ensuring your character survives in combat. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide to help you achieve this.

First, you need to understand the mechanics of summoner builds. Summoners use weapons that summon minions or sentries to fight for them. These minions are permanent until you die, summon a new minion to replace them, or cancel the buff. Summoner armor sets often increase the number of minions you can have active and boost their damage. Accessories like the Papyrus Scarab and Necromantic Scroll further enhance your summoning capabilities. Additionally, whips are a key part of summoner builds, as they allow you to direct your minions and deal extra damage yourself.

To start, youÔÇÖll need to progress through the gameÔÇÖs early stages. In pre-Hardmode, focus on obtaining the Finch Staff, which is a decent early-game summon weapon found in Living Wood Chests. You can also craft the Slime Staff, though itÔÇÖs rare. For armor, the Flinx Fur Coat is a good early option, as it increases summon damage. Once you defeat the Queen Bee, you can craft the Bee Armor, which increases the number of minions you can summon. The Imp Staff, crafted from Hellstone Bars, is a strong pre-Hardmode summon weapon.

When you enter Hardmode, your priority is to upgrade your gear. Defeat the Wall of Flesh to unlock Hardmode, then mine for Cobalt, Mythril, or Adamantite to craft better armor. The Spider Armor is an excellent early Hardmode summoner set, as it increases minion damage and allows you to summon an additional minion. For weapons, the Spider Staff and Queen Spider Staff are great choices. The Blade Staff, dropped by Queen Slime, is another powerful option, especially when paired with the Durendal whip.

As you progress further, focus on defeating mechanical bosses like the Twins, Destroyer, and Skeletron Prime. These bosses drop Souls of Might, Sight, and Fright, which are used to craft powerful summoner gear. The Optic Staff, crafted from Souls of Sight, is a strong summon weapon. The Hallowed Armor set, crafted from Hallowed Bars, provides good defense and summoner bonuses. After defeating Plantera, you gain access to the Pygmy Staff and Tiki Armor, which further enhance your summoning capabilities.

In the late game, your goal is to obtain the best summoner weapons and armor. The Stardust Armor set, crafted from Stardust Fragments dropped by the Stardust Pillar, is the ultimate summoner armor. It increases minion damage and allows you to summon additional minions. The Stardust Dragon Staff and Stardust Cell Staff are the best summon weapons, offering high damage and versatility. The Terraprisma, obtained by defeating the Empress of Light during the day, is the strongest summon weapon in the game but requires precise dodging and skill to acquire.

For accessories, prioritize items that increase minion count and damage. The Papyrus Scarab, Necromantic Scroll, and Summoner Emblem are essential. The Celestial Shell and Celestial Stone provide overall stat boosts, while the Avenger Emblem and Destroyer Emblem increase damage output. Use the Menacing prefix on accessories to maximize damage.

Preparation is key for summoner builds. Always carry summoning potions to increase your minion count and bewitching tables to temporarily boost minion capacity. Use buff potions like Ironskin, Endurance, and Wrath to improve survivability and damage. Whips like the Kaleidoscope and Morning Star are crucial for directing minions and dealing extra damage.

Common mistakes include neglecting defense and relying solely on minions. While minions are powerful, you still need to dodge attacks and manage your health. Avoid overextending in battles, as summoners are often squishy. Another mistake is not using whips effectively. Whips not only direct minions but also apply debuffs and deal significant damage.

Advanced techniques include optimizing minion placement and using sentries strategically. For example, place sentries in areas where enemies are likely to spawn or gather. Use the TerraprismaÔÇÖs homing projectiles to target fast-moving enemies. Pair the Stardust Dragon with the Kaleidoscope whip for maximum damage output.

Resource requirements include farming for materials like Stardust Fragments, Luminite, and Solar Fragments. Defeat the Lunar Events and Moon Lord to obtain these resources. Crafting the Stardust Armor and weapons requires a lot of materials, so be prepared to farm.

In summary, unlocking the best endgame weapons for a summoner build involves progressing through the gameÔÇÖs stages, prioritizing summoner-specific gear, and optimizing your loadout. Focus on obtaining powerful minions, using whips effectively, and enhancing your survivability. With the right preparation and strategy, you can dominate TerrariaÔÇÖs endgame as a summoner.