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, defeating key bosses, and gathering rare materials. Summoners rely on minions and sentries to deal damage, so your goal is to maximize the number and strength of your summons while also ensuring your survivability. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide to help you achieve this.

First, you need to understand the summoner class mechanics. Summoners use weapons like whips and summoning staves to call minions or sentries. Minions are permanent until you die or cancel them, while sentries are temporary and last for a set duration. Your damage output depends on the number of minions you can summon, which is increased by summoner armor, accessories, and buffs. Whips are used to direct your minions and deal additional damage, making them a crucial part of your kit.

To start, youÔÇÖll need to progress through the early game by defeating bosses like the Eye of Cthulhu and the Brain of Cthulhu or Eater of Worlds. These bosses drop materials for summoner gear, such as the Snapthorn whip and the Imp Staff. Once you reach Hardmode, your focus shifts to defeating the Wall of Flesh to unlock stronger summoner weapons and armor. After Hardmode begins, youÔÇÖll want to craft the Spider Staff and Queen Spider Staff, which are excellent early Hardmode summoner tools.

The next step is to defeat the mechanical bosses: the Twins, Skeletron Prime, and the Destroyer. These bosses drop Souls of Might, Sight, and Fright, which are used to craft powerful summoner weapons like the Optic Staff and the Deadly Sphere Staff. YouÔÇÖll also need to gather Hallowed Bars to craft Hallowed Armor, which provides a good balance of defense and summoner bonuses.

After defeating the mechanical bosses, youÔÇÖll gain access to the Old OneÔÇÖs Army event. Completing this event at higher tiers will reward you with the TavernkeepÔÇÖs sentry weapons, such as the Ballista Cane and Explosive Trap Cane. These sentries are great for additional damage during boss fights or invasions.

The next major milestone is defeating Plantera, which unlocks the Jungle Temple and the Golem boss. Plantera drops the Pygmy Staff, a powerful summoner weapon, and the Temple Key, which allows you to access the Jungle Temple. Inside the Temple, youÔÇÖll find the Solar Tablet Fragments needed to summon the Solar Eclipse event. During this event, you can obtain the Terraprisma, one of the best summoner weapons in the game, by defeating the Empress of Light during the day. This weapon is extremely powerful but requires precise dodging and preparation to obtain.

Finally, youÔÇÖll need to defeat the Lunatic Cultist and the Moon Lord to unlock the ultimate summoner gear. The Moon Lord drops the Stardust Dragon Staff and the Stardust Armor set, which are the best summoner tools in the game. The Stardust Dragon Staff summons a dragon that grows longer as you summon more minions, dealing massive damage. The Stardust Armor increases your minion count and damage significantly, making it essential for endgame summoner builds.

Throughout this progression, youÔÇÖll need to manage your resources carefully. Gather materials like Spider Fangs, Souls, and Luminite to craft your weapons and armor. Use buffs like Summoning Potions, Bewitching Tablets, and Wrath Potions to increase your minion count and damage. Equip accessories like the Papyrus Scarab, Necromantic Scroll, and Hercules Beetle to further boost your summoner capabilities.

A common mistake is neglecting your defense. Summoners are fragile, so prioritize accessories like the Worm Scarf or Brain of Confusion for damage reduction. Use mobility accessories like the Master Ninja Gear or Wings to dodge attacks effectively. Another mistake is not using whips properly. Whips are essential for directing your minions and dealing extra damage, so practice using them in combat.

Advanced techniques include optimizing your minion placement and using sentries strategically. For example, place your sentries near choke points during invasions or boss fights to maximize their effectiveness. Use the TerraprismaÔÇÖs high damage output to quickly take down tough enemies, but be cautious of its short range.

In summary, unlocking the best endgame weapons for a summoner build requires careful progression, resource management, and strategic combat. Focus on defeating key bosses, crafting powerful gear, and optimizing your accessories and buffs. With the right preparation and strategy, youÔÇÖll be able to dominate TerrariaÔÇÖs endgame content as a summoner.