How do I increase my character's summon capacity in Terraria?

Increasing your character's summon capacity in Terraria is a key aspect of playing as a summoner or hybrid summoner class. Summon capacity refers to the number of minions you can have active at once, which directly impacts your damage output and survivability. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide on how to increase your summon capacity, covering mechanics, strategies, and tips.

To start, summon capacity is primarily increased through specific armor sets, accessories, and buffs. The base summon capacity is one minion, but this can be expanded significantly as you progress through the game. The first step is to acquire summoner-specific armor. Early in the game, you can craft the Flinx Fur Coat, which increases your summon capacity by one. This is a good starting point for summoners. As you progress, youÔÇÖll want to upgrade to more powerful armor sets like the Bee Armor, which increases your summon capacity by two and provides additional minion damage. Later in the game, you can obtain the Obsidian Armor, Spider Armor, and eventually the Stardust Armor, which is the best summoner armor in the game, offering a significant boost to summon capacity and minion damage.

Accessories are another crucial way to increase summon capacity. The Pygmy Necklace, which can be purchased from the Witch Doctor NPC after defeating Plantera, increases your summon capacity by one. The Papyrus Scarab, crafted from the Pygmy Necklace and Hercules Beetle, further increases summon capacity by one and boosts minion damage. The Necromantic Scroll, dropped by the Mourning Wood during the Pumpkin Moon event, also increases summon capacity by one and reduces minion damage penalties. Combining these accessories with the Summoner Emblem and other damage-boosting accessories can significantly enhance your summoner build.

Buffs and potions are also important for increasing summon capacity. The Summoning Potion, crafted from Bottled Water, Variegated Lardfish, and Moonglow, temporarily increases your summon capacity by one. This potion is especially useful during boss fights or events where you need extra minions. Additionally, the Bewitching Table, found in Dungeons, provides a buff that increases summon capacity by one when used. Always keep these buffs active during important battles to maximize your summon capacity.

When preparing to increase your summon capacity, itÔÇÖs important to gather the necessary resources. For armor, youÔÇÖll need materials like Bee Wax for the Bee Armor, Spider Fangs for the Spider Armor, and Luminite Bars for the Stardust Armor. For accessories, youÔÇÖll need to defeat specific bosses or events to obtain items like the Pygmy Necklace and Necromantic Scroll. Farming for these materials can take time, so plan accordingly and make use of arenas and potions to speed up the process.

One common mistake is neglecting other aspects of your character while focusing solely on summon capacity. While having more minions is important, you also need to consider your defense, mobility, and damage output. Make sure to equip accessories that provide movement speed, flight, and defense, such as the Wings, Frostspark Boots, and Ankh Shield. Additionally, donÔÇÖt forget to use weapons that complement your minions, like the Whips, which are melee weapons that enhance minion damage and provide crowd control.

Advanced techniques for optimizing summon capacity include combining different armor sets and accessories to maximize both summon capacity and damage. For example, using the Stardust Armor with the Papyrus Scarab, Necromantic Scroll, and Summoner Emblem can give you a total of six minions, along with significant damage boosts. Additionally, using the Celestial Shell or Celestial Stone can provide further stat boosts, making your character more versatile in combat.

In specific scenarios, such as boss fights or events, itÔÇÖs crucial to have your summon capacity maxed out. For example, during the Pumpkin Moon or Frost Moon events, having multiple minions can help you deal with waves of enemies more effectively. Similarly, during boss fights like Plantera or the Moon Lord, having extra minions can provide consistent damage while you focus on dodging attacks.

In conclusion, increasing your summon capacity in Terraria involves a combination of armor, accessories, buffs, and strategic planning. By focusing on summoner-specific gear, gathering the necessary resources, and optimizing your build, you can significantly enhance your summoner characterÔÇÖs effectiveness. Always remember to balance your summon capacity with other aspects of your character to ensure youÔÇÖre prepared for any challenge the game throws at you.