What is the best armor set for a melee build in Terraria?

The best armor set for a melee build in Terraria depends on the stage of the game you are in, as melee armor progresses significantly from early game to endgame. Melee builds focus on high defense, close-range combat, and powerful weapons like swords, spears, and yoyos. To optimize your melee character, you need to carefully choose armor sets that provide the best defense and melee-specific bonuses at each stage of progression.

In the early game, the best armor for a melee build is the Platinum or Gold armor. These sets are crafted from Platinum or Gold Bars, which are obtained by mining Platinum or Gold Ore. The Platinum armor provides 20 defense, while the Gold armor offers 19 defense. Both sets are solid choices for early-game melee players, as they provide decent defense and a small boost to melee damage. To craft these sets, you will need 60 bars of the respective material, which requires mining and smelting the ores. Focus on exploring caves and gathering resources to craft these sets as soon as possible.

Once you defeat the Eye of Cthulhu or the Eater of Worlds/Brain of Cthulhu, you can craft the Shadow or Crimson armor. These sets are made from Demonite or Crimtane Bars, which drop from these bosses. Shadow armor provides 19 defense and a 15% increase in melee speed, while Crimson armor offers 20 defense and a 6% increase in melee damage. Both sets are excellent for early to mid-game melee builds. To craft these sets, you will need 60 Demonite or Crimtane Bars and 45 Shadow Scales or Tissue Samples, which drop from the respective bosses.

After defeating the Wall of Flesh and entering Hardmode, you can upgrade to the Hardmode ores. The best early Hardmode melee armor is the Adamantite or Titanium armor. Adamantite armor provides 46 defense and a 20% increase in melee damage, while Titanium armor offers 49 defense and a 16% increase in melee damage, along with a set bonus that grants a temporary shield when hit. To craft these sets, you will need 54 Adamantite or Titanium Bars, which are smelted from the respective ores found in Hardmode. Mining these ores can be challenging, so consider using Spelunker Potions to locate them more easily.

For late Hardmode, the best melee armor is the Chlorophyte armor. This set is crafted from Chlorophyte Bars, which are made from Chlorophyte Ore found in the Underground Jungle. The Chlorophyte armor provides 59 defense and a 23% increase in melee damage, along with a set bonus that spawns a leaf crystal to attack enemies. To craft this set, you will need 54 Chlorophyte Bars. This armor is ideal for preparing to fight the Mechanical Bosses and Plantera.

Once you defeat Plantera, you can craft the Turtle armor, which is made from Chlorophyte Bars and Turtle Shells. Turtle armor provides 65 defense and a 14% increase in melee damage, along with a set bonus that reflects damage to attackers. This set is excellent for tanking damage in tough battles. To craft it, you will need 54 Chlorophyte Bars and 3 Turtle Shells, which drop from Giant Tortoises in the Jungle.

The ultimate melee armor in Terraria is the Solar Flare armor, which is crafted from Solar Fragments obtained by defeating the Solar Pillar during the Lunar Events. This set provides 78 defense, a 26% increase in melee damage, and a 15% increase in melee speed. The set bonus creates a shield that damages nearby enemies and reduces incoming damage. To craft this set, you will need 36 Luminite Bars and 45 Solar Fragments. This armor is essential for defeating the Moon Lord, the final boss of Terraria.

When building a melee character, it is important to pair your armor with the right accessories. Accessories like the Warrior Emblem, Mechanical Glove, and Ankh Shield provide significant boosts to melee damage and survivability. Additionally, using buff potions like Ironskin, Endurance, and Wrath can further enhance your performance in combat.

Common mistakes to avoid include neglecting defense in favor of damage, as melee builds rely on being able to tank hits. Also, avoid using outdated armor sets as you progress, as newer sets provide better bonuses and defense. Always prioritize upgrading your armor when new materials become available.

Advanced techniques for melee builds include using the Yoyo Bag for yoyo-based builds, which allows you to use multiple yoyos at once, and combining the Solar Flare armor with the Daybreak weapon for maximum damage output. Additionally, using the Celestial Shell accessory during nighttime can provide extra melee speed and damage.

In summary, the best melee armor sets in Terraria are Platinum/Gold armor for early game, Shadow/Crimson armor for early to mid-game, Adamantite/Titanium armor for early Hardmode, Chlorophyte armor for late Hardmode, Turtle armor for post-Plantera, and Solar Flare armor for endgame. Pair your armor with the right accessories and buffs, and avoid common mistakes to optimize your melee build for success.