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 effectiveness in combat. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide on how to increase your summon capacity, including mechanics, strategies, and tips.

To start, summon capacity is determined by your equipment, accessories, and buffs. The base summon capacity is one minion, but this can be increased through various means. The primary way to increase summon capacity is by equipping armor, accessories, and using buffs that specifically boost minion count. For example, the Bee Armor, Spider Armor, and Tiki Armor are early to mid-game armor sets that increase your minion count. The Stardust Armor, which is the best summoner armor in the game, provides the highest minion count increase, allowing you to summon up to 11 minions with the full set bonus.

Accessories also play a crucial role in increasing summon capacity. The Pygmy Necklace, Papyrus Scarab, and Necromantic Scroll are accessories that directly increase your minion count. The Pygmy Necklace adds one minion slot, while the Papyrus Scarab and Necromantic Scroll each add one additional slot when combined with the Pygmy Necklace. These accessories can be further enhanced by reforging them to have the "Menacing" or "Lucky" modifiers, which increase damage or critical strike chance, respectively.

Buffs are another way to temporarily increase your summon capacity. The Summoning Potion is a consumable item that grants an additional minion slot for eight minutes. This potion can be crafted using Bottled Water, Variegated Lardfish, and Moonglow. Additionally, the Bewitching Table, found in Dungeons, provides a buff that increases your minion count by one for as long as you remain near the table. Using both the Summoning Potion and the Bewitching Table buff can significantly boost your minion count during tough battles.

When preparing to increase your summon capacity, itÔÇÖs important to gather the necessary resources and craft the required items. For example, to craft the Bee Armor, youÔÇÖll need to defeat the Queen Bee boss multiple times to obtain Bee Wax. For the Spider Armor, youÔÇÖll need to farm Spider Fangs from Black Recluses in the Spider Caves. The Tiki Armor requires materials from the Jungle biome and the Witch Doctor NPC, who sells the armor after Plantera has been defeated. The Stardust Armor requires Stardust Fragments, which are obtained by defeating the Stardust Pillar during the Lunar Events.

One common mistake players make is neglecting to upgrade their accessories and armor as they progress through the game. ItÔÇÖs important to continuously seek out better gear and accessories to maximize your summon capacity. Another mistake is not using buffs effectively. Always carry Summoning Potions and set up a Bewitching Table in your base or near boss arenas to ensure you have the maximum number of minions during critical moments.

Advanced techniques include optimizing your loadout for specific situations. For example, during boss fights, you might prioritize accessories that increase minion count and damage, such as the Papyrus Scarab and Necromantic Scroll. For exploration and farming, you might use accessories that provide utility, such as the Celestial Shell for increased mobility and survivability. Additionally, combining summoner gear with other class-specific items can create powerful hybrid builds. For instance, using the Stardust Armor with a powerful ranged weapon like the Phantasm can make you a formidable hybrid summoner-ranger.

In summary, increasing your summon capacity in Terraria involves equipping the right armor and accessories, using buffs, and continuously upgrading your gear. By following these strategies and avoiding common mistakes, you can maximize your minion count and become a powerful summoner capable of tackling even the toughest challenges in the game.