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

The summoner class in Terraria is a unique and powerful playstyle that focuses on summoning minions to fight for you. To optimize a summoner build, the best armor sets are crucial as they provide significant bonuses to minion damage, count, and other summoner-specific stats. The progression of summoner armor is tied to the game's stages, and the best armor sets depend on whether you are in pre-Hardmode, early Hardmode, or late Hardmode.

In pre-Hardmode, the best summoner armor is the Bee Armor. This set is crafted using Bee Wax, which is dropped by the Queen Bee boss. The Bee Armor increases your minion count by one and provides a 23% boost to minion damage. To obtain this armor, you need to defeat the Queen Bee in the Underground Jungle. This boss can be summoned by breaking a Larva found in the jungle or by using an Abeemination crafted from Honey Bottles, Stingers, and Hive blocks. The Bee Armor is essential for pre-Hardmode summoners as it significantly boosts your minion capabilities, making it easier to tackle early-game bosses like Skeletron and the Wall of Flesh.

Once you enter Hardmode, the summoner armor progression becomes more complex. The first significant upgrade is the Spider Armor, crafted from Spider Fangs dropped by Black Recluses in the Spider Caves. This armor increases your minion count by two and provides a 28% boost to minion damage. The Spider Armor is a great early Hardmode option, but it lacks defense, so you need to be cautious in combat. To farm Spider Fangs, explore the Spider Caves biome and defeat Black Recluses. This armor will help you tackle early Hardmode bosses like the Destroyer and the Twins.

As you progress further into Hardmode, the next major upgrade is the Forbidden Armor. This set is crafted from Forbidden Fragments, which are dropped by Sand Elementals in the Desert during a Sandstorm. The Forbidden Armor provides a 26% boost to minion damage and increases your minion count by one. Additionally, it grants a 15% boost to magic damage and reduces mana usage by 10%, making it a hybrid option for summoners who also use magic weapons. To farm Forbidden Fragments, wait for a Sandstorm in the Desert and defeat Sand Elementals. This armor is ideal for mid-Hardmode summoners and provides a good balance between offense and defense.

The best summoner armor in the game is the Stardust Armor, which is the final summoner set. This armor is crafted from Stardust Fragments, dropped by the Stardust Pillar during the Lunar Events. The Stardust Armor provides a 66% boost to minion damage and increases your minion count by three. Additionally, it grants the Stardust Guardian ability, which summons a powerful minion that deals high damage and has a large area of effect. To obtain this armor, you need to defeat the Lunatic Cultist and trigger the Lunar Events. Focus on the Stardust Pillar to gather Stardust Fragments. The Stardust Armor is the pinnacle of summoner gear and is essential for defeating the Moon Lord, the final boss of Terraria.

When building a summoner character, it is important to consider accessories that complement your playstyle. Key accessories include the Papyrus Scarab, Necromantic Scroll, and Summoner Emblem, which boost minion damage and count. The Celestial Shell and Celestial Stone are also excellent choices for overall stat boosts. Additionally, the Pygmy Necklace and Hercules Beetle further enhance your minion capabilities. Reforge your accessories to Menacing or Lucky to maximize damage or critical strike chance.

Preparation is crucial for summoners. Always carry summoning potions, bewitching tables, and other buffs to maximize your minion count and damage. Use the Bewitching Table, found in Dungeons, to temporarily increase your minion count by one. Summoning potions, crafted from Bottled Water, Moonglow, and Variegated Lardfish, also increase your minion count by one. These buffs are essential for tough battles and boss fights.

Common mistakes to avoid include neglecting defense and relying solely on minions. While summoners focus on minions, having decent defense is important to survive tough encounters. Always keep healing potions and defensive accessories like the Worm Scarf or Ankh Shield handy. Another mistake is not optimizing your minion count. Always use the maximum number of minions allowed by your armor and accessories to maximize damage output.

Advanced techniques for summoners include using hybrid builds that combine summoner and magic or ranged weapons. For example, the Forbidden Armor allows you to use both minions and magic effectively. Additionally, using sentries like the Ballista Staff or Explosive Trap Staff can provide extra damage and crowd control. Positioning is also key; stay mobile and let your minions do the work while you focus on dodging attacks.

In summary, the best summoner armor sets in Terraria are the Bee Armor for pre-Hardmode, Spider Armor and Forbidden Armor for early to mid-Hardmode, and Stardust Armor for late Hardmode. Focus on increasing your minion count and damage through armor, accessories, and buffs. Avoid common mistakes like neglecting defense and not optimizing minion count. Use advanced techniques like hybrid builds and sentries to enhance your summoner playstyle. With the right preparation and strategy, a summoner build can be incredibly powerful and effective in Terraria.