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, from pre-Hardmode to endgame, and each set offers unique benefits.

In pre-Hardmode, the best summoner armor is the Bee Armor, crafted from Bee Wax dropped by the Queen Bee boss. This set increases your minion count by one and provides a 23% boost to minion damage. To obtain it, you need to defeat the Queen Bee in the Underground Jungle. This armor is essential for early summoners, as it allows you to summon more minions and deal more damage, making it easier to tackle early bosses like the Eye of Cthulhu or Skeletron.

Once you enter Hardmode, the summoner armor progression becomes more advanced. The first major upgrade is the Spider Armor, crafted from Spider Fangs dropped by Black Recluses in the Spider Caves. This set increases your minion count by three and boosts minion damage by 28%. It also provides decent defense, making it a solid choice for early Hardmode. To craft this set, you need to gather Spider Fangs and craft it at an Anvil. This armor is particularly useful for summoners who want to focus on minion damage while still having some survivability.

As you progress further into Hardmode, the next significant upgrade is the Forbidden Armor, crafted from Forbidden Fragments dropped by Sand Elementals in the Desert during a Sandstorm. This set increases your minion count by two and boosts minion damage by 30%. Additionally, it provides a 15% boost to magic damage and reduces mana usage by 15%, making it a hybrid option for summoners who also use magic weapons. This armor is ideal for players who want to combine summoning with magic attacks, offering versatility in combat.

The endgame summoner armor is the Stardust Armor, crafted from Stardust Fragments dropped by the Stardust Pillar during the Lunar Events. This set is the pinnacle of summoner gear, providing a massive boost to minion damage and count. The Stardust Armor increases your minion count by five and boosts minion damage by 66%. It also grants the Stardust Guardian, a powerful minion that deals high damage and has a unique attack pattern. To craft this set, you need to defeat the Stardust Pillar and gather Stardust Fragments, then craft it at an Ancient Manipulator. This armor is essential for summoners facing the Moon Lord, as it maximizes minion damage and survivability.

When building a summoner character, it's 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 Papyrus Scarab and Necromantic Scroll can be combined with the Hercules Beetle to create the powerful Pygmy Necklace, which further enhances minion capabilities. Additionally, the Celestial Shell and Celestial Stone provide overall stat boosts, including increased damage and defense, making them valuable for summoners.

Resource management is crucial for summoners, as crafting high-tier armor and accessories requires rare materials. Farming bosses like the Queen Bee, Plantera, and the Lunar Events is essential for gathering the necessary resources. Preparation is key, so always stock up on potions, buffs, and healing items before engaging in tough battles. Summoners should also focus on building arenas with platforms, campfires, and heart lanterns to maximize survivability during boss fights.

Common mistakes to avoid include neglecting defense and survivability. While summoners rely on minions for damage, having low defense can make you vulnerable to enemy attacks. Always balance your build with accessories that provide defense or mobility, such as the Worm Scarf or Shield of Cthulhu. Another mistake is not utilizing buffs and potions. Summoners benefit greatly from buffs like the Summoning Potion, which increases minion count, and the Bewitching Table, which provides an additional minion slot.

Advanced techniques for summoners include optimizing minion AI and positioning. Minions can be directed to attack specific targets by right-clicking on enemies, allowing you to focus on dodging and positioning. Additionally, combining summoner weapons with other classes, such as magic or ranged, can provide versatility in combat. For example, using the Terraprisma, a powerful summon weapon, alongside magic weapons like the Last Prism can create a devastating combination.

In summary, the best armor sets for a summoner build in Terraria are the Bee Armor in pre-Hardmode, the Spider Armor and Forbidden Armor in early to mid-Hardmode, and the Stardust Armor in endgame. Each set provides unique bonuses to minion damage and count, making them essential for optimizing a summoner build. By focusing on resource gathering, accessory combinations, and strategic combat, summoners can become a formidable force in Terraria.