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

Increasing your character's summon count in Terraria is a key aspect of playing as a summoner, a class that relies on minions to deal damage. The summon count determines how many minions you can have active at once, and increasing it allows you to deal more damage and handle tougher enemies and bosses more effectively. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide on how to achieve this.

The summon count is primarily increased through accessories, armor sets, and buffs. The base summon count starts at one minion, but with the right setup, you can have up to 11 minions active simultaneously. This is achieved by combining specific accessories, armor, and buffs that increase your minion capacity.

To begin, youÔÇÖll need to focus on obtaining accessories that increase your minion count. The most important accessory for this is the Summoner Emblem, which increases minion damage by 15% and can be obtained by defeating the Wall of Flesh. Another key accessory is the Papyrus Scarab, which increases minion damage by 15% and minion count by one. This is crafted using the Necromantic Scroll and the Hercules Beetle, both of which are dropped by the Hardmode boss Plantera. The Necromantic Scroll increases minion count by one, and the Hercules Beetle increases minion damage by 15%. Combining these two items into the Papyrus Scarab gives you both benefits.

Armor sets also play a crucial role in increasing your summon count. The Spider Armor, obtained by crafting with Spider Fangs dropped by Black Recluses in the Spider Caves, increases your minion count by three and provides decent defense. Later in the game, you can upgrade to the Tiki Armor, which increases your minion count by four and is crafted from Tiki Totems dropped by the Hardmode Jungle enemies. The Stardust Armor, the endgame summoner armor, increases your minion count by five and provides the highest defense and damage bonuses for summoners.

Buffs are another way to increase your summon count. The Summoning Potion, crafted with Bottled Water, Daybloom, and Variegated Lardfish, increases your minion count by one for eight minutes. This potion is essential for maximizing your minion count during boss fights or tough encounters. Additionally, the Bewitching Table, found in Dungeons, provides a buff that increases your minion count by one when used. This buff lasts until you die or exit the world, making it a valuable tool for summoners.

To optimize your summon count, you should also consider your accessories and reforging. Accessories like the Pygmy Necklace, which increases minion count by one, and the Avenger Emblem, which increases all damage by 12%, can be combined with other accessories to further boost your minion count and damage. Reforging your accessories to have the Warding modifier (+4 defense) or Menacing modifier (+4% damage) can also help you survive longer or deal more damage.

Common mistakes to avoid include not using the Summoning Potion or Bewitching Table buffs, as these are easy ways to increase your minion count. Additionally, not upgrading your armor or accessories as you progress can leave you underpowered. Always aim to upgrade to the best available summoner armor and accessories as soon as possible.

Advanced techniques include combining summoner gear with other class accessories to create hybrid builds. For example, using the Celestial Shell, which provides bonuses to melee, ranged, and magic damage, can make your character more versatile. Additionally, using the Stardust Dragon staff, which summons a powerful dragon minion, can be more effective than multiple weaker minions in some situations.

Resource requirements and preparation involve gathering materials for crafting the necessary armor and accessories. This includes farming Spider Fangs for the Spider Armor, Tiki Totems for the Tiki Armor, and Stardust Fragments for the Stardust Armor. YouÔÇÖll also need to gather materials for the Summoning Potion and other buffs.

In summary, increasing your summon count in Terraria involves a combination of the right accessories, armor, and buffs. By following this guide, you can maximize your minion count and become a powerful summoner capable of taking on the toughest challenges in the game.