How do I summon the Goblin Army event in Terraria?

To summon the Goblin Army event in Terraria, you need to meet specific conditions and use a Goblin Battle Standard. This event is an invasion where waves of goblin enemies attack your world, and defeating them rewards you with valuable items and access to the Goblin Tinkerer NPC. HereÔÇÖs a detailed explanation of how to summon and handle the Goblin Army event.

First, you need to meet the prerequisites for the Goblin Army to spawn. You must have at least one Shadow Orb or Crimson Heart destroyed in your world, and your world must have at least one player with 200 or more maximum health. These conditions are necessary for the event to trigger naturally or for you to summon it manually. Once these conditions are met, the Goblin Army has a chance to spawn randomly each day, but you can also force the event by crafting and using a Goblin Battle Standard.

To craft a Goblin Battle Standard, you need 10 Tattered Cloth and 5 Wood at a Loom. Tattered Cloth is dropped by Goblin Scouts, which spawn in the outer thirds of the world, typically in the Forest or Desert biomes during the day. Goblin Scouts are not common, so you may need to spend some time exploring these areas to find and defeat them. Once you have the required materials, craft the Goblin Battle Standard at a Loom, which can be made with 12 Wood at a Sawmill.

Using the Goblin Battle Standard will immediately summon the Goblin Army. The event consists of multiple waves of goblin enemies, including Goblin Peons, Goblin Thieves, Goblin Sorcerers, and Goblin Archers. The final wave includes the Goblin Summoner, a tougher enemy that can teleport and summon Shadowflame Apparitions. Defeating all waves will end the event and reward you with items like the Harpoon, Spiky Ball, and access to the Goblin Tinkerer NPC, who sells useful items like the Rocket Boots and the TinkererÔÇÖs Workshop.

Preparation is key to surviving the Goblin Army event. Before summoning the event, ensure you have a strong weapon, such as a bow with JesterÔÇÖs Arrows or a sword like the Blade of Grass. Armor like Gold or Platinum is recommended, but if youÔÇÖve defeated the Eye of Cthulhu or Eater of Worlds/Brain of Cthulhu, you might have better options like Shadow or Crimson armor. Potions like Ironskin, Regeneration, and Swiftness can significantly improve your survivability and combat effectiveness.

Building a defensive arena can make the event much easier. Create a platform with walls or barriers to block enemy movement, and place campfires and heart lanterns for health regeneration. If you have access to traps or explosives, set them up to deal additional damage to the goblins. Summoning minions like the Hornet Staff or Imp Staff can also help by providing extra damage output.

One common mistake is underestimating the Goblin ArmyÔÇÖs strength, especially in early-game stages. If youÔÇÖre not well-equipped, the event can overwhelm you quickly. Make sure to have enough healing items and a safe space to retreat if needed. Another mistake is summoning the event in an unprepared area, leading to NPCs being killed or your base being destroyed. Always summon the event in a controlled environment, away from your main base if possible.

Advanced techniques include using environmental hazards to your advantage. For example, lava traps can deal significant damage to the goblins, but be careful not to destroy their drops. If you have access to the Meteorite biome, the Meteor Head enemies can be used to farm for the Space Gun, which is highly effective against the Goblin Army.

In terms of resource requirements, youÔÇÖll need to gather Wood and Tattered Cloth, as mentioned earlier. Additionally, stock up on healing potions, ammunition, and any buff potions you can craft. If youÔÇÖre playing in a multiplayer world, coordinating with teammates to cover different roles, such as ranged and melee combat, can make the event more manageable.

Class and equipment considerations depend on your playstyle. Melee characters should focus on high-defense armor and weapons with wide attack ranges, like spears or flails. Ranged characters should prioritize bows or guns with high-damage ammunition. Magic users can use spells like the Water Bolt or Demon Scythe for area control. Summoners should have their minions ready and consider using the Snapthorn or Flinx Staff for additional damage.

In specific scenarios, such as playing in Expert or Master Mode, the Goblin Army will be more challenging. Enemies will have more health and deal more damage, so additional preparation is necessary. Consider using stronger weapons and armor, and make sure your arena is well-fortified. In these modes, the Goblin Summoner can be particularly dangerous, so focus on taking her out quickly.

In summary, summoning and defeating the Goblin Army requires preparation, strategy, and the right equipment. By crafting a Goblin Battle Standard, building a defensive arena, and equipping yourself with strong weapons and potions, you can successfully handle the event and reap its rewards. Avoid common mistakes like underestimating the enemy or summoning the event in an unprepared area, and consider advanced techniques like using environmental hazards or coordinating with teammates in multiplayer. With the right approach, the Goblin Army event can be a rewarding challenge in Terraria.