How do I summon the Old One's Army event in Terraria?

To summon the Old One's Army event in Terraria, you need to interact with the Eternia Crystal Stand, which is the central mechanic of this event. The Old One's Army is a unique wave-based defense event where you must protect the Eternia Crystal from waves of enemies. This event is tied to the Tavernkeep NPC, who sells items related to the event, including the Eternia Crystal and the Eternia Crystal Stand. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide on how to summon and prepare for the Old One's Army event.

First, you need to find the Tavernkeep NPC. He can spawn randomly after defeating the Eater of Worlds or Brain of Cthulhu, but only if there is an available house for him. Once you have the Tavernkeep, you can purchase the Eternia Crystal Stand for 25 gold coins and the Eternia Crystal for 1 gold coin. These are the key items required to start the event. The Eternia Crystal Stand must be placed on a flat surface, and the Eternia Crystal is placed on it to begin the event.

The Old One's Army event has three tiers, each corresponding to different stages of the game. Tier 1 is available pre-Hardmode, Tier 2 becomes available after entering Hardmode, and Tier 3 unlocks after defeating Plantera. The difficulty and rewards increase with each tier, so itÔÇÖs important to prepare accordingly. For Tier 1, youÔÇÖll face weaker enemies, but as you progress to Tier 3, the enemies become significantly stronger, and the event becomes more challenging.

Preparation is crucial for successfully defending the Eternia Crystal. First, you should build a suitable arena. The arena should be flat and wide, with enough space to maneuver and fight enemies. Place the Eternia Crystal Stand in the center of the arena. You can also build platforms at different heights to give yourself more mobility during the event. Traps, such as dart traps and flame traps, can be placed around the arena to help deal with enemies. However, be careful not to place too many traps, as they can also damage you.

Next, consider your equipment and class setup. For Tier 1, you can use pre-Hardmode gear, but for Tier 2 and Tier 3, youÔÇÖll need Hardmode weapons and armor. Melee characters should focus on high-defense armor and weapons with good crowd control, such as the NightÔÇÖs Edge or the Terra Blade. Ranged characters should use weapons like the Megashark or the Daedalus Stormbow, which are effective against groups of enemies. Mages can use weapons like the Crystal Serpent or the Rainbow Rod, while summoners should focus on summoning weapons like the Blade Staff or the Sanguine Staff. Accessories that boost your damage, defense, or mobility, such as the Warrior Emblem or the Frostspark Boots, are also important.

Resource management is another key aspect of the event. Make sure you have plenty of healing potions, mana potions, and buff potions. Potions like Ironskin, Regeneration, and Swiftness can significantly improve your survivability and combat effectiveness. Additionally, having a supply of ammo or mana-restoring items is essential for ranged and magic classes.

During the event, youÔÇÖll face waves of enemies that will try to destroy the Eternia Crystal. Each wave increases in difficulty, with stronger enemies and bosses appearing in later waves. Focus on killing enemies quickly and efficiently, and prioritize targets that are closest to the crystal. Use your arenaÔÇÖs layout to your advantage, kiting enemies and avoiding damage. If the crystal is destroyed, the event ends, and youÔÇÖll need to start over.

One common mistake is underestimating the difficulty of the event, especially in higher tiers. Make sure youÔÇÖre adequately prepared with the right gear and buffs before attempting the event. Another mistake is not building a proper arena, which can make it much harder to defend the crystal. Take the time to set up a good arena with traps and platforms to give yourself the best chance of success.

Advanced techniques include using sentries, which are special weapons that summon stationary minions to attack enemies. The Tavernkeep sells sentry weapons, such as the Ballista Rod and the Explosive Trap Rod, which can be very effective in defending the crystal. Additionally, coordinating with other players in multiplayer can make the event easier, as you can divide roles and cover more ground.

In summary, summoning and completing the Old One's Army event requires careful preparation, the right equipment, and a well-designed arena. By following these steps and strategies, you can successfully defend the Eternia Crystal and earn valuable rewards, such as Defender Medals, which can be used to purchase powerful items from the Tavernkeep.