In Terraria, the Summoner class offers a distinct and strategic way to play the game. Unlike melee or magic users, Summoners focus on calling forth powerful minions to fight on their behalf. This playstyle requires careful preparation, item management, and positioning. Building the best Summoner build in Terraria means understanding which armor sets, accessories, weapons, and buffs enhance minion strength and survivability. From early game to endgame, mastering a solid Summoner build can turn you into a force to be reckoned with, allowing you to conquer bosses and events with minimal direct combat.
Core Mechanics of the Summoner Class
How Summoning Works
Summoners use weapons called summon staves to call minions that automatically attack enemies. The number of minions you can summon is based on your gear and buffs. Additionally, you can use sentries stationary support minions that assist in crowd control and defense.
Building for Minion Damage
To create the best Summoner build in Terraria, focus on increasing the following:
- Minion Damage: The higher your damage, the more effective your minions become.
- Minion Count: The more minions you have, the faster you can overwhelm enemies.
- Summoning Speed: While not always crucial, some items improve efficiency and control.
Best Summoner Gear by Game Progression
Pre-Hardmode Summoner Build
Armor
TheBee armoris the best option in pre-Hardmode. It provides a significant boost to minion damage and grants one additional minion slot.
Weapons
- Finch Staff: Available early in the game from Living Trees.
- Slime Staff: Rare drop, but decent for starting.
- Hornet Staff: A strong upgrade post-Queen Bee.
Accessories
- Summoner Emblem: Increases summon damage by 15% (available in Hardmode but worth planning for).
- Pygmy Necklace: Increases max minions by one (obtained in Hardmode but useful later).
Buffs
- Bewitching Table: Grants one extra minion.
- Summoning Potion: Grants one extra minion temporarily.
This pre-Hardmode Summoner build is perfect for defeating bosses like the Eye of Cthulhu, Brain of Cthulhu, and even the Wall of Flesh with preparation.
Early Hardmode Summoner Build
Armor
Obsidian armoris an excellent choice early in Hardmode. It greatly increases minion damage and lets you summon multiple minions early.
Weapons
- Imp Staff: Summons an Imp that inflicts the ‘On Fire!’ debuff.
- Spider Staff: Obtained from Black Recluses in the Underground; deals solid damage and good against bosses.
Accessories
- Summoner Emblem
- Hercules Beetle: Later obtained via the Witch Doctor in a Jungle house, boosts damage and knockback.
- Spirit Flame: Bonus magic weapon that synergizes well for extra burst damage.
Early Hardmode can be tough, but with proper minion stacking and dodge-focused accessories, the Summoner build remains strong. This setup is particularly effective against mechanical bosses.
Mid-Hardmode Summoner Build
Armor
Spooky armor, crafted from Spooky Wood during the Pumpkin Moon event, is the best mid-Hardmode Summoner armor. It increases minion damage and grants two additional minions.
Weapons
- Pygmy Staff: Summons Pygmies with piercing attacks; dropped by Plantera.
- Raven Staff: Powerful minions with fast attacks; dropped during the Pumpkin Moon.
Sentries
- Queen Spider Staff: Fires webs and spawns spiders; useful for controlling multiple enemies.
Accessories
- Necromantic Scroll: Increases max minions and minion damage.
- Papyrus Scarab: Combines effects of Hercules Beetle and Necromantic Scroll.
This phase of the game introduces stronger minions and higher versatility. Farming events like Pumpkin Moon and Frost Moon is easier with proper minion control and preparation.
Endgame Summoner Build (Post-Moon Lord)
Armor
Stardust armoris the ultimate Summoner gear in Terraria. It not only grants the most summon slots but also summons a Stardust Guardian for defense.
Weapons
- Terraprisma: One of the strongest summon weapons, obtained from defeating Empress of Light during the day.
- Stardust Dragon Staff: Summons a long dragon that scales with your summon count.
- Cell Staff: Great for targeting and raw power, suitable for specific boss fights.
Accessories
- Celestial Stone/Shell: General stat boost including regeneration and defense.
- Papyrus Scarab
- Hercules Beetle
- Summoner Emblem
This endgame build allows Summoners to clear most content solo, including the Moon Lord and event waves. Minions like the Stardust Dragon or Terraprisma are capable of destroying high-HP bosses quickly when combined with damage buffs and accessories.
Extra Tips for a Successful Summoner Playthrough
Use Minion Buffs Regularly
Before every boss or event, be sure to activate:
- Summoning Potion
- Bewitching Table
- Sharpening Station: Though not useful for minions, still helpful for hybrid builds.
Stay Mobile and Let Minions Work
Summoners are fragile. Focus on movement, dodging, and repositioning rather than direct combat. Let your minions and sentries handle the enemies while you concentrate on staying alive.
Combine Sentries and Minions Strategically
Use sentries like the Ballista or Flameburst for crowd control, especially during invasions or events. Proper placement can make a huge difference in effectiveness.
Optimize Accessory Loadout
Reforge your accessories to the Menacing or Ruthless modifiers to increase summon damage. Avoid defensive modifiers unless you’re struggling with survivability.
The best Summoner build in Terraria depends on the phase of the game you’re in, but the core principles remain the same: maximize minion count, increase damage, and stay mobile. From Bee armor and Hornet Staff to Stardust armor and Terraprisma, every stage of the game offers exciting upgrades that improve your effectiveness. With the right equipment, buffs, and tactics, the Summoner class becomes one of the most rewarding and powerful ways to experience Terraria’s expansive content.