Terraria: Best Melee Weapons Ranked

The melee class in Terraria, while seemingly straightforward, demands a certain boldness from players. Rather than employing ranged tactics, melee combatants plunge directly into the fray, risking their health to unleash devastating damage. This playstyle appeals to those who enjoy raw power, significant critical hits, and the sensation of being an unstoppable force. However, melee combat in Terraria isn`t merely about reckless abandon. The game offers a remarkably varied melee arsenal, from colossal swords that dominate boss encounters to versatile weapons like yoyos, spears, boomerangs, and flails designed for crowd control. Consistent with Terraria`s design, “melee” doesn`t always necessitate being in the heart of the battle. Many top-tier melee weapons, particularly from Hardmode onwards, can project attacks across the screen, allowing for a safer playstyle without sacrificing the core melee identity.

Pre-Hardmode

Terragrim

The Terragrim is an exceptional early-game discovery, often appearing as a rare find in Enchanted Sword Shrines. Its incredibly high attack speed largely compensates for its modest damage output. This uncraftable, chance-based weapon might never appear in a given world, but for those lucky enough to acquire it, it`s a game-changer. Its rapid strikes can decimate foes before they pose a threat, making early bosses like the Eye of Cthulhu feel trivial. The Terragrim isn`t something players typically plan for; rather, it`s a serendipitous reward for exploration, showcasing Terraria`s potential for significant power boosts.

Volcano

Crafted from Hellstone found in the Underworld (and known as the Fiery Greatsword on some platforms), the Volcano serves as an excellent mid-game melee option. Despite its slow swing speed, it boasts a wide attack arc, enabling players to hit multiple enemies simultaneously and inflict the “On Fire” debuff for consistent damage over time. Its substantial feel and extended reach provide an advantage against fast-moving enemies. Beyond its standalone power, the Volcano is vital for crafting the Night`s Edge, a quintessential pre-Hardmode sword. Even if not used as a permanent weapon, obtaining the Volcano is a natural and important step in the melee progression, signaling readiness for more challenging encounters in Terraria.

Sunfury

The Sunfury stands as the highest-damage melee weapon obtainable in pre-Hardmode. Located in Shadow Chests or acquired from Obsidian Lock Boxes, this flaming flail can pass through walls, strike multiple targets, and apply the “On Fire” debuff on top of its direct impact. It excels in clearing events and defeating bosses, enabling players to maintain position rather than continuously evade. Distinct from the Volcano, the Sunfury offers a safer playstyle due to its extended reach. This range allows players to prioritize damage-boosting accessories over defensive ones, as direct confrontation is less frequent. It represents peak pre-Hardmode dominance, significantly easing the challenge of the Wall of Flesh encounter.

Hardmode

Terra Blade

The Terra Blade transforms melee combat into a balanced offense, combining safety with high pressure. Crafted from the True Excalibur, True Night`s Edge, and the Broken Hero Sword, each swing unleashes a green projectile wave. This allows players to inflict melee damage from a distance while benefiting from full melee stat scaling. Renowned for its precise handling, consistent damage per second (DPS), and a satisfyingly powerful feel from the moment it`s forged, it`s ideal for post-Plantera progression, farming during the Solar Eclipse, and dominating various events as players gather components for ultimate endgame weapons. The Terra Blade is a versatile “Swiss Army Knife” of melee, adept at both controlling crowds and focusing on single targets without requiring complex strategies, and it serves as a crucial component for the game`s ultimate sword.

Solar Eruption

The Solar Eruption, a formidable weapon crafted from Solar Fragments, offers unparalleled tactical advantages. This fiery chain weapon pierces through enemies, persists in its area of effect, and uniquely strikes through walls, all while inflicting the potent “Daybroken” debuff, which deals even greater damage over time than “On Fire.” Its exceptional range, inherent safety, and continuous damage output make many late-game encounters significantly easier. Players can strategically send it through terrain to devastate groups of enemies and safely target bosses. It is particularly effective in large-scale events and during Lunar Pillar assaults, where environmental cover and enemy density would typically hinder other weapons. The Solar Eruption`s unique combination of crowd control and sustained damage is rarely matched by other melee weapons.

Zenith

The Zenith, a weapon that perfectly balances immense satisfaction with a touch of spectacle, truly represents the culmination of a player`s journey. Forged from an impressive collection of ten legendary blades – including the Terra Blade, Starfury, Seedler, Meowmere, Star Wrath, Influx Waver, The Horseman`s Blade, Bee Keeper, Enchanted Sword, and even the basic Copper Shortsword – it unleashes a devastating barrage of swords that eradicates anything in its path. Its performance is nothing short of extraordinary, and its visual effects serve as a fitting reward for the extensive effort required to craft it. The Zenith allows players to effortlessly conquer moon events, challenges, and farming tasks with absolute supremacy. It embodies intentional overkill, which is precisely its charm. Having painstakingly gathered its many components, players rightfully earn the most powerful item in the game`s arsenal.

The melee experience in Terraria evolves dramatically, starting with straightforward yet effective attacks and progressing to visually stunning, screen-clearing assaults. The pre-Hardmode phase introduces diverse weaponry like star-summoning swords, crowd-controlling flails, and the Night`s Edge as a significant milestone. Upon entering Hardmode, players gain access to an array of legendary blades and celestial creations, enabling safer combat without abandoning the core melee playstyle. The allure of melee is straightforward: unlike other combat classes in Terraria, melee users are always at the heart of the action, confronting bosses directly. Each weapon upgrade offers a distinct and noticeable increase in power, culminating in the Zenith – a grand celebration of all the player`s achievements. For those who thrive on high-stakes combat, close-quarters encounters, and the satisfaction of dominating foes with their own hands, the melee class consistently delivers a rewarding experience.