In Terraria, mastering the art of delegation is key for a summoner. Your strength lies not in direct combat but in marshaling an army of companions, from small birds and frogs to majestic celestial dragons. This playstyle rewards patience and strategic planning, empowering those who prefer to command the battlefield from a distance.
Life as a summoner isn`t without its challenges. The class often swings between feeling underpowered and overwhelmingly powerful, heavily dependent on your game progression and how effectively you equip your minions. Yet, when everything aligns, few experiences rival the satisfaction of watching your summoned forces dismantle formidable bosses while you expertly guide them with your whip.
Before delving into specific weapons for Pre-Hardmode and Hardmode, it`s vital to understand the difference between minions and sentries. Sentries are static, perfect for defending fixed points during wave-based events, but require re-summoning if you move. Minions, conversely, offer superior mobility, actively following you into battle. Your choice depends on whether you prefer a defensive or offensive approach. Regardless, you can summon multiple units of the same type to amplify your power.
Pre-Hardmode
Finch Staff
- Damage: 7
- Mana cost: 10
- Knockback: 4
- Velocity: 10
- Speed: 36 (Very Slow)
- Summon type: Minion
The Finch Staff often serves as a player`s first taste of summoner gameplay, sometimes found in Living Trees. While seemingly modest, summoning a single bird minion to peck at enemies, it provides a loyal companion much earlier than most other classes acquire reliable allies. It`s a gentle introduction to indirect combat and a valuable asset for aspiring summoners.
Though its stats are humble, with 7 base damage and no knockback, it won`t carry you far into the midgame. Still, for an item obtainable almost immediately, it punches above its weight, providing consistent chip damage that accumulates during early encounters. It may not be spectacular, but it establishes the summoner`s path and cultivates a desire for more formidable companions.
Ballista Rod
- Damage: 30
- Mana cost: 5
- Knockback: 4.7
- Velocity: 1
- Speed: 30 (Average)
- Summon type: Sentry
Acquired from the Tavernkeep after defeating the Goblin Army, the Ballista Rod highlights the utility of sentries for summoners. Deploying a stationary ballista turret transforms your combat strategy, allowing you to secure chokepoints or add significant pressure in boss arenas with piercing bolts that can subdue multiple adversaries simultaneously.
Unlike minions, sentries remain fixed, making clever placement as crucial as raw power. While summoning multiple sentries initially requires effort (e.g., the War Table`s Strategist buff provides an extra slot), their advantage is that they don`t count towards your minion limit. Combining them with various staffs sets you firmly on the path to victory.
Vampire Frog Staff
- Damage: 11
- Mana cost: 10
- Knockback: 5
- Velocity: 10
- Speed: 36 (Very Slow)
- Summon type: Minion
This staff marks a significant power spike for Pre-Hardmode summoners. Obtained during a Blood Moon event by defeating Zombie Mermen or Wandering Eye Fish, it unleashes aggressive frogs that swiftly leap at enemies, dealing surprising damage. These amphibians will carry you much further than any early-game bird or slime, making the summoner class feel like a truly viable and powerful playstyle.
Each frog delivers 11 damage with rapid strikes, offering excellent crowd control against enemy swarms. For the duration of Pre-Hardmode, they feel like a revelation. If you can survive the Blood Moon long enough to secure this staff, you`ll possess one of the most reliable weapons in the entire early game.
Imp Staff
- Damage: 17
- Mana cost: 10
- Knockback: 2
- Velocity: 10
- Speed: 36 (Very Slow)
- Summon type: Minion
Upon reaching the Underworld, the Imp Staff emerges as the premier Pre-Hardmode choice. Crafted from 17 Hellstone Bars, requiring you to brave lava lakes and fire-spewing imps, the reward is substantial. Summoned imps launch fireballs from a safe distance, inflicting consistent damage without exposing themselves to harm. It`s an exceptionally powerful weapon for Terraria`s boss fights, especially against the Wall of Flesh, where constant ranged pressure is invaluable.
With robust base damage and piercing fireballs, the Imp Staff significantly outperforms other Pre-Hardmode options. Its ability to maintain distance from enemies is a clear improvement over frog or slime summons, and it transitions smoothly into early Hardmode before you acquire stronger alternatives.
Hardmode
Spider Staff
- Damage: 26
- Mana cost: 10
- Knockback: 3
- Velocity: 10
- Speed: 36 (Very Slow)
- Summon type: Minion
Upon defeating the Wall of Flesh and entering Hardmode, the Spider Staff often serves as your initial major upgrade. Crafted from 16 Spider Fangs acquired from newly generated spider caves, this staff summons spiders that quickly scuttle along the ground to overwhelm foes. These arachnids excel at close-range shredding, making mechanical bosses considerably more manageable.
Each spider deals 26 damage with fast bites and adheres to targets, proving highly effective against single enemies. Their primary limitation is their short range, but inflicting the Acid Venom debuff (6 health per second) ensures they make quick work of their chosen target. With the right armor and accessories, you can summon a formidable arachnid army to clear your path forward.
Queen Spider Staff
- Damage: 26
- Mana cost: 10
- Knockback: 7.5
- Velocity: 14
- Speed: 30 (Average)
- Summon type: Sentry
Also crafted from Spider Fangs (24 of them), this staff is an indispensable tool for any Hardmode summoner. It deploys a sentry that launches eggs, which detonate on impact, apply the Acid Venom debuff over time, and release two baby spiders that latch onto enemies. Crucially, sentries do not consume minion slots, allowing you to combine a Queen Spider turret with a full complement of minions for devastating mixed damage.
The relentless volley of eggs, delivering base damage and spawning multiple spiders to chip away at enemies, makes the Queen Spider Staff a continuous source of supplementary damage that scales exceptionally well with your increasing minion count.
Raven Staff
- Damage: 55
- Mana cost: 10
- Knockback: 3
- Velocity: 10
- Speed: 28 (Average)
- Summon type: Minion
During the seasonal Pumpkin Moon event, the Raven Staff emerges as a fearsome powerhouse. Obtained from this event, it summons aggressive ravens that dive with ferocity, dealing heavy blows. This weapon immediately propels summoners into late Hardmode viability, providing the means to decimate bosses and invasion waves alike.
Each raven inflicts a substantial amount of damage and attacks swiftly from the air, constantly harassing enemies. With enough summons active, the screen becomes a chaotic blur of feathers and strikes, reminiscent of an Alfred Hitchcock film. Though event-dependent, the Raven Staff is a significant upgrade capable of carrying you through the endgame with appropriate supporting gear.
Stardust Dragon Staff
- Damage: 40
- Mana cost: 10
- Knockback: 2
- Velocity: 10
- Speed: 36 (Very Slow)
- Summon type: Minion
The Stardust Dragon Staff stands as the ultimate achievement in summoning, making you feel truly unstoppable. Crafted from 18 Stardust Fragments after conquering the Lunar Events, it summons a magnificent celestial dragon that extends its length with each invested minion slot. Instead of multiple separate creatures, you channel all your summoning power into one colossal beast that utterly dominates the battlefield.
Each segment of the dragon adds 40 base damage, and when fully extended, it becomes one of Terraria`s most destructive forces. Its continuous, sweeping attacks annihilate enemies and bosses alike, leaving little room for resistance. This is the definitive summoner`s staff for endgame players, surpassing almost all other Terraria weapons, and a fitting reward for those who embraced the path of delegation.
Summoner weapons fundamentally alter the Terraria experience, shifting your success from personal agility and reflexes to the collective might of your companions. From modest birds and frogs in the early stages to the awe-inspiring celestial dragons at the pinnacle of power, these tools of delegation transform you into the ultimate battlefield commander. Master them, and you may never need to wield a sword again.