Summon weapons
Command legions of spectral beasts and whips that sing with dark energy
Summon weapons are weapons dealing summon damage . They are categorized into minion-summoning weapons , sentry-summoning weapons , and whips . Minion- and sentry-summoning weapons spawn secondary characters that automatically attack enemies. Minions follow the player, while sentries are stationary. Whips swing in an arc, causing minions and sentries to target the hit enemy, along with secondary effects such as granting increased summon damage on the target or summoning extra projectiles. There are 59 summon weapons. The following lists present all summon weapons, along with their damage and how to obtain them. The weapons are roughly ordered by their intended stage of game progression. - 1 Pre-Hardmode 1.1 Minions - 1.2 Sentries 1.2.1 Standard - 1.2.2 Tavernkeep's sentries - 1.3 Whips - 2 Hardmode 2.1 Minions - 2.2 Sentries 2.2.1 Standard - 2.2.2 Tavernkeep's sentries - 2.3 Whips - 3 Armor summons - 4 Boost gear 4.1 Armor sets - 4.2 Accessories - 4.3 Buffs - 5 Notes - 6 Tips - 7 Maximizing minions 7.1 Minion count - 7.2 Sentry count - 8 External links - 9 Trivia - 10 References
Lore & Background
In the shadowed corners of Terraria, where silence is often broken by the roar of beasts, a unique power stirs. The Summoner does not strike alone; they are a conductor of chaos, weaving spells that manifest independent sentinels from the ether. These minions, ranging from spectral tigers to mechanical dragons, cling to the player's will, following with unwavering loyalty while ignoring the very defenses of their foes. Some stand as stationary sentries, guardians of the battlefield who pierce through armor and launch relentless assault, while others dance around the summoner like a personal retinue.
The true artistry lies in the whip, a weapon that bridges the gap between master and servant. When swung, it does not merely strike flesh but marks the enemy with an arcane signature, commanding the legion to focus their fury upon the tagged target. From the fiery explosions of the Dark Harvest to the prophetic visions of the Kaleidoscope, each lash weaves a different thread into the tapestry of battle. As the player progresses from the humble slime to the cosmic Stardust, these summoned forces grow in number and potency, transforming a solitary wanderer into a walking army capable of dismantling the world's greatest horrors.
In Their Own Story
You stand amidst the ruins of an ancient temple, the air thick with the scent of ozone and decay. In your hand, the Kaleidoscope hums with a low, vibrating resonance, its surface shimmering with volatile energy. You lash out, the whip cracking like thunder as it strikes the skeletal giant before you. Immediately, a dark aura flares around the beast's wounds. Your summoned minions, previously idle in the shadows, snap to attention. With a synchronized roar, they surge forward, their attacks amplified by the tag you wove into reality. The giant stumbles as spectral claws and fiery projectiles overwhelm its defenses, ignoring the thick bone armor that once protected it.
The battle shifts as more enemies emerge from the darkness. You spin on your heel, swinging the Dark Harvest in a wide arc. The blade leaves a trail of crimson light, marking three goblins with dark energy. As they turn to flee, the energy within them erupts, damaging all nearby foes and drawing your minions' attention instantly. A tiger minion changes form, growing larger and faster as you summon more allies, its roar shaking the ground. You are no longer fighting; you are orchestrating a symphony of destruction where every lash is a note and every minion an instrument playing in perfect unison.
Reader's Guide
The Summoner path begins with establishing a reliable source of damage through minions while utilizing whips to amplify their output. Early game focuses on acquiring the Slime Staff for its high drop chance or the Imp Staff, paired with the Flinx Fur Coat to increase minion count and damage. As you progress into Hardmode, prioritize the Spinal Tap and Blade Staff to maximize single-target DPS, while integrating sentries like the Ballista from the Tavernkeep for area control.
Build optimization requires balancing your summon slots between mobile minions and stationary sentries depending on the encounter. The Pygmy Necklace is essential early on to extend whip range, allowing you to tag enemies safely. Transition into the Spooky Armor set for significant damage boosts and extra minion capacity, then advance to the Stardust armor for maximum synergy, which provides a unique armor-summoning dragon that scales with your total minion count.
Endgame mastery involves mastering the rhythm of whips to maintain consistent tags on bosses while managing your minion caps. Utilize accessories like the Summoner Emblem and Papyrus Scarab to maximize damage and capacity further. Remember that sentries do not consume minion slots, allowing you to stack powerful stationary defenses alongside a full retinue of mobile followers for an overwhelming force against any challenge.
Did You Know?
- The Terraprisma creates friendly fallen stars when enemies are struck by the whip.
- Minions ignore 25 defense and can fly through blocks to attack enemies.
- Certain armor sets summon a unique minion that does not count against minion or sentry caps.
- The Optic Staff spawns both Twins as a single minion unit.