Necromancer
A spectral sorcerer of the deep dungeon who weaves shadows and defies death
The Necromancer is a Hardmode , post- Plantera enemy that spawns in the Dungeon after Plantera is defeated. It attacks by rapidly firing Shadow Beams at the player, thin rays of purple light that reflect off walls multiple times. These rays are instantaneous and inflict the Slow debuff for 5–15 / 10–30 / 12.5–37.5 seconds. Necromancers teleport to a different location on-screen after firing projectiles five times or with a 1/2 (50%) chance upon being hit. Necromancers spawn most often in areas of the Dungeon backed by brick walls . They can also spawn in other areas, but with a significantly reduced chance. - Item (Quantity) Rate - Shadowbeam Staff 5% (Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) 2.5% (Old-gen console and 3DS versions) 9.75% - Shadow Beam (hostile) - Internal NPC ID : 283 - Internal Buff ID : 32 - Internal Projectile ID : 290 - 1 Variants - 2 Notes - 3 Tips - 4 Trivia - 5 History - 6 References
- Type
- Undead Enemy
- Environment
- Dungeon
- AI Type
- Caster AI
- Banner
- Necromancer Banner (Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)
- Debuff
- Slow
- Debuff tooltip
- Movement speed is reduced
- Chance
- 100% ( Shadow Beam )
- Duration
- 5–15 seconds 10–30 seconds 12.5–37.5 seconds
Lore & Background
In this post-Plantera age, the Necromancer's power has grown potent enough to challenge the bravest explorers. They do not walk the earth like common zombies but drift with an eerie grace, summoning thin rays of violet light that pierce through stone and bone alike. These Shadow Beams are no mere projectiles; they are manifestations of pure necrotic energy, capable of slowing time itself for those foolish enough to be struck. When their assault is interrupted or their position compromised, they vanish into the ether only to reappear elsewhere, a ghostly dance that leaves defenders grasping at empty air.
In Their Own Story
You step deeper into the Dungeon's heart, the air thick with the scent of damp stone and ancient dust. The brick walls loom high around you, silent witnesses to centuries of forgotten wars. Suddenly, the shadows detach themselves from the wall, coalescing into a robed figure that shimmers with an unnatural violet hue. It raises a skeletal hand, and the air hums with a low, vibrating tension.
Before you can draw breath, five thin beams of purple light scream toward your position. They ricochet off the dungeon walls with terrifying speed, striking your armor and sending a wave of paralyzing cold through your limbs. Your movements slow to a crawl as the Slow debuff takes hold. The Necromancer laughs without sound, its form dissolving into mist just as you raise your sword.
It reappears instantly above a floating platform, safe from your reach, and begins its ritual again. You struggle against the weight of your own body, watching the wind-up of their next volley. This is not a battle of speed, but of patience and precision. As you finally land a strike, the creature vanishes once more, leaving only the echo of its magic and the lingering chill of the grave.
Reader's Guide
The Necromancer appears exclusively in the Dungeon after Plantera has been defeated. Look for them most frequently in areas backed by brick walls, though they may spawn elsewhere with reduced frequency. They are Hardmode enemies that pose a significant threat due to their ability to teleport and their rapid-fire Shadow Beams.
Their attack pattern involves firing five instantaneous purple rays that reflect off walls and inflict the Slow debuff for up to 37.5 seconds on higher difficulties. After every five shots or upon taking damage, there is a chance they will teleport to a new valid location within 41 tiles of the player. They require solid blocks above them with unsafe dungeon walls directly overhead to teleport successfully.
To defeat them effectively, use weapons that can track targets through blocks or after teleportation, such as the Piranha Gun or homing minions like the Blade Staff. High single-hit damage is also recommended to interrupt their casting cycle before they vanish. Defeating them yields 15 to 37 Silver Coins and has a chance to drop the Shadowbeam Staff, a powerful magic weapon that mimics their own deadly projectiles.
Did You Know?
- Despite inflicting the Slow debuff, Necromancers do not drop Fast Clocks.
- The Necromancer teleports immediately upon spawning and then every 7.5 seconds thereafter.
- Shadow Beams travel a total distance of 112.5 tiles before disappearing.
- Necromancers can teleport inside platforms since they are not counted as solid blocks for the check.