Moon phase
Eight nights of shifting light dictate the tides of commerce and danger
Full Moon Waning Gibbous Third Quarter Waning Crescent New Moon Waxing Crescent First Quarter Waxing Gibbous I wonder if the moon is made of cheese...huh, what? Oh yes, buy something! — The Merchant The moon in Terraria moves through a cycle of eight different phases , with the next phase in the cycle appearing each night . The current phase is indicated by the amount of the moon that is visible during the night. The phase of the moon primarily affects the shop inventory of certain NPCs ; other effects influenced by the moon include the spawn rates of certain enemies and critters , and the player's Fishing Power . It takes eight in-game nights for the moon to move through all of its phases. The cycle begins with the full moon upon world creation, where the entire circular moon is visible, and four nights later, after three waning phases, reaches the new moon, where no moon is visible. Another four nights later, after three waxing phases, the cycle ends with the return of the full moon. Each moon phase starts at dawn (4:30 AM) and lasts until the next dawn. Therefore, a moon phase also encompasses the day preceding the night of that moon phase. This is important because most phase-dependent content and effects are not limited to nighttime. The current moon phase can be determined using the Sextant , an informational accessory which can be obtained from the Angler NPC as a fishing quest reward, or any of its upgrades. A Blood Moon can occur during any moon phase except for a new moon. A Pumpkin Moon or Frost Moon can be summoned by the player on any night. - 1 Phase-dependent content 1.1 General effects - 1.2 Items for sale - 2 Notes - 3 Tips - 4 Trivia - 5 History - 6 References
Lore & Background
Ancient traders whisper that the Merchant's wares shift with the moon's face, for he senses the cosmic currents better than any other. When the orb is full, rare artifacts and glowing curiosities appear on his shelves, while darker moons reveal different treasures hidden in plain sight. Beyond commerce, the phases govern the very life of the world; fairies dance under specific lights while wraiths and demons only dare to wander when the moon hangs heavy or absent. It is a system of ancient balance, where even the fisherman's hook feels heavier or lighter depending on the waxing or waning cycle overhead.
In Their Own Story
You stand upon the wooden pier, the water lapping softly against the pilings as the sky deepens into twilight. Above, the moon is a sliver of silver, a Waxing Crescent that promises change but holds back its full power. The air feels different tonight; the usual chorus of crickets has been replaced by the distant, eerie chirping of Fairies emerging from fallen logs nearby. You clutch your fishing rod, knowing that the bite will be weaker under this partial light, yet the anticipation is palpable.
As dawn breaks at 4:30 AM, the cycle shifts imperceptibly, and with it, the world rearranges itself. The Merchant's shop, which you pass on your way to the surface, now displays a Magic Dagger instead of the Healing Potions that were there yesterday. You pause, watching a Demon Eye hover nervously in the morning light, its presence tied to this new phase. It is a reminder that survival here requires more than just strength; it demands an understanding of the rhythm that governs the very air you breathe and the enemies that stalk your path.
Reader's Guide
The Moon Phase system is a mechanical cycle lasting exactly eight in-game nights, beginning with a Full Moon upon world creation. Each phase starts at dawn (4:30 AM) and lasts until the next dawn, meaning effects apply during both day and night. The cycle progresses through Waning Gibbous, Third Quarter, Waning Crescent, New Moon, Waxing Crescent, First Quarter, and Waxing Gibbous before returning to Full.
To utilize this system effectively, players must track the current phase using a Sextant, an accessory rewarded by the Angler for fishing quests. This knowledge is crucial for optimizing NPC shops; specific items like Shadow Dye or Spelunker Glowsticks are only available when particular phases occur. Additionally, spawn rates for enemies such as Wraiths and Fireflies fluctuate with the moon, while Fishing Power varies significantly.
A critical tip often missed is that phase-dependent content activates during the day preceding the visible night phase. Furthermore, while Blood Moons cannot trigger on a New Moon, players can forcibly summon Pumpkin or Frost Moons regardless of the current lunar cycle. If you lack a Sextant, observe the Painter's available paintings or the Clothier's Hardmode outfit sets to deduce the current moon quarter.
Did You Know?
- The moon cycle begins with a Full Moon upon world generation and takes eight nights to complete.
- A Blood Moon cannot occur during a New Moon phase, though player-summoned events ignore this restriction.
- Consuming a Bloody Tear on a New Moon instantly shifts the cycle to a Waxing Crescent.
- The moon's visual style is randomized at world creation, with special styles for Drunk worlds and seasonal events.