The Torch God



The Torch God is a mini-event initiated when a player places around 100 torches in close proximity, at a depth of at least 200 tiles below the Surface layer, in any biome. Surviving it awards the Torch God's Favor item, which converts regular torches to the current biome's torch variant, both in the user's hand and when placed, which positively influences the player's Torch Luck in most areas. The event can begin once at least 100 torches have been placed around the player, but only if they are not moving. Due to how the torches are calculated, some torches can be counted more than once if the player is moving so the event may start with less than 100 torches. The placed torches begin launching small fireballs at the player, extinguishing themselves in the process. The fireballs travel in straight lines, deal 40 / /  damage, and are capable of traveling through blocks to reach the player (but collide with blocks reached after passing the player). Fireballs may fire from torches located off-screen.

While the event is active, the player is inflicted with the Blackout debuff, significantly reducing their light vision. When all torches are extinguished, or a maximum of 200 torch attacks has been reached, the event ends. The torches reignite one second later, and if 95 or more torches were activated, the Torch God's Favor item appears in the player's inventory. The player cannot initiate the event again once a Torch God's Favor has been used; re-initiating the event then requires creating a new character. If the Torch God's Favor is not used, the event may be initiated again, as long as a Torch God's Favor is not in the player's inventory.

While the event is active, the music will play. When Otherworldly music is enabled, the music will not change from where the event is initiated.

Tips
For more elaborate strategies on surviving The Torch God, including arena recommendations, see Guide:The Torch God strategies.
 * Starting the event in an open area offers the player more room to dodge.
 * Dodging is made easier via the Rod of Discord or the Hook of Dissonance.
 * Anything that gives the player dodge chance, such as the Black Belt or the Brain of Confusion, gives the player a higher chance of surviving.
 * Since this is an endurance event, having armor, buffs, and accessories that offer high defense and damage resistance is preferred to reduce the damage from the torch fireballs.
 * Lowering enemy spawns using a Calming Potion and Peace Candle will let the player focus on dodging the fireballs without being distracted by other enemies.
 * Using Crimson Torches is not recommended, as the fireballs they produce are black and therefore extremely hard to see due to the Blackout debuff applied to the player during the event. Conversely, Ultrabright Torches can prove to make the event easier by making the fireballs (and the arena) easier to see.
 * If not readily available, the benefit of using Ultrabright Torches may not be worth waiting for the Traveling Merchant to sell them, as the projectiles are still perfectly visible with normal torches.
 * Create a large open area and line torches around one edge of the area to provide maximum dodging time.
 * Build a square of torches framed by a square of rope to maneuver on. As the torches always target the player's current position, they can easily be avoided by constantly moving in one direction.
 * Placing Lanterns or other non-torch light sources can provide harmless light sources during the event.
 * Make a hellevator with a rope line and place a torch every 10 tiles, then place 100 torches at the top and head down the rope line. By the time the player reaches the bottom they should obtain Torch God's Favor.
 * Making a diamond shape out of minecart rails around a 10x10 of torches allows for a cheap, effortless, and 0 damage victory. Just make sure to hammer the rails so the player can circle the torches making use of bumpers and rail intersections as necessary.

Trivia

 * The Torch God, as well as its reward, was most likely introduced as a response to the controversial "bad torch luck" feature introduced in 1.4.0.1 and removed in 1.4.0.3, which would punish players for using the wrong torch type in a given biome (e.g. using Ice Torches in the Underground Jungle as opposed to Jungle Torches). See Redigit's statement on people using "wrong torches".
 * The Torch God was initially discussed on live stream by Pedguin on May 24th 2020 as a way for Redigit to punish players for placing the wrong torch, with Redigit commenting in the chat that he liked the idea.
 * The Torch God event is called  in the game's source code.
 * The Torch God is one of the few things in the bestiary that has a 5 star rating making it one of the only 4 bosses with a 5 star rarity.