Mimics

A Mimic is an uncommon Hardmode enemy disguised as a Chest, appearing as the appropriate Chest type for the environment. Mimics can be spawned by the player using the Chest Statue, even prior to Hardmode, but these do not drop any coins or items besides the Mimic Banner.

Normal
Normal mimics look exactly like Chests until approached or attacked, at which point they will chase the player. They take on the appearance of chests normally found in that biome: regular chests above the Underground layer, gold chests Underground, and locked Shadow Chests in The Underworld. Mimics that spawn in a Snow Biome take the appearance of Ice Chests, and also have their own unique set of ice-themed drops.

Mini-boss
Four new variants of Mimics spawn in Hardmode. They are considered mini-bosses, with a high amount of health and many unique drops, and have an advanced set of attacks. Similar to normal Mimics, they will disguise itself as a chest until attacked or approached, although they do not resemble any chest currently in the game.

The four Mimics have the same attack method. Similar to normal Mimics, they can attack by jumping towards the player, but they also have the ability to shut themselves, making themselves invincible and reflecting projectiles shot at it and dealing damage to players. They can also perform a pound-like attack, where the Mimic jumps over the player's head and swiftly drops down. Additionally, the Mimic can rapidly dash after the player at high speeds if the player attempts to escape, and can sometimes dash through walls.

The Hallowed Mimic can be spawned by placing a Key of Light in an empty chest, while the Corrupt Mimic or Crimson Mimic can be spawned with the Key of Night.

Identifying
While disguised, Mimics will not show a usual enemy tooltip when hovering the mouse cursor over them, except in the mobile version. Below are some tips to help differentiate real chests from Mimics.
 * Real Chests will show up on the minimap, but Mimics will not.
 * The Spelunker Potion will not cause a Mimic to glow, but the Hunter Potion will.
 * Mimics disguised as Gold Chests or Shadow Chests will not emit a sparkle effect the way the real versions do.
 * Hitting a disguised Mimic with any weapon will activate it, even from afar.
 * Homing weapons and Minions will attack disguised Mimics.
 * Mimics may not line up properly with blocks, as normal Chests would. They can also appear atop empty tiles (eg. slopes), where real chests can never be placed.
 * Mimics can appear in front of background objects or enemies, while real chests cannot.
 * Mimics cannot disguise themselves as unlocked Shadow Chests. Unlocked Shadow Chests are therefore always real chests.
 * Empty and collect every chest you find, or mark real Chests with a torch or an uncommon block. If you see an unmarked chest in an underground area you've already visited, it's likely a Mimic.
 * Normal Chests say the words "Chest" over the mouse pointer when hovered on. Mimics don't show this message.
 * If there is a Mimic nearby, the Lifeform Analyzer will say so.

Tips

 * Targeting Mimics can help players making their way through early Hardmode, as they drop high-damage weapons and good defensive accessories, as well as around, which can help with Hardmode's higher prices.
 * An easy way to kill Mimics early in Hardmode is to grapple a high place and attack with a ranged weapon. However, early Hardmode players should beware of mini-boss Mimics since the tactics mentioned above won't work against them.
 * With 3 or more players, Mimics will never stay in their disguised state.

Trivia

 * Mimics first appeared in Dungeons & Dragons in 1977, and have appeared in countless publications since.

History
Mimic