Guide:Class setups

In Terraria, there are many different types of weapons. There are also many bonuses that can be used to improve these weapons. This page lists some common synergies, setups and ideal reforge prefixes. Note that these prefixes are by no means required, and spending much effort reforging midgame equipment is generally a waste.

Greenhorn
Armor Weapons Accessories Summary
 * Goggles (optional)
 * Wooden Sword
 * Wooden Bow
 * Flaming Arrows (or normal arrows)
 * Shackle

This is the equipment players should aim for before digging for an iron anvil. This is generally the best equipment you'll get without an Anvil, unless you find a lucky Chest or two. Cautious use of the bow can enable characters to take out enemies up to and including Skeletons, though Giant Worms pose a serious threat at this stage.

Adventurer
Armor Weapons Accessories Summary
 * Gold Armor
 * Gold Broadsword
 * Gold Bow
 * Flaming Arrows
 * Shuriken
 * Enchanted Boomerang
 * Trident
 * Grappling Hook
 * Magic Mirror
 * Cloud in a Bottle
 * Hermes Boots
 * Band of Regeneration
 * Shackle

With this level of equipment, players are prepared to start fighting bosses and entering the midgame. Not every item on this list needs to be acquired, but a suit of Gold Armor and a good ranged weapon is recommended.

Fast Melee
Armor Weapons Accessories Summary
 * Shadow armor
 * Legendary Muramasa
 * Feral Claws

Utilizes Muramasa's continous swing and the attack speed bonuses from Shadow armor and Feral Claws for high DPS against low-defense enemies.

Tank
Armor Weapons Accessories Summary
 * Molten armor
 * Legendary Night's Edge
 * Godly Flamarang
 * Godly Sunfury
 * Warding Obsidian Shield
 * Warding Band of Regeneration
 * Warding accessories

Basic tank template before entering hardmode. Has very high defense, survivability and high damage. It requires no resources to sustain. Performs quite well in hardmode without significant gear upgrades.

Ranger
Armor Weapons Summary
 * Necro armor
 * Harpoon
 * Unreal Phoenix Blaster
 * Silver Bullets or Meteor Shot
 * Demonic Minishark
 * Silver Bullets or Meteor Shot
 * Unreal Molten Fury
 * Hellfire Arrows
 * Demonic Star Cannon
 * Fallen Stars

Basic ranger template before entering hardmode. Has many viable weapon options. Especially the Harpoon should not be underestimated, as its refire rate is dependent on how long the harpoon is out. Thus, it can deal extremely heavy DPS when the target stays close, making it an excellent choice against enemies that are immune to knockback. Phoenix Blaster will consume ammo faster than a Minishark will, but has knockback. Molten Fury has less DPS and range, but higher damage per shot and consumes the least ammo. Star Cannon has the highest DPS of all ranged weapons, but gathering ammo for it will require considerable effort. A skybridge can help a lot.

"Space Ranger" Caster
Armor Weapons Accessories Summary
 * Meteor armor
 * Mythical Space Gun
 * Rocket Boots
 * Shiny Red Balloon

Utilizes Meteor armor's bonus to Space Gun. This setup is an alternative to the Shadow Armor setups players typically get after breaking their first Shadow Orbs. Can be an interesting alternative if Jungle armor is not yet available and/or mana usage is an issue. Space Gun can be reforged for free. The high projectile speed of the space gun enables it to be accurate even while using rocket boots.

Note: In the 1.1.1 update, the Space Gun was given sell value. This means it now costs money to reforge it.

Caster
Armor Weapons Accessories Summary
 * Jungle armor
 * Mythical Demon Scythe
 * Mythical Magic Missile or Mythical Flamelash
 * Water Bolt
 * Arcane Nature's Gift
 * Arcane accessories

Basic caster template before entering hardmode. Demon Scythe is one of the best magic weapons available due to its high damage, long range, piercing and versatility. Magic Missile / Flamelash can be used to damage mobs in otherwise unaccessible locations. Water bolt offers cheap utility for finding Floating Islands and is effective in confined spaces, something the other two spells lack.

Warrior
Armor Weapons Accessories Summary
 * Hallowed Mask
 * Hallowed Plate Mail
 * Hallowed Greaves
 * Legendary Excalibur
 * Godly The Dao of Pow
 * Godly Gungnir
 * 5x Light Disc
 * Hamdrax
 * Dual Hook
 * Fairy Bell
 * Magic Mirror
 * Wings
 * Warrior Emblem
 * Spectre Boots
 * Obsidian Shield
 * Cross Necklace (PVE)
 * Feral Claws (PVP)

The endgame warrior is devastating against the Destroyer and the most convenient setup against non-boss enemies and general exploration. It requires no resources to sustain other than potions. There are several weapon options but having both the Excalibur and Light Discs among them is recommended.

Ranger
Armor Weapons Accessories Summary
 * Hallowed Helmet
 * Hallowed Plate Mail
 * Hallowed Greaves
 * Unreal Megashark
 * Cursed Bullets or Crystal Bullets
 * Unreal Hallowed Repeater
 * Cursed Arrows or Holy Arrows
 * Unreal Flamethrower
 * Gel
 * Hamdrax
 * Dual Hook
 * Fairy Bell
 * Magic Mirror
 * Wings
 * Ranger Emblem
 * Spectre Boots
 * Obsidian Shield
 * Cloud in a Balloon

The endgame ranger is probably the best overall at fighting bosses. Skeletron Prime and the Twins crumble before him, and it's possible to fight multiple bosses in one night with this setup. The options between weapons are mostly preference, though it's worth noting that the Repeater performs slightly better in PVP and the Megashark mows down bosses like nothing else. The Flamethrower performs similarly to the Megashark with a slightly higher damage output but limited range. It's reasonable to carry multiple weapons if you don't intend to be filling your inventory with loot.

Sorcerer
Armor Weapons Accessories Summary
 * Hallowed Headgear
 * Hallowed Plate Mail
 * Hallowed Greaves
 * Mythical Rainbow Rod
 * Mythical Crystal Storm
 * Mystic Magical Harp
 * Mythical Ice Rod
 * Hamdrax
 * Dual Hook
 * Fairy Bell
 * Magic Mirror
 * Wings
 * Sorcerer Emblem
 * Spectre Boots
 * Cloud in a Balloon
 * Mana Flower

The endgame sorcerer is versatile and complicated to play. Crystal Storm and the Magic Harp perform well against bosses; the Rainbow Rod is potent against other players, and the Ice Rod can provide unusual tactical options. Sorcerers, moreso than even Rangers, tend to adopt a hit-and-run style of play, pulling back to regenerate mana and then striking hard and fast.