User:Rye Greenwood/Sandbox2

Pre-Hardmode
Once you start defeating the first bosses new options become available. In addition, you should have enough mana to use magic weapons. However, the armors still only give small bonuses, so you can still safely mix class styles without a significant loss of damage. Dedicated summoners are still rather weak at this point, although their summoning items can be used by any class.

Pre-Mechanical Bosses
At this point in time, it starts to become important to pick a specific class. Many accessories will only benefit a certain class and armor sets start to notably affect your damage output. In addition, playing with the Thrown weapons is no longer effective, as those weapons are insufficient for Hardmode. On the other hand, the summoner class starts to become more powerful but still not strong enough to defeat bosses.

At this point, you may want to start working on getting good modifiers for your equipment as well.

Pre-Plantera
This is the point where a mixed class becomes rather weak compared to a single class, mainly due to there being separate armor sets for each class. You can of course still play a mixed class, though it is recommended to have a backup armor set (e.g. in the vanity slots) so you can switch quickly for some additional damage or defense.

Pre-Golem
With the hardmode dungeon now available, as well as the Pumpkin Moon and Frost Moon (it will be hard to reach last wave with current equipment, but you can still obtain the drops on earlier waves), there is a variety of new equipment available. Furthermore, any Biome Keys you have obtained are now usable.

Pre-Lunar Events
Equipment from Golem, Duke Fishron, and Martian Invasion is now available.

Endgame
At this point you can probably start using a mixed class again (except when fighting the Moon Lord), because all equipment easily kills everything anyway.

Other
Some equipment sets are not meant for fighting, but for other activities, such as fishing, building and exploring. All equipment is optional and makes it easier to perform the task, but otherwise simply use what is at hand.

Fun
Some equipment are only made for fun or for entertainment purposes only. Buffs are not considered.