Guide:Queen Bee strategies

The Queen Bee is a normal mode boss that can be summoned either by breaking a Larva in a Bee Hive, or by using an Abeemination anywhere in the Jungle.

Terrain Preparation
The Queen Bee is very fast as she charges horizontally at you, so vertical mobility is a must.
 * Prepare a fairly large area to fight in, as the Queen Bee is about as tall as you can jump. Have wooden platforms extending from one side of the hive to the next, so you can jump to evade its charge attacks.
 * Have a small pool of honey below the platforms in case you need a regeneration buff, and cover all other sources with blocks or platforms, so they don't slow you down during battle. A campfire or a heart lamp would greatly reduce the need for potions, as well.
 * If fighting the Queen Bee on the surface using an Abeemination, similar preparations are recommended. You will have the advantage of open space, so if you have a flight or double jump Accessory, you may not need a layer of platforms.

Potions

 * Bring at least 5 Healing Potions. If you want to be safe, bring more, as any boss fight can take an unexpected turn. If you can get them, bring Greater Healing Potions instead.


 * Ironskin Potions are required, as the extra 8 defense can block a significant amount of the Queen Bee's charges.
 * A Regeneration Potion is recommended, but not necessary as Honey increases life regen.
 * Swiftness Potions can allow more agility in dodging her main attacks, however, a running accessory such as Spectre Boots may negate the need for a swiftness buff.

Accessories

 * A running accessory, such as Hermes Boots, can allow more adept dodging.
 * Spectre Boots or a double jump Accessory are necessary for mobility and evasiveness.
 * If you have managed to obtain one, a Bezoar can be effective at removing the poison debuff.
 * If you are going for a melee approach, the magma stone is handy in expert mode, as the queen bee is not immune to fire
 * Anything that reduces damage is very helpful in expert mode, including the worm scarf as well as guarding or better on most accessories
 * If you are in expert mode and have already defeated Queen Bee, using the Hive Pack combined with bee releasing items can be very effective, when the boss is not moving much

Armor

 * A full set of at least Gold Armor should be acquired, but better armor is always an option. Other armor sets with set bonuses can be effective as well.
 * Any accessory reforged to have a Modifier that increases defense is highly useful.
 * When it comes to HP, 300 Health is recommended, but lower amounts can be offset by better armor.
 * In expert mode, demonic armor (crimson or shadow) or molten is extremely helpful, as melee is a very valid approach. with molten armor and ironskin, as well as a few defensive accessories, the queen bee's charges only do ~13, as well as her stingers

Melee

 * For swords, the best sword would be the Blade of Grass, Fiery Greatsword, or Night's Edge.
 * For boomerangs, a Thorn Chakram or Flamarang are excellent.
 * Flails are not recommended, as they have slow use time. However, a Blue Moon or Sunfury can do a relatively significant amount of damage.

Ranged
Ranged weapons are usually a better option than melee weapons, as when the Queen Bee is not charging, it spends most of it's time holding still.
 * If you plan on using bows, you should use at least a Gold Bow with Jester's Arrows/Unholy Arrows.
 * If you are using guns, A Musket or Undertaker would suffice, but if you want raw damage or speed, a Boomstick or Minishark are the way you should go. If you are using a slower weapon, 400 bullets should be enough. If you are using the Minishark, a full stack of 999 is best.
 * When using a gun, the best ammunition is Meteor Shot, as it has higher base damage and can bounce, hurting her twice.

Magic

 * If you're going to use magic weapons a Crimson Rod is quite effective. Summon it at the top of the hive and use another weapon with it.
 * Meteor armor w/ Space Gun is also an extremely effective way to kill her, but stay in honey to avoid dying. Also, Water Bolt is good to have due to it's ability to bounce around the hive and damage her multiple times.
 * With practice the demon scythe becomes an effective weapon as it does high damage and pierces though the timing is hard to get correct.
 * The Aqua Scepter is also a great weapon, but you'll run out of mana quickly. However, if you set up a Star Statue, this can be negated.

Summoning Queen Bee
You can either destroy the Crystallized Larva (found within hives in the Underground Jungle) or craft an Abeemination to summon her. This only works on the jungle surface or the underground jungle. Any other location and she simply won't spawn, like most other bosses. However, she can leave the Jungle once summoned.

The Fight
The Queen Bee has 3 distinct attack patterns. 1. She will try to level height with you and charge at you from left-right or right-left three times. 2. She will hover near you and spawn small bee minions which will then attempt to attack you by contact damage. 3. She will behave like a normal hornet and fly around, shooting stingers which have a chance to poison you.
 * When she charges you, use platforms, a flight Accessory, or a double jump accessory to dodge upwards. Use this time to get your health back up.
 * When she summons her bees, it is effective to use a Melee Weapon or Magic Weapon that hits a large area (example: Any sword, and a Water Bolt would probably be effective due to it's ricochet. Another good way to deal with that phase it to use a high rate-of-fire weapon such as the Minishark. This will kill the bees instantly at she spawns them.
 * If she is using the stinger-shooting phase, keep moving back and forth. A Swiftness Potion and/or a running Accessory can give you the upper edge in this stage. Use a ranged weapon, and try to track her movement.

OR, you could head to the surface Jungle after you have defeated her once and use an Abeemination. With a Minishark, this fight might take about 2-3 minutes, with you being in no real danger.