Pumpking

Pumpking is a Hardmode, post-Plantera boss that spawns during the Pumpkin Moon event. It is the event's most difficult enemy, being one of the two whose main body consistently travels through blocks (the other being the Poltergeist) and is also immune to most debuffs. Up to seven of them (more in multiplayer) can attack simultaneously during the event's final wave (wave 15).

Pumpking has two arms, each possessing a large scythe that periodically fires erratic projectiles. The hands otherwise act much like Skeletron's hands, swiping at the player to inflict melee damage. But unlike Skeletron, Pumpking's hands cannot take damage.

Like Mourning Wood, the later the wave Pumpking is killed in, the more likely it is to drop items. Pumpkings defeated during Wave 15 are guaranteed to produce one Pumpking Trophy along with one of its other items.

Attacks
Pumpking repeatedly switches between three different attack patterns at random. Its current attack mode is indicated by its facial expression. When transitioning to its next mode, its head rotates to reveal a different expression.


 * Mode 1: The face resembles a typical jack-o-lantern, with a sinister-looking grin. It attempts to remain directly on the player, and performs aggressive melee swipes with its scythe arms.


 * Mode 2: Pumpking's mouth is partially open. Its scythe arms fire large yellow scythe-shaped projectiles called flame scythes. Similar to the Demon Scythe, the projectiles are motionless for a few seconds, then gradually begin to spin and fly towards the player with increasing speed, dealing massive damage on hit.


 * Mode 3: The face looks surprised, with its mouth agape in an 'O' shape. Pumpking follows from a longer distance and spits "Greek Flame" projectile that are easily dodged, as they merely fall with little force. They remain on the ground for a short while and inflict damage on contact.

Tips

 * The Flairon can be very effective against the Pumpking, who tends to float right above players (well within range of the Flairon and its bubble), causing very high damage per hit.

Trivia

 * Strangely, the Horseman's Blade drops from Pumpking and not from the Headless Horseman.
 * Pumpking is a portmanteau of "Pumpkin" and "King".
 * Stray scythes thrown by Pumpking can travel far outside enemy spawn boundaries, able to kill NPCs in their houses.

History
Roi des Citrouilles