Guide:Walkthrough

Note: This guide is a Work-in-Progress

When progressing through Terraria, many players can be unsure of what they need to do next and where they need to go. This guide is designed to provide direction for these players.

=The Surface=

New players should refer to this guide: Getting Started

 Biome: Forest

Monsters: Green Slime, Blue Slime, Red Slime, Purple Slime, Pinky

Monster Drops: Gel

Notable Resources: Copper, Iron, Daybloom

Recommended Equipment: Starting equipment

Recommended Life: 5 hearts

All new worlds will spawn players in the forest biome. This biome has the weakest monsters in the game.

The first thing to do when starting a new world is build a shelter. Begin by collecting building materials, such as wood or stone. It is recommended that the shelter include a Table, Chair, a Torch, and walls. This will ensure that the Guide makes this shelter into his house, and will not wander out at night.

If it is still daytime when the shelter is finished, explore the immediate area. Iron can usually be found nearby, and can be used to obtain an early Anvil. Copper can also be found, which is useful for making a Copper Hammer and Copper Armor if an anvil is available. Return to the shelter before the sun goes down.

 Biome: "Night"

Monsters: Zombie, Demon Eye, Corrupt Bunny (Blood Moon only), The Groom (Blood Moon only)

Monster Drops: Shackle, Lens, Black Lens, Bunny Hood (Blood Moon only), Top Hat (Blood Moon only)

Recommended Equipment: Iron

Recommended Life: 8 hearts

Zombies and Demon Eyes will spawn on the surface at night, regardless of the biome. They are much stronger than the monsters in the forest biome. Caution is advised.

It is recommended to stay inside at night. The monsters that come out at night can be very difficult for a new character. A bold player may be able to make a substantial amount of money by killing these monsters. This can be very high risk, however, as it is easy to get overwhelmed. Zombies can "stack" on top of each other, making it look as if three or four zombies is only one. An unsuspecting player try to kill the "single" zombie at their door, only to find that there are actually several more than they can handle.

Many players will find it boring to sit still in a shelter for the whole night. Mining in a cave can be a viable alternative. Less monsters will be able to find their way into caves, and they tend to be easier to deal with inside. Mining at night can still be risky, however. Monsters can sometimes drop down on the player's head in caves, which can be very difficult to get out of. Avoid mining under off-screen ledges.

Build a Base
For a more in-depth guide on building bases: Bases

Once the temporary shelter is completed, it is time to start on a base of operations. A base can take anywhere from a single in-game day to more than an in-game week to complete, depending on the player's tastes. It is not necessary, however, to build the entire base right away. Waiting to build the majority of the base can be advantageous, as it will allow the player to use the large stock of stone they will end up gathering as a by-product of mining. Regardless of when or what the player builds, it is recommended to build houses for the Guide, Merchant and Nurse, and a space for storage and crafting before progressing.

Surface Exploration
The surface has sparsely distributed iron and copper deposits. It is advantageous to the player to search for these ores. If the player finds enough, the player may be able to craft some new tools and armor before they begin mining. Chests can sometimes be found in the entrances of caves. The items they contain can be very useful for a new character.

It is highly recommended to stay in the forest biome. The other surface biomes are mid-game biomes, and will be too difficult for a new character.

=The Underground=

For a more in-depth guide on mining: Mining Techniques

Once a satisfactory shelter has been completed, the player should begin mining. There are multiple methods of mining, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Digging a mine shaft can allow the player easy access to the deeper areas of their mine. Another popular method is to explore the caves and tunnels that generate naturally. When a player reaches a dead end in a cave, they can find other caves using light from torches or other tools, a technique called "cave hopping". This method can yield more rewards than the shaft method, but it can be harder to enter and exit this type of mine. Many players will use a combination of the two methods to suit their current needs.

 Biome: Dirt Layer

Monsters: Green Slime, Blue Slime, Yellow Slime, Pinky, Blue Jellyfish, Giant Worm

Monster Drops: Gel, Glowstick, Whoopie Cushion

Notable Resources: Copper, Iron, Silver, Gems, Glowing Mushroom, Blinkroot

Recommended Equipment: Starting equipment

Recommended Life: 5 hearts

The dirt layer can be identified by its background (pictured to the right). It is the first layer below the surface. Copper and Iron deposits can be found in this layer. Silver and Gold can also be found, though less frequently and only much deeper down. Glowing Mushrooms can also be found, though infrequently at this layer.

The player should focus on finding copper and iron while in this layer. It is recommended to have full iron armor and silver weapons before proceeding to the next layer. The player should also try to find two or three Life Crystals while at this layer.

When the player reaches the stone layer, they should build a fourth NPC house. This should allow them to get the Demolitionist. It is recommended to buy the Mining Helmet at about this point, or very soon after. A player may wish to opt out of getting the mining helmet, however, if they found an early source of Glowing Mushrooms, and they wish to use Shine Potions instead.

 Biome: Stone Layer

Monsters: Black Slime, Mother Slime, Baby Slime, Pinky, Giant Worm, Skeleton, Cave Bat, Blue Jellyfish, Piranha, Undead Miner, Tim

Monster Drops: Gel, Whoopie Cushion, Hook, Wizard Hat, Robot Hat

Notable Resources: Copper, Iron, Silver, Gold, Gems, Glowing Mushroom, Blinkroot, Lava

Recommended Equipment: Iron

Recommended Life: 8 hearts

The stone layer can be identified by its background (pictured to the right). It is the second layer below the surface. Copper, Iron, Silver and Gold can all be found frequently in this layer. Glowing Mushrooms can also be found more regularly in this layer.

In this layer, the player should focus on upgrading to Silver equipment, then Gold equipment. They should also try to find a hook for a Grappling Hook, and as many Life Crystals as they can find, at least three or four. This layer can be very dangerous for an under-geared player. The player should not attempt to progress through this layer if they have not yet obtained Iron equipment. Regardless of what equipment is currently available, it is recommended to bring lots of potions, including a few Ironskin Potions.

Avoid mining too deeply in this layer at this point in the game. The next layer after the stone layer is the Underworld, which is an end-game area. If the player mines too closely to the Underworld, Underworld monsters will begin to spawn. Underworld monsters can be very difficult to deal with, even with an end-game character. If the player finds themselves being attacked by Fire Imps, it is highly recommended to turn back. As a rule of thumb, avoid mining down any further when the first lava pools are found.

=The Surface Revisited=

Once the player obtains complete gold equipment many mid-tier biomes open up.

 Biome: Desert

Monsters: Vulture, Antlion

Monster Drops: Antlion Mandible

Notable Resources: Cactus, Waterleaf

Recommended Equipment: Iron

Recommended Life: 8 hearts

The desert doesn't contain much of interest other than alchemy ingredients. The monsters in the desert are in the lower-mid tier, and can be dealt with using iron equipment or better.

 Biome: Jungle

Monsters: Piranha, Snatcher, Jungle Bat, Jungle Slime, Doctor Bones (night only)

Monster Drops: Gel, Hook, Robot Hat, Archaeologist's Hat

Notable Resources: Moonglow

Recommended Equipment: Gold

Recommended Life: 10 hearts

The jungle is one of the more difficult surface biomes. Gold equipment is recommended before attempting to explore it.

 Biome: Ocean

Monsters: Shark, Pink Jellyfish, Crab

Monster Drops: Glowstick, Shark Fin, Diving Helmet

Notable Resources: Coral

Recommended Equipment: Gold, Gill Potions

Recommended Life: 10 hearts

The Ocean is notable for its alchemy ingredients and chests. Chests found in ocean biomes contain unique treasures. New characters may have problems working in this biome. Without access to alchemy ingredients like waterleaf, finding a source of air can be a major issue.

 Biome: Corruption

Monsters: Little Eater, Eater of Souls, Big Eater, Devourer, Corrupt Goldfish, Piranha

Monster Drops: Rotten Chunk, Worm Tooth, Hook, Robot Hat

Notable Resources: Vile Mushroom, Deathweed, Demonite

Recommended Equipment: Gold

Recommended Life: 10 hearts

The corruption is a very difficult biome due to the swarms of Eater of Souls. Exploring the corruption can be very rewarding, however. Smashing Shadow Orbs can yield very powerful items. Demonite in large deposits in this biome, though a Nightmare Pickaxe is needed to mine it.