Cursor modes

Cursor modes are a type of game mechanic in Terraria. Auto Select and Smart Cursor are the two cursor modes implemented to make using tools and placing objects more convenient.

Auto Select
Auto Select will automatically select an item to use, depending on where the cursor is pointed. The item does not need to be in the hot bar. By default, Auto Select is activated by pressing Shift on PC, R3 on PS3/PS4, or pressing down the right thumbstick on Xbox 360/Xbox 1.

A Flare Gun without Flares won't be selected. Nor will other light sources such as candles. If more than one item is equally appropriate it will normally select the first one in your inventory. And if the preferred item is unavailable it will usually fall back to something else.

Smart Cursor
Smart Cursor selects a target based on the active item. By default, it is toggled on and off by pressing Ctrl, or by holding down and dragging the right thumbstick. There is also an option in General Settings to make it last only while the key is held down. Smart Cursor mode is indicated by a slightly wider cursor, and the tile targeted is shown with a yellow box. On the, Smart Cursor is on by default unless the D-Pad or Touch Screen is used to target an area.

Using Smart Cursor with a multi-function tool, like Drax or a Hamaxe, may have unexpected results. These tools will behave as an axe by default, meaning they always target a tree if one is in range.

Enabling Smart Cursor for common blocks on Desktop version (Terraria 1.3 and later)
A fresh installation of Terraria 1.3 or later will start with Smart Cursor disabled for placing common blocks. This setting applies to foreground blocks that you would use during construction, such as dirt, wood, and stone. The Smart Cursor will continue to behave as per the 1.2 standard for platforms and walls.

If you wish to use Smart Cursor for common blocks, you will need to edit Terraria's config.json file manually.

Edits to config.json must be performed while the game is not running, or else the new setting will not take effect. You may want to create a backup copy of the config.json file before editing, which will allow you to restore your original configuration later, if needed.


 * 1) Browse to your config.json file location (see config.json for common locations).
 * 2) Right-click config.json and choose Open With...
 * 3) Select Notepad (or your favorite text editor).
 * 4) Use the 'Find' option in your text editor and search for this:
 * "UseSmartCursorForCommonBlocks": false,
 * 1) Edit the line so it now reads:
 * "UseSmartCursorForCommonBlocks": true,
 * 1) Save your config.json file.
 * 2) Launch Terraria.

Now you will be allowed to use Smart Cursor for common blocks.

Lock on
Lock on is a cursor mode that can be used on while playing with a controller, on the, or on the. While holding a weapon, a small yellow triangle appears above the enemy to be targeted. Depending on the chosen setting, Clearest Line or Target Closest, the yellow triangle will appear on the monster closest to the cursor's pointing direction or closest to the player (independently of line of sight). By pressing  or  tapping the enemy, the enemy will be locked on to,   indicated by three triangles rotating around the enemy or  by a single yellow triangle above the enemy. From then on, all attacks are automatically directed at that enemy (in the, all attacks initiated by hold tapping the center of the right thumb stick are directed at the target). Pressing again releases the lock (in the, the lock is released upon the enemy's defeat or movement offscreen).

This cursor mode can be especially effective while using weapons that require accurate aim, like Yoyos, Ranged Weapons, or Magic Weapons. Lock-on mode makes strafing (dodging while firing) an effortless task.