Guide:Plantera strategies

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This is a Guide page.
This means the page will walk you through a specific task, strategy, or enemy/boss fight.
Status: Revised (This Guide got revised and is up to date!)
Plantera Trophy.png"The jungle grows restless..."Plantera Trophy.png

Plantera is a boss that can be spawned after defeating all three mechanical bosses.

PlanteraFirst FormHardmode exclusive
Plantera (First form).gif
Map Icon Plantera (first form).png
Map Icon
Classic mode icon.png Classic
Expert mode icon.png Expert
Master mode icon.png Master
Statistics
Type
Environment
AI TypePlantera AI
Damage50100150 (contact) [1]
4476114 (Seed)
5496144 (Poison Seed)
62108162 (Thorn Ball)
Max Life300004200053550
Defense36 [1]
KB Resist100%
Immune toPoisonedConfused
Inflicts
Inflicts
Inflicts
DebuffPoisonedPoisoned
Debuff tooltipSlowly losing life
Chance50%100% (Poison Seed) (Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)
Duration3−7 6−14 7.5−17.5 
created
created
created
  • Seed
    Seed
  • Poison Seed
    Poison Seed
  • Thorn Ball
    Thorn Ball
PlanteraSecond FormHardmode exclusive
Plantera (Second form).gif
Map Icon Plantera (second form).png
Map Icon
Classic mode icon.png Classic
Expert mode icon.png Expert
Master mode icon.png Master
Statistics
Type
Environment
AI TypePlantera AI
Damage70140210 [1]
Max Life15000/3000021000/4200026775/53550
Defense10 [1]
KB Resist100%
Immune toConfusedPoisoned
Drops
Coins15 GC37 GC50 SC
Plantera's Hook
Plantera's Hook.pngOld-gen console version and Nintendo 3DS version
Classic mode icon.png Classic
Expert mode icon.png Expert
Master mode icon.png Master
Statistics
Type
Boss Part
Environment
AI TypePlantera's Hook AI
Damage60/120/180
Max Life4000/8000/12000 (Invincible)
Defense24
KB Resist0%/10%/20%
Immune toPoisonedConfused
Plantera's Tentacle
Plantera's Tentacle.gifOld-gen console version and Nintendo 3DS version
Classic mode icon.png Classic
Expert mode icon.png Expert
Master mode icon.png Master
Statistics
Type
Boss Part
Environment
AI TypePlantera's Tentacle AI
Damage60/138/206
Max Life1000/2000/2550
Defense20
KB Resist0%/10%/20%
Immune toPoisonedConfused
Spore
Spore.pngOld-gen console version and Nintendo 3DS version
Classic mode icon.png Classic
Expert mode icon.png Expert
Master mode icon.png Master
Statistics
Type
Environment
AI TypeSpore AI
Damage70/140126/210189
Max Life1
Defense0
KB Resist100%

Spawn condition

Plantera can only be spawned by breaking a Plantera's BulbPlantera's Bulb, by a pickaxe, drill, or various other means.

She must then be killed within the Underground Jungle, otherwise she will become enraged.

The fight

Plantera will attempt to chase after the player, always trying to make her main bulb overlap the player's space. This results in a very linear kiting fight. She moves fairly slowly when compared to a player with speed-boosting equipment. This means a player in a large enough arena can easily keep a distance, assuming they just keep moving. As such, a good arena can make the fight much easier. Do keep in mind that if your arena gets too large, the middle of it may no longer be detected as Underground Jungle. This can be avoided while maintaining a comfortably large arena by making the space more long and narrow rather than square (or by simply somewhat widening a natural jungle cave then letting the jungle grass grow back over the surface). Also, cutting the edge of the arena with notches rather than a clean edge produces more jungle grass tiles on the perimeter and helps to maintain the jungle biome recognition.

The second stage begins when Plantera reaches 50% remaining health. The pink petals fall off to reveal a ferocious green maw and Plantera's speed is greatly increased.

Currently, Plantera will enrage and gain more defense, attack more frequently and deal massive amounts of contact and ranged damage if the player leaves the Underground Jungle (including to go to the surface), so surface-level arena strategies are impractical. One exception is taking advantage of Plantera's need to "grapple" to move by building a large enough space that Plantera cannot grapple up after you, and then firing down upon her. However, Plantera can grapple onto background walls, and since they extend down to the underworld, you would have to clear them out first.

The player will want to focus on dodging attacks while shooting constantly at Plantera. Once Plantera reaches her second form, the player should be very wary and attempt to dodge Plantera's lunges.

Ranged characters should try to kill tentacles as soon as they appear. Due to the generally low defense of Ranger sets, getting caught by tentacles often will kill the player very quickly.

Attack types

Poison Seed.png Seeds Phase 1 Frequently spits projectiles similar to stingers fired by Hornets. Note that these seeds go through blocks and travel at fast speeds.
Thorn Ball.png Thorn Balls Phase 1 Thorn Balls are similar to the Spiky Balls. They linger on the ground for a significant amount of time and deal about 50 damage. They fall through platforms. They are however also incredibly bouncy and can easily reach players some height in the air.
Plantera's Hook.png Hooks Phases 1 and 2 Plantera uses 3 vines to move, resembling larger versions of the Ivy Whip. The ends of these vines deal damage if the player touches them.
Plantera's Tentacle.png Biters Phase 2 Once Plantera begins the second stage she will sprout a large number of small gnawing minions on "leashes". They simply wave themselves around at the end of their leash and get in the way of the player's attacks, making piercing weapons more valuable. They are fairly strong, but easily killed.
Spore.png Spores Phase 2 Frequently spits projectiles similar to the Fungi Spores fired by the Giant Fungi Bulb. Easily destroyed, but deals high damage if you get hit.

General strategies

General tips

This content is transcluded from Guide:Practical tips § Combat.

  • Boss battles can be won or lost before the battle ever starts. Choose your equipment and have it ready; find and/or make potions and placed buffs; use the highest-tier food you have available; set up an arena appropriate to the boss; learn the strategies for the boss you're facing.
  • Prepare your Boss-fighting arena with adequate lighting, CampfireCampfires and Heart LanternHeart Lanterns for health regeneration, and Star in a BottleStars in Bottles for mana regeneration if you use magic. Bast StatueBast Statues(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) will provide a significant defensive boost. Garden GnomeGarden Gnomes(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) and (Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) (if underground) proper torch placement will reduce damage taken and increase damage dealt due to the luck. The Torch God's Favor(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) helps with this. HoneyHoney pools can also be used for extra health regeneration.
  • (Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) SunflowerSunflowers provide the Happy!Happy!(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) buff to nearby players, which grants a +10% movement speed bonus and 17% reduction in enemy spawn rate.
  • Always carry around a stack of the highest-tier healing potion available, as relying only on natural Health Regeneration is not a good idea. Depending on the game stage, this can include items such as Lesser Healing PotionLesser Healing Potions or HoneyfinHoneyfins. On the Desktop version Desktop, Console version Console, and Mobile version Mobile versions, Restoration PotionRestoration Potions are healing potions with a shorter cooldown.
  • It is suggested to build houses for the DryadDryad and the NurseNurse NPCs in your arena. The former casts the Dryad's BlessingDryad's Blessing(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) buff, which increases your defense and provides you with a thorns-like effect, while the latter can heal and remove debuffs instantly, at the cost of some Silver Coincoins.
  • Bosses are displayed on the Minimap: Follow the boss's icon to track it when you're struggling to find it. You can identify the boss icons by checking their respective wiki pages.
  • Once you have freed the MechanicMechanic in the Dungeon, you can use WireWire to enhance your arena with Dart TrapTraps and helpful Heart StatueHeart and Star StatueStar Statues. The former helps to damage the enemies, though be careful to set them up correctly in order not to hurt yourself during the battle. The latter will spawn heart and star pickups, respectively. Connect these devices to 1 Second Timertimers to activate them infinitely.
  • In Hardmode, the Brand of the InfernoBrand of the Inferno(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) and Sergeant United ShieldSergeant United Shield(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) can be used to parry incoming contact damage.
  • It may be useful to summon and kill the Eye of Cthulhu or King Slime before summoning any harder boss in order to spawn an extra one-use pool of Hearts. Note that this will prevent any Heart Statues from spawning new Hearts.
  • Remember to use the Sharpening StationSharpening Station(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions), Ammo BoxAmmo Box(Desktop, Console, Old-gen console and Mobile versions), Crystal BallCrystal Ball, Bewitching TableBewitching Table(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions), War TableWar Table(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions), and Slice of CakeSlice of Cake(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) before you go to explore or battle bosses/invasions. These will give boosts that are useful to have, with the first five being class-specific. They give SharpenedSharpened(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions), Ammo Box (buff)Ammo Box(Desktop, Console, Old-gen console and Mobile versions), ClairvoyanceClairvoyance, BewitchedBewitched(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions), StrategistStrategist(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions), and Sugar RushSugar Rush(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions), respectively.

Terrain preparation

The actual shape of your arena depends on how you want to fight:

  • For a player who wants to have plenty of evasive space, excavating around a screen's worth of space inside the Underground Jungle and filling it with rows of platforms can work well.
  • For more aggressive players, a smaller space excavated right next to a bulb can work too.
  • Others will just use Bombs to excavate a large area for flying and grappling.
  • One fairly simple arena is simply widening a natural Jungle cave enough to dodge and kite. The player can kite Plantera back and forth running a figure-8 pattern.

Regardless, mobility is normally key during her battle, but enough of a damage output can kill her fast enough to make evasion less important.

Plantera's spike balls do significant damage and are used frequently during Plantera's first phase, however, they can only bounce off solid surfaces. If you do not mind taking the extra time, consider digging a hole at least 2 times deeper than you would use for the fight and stick to the top half of your arena (that is, your actual arena has a large space beneath it for the spike balls to fall into and stay away from you). Without the added threat of Plantera's spike balls, she is much easier to defeat.

Make sure the arena is not too big and empty, as taking out too many Mud blocks might turn the Underground Jungle into just regular caverns, enraging Plantera and making the fight much more difficult. Honey can be used for its regeneration, so you can make little pools for the regeneration benefit. If you have the Party Girl, you can buy Bubble Blocks, and make a small pocket to put honey in. Bring a hammer to remove the jungle walls so that in Plantera's second phase, the hooks can only grapple on to the blocks so she cannot reach you with her hooks, and thus you will not take damage from them.

Gearing up

It is recommended to increase your maximum life to 500 before trying to tackle Plantera and later challenges after her defeat. Life FruitLife Fruits are very common if many days have passed after defeating one of the Mechanical bosses.

Armor

Weapons

For Melee users
  • The Death SickleDeath Sickle is the best choice for melee, being able to tear through both Plantera and her Biters fairly easily.
  • The YeletsYelets(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) is very useful, as it can rip through her first phase very quickly, especially with a Yoyo Bag.
  • (Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) The True ExcaliburTrue Excalibur has a very large range and can handle all phases of the fight fairly well due to its piercing. The True Night's EdgeTrue Night's Edge has better range with less piercing.
  • (Old-gen console and 3DS versions) The Terra BladeTerra Blade is a good choice for high damage as well.
  • Light DiscLight Discs and the Shadowflame KnifeShadowflame Knife(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) are good choices as well, allowing for secure kiting from a comfortable range to avoid damage while wearing high defense melee armor.
  • With enough damage Modifiers, the Fetid BaghnakhsFetid Baghnakhs(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) can defeat Plantera in less than half a minute if the player doesn't move. Using a Cross NecklaceCross Necklace and enough health regeneration and defense, the player is capable of enduring Plantera's damage for the short duration of the fight. You can use a Flask of IchorFlask of Ichor to decrease the boss' defense and a Charm of MythsCharm of Myths and Restoration PotionRestoration Potions for maximum healing. A Star VeilStar Veil is also preferable to increase the player's damage output.
For Ranged users
  • The UziUzi, Onyx BlasterOnyx Blaster(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions), or MegasharkMegashark are the best guns available. When used with Crystal BulletCrystal Bullets they can deal massive damage.
  • A Chlorophyte ShotbowChlorophyte Shotbow, with Holy ArrowHoly, Chlorophyte ArrowChlorophyte or Ichor ArrowIchor Arrows can be used to great effect. The Phantom PhoenixPhantom Phoenix(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) has similar capabilities.
  • You can excavate a tall arena and use a Daedalus StormbowDaedalus Stormbow(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) paired with Holy Arrows or Chlorophyte Arrows, which will be great against Plantera.
  • The FlamethrowerFlamethrower can be useful for killing Plantera's Tentacles in her second phase.
  • Heart ArrowHeart Arrows(3DS version) will freeze Plantera, making the fight incredibly simple.
  • The Dart PistolDart Pistol(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) paired with Ichor DartIchor(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) or Crystal DartCrystal Darts(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) can be deadly against Plantera.
  • The Super Star ShooterSuper Star Shooter(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) is a great weapon to use in her second phase, as the stars can pierce multiple targets.
For Magic users
  • (Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) The Venom StaffVenom Staff(Desktop, Console, Old-gen console and Mobile versions) shoots multiple projectiles with piercing and Acid Venom.
  • The Rainbow RodRainbow Rod is both homing and piercing and deals a good amount of damage.
  • The Tome of Infinite WisdomTome of Infinite Wisdom(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions), Crystal SerpentCrystal Serpent(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) and Sky FractureSky Fracture(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) are solid weapons against Plantera.
  • Using the Golden ShowerGolden Shower every so often can prove to be very helpful as it inflicts the Ichor (debuff)Ichor debuff, increasing your damage output even more.
  • The Nimbus RodNimbus Rod is always useful (even for non-magic users). It can deal continuous damage which can greatly help the fight, especially in vertical arenas.
  • The Shadowflame Hex DollShadowflame Hex Doll(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) and Magical HarpMagical Harp are very effective for the second phase, as they deal with the Tentacles while also damaging Plantera. The Magic DaggerMagic Dagger can also be effective.
  • The Life DrainLife Drain(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) can easily deal with Plantera's Biters in the second phase while also healing the player in the process.
For Summoners
  • The Sanguine StaffSanguine Staff(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) and Blade StaffBlade Staff(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)are the best options to summoners, especially the Blade StaffBlade Staff(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions), if one is willing to use whips to increase its damage output. This is especially noticeable when using the DurendalDurendal(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions).
  • The Optic StaffOptic Staff(Desktop, Console, Old-gen console and Mobile versions) mixed in with 3 Spider StaffSpiders(Desktop, Console, Old-gen console and Mobile versions) deals massive damage, especially in the first phase of the fight.
  • On Old-gen console version Old-gen console version, the Optic StaffOptic Staff(Desktop, Console, Old-gen console and Mobile versions) and Spider StaffSpider Staff(Desktop, Console, Old-gen console and Mobile versions) are the most reliable summons.
  • The Queen Spider StaffQueen Spider Staff(Desktop, Console, Old-gen console and Mobile versions)or Ballista CaneBallista Cane(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) can prove to be incredibly powerful when used with a Tavernkeep's armor set.

Potions

Accessories

Specific strategies

Teleportation trick
Minecart loop

Teleportation trick

Make a long hallway, and place a Teleporter with a pressure plate on each end.

When she is climbing down toward you on one side, jump on the pressure plate used to activate the Teleporter. You will teleport to the other side, and Plantera will need to climb back at you.

Boomerang-type weapons can fly indefinitely when using a teleportation trick, though there are not many hardmode-effective boomerangs available. Before the boomerang returns, the player can teleport to the other end of the hall, and the boomerang will change directions and pierce enemies along the way.

Note that if the hallway is too long, Plantera will despawn. This was observed in a hallway as small as 200 tiles. If you use the mobile version, you should make the hallway around 125-150 tiles long, as Plantera will despawn within a shorter range of the player.

This method is more difficult in Expert Mode, as her seeds can pass through blocks, all of her projectiles are now homing, and her 'mouths' spawn on her legs, closer to the player.

Tank and claw

Plantera can be trivially beaten with the Fetid Baghnakhs and the Star Veil/Cross Necklace (even with the melee speed nerf).

For armor you will want either very high defense or use the Hallowed/Titanium armor's set bonus. For accessories forgo wings/boots and minions you want to load up on melee speed (such as the Mechanical Glove) and damage reduction (Worm Scarf, Brain of Confusion).

The fight: use your hook to attach to a wall near the bulb this prevents knockback and locks you in place. Break the bulb. Plantera will come right to you and sit on top of you. Hold down the attack key until she dies. That is it. Note that you might have to use a potion during the fight. This works even on Expert.

Firework rockets

Plantera is particularly easy to lure into the path of Firework Rockets, making them good options for defeating her quickly. This requires only a large sum of money, and can kill Plantera in a matter of seconds.

If each firework deals its full 150 damage, 200 fireworks will suffice to kill her in Classic mode, 280 in Expert, and 357 in Master.

Minecart tracks

If you can locate a Plantera's Bulb nearby a row of minecart tracks, you can easily annihilate Plantera at a distance while riding the tracks. This was observed with a natural generated minecart track, where Plantera was stuck in blocks due to the narrow hall and the varying heights.

Plantera can then be dodged at the end of the rail by using a bumper and ramming through her, suffering minimal loss on health.

This was done using a Chlorophyte Shotbow, along with Frost armor and an Endless Quiver.

The pros being minimal terrain preparation, cons being depends on chance and rails may lead out of the jungle, resulting in an enraged Plantera.

Minecart loop

Plantera's method of movement can be exploited, by excavating a massive area of walls and blocks and constructing a minecart diamond loop with blocks in the center for Plantera to hook onto. Optionally, the blocks can include one-way hoiks to allow projectiles to pass through. due to Plantera not having any other block to latch onto, it will get stuck in the center, while the minecart does all the movement to dodge most of the attacks.

The main con of this arena, is how sensitive it is during construction, if a block is too close to the loop then Plantera can hook onto it and potentially move onto the track's path, if there are not enough Jungle tiles nearby then the loop may no longer be inside a Jungle biome and Plantera will subsequently enrage.

Circle and run

This is a technique used by several youtubers in Expert Mode, including Gellot.

Make an arena in the Underground Jungle about 2 screens wide and high with platforms, making sure to have the bottom row by platforms, letting the spiky balls she fires fall to the ground harmlessly. Nearby, place a Bed at one end of a long tunnel.

In Phase 1 of the fight, circle around Plantera using wings, firing at her with projectiles.

When Phase 2 begins, use a Magic Mirror to teleport to your spawn point (making sure you do not go so far away as to make Plantera despawn) and progress down the tunnel, firing behind you as you go. Alternatively, you can time your attacks so that Plantera is not blocking the entrance to your tunnel when she enters Phase 2, which eliminates the need for a Bed and Magic Mirror.

Another variant of this technique, notably used by WaffleTime, involves a vertical escape tunnel instead of a horizontal one, which has the advantage of being simpler to excavate with Dynamite.

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Information taken from the Desktop version Desktop 1.4.1.2 source code, AI() in Terraria.NPC.cs. The relevant part is in the aiStyle == 51 block. Note that several of Plantera's stats, including damage and defense, are hard-coded there. There may be inaccuracies, as the current Desktop version Desktop version is 1.4.4.9.
  2. For the first time Plantera has been defeated in a given world, the Grenade Launcher will always be selected from the seven/six options. Otherwise, each option is equally likely.
  3. Information taken from the Desktop version Desktop 1.4.0.5 source code, RegisterBoss_Plantera() in Terraria.GameContent.ItemDropRules.ItemDropDatabase.cs, RegisterBossTrophies() in Terraria.GameContent.ItemDropRules.ItemDropDatabase.cs, and DoDeathEvents_DropBossPotionsAndHearts() in Terraria.NPC.cs. There may be inaccuracies, as the current Desktop version Desktop version is 1.4.4.9.