Dungeon Guardian

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Dungeon Guardian
Dungeon Guardian.png
Map Icon Skeletron.png
Map Icon
Classic Mode.png Classic
Expert Mode.png Expert
Master Mode.png Master
Statistics
Type
Environment
AI TypeHead AI
Damage1000
Max Life9999/19998/29997
Defense9999
KB Resist100%
Immune toAll debuffs
Drops

The Dungeon Guardian is an extremely dangerous and resilient enemy resembling Skeletron's head. If a player enters the Dungeon in a world where Skeletron has not been defeated and travels below zero depth (the border between the surface and underground layers),[1] one or more Dungeon Guardians will spawn and quickly fly toward the player, dealing 1,000 damage each, which will instantly kill most players if they are unprepared. Dungeon Guardians are large, very fast (traveling at around 41 mph in all directions), and travel through all blocks.

Because of the Dungeon Guardian's high defense (9999), any player who attacks it, regardless of the weapon or other equipment (with very few exceptions), will deal only 1 damage, or 2 for critical hits. This means that the Dungeon Guardian will normally take an average of 1.04 damage. While killing a Dungeon Guardian is possible (and will award the Bone Key pet summon), it requires careful preparation. See the Tips section for setups.

(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) The Dungeon Guardian's damage ignores dodging effects (including the Brain of Confusion, Holy Protection, and the Tabi and its upgrades). The Dungeon Guardian's Bestiary entry will automatically fill itself out once Skeletron is defeated.

Notes

  • (Old-gen console and 3DS versions) The Dungeon Guardian is only immune to Bleeding.
  • Dungeon Guardians are immune to the defense-ignoring effect of the Lightning Aura sentry summons(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions).
  • Despite its name, defeating the Dungeon Guardian will not grant access to the Dungeon. This means that Skeletron must be fought in order to enter the Dungeon.
  • Dealing an average of 1.04 damage each hit, it takes an average 9614 hits to defeat the Dungeon Guardian in Classic Mode.
  • Entering the Dungeon before defeating Skeletron can be survived by quickly using a teleportation device, such as the Cell Phone(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions), Magic or Ice Mirror, or Recall Potions before taking a hit, but the Dungeon Guardian will still go after the player if they did not teleport far enough to let it despawn.
  • To be considered in the Dungeon, in addition to having at least 250 Dungeon Bricks nearby, the player must be in front of unsafe Dungeon Walls (including naturally-spawned Dungeon Walls and Cursed Dungeon Brick Walls(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)), and is completely underground.
  • Before Skeletron is defeated, all Dungeon spawns are overridden by the Dungeon Guardian, so the Bound Mechanic, Angry Bones or other Dungeon enemies are impossible to come across, even if the player somehow endures the Dungeon Guardian, e.g. by utilizing Journey Mode(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)'s Godmode.
    • However, in a drunk world(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions), it is possible to encounter Dungeon spawns without triggering the spawn of Dungeon Guardians.
  • The Dungeon Guardian can drop Hearts and Stars, like all common enemies.
  • (Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) The Dungeon Guardian has a map icon.
    • Old-gen console version On the map, the Dungeon Guardian's map icon is a normal, red enemy dot.
  • (Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) It is possible to survive one or two successive hits in Expert Mode by having maximum defense and damage reduction.
  • Dungeon Guardians will adhere to the same spawn limits as any other enemy: Filling up all spawn slots will stop them from spawning.
  • While being arguably more difficult to defeat than anything else in the game (save invulnerable enemies), it is not considered a boss in the game. This is likely because giving it "boss" status may trick some players into thinking its defeat is required for game progression.

Tips

For more elaborate strategies on defeating Dungeon Guardian, including weapon and arena recommendations, see Guide:Dungeon Guardian strategies.

Because of the extreme effort that has to be taken to defeat a Dungeon Guardian, and because its only drop, the Bone Key, is a purely cosmetic item, defeating a Dungeon Guardian is pointless from a practical perspective, however on the Old-gen console version Old-gen console version, the Bone Key is required for the Pet Hoarder achievement. Most of the following tips assume taking a late-game or endgame character to a fresh world where the Guardian can still be summoned, as they involve items that can only be obtained after defeating Skeletron (if not the Moon Lord(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)).

In order to quickly reach the surface after spawning the Dungeon Guardian, a player can dig a shaft into the Dungeon, flying up as soon as reaching zero depth. The Depth Meter or its upgrades are almost mandatory to avoid being caught off-guard. In multiplayer, it can simply be lured out by another player.

In Expert Mode(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) or Master Mode(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions), Dungeon Guardians have no mode-exclusive drop, but they do have double / triple the health. Due to this, it is simplest to fight the Dungeon Guardian in a Classic world to save time, money, and further troubles.

Weapons with a high rate of fire or splash damage are preferable, in order to compensate for the reduced damage. Damage per hit is nearly irrelevant for this fight, as any weapon hit gets reduced to 1 or 2 points of damage. However, high critical chance is crucial, as critical hits can tremendously speed up the fight. Viable options include:

  • The Zenith(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions), due to its incredibly high attack speed and ability to hit anywhere onscreen. With appropriate melee accessories and armor, it can deal up to approximately 40–50 DPS in Expert Mode.
  • The Phantasm(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) with Luminite Arrows or the Endless Quiver(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions).
  • The Chain Gun, Megashark, or S.D.M.G.(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) with Crystal Bullets or the Endless Musket Pouch(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions).
  • The Piranha Gun for its good damage rate (7 DPS), lack of a need to aim, and due to not consuming ammo.
  • The Blade Staff(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions), due to having the fastest attack speed of all minions. Endgame alternatives also include the Terraprisma(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions), Xeno Staff(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions), and Stardust Dragon Staff(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions).

Since the Dungeon Guardian moves at 41 mph, having high mobility is essential. The Witch's Broom(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) (46 mph), UFO Mount(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) (41 mph), or Unicorn Mount (61 mph) are suitable, and many types of wings reach speeds above 41 mph, especially when the Soaring Insignia(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) is combined with hovering wings. The Rod of Discord or Rod of Harmony(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) may help with turning around at the world's edge.

(Old-gen console and 3DS versions) Frost armor is highly recommended for ranged and melee users, as the Dungeon Guardian is not immune to the Frostburn debuff.

(Old-gen console and 3DS versions) Equipping Titanium armor can allow a player to occasionally dodge otherwise lethal hits. Accessories offering dodge abilities can likewise help.

One complex but effective way to kill the Dungeon Guardian is to lure it into a circular hoik and throw a boomerang, effectively preventing it from reaching the player while it will constantly be taking damage from the boomerang.

Purchasing Teleporters from the (Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) Mechanic / (Old-gen console and 3DS versions) Steampunker NPC and laying them out apart from each other can be a viable strategy. Similarly, the Portal Gun(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) can be used such that the player is always teleporting, which will make it nearly impossible for the Dungeon Guardian to hit them.

Trivia

  • Originally, actual Skeletron Heads were spawning during the day, and they were extremely weak. Additionally, defeating all of them granted access to the Dungeon, allowing the player to skip the fight against Skeletron itself. The Dungeon Guardian was introduced to prevent this unintentional behavior.[2]
  • Despite being initially intended to be unbeatable, the Dungeon Guardian is not invulnerable like Spike Balls, Blazing Wheels, and True Eyes of Cthulhu(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions), etc.
  • The Dungeon Guardian has no gore on the Desktop version Desktop, Console version Console, Old-gen console version Old-gen console, and Mobile version Mobile versions, but on the Nintendo 3DSNintendo 3DS version version, the gores of Skeletron's Hands will appear upon its death.
  • The Dungeon Guardian uses Skeletron's old sprite from before 1.3.5.
  • The Dungeon Guardian spins clockwise when the player is going left and counterclockwise when going right.
  • The Master Mode(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) Dungeon Guardian has the highest health of any non-boss and non-event enemy in the game.
  • In 2011, YouTuber Yrimir uploaded a video of him killing the Dungeon Guardian in, approximately, version 1.1. This prompted the developers to add the Bone Key as a reward for defeating it, as at the time, the Dungeon Guardian dropped nothing.[3]
  • The BestiaryBestiary entry for the Dungeon Guardian: "A lethal sentry that stands watch over the Dungeon's gates. Those who are deemed unworthy to enter shall not pass!"
  • The end of the Bestiary entry, "Those who are deemed unworthy shall not pass!" may be a reference to The Lord of the Rings, in which the character Gandalf says "You shall not pass!".

History

  • Desktop 1.3.0.1:
    • The speed of Dungeon Guardians and any other enemies with the Dungeon Guardian AI (Skeletron and Skeletron Prime during the day) have been buffed to move faster when flying in clear air.
    • If the Dungeon Guardian is going through blocks then its speed slows down.
    • When trying to outrun it with Asphalt Blocks, the Dungeon Guardian will chase the player down and keep a certain distance near the player until the player stops or if it goes through blocks.
  • Desktop 1.2.3:
    • The AI-reset problem has now been fixed, causing Turtle armor to no longer deal massive damage. The damage is now reduced to 1, like all other attacks.
    • Defense increased from 9000 to 9999.
  • Desktop 1.2.0.3: Damage reduced from 9000 to 1000, to prevent Turtle armor from dealing too much damage, however, the exploit still works due to the Dungeon Guardian's AI resetting the damage.[4]
  • Console 1.0.750.0: (PlayStation 4)
    • The speed of Dungeon Guardians and any other enemies with the Dungeon Guardian AI (Skeletron and Skeletron Prime during the day) have been buffed to move faster when flying in clear air.
    • If the Dungeon Guardian is going through blocks then its speed slows down.
    • When trying to outrun it with Asphalt Blocks, the Dungeon Guardian will chase the player down and keep a certain distance near the player until the player stops or if it goes through blocks.
  • Console 1.06:
    • Turtle armor now only deals 1 damage when deflecting attacks to the Dungeon Guardian.
    • Defense increased from 9000 to 9999.
  • Console 1.02:
    • Reduced damage from 9000 to 1000 in an effort to prevent the Turtle armor exploit.
    • Now drops a Bone Key upon death.
  • Mobile 1.3.0.7:
    • The speed of Dungeon Guardians and any other enemies with the Dungeon Guardian AI (Skeletron and Skeletron Prime during the day) have been buffed to move faster when flying in clear air.
    • If the Dungeon Guardian is going through blocks then its speed slows down.
    • When trying to outrun it with Asphalt Blocks, the Dungeon Guardian will chase the player down and keep a certain distance near the player until the player stops or if it goes through blocks.
  • Mobile 1.2.11212:
    • Turtle armor now only deals 1 damage when deflecting attacks to the Dungeon Guardian.
    • Defense increased from 9000 to 9999.
  • Mobile 1.2.6508:
    • Reduced damage from 9000 to 1000 in an effort to prevent the Turtle armor exploit.
    • Now drops a Bone Key upon death.
  • 3DS-Release: Introduced, drops a Bone Key on death and has a damage stat of 1000.

References

  1. Note that the player's center needs to be below 0 depth. Since the Depth Meter measures depth at the level of the player's feet, and a player is 3 tiles (6 feet) tall, Dungeon Guardians will only start spawning once the Depth Meter displays "3′ Underground" or more.
  2. 1.0.5 Patchlog: “Entering the dungeon before defeating Skeletron now spawns a new NPC instead of Skeletron's head. This should fix several issues with that event.”
  3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0I6J977n_2k Terraria - Dungeon Guardian Kill (Revenge of the Fallen Terrarians)
  4. www.terrariaonline.com → Forums → Terraria → General Talk → PC → thread: I'm not sure if the devs know