Guide:Goblin Army strategies
The Goblin Army is an event that can be fought once a Shadow Orb/Crimson Heart is smashed or a Goblin Battle Standard is used. The event consists of goblin-like enemies. Once initiated, the event will continue until enough enemies are defeated.
The Event
![Goblin Warlock.gif](/images/a/aa/Goblin_Warlock.gif)
![Classic Mode.png](/images/thumb/2/2b/Classic_Mode.png/12px-Classic_Mode.png)
![Expert Mode.png](/images/thumb/6/62/Expert_Mode.png/12px-Expert_Mode.png)
![Master Mode.png](/images/thumb/9/9b/Master_Mode.png/12px-Master_Mode.png)
Type | |
---|---|
Environment | |
AI Type | Fighter AI |
Damage | 80/160/240 |
Max Life | 2000/3400/5100 |
Defense | 26 |
KB Resist | 85%/87%/88% |
Banner | ![]() |
Immune to | ![]() ![]() |
Coins | 50 SC1 GC25 SC |
---|
- Item (Quantity)Rate
Shadowflame Bow(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)
16.7%33.3%Shadowflame Hex Doll(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)
16.7%33.3%Shadowflame Knife(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)
16.7%33.3%
Hurt | |
---|---|
Killed | |
Attack | |
Idle |
- Internal NPC ID: 471
Pre-Hardmode
The event enemies consists of Goblin Peons,
Goblin Thieves,
Goblin Sorcerers,
Goblin Archers, and
Goblin Warriors. Each enemy does what its name describes (except thieves and peons). The enemies can also break down doors to attack NPCs, stressing the player. When an enemy is defeated, it can drop
Spiky Balls and the
Harpoon.
Hardmode
In Hardmode, a new enemy, the Goblin Warlock(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions), can spawn. This enemy attacks by conjuring
Shadowflame Apparations and Chaos Balls. Defeating the Summoner can result in it dropping the
Shadowflame Knife(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions),
Shadowflame Bow(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions), or the
Shadowflame Hex Doll(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions).
Preparation
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,
Campfires and
Heart Lanterns for health regeneration, and
Stars in Bottles for mana regeneration if you use magic.
Bast Statues(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) will provide a significant defensive boost.
Garden 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.
Honey pools can also be used for extra health regeneration.
- (Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)
Sunflowers provide the
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 Potions or
Honeyfins. On the
Desktop,
Console, and
Mobile versions,
Restoration Potions are healing potions with a shorter cooldown.
- Likewise carry mana potions, if you use Magic.
- The
Strange Brew(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) is also an option, which yields very similar healing abilities to Healing Potion with added chances to trigger periods of invulnerability upon consumption.
- On the
Old-gen console version and Nintendo
version, Restoration Potions can save a slot, but will likewise trigger both cooldowns.
- It is suggested to build houses for the
Dryad and the
Nurse NPCs in your arena. The former casts the
Dryad'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
coins.
- 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
Mechanic in the Dungeon, you can use
Wire to enhance your arena with
Traps and helpful
Heart and
Star 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
timers to activate them infinitely.
- In Hardmode, the
Brand of the Inferno(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) and
Sergeant 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 take up a big chunk of the spawnable healing Hearts, which will cause Heart Statues to not spawn as many/any Hearts.
- Remember to use the
Sharpening Station(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions),
Ammo Box(Desktop, Console, Old-gen console and Mobile versions),
Crystal Ball,
Bewitching Table(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions),
War Table(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions), and
Slice 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
Sharpened(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions),
Ammo Box(Desktop, Console, Old-gen console and Mobile versions),
Clairvoyance,
Bewitched(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions),
Strategist(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions), and
Sugar Rush(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions), respectively.
Terrain Preparation
Due to the Mechanic likely not being available and most enemies are grounded, a simple lava pit with a thin layer of lava is ideal. The lava should just thick enough to burn the enemies but not drops. Once hardmode is entered and the
Goblin Tinkerer found, raise the lava levels so it burns copper coins but not silver. Don't worry about the spiky balls as you can buy them and there are better sources of damage. Make sure there are Town NPC's nearby if you wish to perform this strategy or the goblins will not spawn, and be wary of
Goblin Sorcerers and the
Goblin Warlock(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions). You can also add a roof in order to hang the relative
Banner.
Gearing Up
Armor
Pre-Hardmode
Silver or
Tungsten Armor should be used at the bare minimum.
Gold or
Platinum Armor provides more defense, but is harder to obtain.
- If the Eater of Worlds or Brain of Cthulhu has been defeated,
Shadow Armor or
Crimson Armor are both good options because they provide a mobility increase and increased regeneration, respectively.
Molten Armor is a good option for melee users, but it requires one to have beat the Eater of Worlds or Brain of Cthulhu, and to have visited the Underworld.
- A mage can use the
Wizard Set with the
Meteor Leggings or
Jungle Pants for magic damage.
Meteor or
Jungle Armor is also useful for mages.
- After the player has defeated Queen Bee, Summoners can use
Bee Armor(Desktop, Console, Old-gen console and Mobile versions).
- The
Obsidian Armor(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) is an alternative, providing boosts to whip speed and range. It also does not require one to have defeated Queen Bee to obtain it. However, it requires one to have beaten the evil boss.
- If neither the Queen Bee nor the evil boss has been defeated, the
Flinx Fur Coat(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) should be used.
- If neither the Queen Bee nor the evil boss has been defeated, the
- The
Hardmode
Palladium Armor can be used with the corresponding head piece for regeneration.
Orichalcum Armor can be used with the corresponding head piece for crowd control.
Titanium Armor gives the most defense and should be used with the corresponding head piece.
- If one does not mind hybrid sets, warriors and rangers should use the
Frost Breastplate,
Spider Greaves(Desktop, Console, Old-gen console and Mobile versions), and their corresponding
Adamantite Head piece.
- A mage can use a combination of the
Adamantite Headgear,
Mystic Robe(Desktop, Console, Old-gen console and Mobile versions), and
Forbidden Treads(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) to maximize magic DPS, however, this is very frail. Otherwise, a wizard should use
Adamantite armor if the other sets are unavailable.
- A summoner should use
Spider Armor(Desktop, Console, Old-gen console and Mobile versions). However, if one desires extra range and speed for whips,
Obsidian Armor(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) can be used.
Weapons
Pre-Hardmode
For Melee Users
- The
Enchanted Sword is useful as it has high damage for its obtainment and shoots a projectile. If it is unavailable, the
Blood Butcherer can be used. If in a corruption world, the
Phaseblade should be used, as it has more range and is only slightly slower than the
Light's Bane.
- The
Code 1(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) is useful for dealing damage while under cover. If it has not been obtained, the
Amazon(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) is a good backup.
- As the goblins come in mass hordes, the
Swordfish or
The Rotted Fork can be used for piercing multiple enemies.
- The
Thorn Chakram is useful for dealing with pesky Sorcerers and Archers from a distance.
- The
Ball O' Hurt or
The Meatball can be used to disrupt enemy lines. On the
Desktop version,
Console version, and
Mobile version, they can also be swung around to easily block attacks by Sorcerers.
For Ranged Users
- The best bows available are the
Demon Bow and the
Tendon Bow. However, if Queen Bee Has been defeated,
The Bee's Knees(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) is an excellent option.
- The
Minishark should be used due to its rapid rate of fire. The
Star Cannon is also useful due to its high damage.
For Magic Users
- The
Ruby Staff or
Diamond Staff are the best gem staves, but the
Vilethorn is useful for piercing damage and the
Crimson Rod can be used for damaging passing goblins.
- The
Space Gun is useful due to its rapid rate of fire.
- The
Water Bolt is useful for piercing damage.
For Summoners
Options are limited before Hardmode:
- The
Slime Staff is rare and weak, but will at least allow attacking from shelter.
- After the player has defeated Queen Bee, the
Hornet Staff(Desktop, Console, Old-gen console and Mobile versions) is quite useful.
- The
Imp Staff(Desktop, Console, Old-gen console and Mobile versions) is even more powerful, but requires a dangerous trip down to the Underworld.
Hardmode
For Melee Users
- The
Titanium Sword is useful as it has high damage. If it is unavailable, the
Adamantite Sword can be used. The
Ice Sickle is also useful.
- The
Amarok(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) is useful due to the
Frostburn Debuff.
- The
Adamantite Glaive and the
Titanium Trident are good piercing weapons.
- The
Flying Knife(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) is useful for dealing with the Goblin Warlock as it can be controlled.
- The
Dao of Pow can be used to disrupt enemy lines due to the
Confused Debuff (although some goblins are immune).
- The
Shadowflame Knife(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) is very useful if one can acquire it during the event.
For Ranged Users
- The
Marrow and the
Ice Bow (with
Cursed Arrows or
Venom Arrows), and the
Daedalus Stormbow(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) (with
Holy Arrows) are all good bows. Even the
Hellwing Bow(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) (with the
Endless Quiver(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)) is still useful due to its infinite pierce.
- The
Adamantite Repeater and
Titanium Repeater (with the
Endless Quiver(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)) can be used if one has not obtained them.
- The
Clockwork Assault Rifle (with
Crystal Bullets or
Ichor Bullets), the
Onyx Blaster(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) (with
Ichor Bullets), the
Phoenix Blaster, the
Star Cannon, and the
Uzi (with the
Endless Musket Pouch(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)) are excellent choices. The
Megashark (with the
Endless Musket Pouch(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)) is even better if you've beaten The Destroyer.
- The
Dart Rifle(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)/
Dart Pistol(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) and the
Toxikarp(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)are great for debuffs. Use
Ichor Darts(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) for the Summoner,
Cursed Darts(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) for singular enemies, and
Crystal Darts(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) for crowds. The
Flamethrower is also good if one has beaten Skeletron Prime.
- (Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) if any of the Mechanical Bosses have been defeated, the
Super Star Shooter(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) is also useful.
For Magic Users
- The
Flower of Frost is useful for debuffs. The
Flower of Fire is a weaker version. The
Life Drain(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) is great against crowds, while the
Clinger Staff(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) is useful for barriers. The
Nimbus Rod can be used for damage for passerby. The
Frost Staff is also good.
- The
Golden Shower, the
Cursed Flames, and the
Crystal Storm are all good weapons for debuffs and rapid damage respectively. The
Demon Scythe can be used for close combat.
- The
Sky Fracture(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) is a very powerful weapon and can decimate the goblin forces. However, it requires a
Magic Missile, which the player may not have. The
Medusa Head(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) can kill multiple goblins at once fully charged. However, it is a rare drop from
Medusas(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) . The
Spirit Flame(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) is also good. The
Crystal Serpent(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) is good against crowds. The
Unholy Trident is a good weapon, but it is dropped by deadly
Red Devils.
For Summoners
- The
Spider Staff(Desktop, Console, Old-gen console and Mobile versions) is available early, and a solid improvement over the Pre-Hardmode options, especially with the spiders' ability to latch onto Summoners (putting walls behind your arena can make the spiders more mobile). Later staffs such as the
Pirate Staff(Desktop, Console, Old-gen console and Mobile versions) are also good.
- For sentries, one should use the
Queen Spider Staff(Desktop, Console, Old-gen console and Mobile versions) as it is the best one available.
Potions
- Any food that gives the
Well Fed buff gives minor stat buffs to everything. Good ones are the
Bowl of Soup,
Christmas Pudding(Desktop, Console, Old-gen console and Mobile versions), and
Pumpkin Pie.
Ironskin Potions,
Endurance Potions and
Regeneration Potions will help tremendously with survivability.
Swiftness Potions will aid in your dodging.
Ammo Reservation Potions and
Archery Potions are good for rangers.
Magic Power Potions and
Mana Regeneration Potions are must have for mages.
- If you already have a minion, a
Summoning Potion lets you bring an extra one to the fight.
Rage Potions or
Wrath Potions are useful for almost all classes.
Accessories
Pre-Hardmode
- Any
Cloud in a Bottle-like item is great for jump boosts. If you can, combine them with a
Shiny Red Balloon.
Hermes Boots are a great option, due to the speed increase.
- A
Band of Regeneration can help with healing. It's best to put it in the Vanity Accessories slot until you need to heal.
- An
Anklet of the Wind can help with evasion. An
Aglet is easier to find, but doesn't work as well.
- A
Frog Leg will give you improved jumping abilities, including increased height and automatic jumping but it can only be found by fishing, with an incredibly rare 1:500 chance to get it.
- If you're playing in Expert Mode, the the Shield of Cthulhu is a great choice for quick evasion and extra damage.
- If you've found the
Goblin Tinkerer,
Hermes Boots, an
Anklet of the Wind, an
Aglet, and purchased
Rocket Boots, you can make
Lightning Boots, or, if you have
Frostspark Boots. If you have
Lava Waders, you can make
Terraspark Boots(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions), which is even better, although only possible on the
Desktop version,
Console version, and
Mobile version.
- The
Shark Tooth Necklace(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) is a very good increase to DPS, especially on Expert Mode.
- If you are going for a melee approach, the
Magma Stone is a slight increase to your DPS.
- The
Worm Scarf(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) or
Brain of Confusion(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) will dramatically reduce damage taken.
Hardmode
Wings are extremely useful in hardmode.
- Mobility accessories such as the
Shield of Cthulhu(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) or
Frog Leg are very useful as well.
- Damage increasing accessories such as any Emblem, the
Mechanical or
Fire Gauntlet and
Magic Quiver are always a good choice.
- Variants of the
Cobalt Shield and
Cross Necklace can prevent hits.
Magic Cuffs are still good for regaining Mana.
Strategies
- It is recommended that you build a sky base to keep your
NPCs from ground troops.