Guide:Martian Madness strategies

Type	Boss
Environment	Martian Madness
AI Type	Rider AI
Damage	50/100/150 (contact); 100200300 (Martian Deathray)
Max Life	170005400081000 (all parts)
Defense	100
KB Resist	100%
Immune to	All debuffs
Hurt	https://terraria.wiki.gg/wiki/File:NPC_Hit_4.wav
Killed	https://terraria.wiki.gg/wiki/File:NPC_Killed_14.wav

This is a Guide page.
This means the page will walk you through a specific task, strategy, or enemy/boss fight.

Status: Subject to revision (This Guide does not meet certain quality standards and may be heavily outdated.)

Issues:
• Most likely outdated since 1.4(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions). Remember not to delete pre-1.4 content; use {{eicons}} and {{eversions}}!

Desktop/Console/Mobile-Only Content: This information applies only to the Desktop, Console, and Mobile versions of Terraria.

The Martian Madness is a post-Golem invasion that can be done anytime after beating it. The event rewards the player with very powerful items dropped from its exclusive boss, the Martian Saucer. However, due to the great amount of powerful Martians that spawn the event can prove to be extremely difficult if attempted without preparation.

Event

The invasion will only happen when the Player finds a Martian Probe(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) in the wild and lets it escape into Space. The Martians will then spawn in areas close to friendly NPCs.

During the invasion, all of the following enemies will spawn:

Gray Grunts(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions), the basic enemy of the event. Despite its simple appearance, it is one of the most dangerous martians due to its very high health and total immunity to knockback.
Ray Gunners(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions), who behave similarly, but with lower stats and the ability to shoot lasers from their gun.
- Occasionally, it will spawn riding on a Scutlix(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions), becoming a Scutlix Gunner. The Scutilx moves very fast, deals high contact damage and its rider will shoot lasers, making this a deadly enemy. The Scutlix Gunner has a low chance to drop the Brain Scrambler(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions), which allows the player to ride a Scutlix of their own.
Martian Walkers(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) are a very fast enemy that can quickly shoot lasers, have a lot of health and are immune to knockback. Despite these attributes, their size and very low jumps make them prone to getting stuck on simple obstacles.
Martian Drones(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) are small enemies with low damage and health. They will lock on to a player, and then quickly charge towards them before exploding.
Gigazappers(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) behave like Gray Grunts, with lower stats and the ability to inflict the Electrified(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) debuff on hit, which causes a player to rapidly lose health when moving.
Martian Engineers(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) have low stats but instead of attacking, they can deploy Tesla Turrets(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions), which shoot an electric projectile at the player, which inflicts the Electrified debuff. The Engineers should be killed quickly, as they can easily overwhelm a player with Turrets.
Martian Officers(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) spawn protected by a Bubble Shield, which will need to be killed before the player can harm it. If the Officer isn't killed quickly after the Bubble Shield is destroyed, it will activate again.
Brain Scramblers(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) are similar to Ray Gunners, with their projectile inflicting the Confused debuff on hit.
The Martian Saucer is the boss of the event. It will alternate between firing lasers from its turrets at the player's position, shooting homing missiles from its Cannons, and then following the player while attacking with its Deathray. Players must destroy the Turrets and Cannon first, as its core can't be damaged. After these have been destroyed ((Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) Expert and Master only), the player will be able to damage its Core, and it will move more aggressively than before, and will only use the Deathray, which also does much more damage. When killed, it will drop a unique weapon or item.

General Strategies

General Tips

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

For nocturnal bosses, starting the battle just after the sun sets (7:30 PM) will provide the maximum amount of time to defeat the boss. In Hardmode, the Moon Charm and/or Moon Stone and their upgrades are also useful at night.
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 3DS 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 prevent any Heart Statues from spawning new 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

The event was easily exploited until 1.4 by standing in a box above the ground.

The great amount of enemies with high stats and/or projectiles makes it very hard to survive the invasion in the open. The event is better fought around your base, where the martians will be much less likely to overwhelm you with projectiles. Make sure to protect your NPCs however, as the enemies will easily kill them.

Like many other invasions, all pre-1.4 enemies completely lack the ability to attack through blocks, as only explosions from the Martian Drone and Martian Saucer have the ability to do so. This can be exploited by safely killing the enemies inside a tall box above the ground. Additionally, a pit with a shallow layer of Lava and Traps can be built to trap the Martians and kill them safely. Using Summon weapons you can safely and quickly beat the Martian Saucer from inside the box, and you can use Track since enemies cannot spawn on it, which serves as a great way keeping non-flying enemies at bay. You can also hop on the Track if you have a mechanical cart due to its great speed. Recommended weapons are the Tempest Staff, Deadly Sphere Staff(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)and Raven Staff. If you have a Xeno Staff(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions), you are able to use it for the rest of the fight.

You can still do it in 1.4 but you need either a Rod of Discord or a Hook of Dissonance(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) to teleport out of the way of the deathray.

Note that the Martian Saucer will not fire its deathray through some blocks as long as the player is not under them.

Gearing Up

Armor

For Melee characters, the Beetle armor is the best available. The Beetle Scale Mail is better for offensive bonuses, while the Beetle Shell is better for those that can’t avoid taking hits frequently.
For Ranged characters, the Shroomite armor is the strongest available.
The Spectre armor is the strongest for a Mage. The Spectre Hood should be used only when at low health to maximize damage output.
A summoner should wear Spooky Armor. The Tiki Armor can be used if extra whip range is desired.

Weapons

For Melee users

The Seedler(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) or Terra Blade are both very good all around swords. If the Old One's Army has been defeated, the Flying Dragon(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) is excellent against crowds.
The Paladin's Hammer is very useful for crowd control, and useful against the first phase of the Martian Saucer. The Possessed Hatchet makes a good combination with it, as it can deal with single targets and the second phase of the Saucer.
The Flairon is very powerful due to its many high damaging bubbles.
The Eye of Cthulhu(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) is the strongest yoyo available until the Terrarian.
The Vampire Knives are a strong weapon with lifesteal capabilities.
The Scourge of the Corruptor has low damage, but many homing projectiles.
The Death Sickle can pass through blocks. It is useful if the player has trouble dodging enemy attacks.

For Ranged users

The Chain Gun is the strongest gun available, while the Megashark is an acceptable alternative. Crystal Bullets are the strongest for damage, while Chlorophyte Bullets are better against the second phase of the Saucer.
The Candy Corn Rifle is good against crowds and a decent choice against the Saucer.
The Tsunami with Holy Arrows is the strongest bow. The Chlorophyte Shotbow is an acceptable alternative.
The Snowman Cannon is excellent for the event due to its homing rockets with big explosions.
The Piranha Gun can easily kill enemies while standing in an enclosed area. Be wary not to be caught by the saucer's death ray.

For Magic users

The Razorpine is the strongest weapon against single targets. The Inferno Fork and Bat Scepter are weaker but still effective.
The Blizzard Staff deals high amounts of damage and covers a wide area. Also Useful if you decide to box yourself, dealing damage to the Saucer without getting out the box.
The Razorblade Typhoon is an excellent weapon against both crowds and the Saucer.
The Rainbow Gun, Magnet Sphere and Golden Shower are all great secondary weapons.

For Summoners

The Tempest Staff, Deadly Sphere Staff(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) and Raven Staff are the strongest minions available.
The Staff of the Frost Hydra is a useful sentry to have.

Accessories

Any pair of Wings, such as Fishron Wings or Hoverboard are all useful for mobility.
- The Frog Leg or any of its upgrades makes all Wings ascend significantly faster.
The Master Ninja Gear will help greatly in dodging attacks.
A Celestial Shell(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) or Celestial Stone gives very welcomed increases to all stats, most notably damage and health regeneration.
Damage boosting accessories such as the Destroyer Emblem, Magic Quiver, or Mechanical Glove are all very good.
The Charm of Myths reduces the length of the Potion Sickness debuff by 1/4 (15 seconds) as well as giving a small life regeneration increase. For the Philosopher's Stone effect to work, it only needs to be equipped the instant a potion is drunk.

Specific Strategies

Circle and Shake (Expert/Master)

In Expert and Master mode, you have access to a flying mount from killing either Duke Fishron or Mourning Wood.

When a Martian Saucer appears, it will cycle through three attacks: shoot rapid lasers to the side, shoot homing rockets, and shoot a downward laser.

For the first attack, stay above the saucer. As it releases the homing rockets, circle down and underneath it, coming up on the other side and dodging the rockets. This means that you'll be flying up and away when the downward laser fires.

After it loses half its health, it begins aggressively chasing you, too fast to escape unless you're using Shrimpy Truffle with the water/rain buff. Instead of running away the whole fight, only flee until its laser turns off, then go in the opposite direction. It will fire and chase you again, but once the laser turns off, go in the opposite direction. Once you get the rhythm down, it becomes a much easier fight.

Watch out, though, as burning Saucer Scrap projectiles fall from it as it fires. These do minor damage, but can knock you into the laser, so it's recommended to equip knockback-cancelling accessories like the Cobalt Shield or the Hero Shield.

Too Fast to Catch (Master)

In Master mode, you have access to the Witch's Broom and Hexxed Branch which drop from the Mourning Wood.

Arena: A large bridge, if you have trouble with the other enemies from Martian Madness during the fight, a solution would be to build a bridge out of blocks and coat the bridge in lava. This prevents enemies from spawning on your bridge, but you will require Lava Waders or an Obsidian Skin Potion to prevent taking lava damage.

When a Martian Saucer appears, it will cycle through three attacks: shoot rapid lasers to the side; shoot homing rockets; and a deathray. It will repeat this cycle without deviation.

For the first phase use the Witch's Broom to dodge. For the rapid lasers and homing rockets, simply circle the saucer. The lasers can't change where they shoot once they start to fire, and leaves the saucer open to attack, and the homing rockets cannot do sharp turns and thus make them easy enough to weave through. The deathray (which comes after the homing rockets) is easy enough to dodge as it only shoots directly downward, so you only have to fly above or to the side of it. Never underneath it.

After destroying the cannons and turrets the Martian Saucer will go into its second phase, switch your mount to the Hexxed Branch as it easily outruns the saucer allowing you to lead it on as you fire at it with a ranged weapon like the Venus Magnum. If you have a short bridge and need to change directions wait for the small gap between firing its deathray, but when you do run under it, watch out for the burning Saucer Scrap projectiles. These scraps can be jumped over but it deals knockback if you get hit by it allowing the deathray to catch up to you and kill you, so it's recommended to equip a knockback-cancelling accessory like the Cobalt Shield or any of its upgrades.

Strategy Notes: It's recommended to keep a distance from the saucer; When the Saucer fires its lasers and you are above it, the Saucer will fly to your level; When a part is destroyed it will fire burning scraps during it's cycle; When entering phase 2 the Saucer will shake violently; When running under the Saucer DO NOT HESITATE as if you do not get to 60+mph to outrun the Saucer on the Hexxed Branch you will die; If you slow down you will die; It's REALLY recommended to have a long bridge as to avoid having to go under it; With a dps of 1300 in phase 2 a 2,000+ block bridge is recommended this allows you to kill it before having to risk going under it.

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Guide:Martian Madness strategies

Contents

Event