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 overgrown monstrosity of the jungle's depths.” 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.png Classic
Expert Mode.png Expert
Master Mode.png Master
Statistics
Type
Boss
Environment
Underground Jungle
AI TypePlantera AI
Damage50100150 (contact) [1]
4476114 (Seed)
5496144 (Poison Seed)
62108162 (Thorn Ball)
Max Life300004200053550
Defense36 [1]
KB Resist100%
Immune toPoisonedConfused
Inflicts debuff
Inflicts debuff
Inflicts debuff
DebuffPoisonedPoisoned
Debuff tooltipSlowly losing life
Chance50%100% (Poison Seed) (Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)
Duration3–7 seconds4–18 seconds5–22.5 seconds
Projectiles created
Projectiles created
Projectiles created
  • Seed
    Seed
  • Poison Seed
    Poison Seed
  • Thorn Ball
    Thorn Ball
Sounds
Hurt
Killed
Fires projectile
PlanteraSecond FormHardmode exclusive
Plantera (Second form).gif
Map Icon Plantera (second form).png
Map Icon
Classic Mode.png Classic
Expert Mode.png Expert
Master Mode.png Master
Statistics
Type
Boss
Environment
Underground Jungle
AI TypePlantera AI
Damage70140210 [1]
Max Life15000/3000021000/4200026775/53550
Defense10 [1]
KB Resist100%
Immune toConfusedPoisoned
Drops
Coins15 GC37 GC50 SC
Sounds
Hurt
Killed
Fires Spore
Plantera's Hook
Plantera's Hook.pngOld-gen console version and Nintendo 3DS version
Classic Mode.png Classic
Expert Mode.png Expert
Master Mode.png Master
Statistics
Type
Boss PartInvincible
Environment
Underground Jungle
AI TypePlantera's Hook AI
Damage60/120/180
Max Life4000/8000/12000
Defense24
KB Resist0%/10%/20%
Sounds
Hurt
Killed
Plantera's Tentacle
Plantera's Tentacle.gifOld-gen console version and Nintendo 3DS version
Classic Mode.png Classic
Expert Mode.png Expert
Master Mode.png Master
Statistics
Type
Boss Part
Environment
Underground Jungle
AI TypePlantera's Tentacle AI
Damage60/138/206
Max Life1000/2000/2550
Defense20
KB Resist0%/10%/20%
Immune toPoisonedConfused
Sounds
Hurt
Killed
Spore
Spore.pngOld-gen console version and Nintendo 3DS version
Classic Mode.png Classic
Expert Mode.png Expert
Master Mode.png Master
Statistics
Type
Projectile NPC
Environment
Underground Jungle
AI TypeSpore AI
Damage70/140›126/210›189
Max Life1
Defense0
KB Resist100%
Immune toConfused
Sounds
Hurt
Killed

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 overlap her main bulb with the player's position, resulting in a linear kiting fight. She moves slowly compared to a player with speed-boosting equipment. In a large enough arena, distance can be maintained by constant movement. A good arena simplifies the fight. If the arena is too large, its center may not register as Underground Jungle. This can be avoided by making the arena long and narrow or by widening a natural jungle cave and allowing jungle grass to regrow. Notched edges increase jungle grass tiles on the perimeter, helping maintain biome recognition.

The second stage begins at 50% health. The pink petals fall off, revealing a green maw, and Plantera’s speed and damage increases and spawns her tentacles.

Plantera enrages if the player leaves the Underground Jungle, gaining defense, attacking more often, and dealing high contact and ranged damage. Surface arenas are ineffective.

The player should dodge while attacking. In the second form, dodging lunges is important.

Ranged characters should kill her tentacles quickly. Their low defense makes repeated hits lethal.

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.Guide:Practical tips

Terrain preparation

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

  • Players can widen natural caves in Underground Jungle with Bombs or Dynamite and place platforms for dodgining.
  • More aggressive players may prefer a compact space near the bulb (mainly for the Face Tanking strat)

Plantera's thorn balls do significant damage and are used frequently during her 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. 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
  • (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.
  • With enough damage Modifiers, the Fetid BaghnakhsFetid Baghnakhs(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) or the Drippler CripplerDrippler Crippler(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) (with spamming the attack up) 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.
  • The Death SickleDeath Sickle is decent, being able to tear through plantera and her tentacles.
  • The True Night's EdgeTrue Night's Edge has a better range, but is inconsistent during plantera's second phase due to its low piercing.
  • The Mushroom SpearMushroom Spears is easy to obtain and deals high damage, but is somewhat risky to use.
  • for yoyos the Red's ThrowRed's Throw(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) or Valkyrie YoyoValkyrie Yoyo(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) is very useful, as it can rip through her first phase very quickly, especially with a Yoyo Bag.
  • (Old-gen console and 3DS versions) The Terra BladeTerra Blade is a good choice for high damage as well.
For Ranged users
  • A Chlorophyte ShotbowChlorophyte Shotbow with Holy ArrowHoly Arrows can be used to great effect.
  • The FlamethrowerFlamethrower deals excellent damage and easily pierces Plantera's Tentacles in her second phase.
  • You can excavate a tall arena and use a Daedalus StormbowDaedalus Stormbow(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) paired with Chlorophyte Arrows.
  • 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.
  • The Pulse BowPulse Bow(Desktop, Console, Old-gen console and Mobile versions), while rare, can be strong against Plantera, especially in an enclosed arena. It is best used with Ichor or Cursed Arrows.
  • Heart ArrowHeart Arrows(3DS version) will freeze Plantera, making the fight incredibly simple.
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. Can be really useful in the second phase to get rid of the tentacles.
  • The Orange ZapinatorOrange Zapinator(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) deals good damage to Plantera and can deal massive damage in a short time depending on the player's luck.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Support Weapons would be quite helpful against plantera namely;
    • 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.
    • And 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.


For Summoners
  • The Optic StaffOptic Staff(Desktop, Console, Old-gen console and Mobile versions) and Blade StaffBlade Staff(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)are the best options to summoners, the latter is the best if using whips
    • 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.
  • 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

  • Frozen WingsWings will allow you to dodge Plantera's attacks. Gelatinous PillionGelatinous Pillion(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) or The Black SpotThe Black Spot(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) can be used as a substitute.
  • Damage can be greatly boosted through combat accessories such as any Warrior EmblemEmblem or the Moon StoneMoon Stone.
  • Melee users who choose to use swords can use the Fire GauntletFire Gauntlet to greatly increase their damage and attack speed. It can also be equipped together with the Mechanical GloveMechanical Glove for an even larger increase. On Old-gen console version Old-gen console version and Nintendo 3DSNintendo 3DS version version, the Fire Gauntlet should not be used alone as its stats are inferior to the Mechanical Glove.
  • The Yoyo BagYoyo Bag(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) will significantly increase a Yoyo's DPS and range.
  • The Celestial EmblemCelestial Emblem(Desktop, Console, Old-gen console and Mobile versions) is the best offensive accessory for mages, and should be used on every magic build.
  • The Pygmy NecklacePygmy Necklace is a great choice for summoners, as it grants an additional minion slot.
  • The Squire's ShieldSquire's Shield(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)/Apprentice's ScarfApprentice's Scarf(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) are amazing for summoners, giving a solid damage boost and an additional sentry slot.
  • The Charm of MythsCharm of Myths can be used for increased regen and the reduction of the Potion Sickness debuff time from one minute to 45 seconds.
  • The Frozen Turtle ShellFrozen Turtle Shell reduces damage taken when losing too much health.
  • The Ankh ShieldAnkh Shield is very useful for preventing knockback in the second phase. The Obsidian ShieldObsidian Shield is an alternative, only losing the situational immunity to the Poisoned debuff.
  • The Cross NecklaceCross Necklace/ Star VeilStar Veil can be used to extend the invulnerability period after being attacked. This can prove to be useful during the second phase due to the large amount of Biters.
  • In Expert Mode(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions):
    • The utility of the Shield of CthulhuShield of Cthulhu's dash remains essential throughout most of the game.
    • The Worm ScarfWorm Scarf will reduce the amount of damage taken.
    • The Brain of ConfusionBrain of Confusion can prevent the player from taking damage and increase their DPS for 4 seconds, making it an excellent accessory all around.

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.

Face Tanking

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 armor set bonus. For accessories you want to load up on melee speed (such as the Mechanical Glove) and damage reduction (Worm Scarf, Brain of Confusion) and put Warding reforges on all of the accessories. Don't forget to use potions listed above and the "arena" buffs.

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. This works even on Master mode.

A similar strat is to use the exact same set up with the Drippler Crippler and spamming the attack up.

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.

Firework rockets (Old-gen console version) (3DS version)

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.

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.
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