Guide:Pumpkin Moon strategies

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This is a Guide page.
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Status: Subject to revision (This Guide does not meet certain quality standards and may be heavily outdated.)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     • Most likely outdated since 1.4. Remember not to delete pre-1.4 content; use {{eicons}} and {{eversions}}!

    • The Pumpkin Moon is a post-Plantera Hardmode event triggered by activating the Pumpkin Moon Medallion. The event is very rewarding if you can successfully keep pace, providing a large amounts of money and good weapons by the end of the night.

    However, the event is also difficult and requires a lot of preparation.

    The Event

    Mourning WoodHardmode exclusive
    Mourning Wood.gif
    Map Icon Mourning Wood.png
    Map Icon
    Classic Mode.png Classic
    Expert Mode.png Expert
    Master Mode.png Master
    Statistics
    Type
    Boss
    Environment
    Pumpkin Moon
    AI TypeMourning Wood AI
    Damage120/180/270 (contact)[4]
    100200300 (Flaming Wood, health ≥ 25%)
    150300450 (Flaming Wood, health < 25%)
    80160240 (Greek Fire, health ≥ 25%)
    100200300 (Greek Fire, health < 25%)
    Max Life14000/18200/23205
    Defense34
    KB Resist100%
    Immune toShimmeringConfusedPoisoned
    Drops
    Coins1 GC2 GC50 SC
    Projectiles created
    Projectiles created
    Projectiles created
    • Flaming Wood
      Flaming Wood
    • Greek Fire 1
      Greek Fire 1
    • Greek Fire 2
      Greek Fire 2
    • Greek Fire 3
      Greek Fire 3
    Sounds
    Hurt
    Killed
    Flaming Wood
    Greek Fire
    PumpkingHardmode exclusive
    Pumpking head.gif
    Map Icon Pumpking.png
    Map Icon
    Classic Mode.png Classic
    Expert Mode.png Expert
    Master Mode.png Master
    Statistics
    Type
    Boss
    Environment
    Pumpkin Moon
    AI TypePumpking AI
    Damage50/75/112 (contact) [1]
    80160240 (Greek Fire)
    Max Life26000/33800/43095
    Defense40
    KB Resist100%
    Immune toOn Fire!ConfusedPoisonedHellfire
    Drops
    Coins5 GC12 GC50 SC
    Projectiles created
    Projectiles created
    Projectiles created
    • Greek Fire 1
      Greek Fire 1
    • Greek Fire 2
      Greek Fire 2
    • Greek Fire 3
      Greek Fire 3
    Sounds
    Hurt
    Killed
    Greek Fire
    PumpkingPumpking Blade
    Pumpking Hand.png
    Classic Mode.png Classic
    Expert Mode.png Expert
    Master Mode.png Master
    Statistics
    Type
    Boss PartInvincible
    Environment
    Pumpkin Moon
    AI TypePumpking Scythe AI
    Damage65/130/195 (contact)
    120240360 (Flaming Scythe) [3]
    Max Life5000/10000/15000
    Defense14
    KB Resist100%
    Projectile created
    Projectile created
    Projectile created
    • Flaming Scythe
      Flaming Scythe
    Sounds
    Hurt
    Killed

    The event consists of 20(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) / 15(Old-gen console and 3DS versions) waves, with the final wave lasting until the end of the night. As the event goes on, stronger enemies and unique bosses will appear.

    During the first few waves, a large number of ScarecrowScarecrows, HellhoundHellhounds and SplinterlingSplinterlings will appear. These enemies only have average stats, so a weapon with good crowd control abilities will clear the first waves fairly fast.

    On wave 4(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) / 5(Old-gen console and 3DS versions) PoltergeistPoltergeists will start appearing. And on wave 5(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) / 9(Old-gen console and 3DS versions) Headless HorsemanHeadless Horsemen will start appearing. These are weaker than the Boss enemies, but much stronger than the average ones. Even if they are not a threat by themselves, they can be very dangerous combined with the minibosses.

    The first miniboss, the Mourning Wood will start appearing on wave 6(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) / 4(Old-gen console and 3DS versions). This enemy will walk towards the player, and then shoot Flaming Wood when it stops moving. It can also leave Greek Fire on the ground. While it can prove to be rather easy to kill, on later waves many of them will spawn, so one can easily get overwhelmed by their projectiles.

    On wave 10,(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) / 7(Old-gen console and 3DS versions), the main Boss of the Event will appear, the Pumpking. It behaves similarly to Skeletron; attempting to stay above the player and attacking with the blades on its arms. The most dangerous attack it has are its Flame Scythes: a large, highly damaging projectile that speeds up over time, similar to Demon Scythes. It's rather slow for a boss enemy, so it can be easily outran and dodged by moving in wide circles.

    The further the player has progressed, the more boss enemies will be able to spawn at once, and their chance to drop an item will also increase. On the final wave, up to seven of each boss can appear, and they will always drop an item and their respective trophy.

    Preparation

    General Tips

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

    Terrain Preparation

    This content is transcluded from Guide:Arena.

    Extensive arena for the Moon Events, making heavy use of platforms, Asphalt and passive healing tiles.
    Example of an arena, making heavy use of Traps. Note that on higher difficulties, Traps are hardly useful.

    The Pumpkin and Frost Moons are much easier to handle with the proper arena.

    A flat surface about 168 blocks wide (See NPC spawning) will focus all spawns on the arena. Above it there should be a long platform of the same width, high above the ground in order to keep grounded enemies out of reach.

    Since the player will mostly focus on the Bosses on the later waves, Lava pit and Traps may be helpful to take out the weaker enemies more easily. However, on higher difficulties the Traps' low damage is practically useless against the higher-health enemies, making them almost a liability due to the invincibility frames they provide and the risk of being hit by them and taking massive damage in the process.

    It's also a good idea to make a room with a BedBed near the Arena, so in case of death you can quickly get back to it.

    Gearing up

    The event can be summoned at any time post-Plantera, but it can be done after Golem.

    Armor

    Weapons

    For Melee users
    • The FlaironFlairon is a very strong weapon for both crowd control and single targets. Scourge of the CorruptorScourge of the Corruptor works similarly.
    • Influx WaverInflux Waver(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) and Terra BladeTerra Blade are very strong swords. The former should only be used against the bosses, as the latter has better crowd control.
    • The Paladin's HammerPaladin's Hammer is very good for crowds and decent against bosses.
    • Possessed HatchetPossessed Hatchet is fast and deals decent damage, but it becomes ineffective in the later waves, as there will be too many boss enemies for it to handle.
    • The Psycho KnifePsycho Knife(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) deals extreme damage to Mourning Woods and other grounded enemies. The Fetid BaghnakhsFetid Baghnakhs(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) are a slightly weaker option.
    • Vampire KnivesVampire Knives can be used to quickly heal in critical situations, but have lower DPS than most other options.
    • (Old-gen console and 3DS versions) Once you've killed your first few Pumpkings, the event can be made a cakewalk by using The Horseman's Blade with any type of Statue that summons a hostile mob on a timer in a enclosed safe space above the ground. Using this method will cause the blades effect to activate upon hitting the entity spawned by the statue safe distance allowing the Flaming Jacks summoned by the sword to do all the damage, while allowing the player to remain in safety. This will become troublesome after wave 4 as Mourning Woods will attempt to shoot the player between intervals with their Flaming Wood projectile being able to pass through solid ground. In this time it is recommended to leave the statue chamber, wait for the barrage to end and then retreat back to the statue chamber. This can also be applied to the Frost Moon before wave 11 when the Ice Queen spawns.
    For Ranged users
    • TsunamiTsunami is one of the best weapons to use. With Holy ArrowHoly Arrows, they can deal massive damage to all enemies.
    • The Electrosphere LauncherElectrosphere Launcher(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions), StyngerStynger or Pulse BowPulse Bow(Desktop, Console, Old-gen console and Mobile versions) are very effective for crowd control.
    • The XenopopperXenopopper(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) paired with Crystal BulletCrystal Bullets is very strong against the bosses.
    For Magic users
    For Summoners

    Accessories

    Accessories should be modified to Lucky or Menacing for the event.

    Mounts

    The use of mounts can save accessory slots that would've been used for mobility.

    • The Brain Scrambler (item)Brain Scrambler(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) is very helpful, as the Scutlix has very high movement speed, a very high jump and extra laser attacks.
    • The Shrimpy TruffleShrimpy Truffle(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) or Cosmic Car KeyCosmic Car Key(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) provide permanent but slower flight.

    Potions

    Specific strategies

    • A very good way to go through waves, until any Pumpkings arrive at wave 7, and even kill some if aiming correctly, is to use a Cannon at a platform 37 blocks high from the ground (where the enemies are) as each Cannonball deals 300 damage, which is devastating for the early waves even for Mourning Woods. In addition, most attacks cannot hit the player.
    • Using Dynamite with an explosion-proof arena causes splash damage that can demolish early waves.
    • With the Cosmic Car Key, an effective technique against Pumpking is to move in a diamond formation around him while targeting him. This is especially effective if you place sentries such as the Frost Hydra or Queen Spider to deal with enemies below.
    • Both Pumpkings and Mourning Wood drop some hearts upon being defeated. In later waves (especially the final one), when you're swarmed by several of these monsters at once, a player with a Cross Necklace, Heartreach Potion, high Defense and a damaging weapon can potentially heal from killing them faster than they can damage you. <
    1. ↑ Information taken from the Desktop version Desktop 1.4.0.5 source code, AI() in Terraria.NPC.cs. The relevant part is the aiStyle == 58 block. There may be inaccuracies, as the current Desktop version Desktop version is 1.4.4.9.
    2. ↑ See Pumpkin Moon § Loot for more details on the loot drop rates.
    3. ↑ Information taken from the Desktop version Desktop 1.4.0.5 source code, AI() in Terraria.NPC.cs. The relevant part is the aiStyle == 59 block. There may be inaccuracies, as the current Desktop version Desktop version is 1.4.4.9.
    4. ↑ Information taken from the Desktop version Desktop 1.4.0.5 source code, AI() in Terraria.NPC.cs. The relevant part is the aiStyle == 57 block. There may be inaccuracies, as the current Desktop version Desktop version is 1.4.4.9.
    5. ↑ See Pumpkin Moon § Loot for more details on the loot drop rates.
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