Legacy Guide:Class setups
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• Review for accuracy
- This is the guide that relates to the
Old-gen console version and Nintendo 
version. For the guide that relates to the 
Desktop version, 
Console version, and 
Mobile version, see Guide:Class setups.
Terraria has no formal player class or leveling system. However, weapons can be grouped into four distinct categories based on their damage type – melee, ranged, magic, and summoner. Each class has its strengths and weaknesses and has a wide variety of weapons to choose from.
- Melee
The melee class sports high defense and decent crowd control, but many melee weapons have a short attack range, and those that are viable at a distance tend to do lower damage than their close-range counterparts. This encourages melee users to use their defense to tank hits while attacking with their stronger close-ranged weapons. Melee weapons include swords, spears, and yoyos, and boomerangs.
- Ranged
Rangers are able to attack from a distance, doing high single-target, piercing, or splash damage. They utilize weapons like bows and guns, as well as thrown objects. Ranged users must constantly acquire ammunition, unless using a ranged weapon that doesn't require ammunition such as the Piranha Gun.
- Magic
Mages are fragile but highly varied in attack style, often utilizing special mechanics such as homing, lifesteal, and area-of-effect damage. They are held back by reliance on mana, which regenerates very slowly unless the Mana Regeneration buff is in effect. Magic users can often sustain their mana using Mana Stars when fighting many enemies at once, but must craft or purchase mana potions if they wish to recover mana instantly during boss fights. Most pre-Plantera magic weapons are specialized for crowd control, with weaker single-target damage than other classes.
- Summoner
Summoners deal most of their damage using autonomous minions and/or sentries, and their attacks usually have excellent accuracy. However, most summoning armor sets have low defense in exchange for their high damage potential. The summoning class was balanced around the idea of the player also using the strongest normal weapon available to them in addition to minions and sentries. [1]
Each class gains more complex abilities as the game progresses, enabling more strategic variety in combat. It is advised for players to try out every weapon they find to help determine what works best for them. It is also recommended to use buff potions and healing potions to increase efficiency and survivability in combat (especially during events and boss fights).
In general, it is recommended to focus on gear that benefits one class. Equipment slots are limited, and many armors and accessories only benefit a specific class, especially later into the game. Summoners are an exception to this rule, since summons can deal damage alongside melee/ranged/magic weapons, so summoning gear will always provide a benefit as long as summons are being used. All classes can use at least two minions at all times even without using summoning gear (by using a Bewitching Table), so it's recommended to always utilize these free slots regardless of primary class.
Note that while it's beneficial to only focus on one class between melee/ranged/magic at a time, there is little benefit to specializing in one class over the course of an entire playthrough, and one should strongly consider switching classes if they happen to obtain a powerful weapon from a different class.
Even when not specifically using a hybrid set, backup weapons from another class can be helpful should the situation require a different weapon. For example, Vampire Knives can be used even when the player is not playing melee to rapidly heal health and apply Ichor.
Pre-bosses
Prior to encountering a boss, set bonuses from wooden and ore armor will almost exclusively provide additional defense, and accessories will not discriminate by weapon type when giving bonuses. When combined with the general scarcity of weapons and the need to survive, there is little point to sticking to a "class" this early on. For these reasons, players are recommended to make use of whatever they can get their hands on. Players can acquire a gun or magic weapon early on by smashing one of the Corruption Orbs (in Corruption worlds) or the Crimson Hearts (in Crimson worlds). Hellstone is obtainable pre-boss by fishing up a Reaver Shark.
Wizard Hat
Mystic Robe(Old-gen console version)
Diamond Robe((3DS version))
Jungle Pants
Magic Hat(Old-gen console version)
Celestial Cuffs(Old-gen console version)
Magic Cuffs((3DS version))
Mana Flower
Celestial Magnet(Old-gen console version)
Mana Regeneration Band
Mages must increase their mana capacity through the use of 
Mana Crystals before magic weapons become viable. The Magic Hat and Wizard Hat will provide a set bonus when used in conjunction with any robe. Jungle armor and Ancient Cobalt armor can be used interchangeably, with each piece providing the same benefits, and the set bonus being given even when a mix of the 2 armors is used. Depending on the player's skill level, the Demon Scythe can technically be obtained at any point in the game, as Demons will always naturally spawn in the Underworld.
Pre-Skeletron
After defeating the first bosses, you gain access to the first few class-specific accessories and armor, along with Shadow/Crimson armor. For mages, mana management is less of a problem with an item like the Mana Flower and enough Mana Potions.
Molten Fury(Jester's Arrows)
Crimson armor
Gi(Old-gen console version)
Wizard HatMystic Robe(Old-gen console version)Diamond Robe((3DS version))
Meteor Leggings
Magic Hat(Old-gen console version)
Celestial Cuffs(Old-gen console version)Magic Cuffs((3DS version))Mana FlowerMana Regeneration Band
Pre-Wall of Flesh
Defeating Skeletron provides access to the Dungeon, giving access to Necro armor and new weapons from Dungeon and Shadow Chests. By this time you should generally have 200 base mana, plenty for using magic weapons.
Phasesaber(3DS version)
Night's Edge
Dark Lance
Sunfury
Flamarang
Archery Potion
Ammo Reservation Potion
Ammo Box(Old-gen console version)
Wizard HatMystic Robe(Old-gen console version)Diamond Robe(3DS version)Meteor Leggings
Magic Hat(Old-gen console version)
Celestial Cuffs(Old-gen console version)Mana Flower
Magic Cuffs
Bee Headgear(Old-gen console version)
Bee armor(Old-gen console version)
Pre-mechanical bosses
At this point in the game, damage bonuses from armor and accessories become more significant, so it is recommended to choose a class to specialize in. Ranger is generally agreed to have the best weapons at this stage. However, melee also improves significantly due to melee armors having significantly higher defense than any other class. Magic is still heavily focused on crowd control, making it an effective class for those who want to take out The Destroyer first. Summoners receive Hardmode upgrades earlier than the other classes because Spider equipment can be crafted at an Iron or Lead Anvil. The Sharanga is powerful enough to be useful in Hardmode.
This is also the point where a fully-defensive build begins to diverge from damage builds thanks to the availability of the Star Veil, coupled with greater access to damage accessories, so it is a good time to decide whether you want to run a primarily offensive or defensive loadout and reforge your accessories accordingly.
Adamantite Helmet
Frost Breastplate
Spider Greaves(Old-gen console version)
Frost Leggings((3DS version))
Adamantite armor
Flask of Ichor
Sake(Old-gen console version)
Flask of Cursed Flames
Sharpening Station(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)
Ale
Gatligator(Desktop, Console, Old-gen console and Mobile versions)[a]
Sharanga(Old-gen console and 3DS versions)
Uzi(Musket Balls)
Archery PotionAmmo Reservation PotionAmmo Box(Desktop, Console, Old-gen console and Mobile versions)
Crystal Bullet[d]
Ichor Arrow
Heart Arrow(3DS version)
Cursed Arrow
Celestial Cuffs(Old-gen console version)Magic Cuffs((3DS version))
Sorcerer EmblemMana Flower
Spider Staff(Old-gen console version)
Slime Staff(Only use on Nintendo version. [e])
Queen Spider Staff(Old-gen console version)
Spider armor(Old-gen console version)
Titanium Mask
Spider Breastplate(Old-gen console version)Spider Greaves(Old-gen console version)
Wings
Lightning Boots(or better)
Pigron(Desktop, Console, Old-gen console and Mobile versions)
Pre-Plantera
At this point, players are expected to have chosen between melee, ranged, magic, or a hybrid of summoning and another class. As was the case in previous stages, ranged provides the highest long-distance DPS, melee provides the best tanking ability, magic provides the most unique weapon effects.
Flask of IchorSake(Old-gen console version)
Flask of Cursed FlamesSharpening Station(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)Ale
Megashark(Crystal Bullets)
Chlorophyte Shotbow(Holy Arrows)
Flamethrower
Chlorophyte Shotbow(Chlorophyte Arrows)
Flamethrower
Chlorophyte armor(Mask)
Hallowed armor
Archery PotionAmmo Reservation PotionAmmo Box(Desktop, Console, Old-gen console and Mobile versions)
Crystal Bullets[d]
Holy ArrowsHeart Arrows(3DS version)
Ichor Arrows
Venom Staff(Old-gen console version)
Flower of Frost
Unholy Trident
Venom Staff(Old-gen console version)
Cursed Flames
Magical Harp
Unholy Trident
Hallowed armor
Celestial Emblem(Old-gen console version)Magic CuffsSorcerer EmblemMana Flower
Spider Staff(Old-gen console version)(3x)
Optic Staff(Old-gen console version)(Rest of the minion slots)
Slime Staff(Only use on Nintendo version[e])
Queen Spider Staff(Old-gen console version)
Spider armor(Old-gen console version)
Chlorophyte armor(Mask)
Spider armor(Old-gen console version)
WingsLightning Boots(or better)
Pigron(Old-gen console version)
Pre-Golem
With the Hardmode Dungeon and Temple Keys now available, players have access to a variety of new equipment. Furthermore, any Biome Keys you have obtained are now usable. You could attempt to extend the duration of this stage by killing Duke Fishron or summoning the Frost Moon or Pumpkin Moon, but most players will find it easier and more logical to kill Golem first.
The transition from pre-Plantera to post-Plantera comes with a significant improvement to the equipment available, with the most prominent new items being melee weapons (Vampire Knives) and magic armor (Spectre armor). The classes are very balanced at this stage.
Pulse Bow(Desktop, Console, Old-gen console and Mobile versions)(Venom Arrows)
Piranha Gun
Tactical Shotgun
Shroomite armor
Adamantite Maskto be used with Rockets
Archery PotionAmmo Reservation PotionAmmo Box(Old-gen console version)
Spectre armor(Mask)
Spectre armor(Hood)
Celestial Emblem(Old-gen console version)Magic Cuffs(Old-gen console version)Sorcerer EmblemMana Flower
Optic Staff(Old-gen console version)
Pygmy Staff
Staff of the Frost HydraQueen Spider Staff(Old-gen console version)
Master Ninja GearLightning Boots(or better)
Hoverboard
Ghost Wings
Endgame
Once Golem, Duke Fishron, and Ocram have all been defeated, the player is considered to be in the endgame.
Tsunami(Holy Arrows)
Snowman Cannon
Elf Melter(with Shroomite Helmet)
Sniper RiflePiranha Gun(with Shroomite Helmet)
Chain Gun
Snowman Cannon
Stake LauncherTsunami(Holy Arrows)
Piranha Gun(with Shroomite Helmet)Elf Melter(with Shroomite Helmet)
Hallowed Helmet(for rocket weapons and weapons of all types) OR
Shroomite Headgear(for arrow weapons) OR
Shroomite Mask(for bullet weapons)
Shroomite Breastplate
Titan Leggings OR 
Tiki Pants
Shroomite armor
Swiftness PotionArchery PotionAmmo Reservation PotionAmmo Box(Desktop, Console, Old-gen console and Mobile versions)
Spectre armor(Hood)
Spectre armor(Mask)
Celestial Emblem(Old-gen console version)Magic CuffsSorcerer EmblemMana Flower
Both the Spectre Mask and Spectre Hood are useful for offense and defense, respectively.
Tempest Staff
Queen Spider Staff(Desktop, Console, Old-gen console and Mobile versions)Staff of the Frost Hydra
Beetle armor(Shell)
Other
Some equipment sets are not meant for fighting, but for other activities, such as fishing, building and exploring. All equipment is optional and makes it easier to perform the task, but otherwise simply use what is at hand.
The Mechanic NPC unlocks wiring, selling the basic tools.
Wrenches
Wire Cutter
Wireand other wiring items
Summoner gear might prove useful to defend against enemies while engineering.
Spectre Paintbrush(Old-gen console version)
Spectre Paint Roller(Old-gen console version)
Spectre Paint Scraper(Old-gen console version)WrenchesWire CutterWireand other wiring items
Ice Rod
Toolbelt(Old-gen console version)
Toolbox(Old-gen console version)
Brick Layer(Old-gen console version)
Extendo Grip(Old-gen console version)
Paint Sprayer(Old-gen console version)
Portable Cement Mixer(Old-gen console version)Movement accessories
Builder Potion(Old-gen console version)
Summoner gear is useful for defending against enemies while building.
Summoner gear might prove useful to defend against enemies while fishing.
Shroomite Digging Claw(Old-gen console version)
Sticky Bomb
Dynamite
Binoculars
Rod of Discord
Dangersense Potion(Old-gen console version)
Flipper Potion(Old-gen console version)
Gravitation Potion
Mining Potion(Old-gen console version)
Night Owl Potion
Obsidian Skin Potion
Shine Potion
Spelunker Potion
Water Walking Potion
Teleportation Potion
Recall Potion
Calming Potion
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Most effective on a tank build
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 The Fire Gauntlet has 3% less melee damage and speed than the Mechanical Glove. Combined with the fact that it is slightly harder to craft than the Mechanical Glove, it should be only used when the player wants more offensive power and already has a Mechanical Glove equipped.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Due to this weapon's high ammo cost, it should be used with Adamantite armor for its ammo conversation.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Highest single-target DPS
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 It is the only summon weapon available until the player has defeated Duke Fishron or Plantera.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 The Horn o' plenty is better than Greater Healing Potions if the player has trouble getting the Potions because the Horn is not consumed upon usage, otherwise Greater Healing Potions are better due to the fact that they grant 30 more health than the Horn o' plenty.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 While it is impossible to have 2 Frost Hydras (or 2 Queen Spiders) active at the same time, it is possible to have both a Frost Hydra and a Queen Spider active at the same time, hence the player should summon both the Frost Hydra and the Queen Spider.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 The Black Belt is an alternative. The Master Ninja Gear and the Black Belt do not stack.
- ↑ To maximize the effectiveness of one's minions, one should summon all of their minions while wearing Spooky armor, and then summon an additional minion while wearing Tiki armor
