Medusa Head

From Terraria Wiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search
Desktop version Console version Mobile version
Desktop/Console/Mobile-Only Content: This information applies only to the Desktop, Console, and Mobile versions of Terraria.
Medusa Head
  • Medusa Head item sprite
Autofire
1
Statistics
Type
Weapon
Damage40 (Magic)
Knockback2 (Very weak)
Mana15
Critical chance4%
Use time20 (Very fast)
Velocity1
RarityLight Red (Rarity level: 4)
Sell4 GC
Research1 required
Projectiles created
  • Medusa Ray
    Medusa Ray
  • Medusa Head Ray
    Medusa Head Ray
Sounds
Attack
Obtained from Obtained from
Classic Mode.png Classic
Expert Mode.png Expert
Master Mode.png Master
EntityQty.Rate
Medusa(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)Medusa.gif Medusa(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)14%
The Medusa Head attacking Mimics.

The Medusa Head is a Hardmode magic weapon that continuously fires close-range yellow beams up to four times per second, hitting up to three enemies per attack within a short radius of the player. 15 mana is consumed per each attack, regardless of the number of enemies struck. No mana is consumed if the Medusa Head is used while no enemies are within range. The Medusa Head has a 1/25 (4%) chance of being dropped by Medusas.

Its best modifier is Mythical.

Notes

  • Internally, the Medusa Head has a reuseDelay of 10, adding a cooldown of 10 ticks[1] (0.17 seconds) after firing the beams.[2]
  • The center point of the Medusa Head's effect is not the raised head, but rather the front of the player's torso, just below their face. As a result, enemies that appear to be targetable may not be affected. In addition, there appears to be an exactly 2-block minimum space requirement for the attack to "pass through" and hit a target, causing walls in narrow vertical tunnels to block attacks going straight up or down due to the start point being off center from the tunnel.
  • Enemies near walls or slopes can sometimes be completely missed by this weapon's attack, even with no obstructing blocks between the player and the enemy. This seems to happen much more consistently on smaller enemies such as Green Slimes.
  • The Medusa Head cannot target other players in PvP.

Tips

  • The Medusa Head's rapid short-range attacks make it a great tool for clearing out enemies that are surrounding the player, or for eliminating quick enemies without having to aim. However, given its limited number of targets, it is generally outclassed by weapons with true piercing when fighting worm enemies and bosses.
  • Due to the area-of-effect damage of the Medusa Head, it is useful against events like the Pirate Invasion and Goblin Invasion.
  • The Medusa Head may indicate a nearby unseen enemy's location through its streaks of light towards it.
  • Given the hazards of fighting Medusa, the safest way to get hold of a Medusa Head is to use a statue farm. However, this can take quite a long time due to the reduced drop chance from statues; even a three-statue farm might take well over an hour of real-world time.

Trivia

  • The Medusa Head originates from the Greek legend of Perseus, who was commanded by Polydectes to kill the Gorgon Medusa and return with her head. Later on, he used it to save Andromeda by turning the sea monster Cetus into stone.
  • The Medusa Head does not inflict the Stoned debuff despite its namesake enemy doing so.
  • When used, Medusa and the snakes on her head will stick out their tongues, and her eyes will flash.
  • When using a Medusa Head while riding a Minecart on a slope, the head will appear to float.

History

  • Desktop 1.4.0.1:
    • Rather than being charged, the Medusa Head is now channeled and its range substantially reduced. When enemies are in range, it will constantly attack any nearby enemies, consuming mana for each attack. It can attack up to 4 times per second and can hit up to 3 enemies with each attack. If no enemies are present, it will not fire, and will consume no mana.
      • Previously, the Medusa Head could be charged for up to 3 seconds by holding down the ⚒ Use / Attack button, consuming 15 mana per second to a maximum cost of 45. Reaching the full charge of 3 seconds or releasing the ⚒ Use / Attack button early would discharge the weapon and it would deal damage to all enemies within 50 tiles (though not through solid blocks). The damage would depend on how long the weapon was charged beforehand: a 1-second charge would double the damage, while the full charge of 3 seconds would triple the damage.
    • Damage reduced from 45 to 40.
    • Mana cost increased from 10 to 15.
  • Desktop 1.3.1:
    • Damage increased from 28 to 45.
    • Mana cost increased from 4 to 10.
    • Now only obtainable in Hardmode, as Medusas no longer spawn in pre-Hardmode.
    • Is now able to get the Mythical modifier.
  • Console 1.0.1372.5:
    • Damage increased from 28 to 45.
    • Mana cost increased from 4 to 10.
    • Now only obtainable in Hardmode, as Medusas no longer spawn in pre-Hardmode.
    • Is now able to get the Mythical modifier.

References

  1. ↑ A tick is a time unit countable by the software. Most of Terraria's updating logic happens every tick. A tick has the length of 1/60th of a second, hence there are 60 ticks in a second and 3600 ticks in a minute.
  2. ↑ Information taken from the Desktop version Desktop 1.4.4.9 source code, method SetDefaults4() in Terraria.Item.cs.
Retrieved from "https://terraria.wiki.gg/wiki/Medusa_Head?oldid=939827"