Medusa Head

  

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

Medusa Head

• 

Statistics

Type	Weapon
Damage	40 (Magic)
Knockback	2 (Very weak)
Mana	15
Critical chance	4%
Use time	20 (Very fast)
Velocity	1
Rarity	04*
Sell	4 GC
Research	1 required

Projectiles created

• Medusa Ray
  
• Medusa Head Ray
  

Sounds

Attack

• Internal Item ID: 3269 (Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)
• Internal Projectile ID: 535, 536

 Obtained from

 Classic

 Expert

 Master

Entity	Qty.	Rate
Medusa(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) Medusa(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)	1	4%

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 and strikes 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 weapon is used while there are no enemies within range. The Medusa Head has a 1/25 (4%) chance of being dropped by Medusas, which are encountered in Marble Caves during Hardmode.

Its best modifier is Mythical.

Notes

• 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-type 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 one of these is use of a statue farm. However, given the reduced drop chance from statues, this can take quite a long time; even a three-statue farm might take well over an hour of real-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 version

• Desktop 1.4.4: Drop rate increased from 1/50 to 1/25.

• Desktop 1.4.1: Range of effect increased by 25%.

• Desktop 1.4.0.1:
  • Rather than being charged, this weapon is now channeled and its range substantially reduced.
  • When channeled, it will be held in front of the player. If no enemies are present, it will not fire, and will consume no mana.
  • When enemies are in range, it will constantly attack any nearby enemies, consuming mana for each attack.
  • Can hit up to 3 targets with each attack.
  • Damage is now set to 40.
  • Mana cost has been decreased from 18 to 15.
  • Can now fire up to 4 times per second.

• Desktop 1.3.1:
  • Damage increased from 28 to 45.
  • Mana cost increased from 4 to 10.
  • Is now a Hardmode item.
  • Is now able to get 'Mythical' modifier.

• Desktop 1.3.0.1: Introduced.

 Console version

• Console 1.0.1372.5:
  • Damage increased from 28 to 45.
  • Mana cost increased from 4 to 10.
  • Is now a Hardmode item.
  • Is now able to get 'Mythical' modifier.

• Console 1.0.933.1: Introduced. ()

• Console 1.0.750.0: Introduced. ()

 Nintendo Switch version

• Switch 1.0.711.6: Introduced.

 Mobile version

• Mobile 1.4.0.5.0: Made changes from Desktop 1.3.1 to 1.4.0.1.

• Mobile 1.3.0.7: Introduced.