The Torch God

  

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

Torches attacking the player during The Torch God event.

The Torch God event in a simple arena, with various colors of torches, and Glowsticks to provide lighting.

The Torch God is an event that is initiated by clustering a large number of torches underground. It consists of dodging projectiles, and survivors are rewarded with the Torch God's Favor, an item which gives the player the option for their torches to automatically match the biome they are in. Making sure torches match the biome type they are in will positively influence the player's luck in most areas.

The event can begin once at least 101 torches of any type are placed in close proximity below the surface layer in any biome. It is possible for the event to start with less than 101 torches placed if the player is moving, due to the game's calculation incorrectly counting some torches more than once. The Torch God event cannot take place for any character who has already consumed the Torch God's Favor or has one in their inventory.

As the Torch God begins, torch flames shoot off at the player as projectiles, one at a time. They are fired in a random order, at a rate of 3 projectiles per second, and deal 40 / 80 / 120 base damage. Projectiles can pass through blocks to reach the player, but they can collide with blocks again after passing the player. Each torch shoots one projectile and extinguishes itself afterward, as if it was switched off via wire. For the entire duration of the event, the player is inflicted with the Blackout debuff, significantly reducing their vision.

The Torch God ends once all nearby torches have been spent, to a maximum of 200 attacks. If at least 95 torches fired, the player is rewarded with the Torch God's Favor item. All torches re-light when the event ends. If the player dies or leaves underground, the event ends early and nothing is awarded; if the player moves into an area without torches, the event will also end early, however the Torch God's Favor will be awarded if at least 95 torches fired.

While the event is active, the music Boss 3 will play. When Otherworldly music is enabled, the track Wall of Flesh will play instead.

Notes

• This event is unique in that the player only needs to dodge and survive to complete it. There are no enemies or bosses to attack.
• The Torch God is tied to one player at a time. In multiplayer, only one player is targeted by the torch fireballs and is affected by the Blackout debuff. Other players who have consumed the Torch God's Favor still hear the change of music for nearby players' events.
• Torch fireballs match the color of torch they are fired from. This is purely cosmetic; all fireball colors have the same behavior and stats.
• If the world is left while the Torch God is still ongoing, spent torches will not re-light. They will have to be reactivated or replaced.
• Passing the event, dying, or leaving the world temporarily invalidates the existing torches. They can re-initiate the event after a short delay if the area is re-entered.
• Any combination of torch types can be used to summon the Torch God.
• Torches placed during the event can fire off at the player too.
• Torch fireballs do not harm critters, enemies, or players who have already consumed the Torch God's Favor.
• After the Torch God ends, there is a 60-second cooldown before the event can start again for a player.
• The Bestiary entry of the Torch God is unlocked once the Torch God's Favor is consumed.

Achievements

Torch God • “Invoked the wrath of the God of Torches, and survived long enough to earn its blessing.”

Use the Torch God's Favor. (Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)

Category: Slayer

Tips

For more elaborate strategies on surviving The Torch God, including arena recommendations, see Guide:The Torch God strategies.

• Starting the event in an open area offers the player more room to dodge.
• Only proper torches become part of the Torch God. Non-torch light sources like lanterns can provide light to the area without becoming fireballs.
• Items that give the player a dodge chance, such as the Brain of Confusion, work against torch fireballs.
• Taken as an agility challenge, having mobility items like grappling hooks is preferred to help dodge the torch fireballs.
• Taken as an endurance challenge, having armor, buffs, and accessories that offer high defense is preferred to reduce the damage from the torch fireballs.
• The player can lessen enemy spawns using a Calming Potion and Peace Candle to reduce dangerous distractions from enemies, allowing the player to focus on dodging the fireballs.
  • Alternatively, the player can activate the event in a town for a greater spawn reduction. If the player fails, however, that town may become inaccessible until the player either completes the event or removes the torches.
• Some torches make their associated fireballs harder to see, while other torches make it easier to see. The best, brightest torch for dodging purposes is the White Torch, but is made from Diamonds and thus may be resource intensive. The second best torch is the Ultrabright Torch, and it is uncommonly sold from the Traveling Merchant. The third best torch is the Ichor Torch. Depending on the environment, the Ice Torch, Hallowed Torch, and Jungle Torch might be the fourth best.
• The Torch God's Favor does not count as being in the inventory if it is in the trash slot, in a storage item like a Chest, or tossed to the ground. A player can use this to repeat the event.

Arena ideas

A basic arena using a loop of Minecart Tracks.

These are some brief ideas for creating a favorable environment to take the event in:

• Create a large open area and line torches around one edge to provide maximum dodging time.
• Build a small, square arena with the torches clustered in the center. Lay down Ropes and walkways to be able to circle the torches.
• Make a hellevator with a rope line and a torch every 10 tiles, then place 101 torches at the top and head down the rope line. By the time the player reaches the bottom, they should obtain Torch God's Favor.
• Lay down a loop of Minecart Tracks around a cluster of 101 torches. Hammer the rails so that the Minecart rides in circles around the torches, and make use of bumpers and rail intersections as necessary.

Trivia

• The Torch God, as well as its reward, was most likely introduced as a response to the controversial "bad torch luck" feature introduced in 1.4.0.1 and removed in 1.4.0.3, which would punish players for using the wrong torch type in a given biome (e.g. using Ice Torches in the Underground Jungle as opposed to Jungle Torches).
• The Torch God was initially discussed on live stream by Terraria streamer Pedguin on May 24th, 2020, as a way for Redigit to punish players for placing the wrong Torch. Redigit commented in the chat that he liked the idea.
• The Torch God event is called HappyFunTorchTime in the game's source code.
• When shot, each fireball emits the sound used by several casters and magic weapons.
• The Torch God is one of the few entities in the Bestiary that has a 5-star rating, making it one of the only 4 bosses with a 5-star rarity.
• A Torch God NPC exists in-game, with the NPC ID of 664. It seems to be used for displaying the required info of the Torch God's Bestiary entry.
  • If it is summoned via third-party software or mods and is killed, it would only drop 5-15 Lesser Healing Potions and some Hearts. Doing so will also unlock the Torch God's Bestiary entry.

• The Bestiary entry for the The Torch God: "An unseen deity responsible for a torch's eternal flicker, however easily angered by the unsightly, ungrateful abuse of torch placement."

History

 Desktop version

• Desktop 1.4.4: Now grants an achievement when complete.

• Desktop 1.4.3.3: Fixed an issue where Torch God's projectiles from Corrupt Torches generated snow dust.

• Desktop 1.4.1:
  • Added Bestiary entry.
  • Now properly plays an Otherworldly track when that setting is toggled.

• Desktop 1.4.0.5: Introduced.

 Console version

• Console 1.4.0.5.4.1: Introduced.

 Nintendo Switch version

• Switch 1.4.0.5.5: Introduced.

 Mobile version

• Mobile 1.4.0.5.0: Introduced.