Hooks

This article is about the tool class. For the crafting material, see Hook.

"Skeletron Hand" redirects here. For the boss part, see Skeletron.

Using a Topaz Hook. Notice how using the hook while already hooked will unhook the player.
Multi-hooks, like this Slime Hook, allow more versatile movement.	The Grappling Hook being used on platforms.

Hooks are a class of tools which aid the player in traversing terrain. When used, hooks fire a chain that latches to a surface or platform and pulls the player towards it. A hook is an essential tool which offers significant freedom from terrain height restrictions as well as being a fast movement option, and will often be the first major mobility tool a player acquires. A variety of hooks are available at all stages of the game (see table below).

The Grapple hotkey activates the equipped hook in the player's equipment slot, or the first hook from the inventory (from left to right, top to bottom) without requiring it to be in the player's hotbar.

Several higher-tier hooks, such as the Ivy Whip, allow the player to grapple multiple surfaces simultaneously. If the character grapples one surface, then fires the hook a second time, another chain extends from the player without dislodging the first. Upon grappling a second surface, the player will be suspended in midair at a point midway between the two surfaces. This allows players more freedom during construction, or for navigating hazardous areas, such as above lava or Meteorite.

(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) All Journey Mode characters will spawn with the basic Grappling Hook already in their inventory.

Types

Hooks vary in range, velocity, number of deployable hooks, and number of hooks that can remain latched simultaneously.

• All crafted hooks are crafted at the Iron Anvil or Lead Anvil, with the exception of the Lunar Hook, crafted at the Ancient Manipulator.
• The speed at which a hook pulls the player in is 56 mph, except for the Bat Hook (72 mph), Thorn Hook (61 mph), and Lunar Hook (82 mph).
• Single hooks dislodge immediately if fired again while already latched to a surface.
• Multi-hooks without simultaneous latching (Dual Hook; also the Fish Hook on  Old-gen console and 3DS) can fire a second chain before the first latches to a surface, but will dislodge the first chain when the second latches a surface.
• A multi-hook can be fired again only after the previous chain latched a surface or fully retracted. The Fish Hook, Dual Hook, Web Slinger, and Lunar Hook are exceptions, and can be fired very rapidly; nearly as fast as the player can press the button.

Pre-Hardmode

Item		Source	Reach (tiles)	Hook velocity	Hooks	Latching	Sell	Rarity	Projectile	Notes
	Grappling HookInternal Item ID: 84	Crafted: 3  + or Goblin Tinkerer (2 GC)	18.75	11.5	1	Single	40 SC	01*
	Amethyst HookInternal Item ID: 1236	Crafted: 15	18.75	10	1	Single	40 SC	01*
	Squirrel Hook(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)Internal Item ID: 4759	Zoologist (2 GC)	19	11.5	1	Single	40 SC	01*		Can grapple onto trees.
	Topaz HookInternal Item ID: 1237	Crafted: 15	20.625	10.5	1	Single	40 SC	01*
	Sapphire HookInternal Item ID: 1238	Crafted: 15	22.5	11	1	Single	40 SC	01*
	Emerald HookInternal Item ID: 1239	Crafted: 15	24.375	11.5	1	Single	40 SC	01*
	Ruby HookInternal Item ID: 1240	Crafted: 15	26.25	12	1	Single	40 SC	01*
	Amber Hook(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)Internal Item ID: 4257	Crafted: 15	27.5	12.5	1	Single	40 SC	01*
	Diamond HookInternal Item ID: 1241	Crafted: 15	29.125	12.5	1	Single	40 SC	01*
	Web SlingerInternal Item ID: 939	Web Covered Chests	22.625(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) 15.625(Old-gen console and 3DS versions)	10	8	Simultaneous	40 SC	02*		Can fire all hooks in rapid succession, regardless of whether the initial hook hits a block. This distinguishes it from most simultaneous hooks. (Old-gen console and 3DS versions) Shortest range of any hook.
	Skeletron HandInternal Item ID: 1273	Skeletron (12.24% / 33.33%)	21.875	15	2	Simultaneous	90 SC	02*
	Slime Hook(Desktop, Console, Old-gen console and Mobile versions)Internal Item ID: 2585	King Slime (33.33% / 50%)	18.75	13	3	Simultaneous	40 SC	03*
	Fish HookInternal Item ID: 2360	Angler (1.7%)	25	13	2	Simultaneous	40 SC	03*
	Ivy WhipInternal Item ID: 185	Crafted: 12  + 3	28	13	3	Simultaneous	40 SC	03*
	Bat HookInternal Item ID: 1800	Goodie Bags (0.67%)	31.25	13.5	1	Single	1 GC50 SC	03*		Pulls in the user at 72 mph, while most other hooks pull in the player at 56 mph. Has the second fastest pull-in speed of all hooks.
	Candy Cane Hook(Desktop, Console, Old-gen console and Mobile versions)Internal Item ID: 1915	Presents (0.63%)	25	11.5	1	Single	2 GC	07*

Hardmode

Item		Source	Reach (tiles)	Hook velocity	Hooks	Latching	Sell	Rarity	Projectile	Notes
	Dual HookInternal Item ID: 437	Mimics (Desktop, Console, Mobile and 3DS versions) (16.67%) (Old-gen console version) (14.29%)	27.5	14	2	Individual	3 GC	04*		Glowing ends (red and light blue). Can fire 2 times in rapid succession. Two hooks can be fired, but only one may be latched at a time.
	Hook of Dissonance(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)Internal Item ID: 4980	Queen Slime (33.33% / 50%)	30	16	1	Single	5 GC	05*		Teleports the player to the hooked location. Will not teleport the player through blocks.
	Thorn Hook(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)Internal Item ID: 3021	Plantera (10%)	30	16	3	Simultaneous	6 GC	06*		Pulls in the user at 61 mph, while most other hooks pull in the player at 56 mph. Has the third fastest pull-in speed of all hooks.
	Illuminant Hook(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)Internal Item ID: 3022	Hallowed Mimic (25%)	30	15	3	Simultaneous	6 GC	06*		Glowing chain and ends.
	Worm Hook(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)Internal Item ID: 3023	Corrupt Mimic (20%)	30	15	3	Simultaneous	6 GC	06*
	Tendon Hook(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)Internal Item ID: 3020	Crimson Mimic (20%)	30	15	3	Simultaneous	6 GC	06*
	Anti-Gravity Hook(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)Internal Item ID: 2800	Most enemies in the Martian Madness event (0.13%)	31.25	14	3	Simultaneous	2 GC50 SC	07*		Suspends user 12 tiles from latch point in any direction. Allows the player to orbit around the latch point. Glowing chain and ends.
	Spooky HookInternal Item ID: 1829	Mourning Wood (2.86% – 20% / 5% – 20%)	34.375	15.5	3	Simultaneous	4 GC	07*
	Christmas HookInternal Item ID: 1916	Everscream (3.46% – 10.37% / 6.22% – 31.11%)	34.375	15.5	3	Simultaneous	4 GC	07*		Glowing chain and ends.
	Lunar Hook(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)Internal Item ID: 3572	Crafted: 6  + 6  + 6  + 6	34.375	18	4	Simultaneous	10 GC	10*		Crafted at Ancient Manipulator. Glowing chain and ends. Each chain glows its respective color. Can fire all hooks in rapid succession, regardless of whether the initial hook hits a block. This distinguishes it from most simultaneous hooks. Pulls in the user at 82 mph, while most other hooks pull in the player at 56 mph. Has the fastest pull-in speed of all hooks.
	Static Hook(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)Internal Item ID: 3623	Steampunker (50 GC)	37.5	16	2	Individual	10 GC	10*		Two hooks can be fired, but only one is latched at a time. Latching does not pull the player, unlike other hooks. Players can adjust their distance from the latched point. Players will not move while latching to a different point. Longest range of any hook.

Notes

The glow provided by certain hooks. In order from top to bottom: Dual Hook blue end, Dual Hook red end, Christmas Hook, Illuminant Hook, Anti-Gravity Hook, Lunar Hook ends (Solar, Vortex, Nebula, and Stardust respectively). No light sources other than the hooks are present in this shot.

The Anti-Gravity Hook is unlike any other hook allowing the user to rotate around the grappling point.

The Static Hook in action, keeping the user in place when grappling to a new location and allowing the user to move back and forth at will.

Using a hook to instantly accelerate. Note that this can be used while walking to get to sprinting speed quickly.

The Hook of Dissonance in action, teleporting the player.

• The Squirrel Hook will sometimes automatically dislodge when grappled to Palm Trees.
• (Old-gen console and 3DS versions) Grappling a platform or Minecart Track with only one hook will pull the player inside the platform or rail, meaning that they will always hit that platform/rail with subsequent grapples. The player will have to jump to dislodge the hook if this happens.
• Hooks reset a character's flight time when Rocket Boots or wings are equipped as soon as the hook latches on something. This also applies to items that allow more jumps midair, like the Cloud in a Bottle or Cloud in a Balloon.
• All hooks (except the Hook of Dissonance) can remain attached to a surface continuously for 10 minutes (10 hours in-game time) before they automatically disengage.
  • (Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) The only exception, the Hook of Dissonance, only stays attached for 2 minutes 30 seconds (2 hours 30 minutes in-game time) before the player automatically detaches.
• Players can remove hooks from their inventory while clinging to a surface and remain there until they jump, use another hook, or automatically disengage, even though the hook is no longer in their inventory.
• When used via the hotbar, multi-hooks can be re-fired more rapidly, requiring only that the previous chain has fully extended first.
• When the player first acquires a hook, a small tutorial box will pop up explaining how to use it.
• Attempting to use a hook on a slope will often cause the player to grapple the block they are standing on, as they are technically inside the block.
• Using a hook will cancel any mount buff. The mount will not appear again unless the player starts the buff again.
• Despite the tooltip suggesting "teleportation", using the Hook of Dissonance does not allow the player to teleport through small holes that they are not normally able to fit through.
• Canceling a grappled hook with the ↷ Jump key will result in a jump with half duration, unless currently moving or holding the ▼ Down key in which case no jump happens.

Achievements

Hold on Tight! • “Equip your first grappling hook.”

Equip a Grappling Hook. (Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)

Category: Collector

Tips

• When sprinting accessories are equipped, the burst of speed provided by a hook upon latching a surface can be used to accelerate a player to sprinting speed instantly. This can also be done with the Unicorn and Basilisk Mount's charging abilities, though requiring an additional input to reactive the mount, and Anti-Gravity Hook, but it will boost the player in the opposite direction.
• The Ice Rod can provide blocks to grapple while flying with wings, repeatedly resetting flight time in midair.
• Characters that have hooked to a block are immune to gravity and knockback. Grappling the ground in dangerous locations, such as near lava, can ensure one does not fall in when taking damage from an enemy.
  • Players can also exploit immunity to gravity by shooting the hook to the ground to prevent fall damage.
• Simultaneous-latch multi-hooks are more useful for intricate maneuvers. When fast travel is preferred, individually-latching multi-hooks allow faster transit, since they immediately sling the player across gaps, rather than automatically suspending them midway.
• Hooks that can be fired in rapid succession (Dual Hook, Web Slinger, Fish Hook, and Lunar Hook) provide greater security when falling. If the first hook fails to latch onto a surface, the other hooks will provide additional chances to avoid fall damage.
• If a player grapples onto a door and opens it while suspended, they will fly through it with immense speed (up to 50 mph if performed in quick succession), provided they are in a position to fit through the door. The same effect can be achieved with Actuators. When there are Frozen Slime Blocks on the other side of the door, this speed will be kept and can be used for very rapid transportation, for instance on a sky bridge.
  • This effect does not apply to the Static Hook or Anti-Gravity Hook, which do not pull players in.
  • (Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) The Smart Doors setting, which opens doors automatically when the player is going through them, makes this method far more convenient, as the player only needs to hold ◀ Left or ▶ Right in order to open it.
  • On the  Old-gen console version and Nintendo 3DS version, doors are always opened automatically when the player gets near one, so this is easier to perform.
• While latched with the Anti-Gravity Hook and rotating around the latch point, mana and health will regenerate as if the player was standing still. It also provides a simple way to dodge quickly even when under the effects of reduced movement speed (such as from the Vortex armor's stealth ability).
• The Anti-Gravity Hook is very effective in avoiding quick enemies like Mothron, provided there is enough space.
• Smooth walls can be climbed extremely quickly with the Anti-Gravity Hook by pressing the Grapple key quickly and holding the ▲ Up key while the mouse is in the top and slightly to the right of the middle of the screen.
• Right-clicking a hook in the inventory will automatically equip it to the hook slot.

Trivia

• Within the game files, hook sprites are separated into chain and projectile sprites.
• Hooks were once going to be capable of grappling to trees. However, this feature was later scrapped, because Redigit found that it "interfered with gameplay in an annoying way". This feature has since been added as the Squirrel Hook's unique feature.
• The Fish Hook is a play on words, using the term for the real-life fishing tool for a grappling hook with the same appearance.
• The tooltip for the Grappling Hook, 'Get over here!', is a reference to Scorpion's catchphrase in the fighting video game series Mortal Kombat.
  • However, none of the hooks can grab entities and pull them forward in any way.
• The tooltip for the Lunar Hook, 'You want the moon? Just grapple it and pull it down!', is a possible reference to the quote "You want the moon? Just say the word and I'll throw a lasso around it and pull it down." by George Bailey, protagonist of the 1946 American Christmas fantasy drama movie It's a Wonderful Life.
• The Bat Hook is most likely a reference to DC Comics' fictional superhero Batman, who uses a grappling hook built into a pistol (called a "grapple gun") which reels in very quickly, usually launching him up onto ledges.
• The Web Slinger is most likely a reference to Marvel Comics' fictional superhero Spider-Man, who is often referred to as the "Web Slinger" due to his ability to sling webs and attach them in order to enhance movement.
• The tooltip for the Squirrel Hook, 'In the tree, part of the tree', is a possible reference to the Adventure Time episode "Up A Tree" in which Finn climbs a tree to get a frisbee and meets a squirrel who says the line.
• When using the Lunar Hook, the color fired always follows this order: First orange (Solar), second green (Vortex), third pink (Nebula), and finally blue (Stardust).
  • Because the Lunar Hook always follows this pattern, it is possible to cycle through the different hooks (i.e., shooting them out without latching onto an object) and latch onto objects with whichever desired color. Therefore, it is also possible to have four of the same type of hook out (four Solar, Nebula, Vortex, or Stardust hooks) at a time.
• The Candy Cane Hook can be sold at a price comparable to the Hardmode hooks, despite it only being a pre-Hardmode hook. It is also one of the few items with the 07* rarity that can be obtained pre-Hardmode.
• The Thorn Hook resembles a miniature version of Plantera's Hooks.
• If a player switches hooks while already hooked, the existing hook will keep the previous hook's sprite. However, re-shooting the hook will update the sprite.
• When switching hooks from an older hook that has more ends to a newer hook with less ends, the new hook will initially replace the first hook shot out, but then will subsequently always replace the older hook. This is very unstable and can allow strange effects such as two Static Hooks latched at the same time. It can also cause the player to have both Anti-Gravity Hooks and Static Hooks at the same time and doing so can be very janky.
• The Static Hook has a rarity of 10* despite being acquirable after only one of the mechanical bosses has been defeated. It is also the only item with this rarity that can be purchased.
• Considering that the Thorn Hook has almost the same stats as the three Biome Mimic hooks, the Illuminant, Tendon, and Worm Hooks, it is possible that the Thorn Hook may have originally been intended as a drop from the Jungle Mimic.
• The Ivy Whip is the only hook referred to as a whip. It is unrelated to the whip(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) weapon type.

History

 Desktop version

• Desktop 1.4.3.3: Increased the Web Slinger's range by 25%.

• Desktop 1.4.1: The basic Grappling Hook is now given to all Journey Mode characters.

• Desktop 1.4.0.3: Fixed a bug where Hooks were still usable after dying in Mediumcore.

• Desktop 1.4.0.1:
  • Introduced Squirrel and Amber Hooks and the Hook of Dissonance.
  • Once grappled onto a platform, the player no longer continues to grapple onto the platform and get stuck once they release subsequent grapples.
  • Decreased Bat Hook pull-in speed from 16 (82 mph) to 14 (72 mph).
  • Decreased Bat Hook shoot speed from 15.5 to 13.5.
  • Increased Thorn Hook pull-in speed from 11 (56 mph, the standard) to 12 (61 mph).
  • Increased Thorn Hook shoot speed from 15 to 16.
  • Increased Lunar Hook pull-in speed from 13 (66 mph) to 16 (82 mph).
  • Increased Lunar Hook shoot speed from 16 to 18.

• Desktop 1.3.2: Gem hook sprites updated.

• Desktop 1.3.1: Introduced the Static Hook.

• Desktop 1.3.0.5: Fixed Lunar Hook not allowing the player to use the hooks freely unless at least one is placed.

• Desktop 1.3.0.4: Fixed controls being reversed for Anti-Gravity hook when used in reversed gravity.

• Desktop 1.3.0.1:
  • Introduced Worm, Tendon, Illuminant, Thorn, Anti-Gravity, and Lunar Hooks. The Lunar Hook has a non-standard pull-in speed of 66 mph.
  • Tweaked grappling mechanics:
    • Hooks have been given a dedicated equipment and dye slot, and can no longer be fired from the inventory.
    • Fish Hook changed to Simultaneous latching.
    • You can no longer grapple while frozen.

• Desktop 1.2.4: Introduced Slime and Fish Hooks.

• Desktop 1.2.3:
  • Fixed a bug where hooks would break if they tried to attach to blocks with liquid in them.
  • Using a Rod of Discord or Teleporter will now release all grapples.

• Desktop 1.2.2: Introduced Candy Cane and Christmas Hooks.

• Desktop 1.2.1.2: Bat Hook now correctly drops from the Goodie Bag.

• Desktop 1.2.1: Introduced Bat Hook and Spooky Hook. The Bat Hook is the only hook with a pull-in speed of 82 mph, different from all other hooks (56 mph).

• Desktop 1.2:
  • Introduced the Gem hooks (Amethyst, Topaz, Sapphire, Emerald, Ruby, and Diamond), Web Slinger, and Skeletron Hand.
  • Ivy Whip recipe changed, no longer requires the Grappling Hook.

• Desktop 1.1:
  • Introduced the Dual Hook.
  • Grappling Hook can now be bought from the Goblin Tinkerer for 2 GC.
  • Ivy Whip recipe changed, Jungle Spores requirement reduced from 15 to 12.

• Desktop 1.0.6:
  • Grapple hotkey added (default hotkey is E).
  • Multiple hooks can no longer be thrown at once.
  • Removed 60-second auto-disengage.
  • Ivy Whip recipe changed, now requires 15 Jungle Spores instead of 30 Jungle Rose.

• Desktop 1.0.4: Grappling Hook tooltip added.

• Desktop-Release: Introduced Grappling Hook and Ivy Whip.

 Console version

• Console 1.0.1372.5: Introduced the Static Hook.

• Console 1.0.933.1: Made changes from PS4's 1.0.750.0 update. ()

• Console 1.0.750.0: ()
  • Introduced Worm, Tendon, Illuminant, Thorn, Anti-Gravity, and Lunar Hooks.
  • Updated Gem hook sprites to match Desktop 1.3.2.
  • Tweaked grappling mechanics:
    • Hooks have been given a dedicated equipment and dye slot, and can no longer be fired from the inventory.
    • Fish Hook changed to Simultaneous latching.
    • You can no longer grapple while frozen.

• Console 1.07: Introduced Slime and Fish Hooks.

• Console 1.06: Using a Rod of Discord or a Teleporter will now release all grapples.

• Console 1.04: Introduced Candy Cane and Christmas Hooks.

• Console 1.02:
  • Introduced the Gem hooks, Bat and Spooky Hooks, Web Slinger, and Skeletron Hand.
  • The Ivy Whip no longer uses the Grappling Hook in its crafting recipe.

• Console-Release: Introduced Grappling and Dual Hooks and the Ivy Whip.

 Nintendo Switch version

• Switch 1.0.1096.2: Gem hook sprites updated to match Desktop 1.3.2.

• Switch 1.0.895.9: Introduced the Static Hook.

• Switch 1.0.711.6: Introduced with changes up to Desktop 1.3.0.1.

 Mobile version

• Mobile 1.4.0.5.0:
  • Introduced Static, Squirrel, Amber, and Hook of Dissonance hooks.
  • Updated Gem hook sprites to match Desktop 1.3.2.
  • Once grappled onto a platform, the player no longer continues to grapple onto the platform and get stuck once they release subsequent grapples.
  • Bat Hook pull in speed decreased from 16 to 14.
  • Bat Hook shoot speed decreased from 15.5 to 13.5.
  • Thorn Hook pull in speed increased from 11 to 12.
  • Thorn Hook shoot speed increased from 15 to 16.
  • Lunar Hook pull in speed increased from 13 to 16.
  • Lunar Hook shoot speed increased from 16 to 18.

• Mobile 1.3.0.7:
  • Introduced Worm, Tendon, Illuminant, Thorn, Anti-Gravity, and Lunar Hooks.
  • Tweaked grappling mechanics:
    • Hooks have been given a dedicated equipment and dye slot, and can no longer be fired from the inventory.
    • Fish Hook changed to Simultaneous latching.
    • You can no longer grapple while frozen.

• Mobile 1.2.11212:
  • Introduced Slime, Fish, Candy Cane, and Christmas Hooks.
  • Using a Rod of Discord or Teleporter will now release all grapples.

• Mobile 1.2.6508:
  • Introduced the Gem hooks, Bat and Spooky Hooks, Web Slinger, and Skeletron Hand.
  • The Ivy Whip no longer uses the Grappling Hook in its crafting recipe.

• Mobile 1.1.5536:
  • Introduced the Dual Hook.
  • The Grappling Hook can now be bought from the Goblin Tinkerer for 2 GC.

• Mobile-Release: Introduced Grappling Hook and Ivy Whip.

Nintendo 3DS version

• 3DS-Release: Introduced all hooks added up to Desktop 1.2.1 along with the Christmas Hook.