Vilethorn

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Vilethorn
  • Vilethorn item spriteold Vilethorn item sprite
Stack digit 1.png
Statistics
Type
Damage10 (Magic)
Knockback1 (Extremely weak)
Mana10
Critical chance4%
Use time28 (Average)
Velocity32
TooltipSummons a vile thorn
RarityRarity level: 1
Sell1 GC50 SC (Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) / 20 SC (Old-gen console and 3DS versions)
Research1 required
Projectiles created
  • Vilethorn (base)
    Vilethorn (base)
  • Vilethorn (tip)
    Vilethorn (tip)
Obtained from Obtained from Obtained from
Classic mode icon.png Classic
Expert mode icon.png Expert
Master mode icon.png Master
EntityQty.Rate
Corrupt Crate(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)Corrupt CrateCorrupt Crate(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)120%
Defiled Crate(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)Defiled CrateDefiled Crate(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)120%
Shadow OrbShadow Orb (placed).pngShadow Orb120%
Animation of Vilethorn use in-game.

The Vilethorn is a pre-Hardmode magic weapon that extends a 15-tile-long spear-like projection from the player's position. It passes through blocks, pierces multiple enemies, and scores a rapid succession of up to seven hits per enemy. Its total effect lasts roughly 1.5 seconds. The Vilethorn has a 1/5 (20%) chance of being obtained from destroying Shadow Orbs found in the Corruption or a 1/5 (20%) chance from Corrupt Crates(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) and Defiled Crates(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions), which are fished in the Corruption.

Its best modifier is Mythical.

Tips

  • The Vilethorn also inflicts minuscule knockback for each hit, which can stun-lock enemies.
  • The Vilethorn is the earliest weapon available to players that consistently travels through blocks.
  • It is rather mana-efficient for its damage potential.
  • With appropriate modifiers and accessories, it is possible to recover full mana between shots if the player stands still, allowing for sustained fire.
  • Because it needs to hit multiple times in order to reach its full damage potential, the Vilethorn is susceptible to enemies with high defense, as the damage reduction is applied to each hit rather than the total amount. This weapon scales very poorly in Hardmode as a result. It shares this trait with other low-damage but high-firing rate weapons, such as the Minishark.
    • For the same reason, accessories, modifiers and buffs that increase damage or lower enemies' defenses can be especially useful for the Vilethorn.
  • The most useful trait of the Vilethorn is its ability to fire through solid blocks and pierce all enemies caught in it. Exploiting this, whenever a threat is encountered, the player can quickly set up a sealed bunker made of solid blocks and attack enemies with impunity from within.
  • Because enemies that are vulnerable to knockback are essentially stopped in their tracks, and the Vilethorn has a duration just barely long enough for a player to recover all their mana and fire again before the effect ends, a player can essentially just lay down a constant thorn that paralyzes any enemy that passes nearby.
  • Caster-type enemies such as the Fire Imp, Dark Caster, and Tim cease attacking once they take any damage, and will not resume attacking for a while after. The Vilethorn can be useful for reaching these enemies so as to stop their assault.

Trivia

  • The Vilethorn is the counterpart to the Crimson's Crimson Rod, as the Crimson Rod is the magic weapon drop from Crimson Hearts and also pierces through enemies.
  • Until the release of 1.2, the Vilethorn was unique in its ability to attack through blocks. Since then, however, other similar weapons have been introduced – the Nettle Burst, Crystal Vile Shard(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions), and Blood Thorn(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) – which can be considered the Vilethorn's Hardmode upgrades. Many other weapons have also been introduced that allow attacking through blocks while hiding from enemies, such as the Chlorophyte Partisan, Death Sickle, and Mushroom Spear.

History

  • Desktop 1.4.0.1: Aligned sell value with all other Shadow Orb/Crimson Heart loot, increasing it from 20 SC to 1 GC50 SC.
  • Desktop 1.3.4.4: Fixed projectiles making liquid ripples when they should not.
  • Desktop 1.2:
    • Damage increased from 8 to 10.
    • Mana cost reduced from 12 to 10.
    • Use time decreased from 29 to 27.