Looking for Suggestions/Challenges

[Aki-San]

Heyo,

Im currently looking for new "builds" to try out.

TLDR:
as seen below, ive done a LOT of builds, so most likely the only "open field" are thematic builds. maybe an "easter egg / references" only build or something.
for "challenge" runs i would draw the line behind "melee projectile only", as this seems still feasible.
another direction would be like a "color only" build, like only using purple weapons or so.
main focus is weapons, but im not against armor or acc suggestions / builds.

Any idea is welcome! :)

technically i didnt do an explosive only run... but i think preHM might be painfully slow.. maybe someone has an idea of a explosive only build that works ;)

Long version:
Below are what settings i prefer / what i count as a completed run and the buillds i already tried.

basics

- large world
- master mode
- goal: moonlord and Daylight EoL defeated
- bonus objective: zero deaths
- if possible: weapon/build should be scale-able

already done

all weapon "classes" (loyalty runs), as in
- only guns
- only spears
- only swords
- only boomerangs
- even things like staff or tome only runs
etc.

full build variations
ranger / magic / summon / melee

specialty builds
- whip only (no summons) (holy cow, this build is probably one of the strongest in the game, it rivaled a full damage archer build in boss kill times!)
- "random stuff" only (like fish weapons, umbrellas, KO cannon and other "funny" weapons)
- thematic builds (pirate weapons only, goblin weapons only)
- meme/character builds (like a "m"-paladin aka darkness)
- elemental only runs (like only fire or ice or poison etc.)

didnt work / not interested in

- "one weapon" runs (like zenith only or copper shortsword only)
- tool only runs (i tried hammer only and it was a painful grind)
- afk / slow / peaceful runs (like only sentries)
- throwables only runs
- "fish" only run (technically it worked, but was WAY too slow)

[GGcake]

You have to beat every boss in a different way, this means you cant use the same strategies, items, armours, or weapons for the next fight. of course you can bend the rules a bit to make it more bearable like being allowed to use health or mana potions in every fight.

[Aki-San]

i might run with this and tweak it a little, like using either an "opposing style" for the specific boss or - to have some sort of challenge if i keep the weapon level aligned with the boss - have like not the "best loadout" for specific bosses, like no piercing for eater, no speed dodge for chuchuchu. stuff like that.

[Koumori]

I semi-recently completed a "wolf only" run, i.e. staying in the Lilith's Necklace wolf form the entire game. No flight, no gravitation potions, no ropes, no hooks, no dash. It was pretty fun, and not as difficult as I'd expected; it definitely opened my eyes to the validity of the Bundle of Balloons as an alternative to wings/a flying mount.

Edit: An explosive only run seems perfectly feasible in the early game. Go collect 50 silver coins, get the Merchant, find some bombs in a pot or chest somewhere, get the Demolitionist, bing bang boom infinite grenades with your choice of early game money farm. The real challenge would be fighting Plantera with grenades (or dynamite if you're suicidal), unless you allow hellfire arrows instead of limiting it to consumable explosives and launchers... but that opens the doors to exploding bullets as well, and at that point you're just playing a regular ranger with slightly limited ammunition choices.