Terraria Class Handbook: Becoming a Master of Melee, Ranger, Mage, and Summoner

Welcome to the comprehensive guide to classes in Terraria! Terraria offers a variety of playstyles and classes, each with its own unique weapons, armors, and strategies. In this guide, we will explore the Melee, Ranger, Mage, and Summoner classes in detail, providing information on their characteristics, recommended equipment, and combat strategies.

Early game

At the very beginning of the game, there isn't a specific class, so take whatever comes your way. However, there are a few accessories that will make your life easier:

• Mobility: Cloud in a Bottle, Hermes Boots, and the Ferret
  
• Combat: Regeneration Ring and Shackles

"Before encountering a boss, the set bonuses from wood and ore armors will primarily provide additional defense, and accessories won't discriminate based on weapon type when granting bonuses. Considering the general scarcity of weapons and the need to survive, sticking to a specific "class" early on doesn't serve much purpose. In particular, there are hardly any summoning weapons available at this stage—only the Slime Staff and Imp Staff. For these reasons, it is recommended for players to make use of whatever they come across." - From the fandom

Melee Class

1. Class Description:
   
   • The Melee class focuses on close combat and physical damage.
     
   • Melee weapons include swords, axes, spears, and yo-yos.
   
   
2. Recommended Armor:
   
   • Start with Crimson/Shadow armor, then progress to Molten armor.
     
   • After defeating the Wall of Flesh but before fighting the mechanical bosses: Orichalcum, Palladium, Adamantite, and finally Titanium armor.
     
   • Before fighting Plantera, there is only one armor set available: Chlorophyte armor (Melee players should use the Chlorophyte mask).
     
   • For the Golem, use the same armor as for Plantera.
     
   • For Moon Lord (the final boss), there is only one armor set: Beetle armor.
     
   • Finally, there is Solar Flare armor.
   
   
3. Recommended Accessories:
   
   • Accessories that increase melee damage, attack speed, and mobility are essential.
     
   • Accessory list by corresponding armor tier (accessories specifically designed for this class):
     
   • Feral Claws, [Counterweight and Yoyo Bag for yo-yos]
     
   • Warrior Emblem and Yoyo Bag
     
   • Warrior Emblem, Mechanical Glove, and Yoyo Bag
     
   • Same as before
     
   • Same as before plus Celestial Shell and Destroyer Emblem
     
   • No new additions
   
   
4. Combat Strategies:
   
   • Engage enemies at close range and use attack combos to deal high damage.
     
   • Use area-of-effect melee weapons to handle multiple enemies at once.

Ranger Class

1. Class Description:
   
   • The Ranger class focuses on ranged attacks and physical damage.
     
   • Ranger weapons include bows, guns, rifles, and explosives.
   
   
2. Recommended Armor:
   
   • Start with Necro armor.
     
   • After defeating the Wall of Flesh but before fighting the mechanical bosses: Orichalcum, Palladium, Adamantite, and finally Titanium armor. The helmet changes.
     
   • Before fighting Plantera, there is only one armor set available: Chlorophyte armor (Rangers should use the Chlorophyte helmet).
     
   • For the Golem, use the three styles of Shroomite armor.
     
   • For Moon Lord (the final boss), stick with Shroomite armor.
     
   • Finally, use Vortex armor.
   
   
3. Recommended Accessories:
   
   • Accessories that increase ranged damage, attack speed, and accuracy are important.
     
   • Accessory list by corresponding armor tier (accessories specifically designed for this class):
     
   • There are none
     
   • Ranger Emblem and Magic Quiver
     
   • No changes
     
   • No changes
     
   • Sniper Scope
     
   • No changes
   
   
4. Combat Strategies:
   
   • Stay at a distance from enemies and use precision to deal ranged damage.
     
   • Use special arrows, bullets, or explosive ammunition for additional effects.

Mage Class

1. Class Description:
   
   • The Mage class focuses on long-range magical attacks and elemental damage.
     
   • Mage weapons include staves, wands, and spells.
   
   
2. Recommended Armor:
   
   • Start with Meteor armor (if you can), Jungle armor, Diamond Robe, and Mystic Robe.
     
   • After defeating the Wall of Flesh but before fighting the mechanical bosses: Orichalcum, Palladium, Adamantite, Titanium armor, and Forbidden armor as an additional option.
     
   • Before fighting Plantera, there is only one armor set available: Chlorophyte armor (Mages should use the Chlorophyte headgear).
     
   • For the Golem, there are two variations of Spectre armor.
     
   • For Moon Lord (the final boss), stick with Spectre armor.
     
   • Finally, use Nebula armor.
3. Recommended Accessories:
   
   • Accessories that increase magic damage, mana regeneration, and reduce cooldown time are recommended.
     
   • Accessory list by corresponding armor tier (accessories specifically designed for this class):
     
   • Celestial Cuffs, Mana Regeneration Band, and Mana Flower
     
   • Mage Emblem
     
   • Celestial Emblem
     
   • No changes
     
   • No changes
   
   
4. Combat Strategies:
   
   • Use elemental spells to deal magical damage and exploit enemy weaknesses.
     
   • Manage your mana carefully and use mana potions to maintain effective spell usage.

Summoner Class

1. Class Description:
   
   • The Summoner class summons allied creatures to fight alongside them.
     
   • Summoner weapons include summoning staves, whips, and special accessories to increase the number of summons.
   
   
2. Recommended Armor:
   
   • Start with Bee armor.
     
   • After defeating the Wall of Flesh but before fighting the mechanical bosses: Spider armor and Forbidden armor.
     
   • Before fighting Plantera, use Spider armor, Monk's Robe, and Squire's armor.
     
   • For the Golem, use Spooky armor and Tiki armor.
     
   • For Moon Lord (the final boss), stick with the same armors.
     
   • Finally, use Stardust armor.
   
   
3. Recommended Accessories:
   
   • Accessories that increase the number of summons, summon duration, and summon damage are essential.
     
   • Accessory list by corresponding armor tier (accessories specifically designed for this class):
     
   • There are none
     
   • Summoner Emblem
     
   • No changes
     
   • Papyrus Scarab, Necromantic Scroll, and Pygmy Necklace
     
   • No changes
     
   • No changes
   
   
4. Combat Strategies:
   Use summoning staves to call forth allied creatures and let them fight for you.
   Strengthen your summons with accessories and potions to increase their damage and duration.

Now you have a thorough understanding of the Melee, Ranger, Mage, and Summoner classes in Terraria. Choose your favorite class, equip yourself with the appropriate weapons, armors, and accessories, and develop combat strategies that suit your playstyle. Enjoy exploring and conquering the world of Terraria in the role of your preferred class!

I hope this guide will be useful in mastering the different classes in Terraria. Good luck in your adventures!

This is a translation of my original guide in French. Please feel free to let me know if there are any mistakes or translation issues.
link of my original guide: https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3000929056

[Antedeguemon]

Nice guide :) Here's an update sugestion:

- The Early game description should be updated in general
- You should mention the enemy Aggro system and how the armors affect it depending on the class
- For the melee and ranger classes and pre-mech bosses, it is useful to mention the frost armor
- In the melee section, you should place turtle armor as another melee option to fight plantera or golem.
- Many people like to play as summoner, and this class upgrades are different, so it is nice if you describe the minion/staff evolution together with the armors or in a single heading. AND DON'T YOU DARE SAY THAT THE STARDUST DRAGON IS STRONGER THAN THE RAINBOW BLADES.

That is all I've got to type now. Go for it!

[SillySchizo47]

Thanks a lot! Ive beaten the game a couple times, including a Master Mode meelee playthrough. I'm only just now trying out Summoner, and its pretty crazy, its a bit of a pain.

[desmoki]

good guide!