Terraria is undoubtedly a game that seeks to challenge players and push them to do their best, regardless of the odds or obstacles in their way. Such is evident through the inclusion of notably difficult enemies, bosses, and locations. Players must strive to be the best at whatever they do, but before doing so, they must decide what playstyle is best for them. The game presents various approaches — commonly known as classes — players can take, each with strengths, weaknesses, and focuses that play to different capabilities and preferences.
While Terraria has no official class or leveling system, it features four distinct methods of play defined chiefly by its means of inflicting damage and its proficiencies. The four classes are Melee, Ranged, Magic, and Summoning, all of which possess a myriad of specific subclasses. Understanding these varying playstyles and their characteristics is vital in progressing through the game and performing well. Thus, players must know how each class works and what gear suits it best. Here is every class in Terraria — and their best endgame builds.
Melee
The Melee class is the typical up-close-and-personal archetype that utilizes relatively close-ranged weapons and formidable armor to its advantage. Builds of this class often boast phenomenal offense, defense, and crowd control, making them a fitting choice for spearheading battles. Players that choose the Melee class should be comfortable with close-quarters combat and throwing themselves into the raging fires of conflict, as that is what this class does best. Although most builds of this class are similar, there is much room for variety.
The Melee class can specialize in ways that stray from its typical sword and board playstyle. Rather than using a blade or the like, players can utilize weapons such as yo-yos, spears, jousting lances, boomerangs, flails, etc. There is a considerable amount of nuance to the Melee class, allowing players flexibility while keeping true to the purpose of this playstyle overall. Additionally, the gear players equip can improve their build in vastly different ways, turning players into fast-hitting assailants, hard-hitting bruisers, formidable walls, and far more.
Best Melee Builds
|
World State |
Weapon |
Armor |
Accessories |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Early game |
Platinum/Gold Sword |
Platinum/Gold Armor |
Band of Regeneration, Cloud in a Bottle, Hermes Boots |
|
Pre-Hardmode |
Enchanted Sword |
Molten Armor |
Feral Claws, Magma Stone, Shield of Cthulhu |
|
Hardmode |
Terra Blade |
Beetle Armor |
Ankh Shield, Fire Gauntlet, Warrior Emblem |
|
Endgame |
Zenith |
Solar Flare Armor |
Ankh Shield, Celestial Shell, Fire Gauntlet |
Ranged
The Ranged class is best known for providing background support, using far-reaching weaponry and gear that improves their evasiveness. Most every build of this class aims to inflict considerable damage — whether in a single hit or a short period — without getting into the thick of battle, making them much less direct contenders in fights. Those deciding on the Ranged class must understand the importance of avoiding close combat, staying elusive, and doing good damage. There is plenty of diversity, allowing players to customize this class further.
The Ranged class presents players with a wide assortment of weapons, each with the same general function. Players can use bows, repeaters, guns, consumables, launchers, etc., to wreak havoc from afar. Every weapon of the Ranged class serves the same purpose in dramatically different ways, granting players much leeway when developing their builds. Many items can also buff the capabilities of this class in different ways, turning players into quick-shooting gunslingers, volley-launching archers, or even covert snipers.
Best Ranged Builds
|
World State |
Weapon |
Armor |
Accessories |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Early game |
Tendon/Demon Bow |
Fossil Armor |
Cloud in a Bottle, Hermes Boots, Panic Necklace |
|
Pre-Hardmode |
Minishark |
Necro Armor |
Blue Horseshoe Balloon, Spectre Boots, Sweetheart Necklace |
|
Hardmode |
Daedalus Stormbow |
Shroomite Armor |
Endless Quiver, Molten Quiver, Ranger Emblem |
|
Endgame |
S.D.M.G. |
Vortex Armor |
Molten Quiver, Ranger Emblem, Recon Scope |
Magic
The Magic class has access to a vast collection of spells and incantations, granting them extensive power at the cost of formidability and durability. Builds of this class seek to utilize devastating and distinct capabilities of magic, which boast unique effects capable of things that typical weapons are not. Players who set their minds on the Magic class should understand that they are glass cannons, powerful attackers incapable of enduring damage. With arcane power at their disposal, players can do all sorts of things with the Magic class.
The Magic class boasts some of the most devastating and varied weapons in Terraria, all with dramatically different effects. Weapons of this class include wands, magic guns, spell books, etc., which players can use to achieve various things. The Magic class's diversity in selection and function allow players to pursue many different focuses, most of which are immensely powerful. This class also benefits from various gear that can improve its potential, transforming players into powerful spellcasters, diverse sorcerers, or destructive forces.
Best Magic Builds
|
World State |
Weapon |
Armor |
Accessories |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Early game |
Water Bolt |
Jungle Armor |
Band of Starpower, Mana Flower, Hermes Boots |
|
Pre-Hardmode |
Space Gun |
Meteorite Armor |
Celestial Cuffs, Magnet Flower, Spectre Boots |
|
Hardmode |
Betsy's Wrath |
Spectre Armor |
Celestial Cuffs, Mana Cloak, Sorcerer Emblem |
|
Endgame |
Lunar Flare |
Nebula Armor |
Celestial Cuffs, Mana Cloak, Sorcerer Emblem |
Summoning
The Summoning class, while technically a branch of the Magic class, stands on its own as it utilizes minions, sentries, and whips to overwhelm and overpower enemies. Every build of this class aims to defeat foes through strength in numbers and control as they can dictate their summons to attack particular adversaries. Players deciding on the Summoning class will focus less on bolstering their capabilities but on those of their minions and sentries instead. Players have leeway with their builds with the exceptional amount of summons in Terraria.
The Summoning class features all manner of minions and sentries, which can be dictated to an extent using whips. Every minion, sentry, and whip is different but serves the purpose of focusing and overwhelming enemies. Moreover, the Summoning class can seamlessly utilize weapons from others in addition to its own, granting even more versatility to an already diverse playstyle. This class features various items that work to diversify things, transforming players into masters of hordes or overseers of cannons, being in a position of power regardless.
Best Summoning Builds
|
World State |
Weapon |
Armor |
Accessories |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Early game |
Leather Whip, Slime Staff |
Flinx Fur Coat |
Cloud in a Bottle, Feral Claws, Hermes Boots |
|
Pre-Hardmode |
Spinal Tap, Imp Staff |
Obsidian Armor |
Feral Claws, Pygmy Necklace, Spectre Boots |
|
Hardmode |
Kaleidoscope, Terraprisma |
Spooky Armor |
Celestial Shell, Papyrus Scarab, Summoner Emblem |
|
Endgame |
Kaleidoscope, Stardust Dragon Staff |
Stardust Armor |
Celestial Shell, Papyrus Scarab, Summoner Emblem |
Terraria is available on PC, PS Vita, PS3, PS4, PS5, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, Wii U, 3DS, IOS, Android, and Google Stadia.