Terraria hero fighting on top of an altar
Level Up!Terraria Best Practices Part III
The author's iconChristopher R. RiceAug 19, 2023

Ahhh, Terraria. I don’t play you enough. Regardless, I have some more thoughts on best practices for various activities in the game.

Crafting Best Practices

Crafting is a fundamental aspect of gameplay in Terraria. Here are 10 best practices to keep in mind when crafting:

  1. Organize Your Crafting Stations: Set up dedicated crafting stations in a well-organized manner. Having stations like Furnace, Anvil, Workbench, and others close together in a crafting area makes crafting more efficient.

  2. Use Materials Wisely: Be mindful of the materials you use in crafting. Some items can be used in multiple recipes, so consider your priorities before using them.

  3. Craft in Batches: Whenever possible, craft items in batches. Crafting multiple items at once saves time and minimizes the need to return to crafting stations frequently.

  4. Create a Chest Storage System: Set up chests to store various crafting materials and items. Label them according to categories (ores, gems, plants, etc.) to easily find what you need.

  5. Prioritize Essential Recipes: Focus on unlocking and mastering essential crafting recipes first, such as basic armor, weapons, tools, and accessories. These will help you survive. Pickaxe power is important too giving you 35 pickaxe power (copper) to 50 (silver/tungsten) reduces the hits to clear soft blocks like dirt, sand, and mud in half.

  6. Experiment with Advanced Crafting: And as you progress, experiment with more complex crafting recipes. Combine different materials to create specialized weapons, tools, and equipment. The Tinkerer's workshop which allows you to combine accessories is also a must. Most resulting combos give the effects of both ingredient items, but sometimes add additional functionality or sidegrades.

  7. Craft Potions and Buffs: These will enhance your character's abilities during combat, exploration, and boss battles. Buffs can make a significant difference in difficult situations.

  8. Keep An Eye on Crafting Recipes: Check the Guide NPC's crafting recipes. He can show you the recipes you can make with the materials you have in your inventory.

  9. Consider Crafting Stations for Decorations: Some crafting stations can be used to create decorative items, furniture, and building materials. Experiment with these to add visual appeal to your structures.

  10. Upgrade Crafting Stations: As you progress, upgrade your crafting stations to more advanced versions. For example, upgrading your Workbench allows you to craft additional items.

Remember, crafting is an integral part of Terraria, and there's a lot to discover. As you explore, experiment, and gather new materials, you'll uncover more crafting recipes and strategies that suit your playstyle.

Farming Best Practices

Farming in Terraria involves cultivating plants, creating suitable environments, and managing resources to produce valuable items. Here are 10 best practices for successful farming in the game:

  1. Choose the Right Biome: Some crops might require specific biomes to grow. Example, waterleaf needs sand and blooms when it rains.

  2. Design a Farm Layout: Plan your farm layout efficiently. Create rows or grids to maximize the number of crops you can plant and easily access.

  3. Use Irrigation and Watering Systems: Some plants require constant water to grow. Design a system that efficiently delivers water to your crops. Clay pots, planter boxes, or other water-holding objects can help keep plants hydrated.

  4. Fertilize with Nature’s Blessing: Use Nature’s Blessing to speed up the growth of your crops. This consumable item can be crafted from bones and can significantly reduce the time it takes for plants to mature.

  5. Build Protected Environments: Certain crops require protection from enemies or harsh weather conditions. Build protective structures, like glass enclosures or platforms, to shield your crops.

  6. Harvest Regularly: Regularly harvest your crops as they mature. This not only provides you with the resources you need but also opens up space for new crops to be planted.

  7. Utilize Day and Night: Some plants may only bloom during specific times of the day or night. Take advantage of these growth patterns to optimize your farming.

  8. Plan for Special Events: During certain in-game events, such as a Bloodmoon, deathweed will blood. Prepare your farm for these events to maximize your harvest.

  9. Collect Seeds and Plant Them: Collect seeds from fully-grown crops to replant and continue the cycle. This ensures a consistent supply of resources from your farm.

  10. Upgrade Farming Accessories: Certain accessories, like the Flower Boots, can help you passively farm by creating plants as you walk. These can be incredibly helpful for expanding your resource production.

Remember that successful farming requires a bit of experimentation and adaptation. Some plants may require specific conditions or strategies to thrive, so don't be afraid to adjust your farming practices as you learn more about the game's mechanics.

Fishing Best Practices

Fishing is a fun and rewarding activity in Terraria that provides a variety of resources and items. Here are 10 best practices for successful fishing:

  1. Use the Right Bait: Different biomes and fishing locations require specific types of bait to attract fish. Use appropriate bait to increase your chances of catching valuable fish.

  2. Choose the Right Fishing Pole: Fishing poles have different fishing power ratings, affecting your chances of catching better items. To increase your efficiency, upgrade your fishing pole as you progress.

  3. Select the Best Fishing Spot: Different biomes and fishing locations yield different fish and rewards. Experiment with fishing in various spots to find the best results.

  4. Pay Attention to Fishing Power: Fishing power is a combination of your fishing pole's power, bait, and other bonuses. A higher fishing power increases your chances of catching rare fish.

  5. Use Fishing Crates: Fishing Crates can be caught in various biomes and contain a variety of useful items, including ores and crafting materials. Save these for when you need specific resources.

  6. Equip Fishing Accessories: Certain accessories can enhance your fishing experience. Accessories like the Angler Tackle Bag increase your fishing power and provide additional benefits.

  7. Fish During Different Weather and Moon Phases: Different weather conditions and moon phases affect your fishing experience. Some fish are more likely to appear during specific weather or moon phases.

  8. Complete Fishing Quests: The Angler NPC provides daily fishing quests. Completing these quests rewards you with unique items, accessories, and currency.

  9. Upgrade Fishing Equipment: As you progress, acquire better fishing equipment from fishing quests or by crafting. These items provide improved fishing power and additional benefits.

  10. Use Sonar and Fishing Crates Potions: Consumables like Sonar Potions help you identify when a fish is interested in your bait, while Fishing Crates Potions increase the chance of finding crates.

Remember that fishing in Terraria can be a relaxing and enjoyable activity. Each fishing session might yield different results, so keep experimenting and exploring different fishing locations to discover valuable resources and items.

Final Thoughts

Terraria (and I’ve said this before) is just so neat. It’s as engaging as it is retro and that just draws me in every time. Of course, I’ve been working like crazy lately and haven’t been able to play any game as much as I’d like. Got any best practices you use when you play? List ‘em! We want to know.

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The Author
The author's icon
Christopher R. Rice@RavenpennyChristopher R. Rice has authored, co-authored, or contributed to fifteen gaming supplements (and counting!) on a range of subjects and many articles from various magazines. Of course, if he's not writing about gaming, he's blogging about it. Visit his site, Ravens N' Pennies — for more goodies — or consider joining his Patreon. He's an old school gamer with a particular love for rogue-likes, RPGs, the Zelda franchise, and the Diablo franchise.

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