Guide : Goblin Army strategies

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This means the page will walk you through a specific task, strategy, or enemy/boss fight.

The Goblin Army is an event that can be fought once a Shadow Orb/Crimson Heart is smashed or a Goblin Battle Standard is used. The event consists of goblin-like enemies. Once initiated, the event will continue until enough enemies are defeated.

Contents

• 1 The Event
  • 1.1 Pre-Hardmode
  • 1.2 Hardmode
  • 2.1 General Tips
  • 2.2 Terrain Preparation
  • 2.3 Gearing Up
    • 2.3.1 Armor
      • 2.3.1.1 Pre-Hardmode
      • 2.3.1.2 Hardmode
      • 2.3.2.1 Pre-Hardmode
        • 2.3.2.1.1 For Melee Users
        • 2.3.2.1.2 For Ranged Users
        • 2.3.2.1.3 For Magic Users
        • 2.3.2.1.4 For Summoners
        • 2.3.2.2.1 For Melee Users
        • 2.3.2.2.2 For Ranged Users
        • 2.3.2.2.3 For Magic Users
        • 2.3.2.2.4 For Summoners
        • 2.3.4.1 Pre-Hardmode
        • 2.3.4.2 Hardmode

        The Event

        Goblin Warlock Hardmode exclusive

        Classic

        Expert

        Master

        Statistics

        Coins	50 SC 1 GC 25 SC

        Shadowflame Bow (Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)

        Shadowflame Hex Doll (Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)

        Shadowflame Knife (Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)

        Hurt	https://terraria.wiki.gg/wiki/File:NPC_Hit_40.wav
        Killed	https://terraria.wiki.gg/wiki/File:NPC_Killed_42.wav
        Attack	https://terraria.wiki.gg/wiki/File:Item_8.wav
        Idle	https://terraria.wiki.gg/wiki/File:Zombie_61.wav https://terraria.wiki.gg/wiki/File:Zombie_62.wav

        Pre-Hardmode

        The event enemies consists of Goblin Peons , Goblin Thieves , Goblin Sorcerers , Goblin Archers , and Goblin Warriors . Each enemy does what its name describes (except thieves and peons). The enemies can also break down doors to attack NPCs, stressing the player. When an enemy is defeated, it can drop Spiky Balls and the Harpoon .

        Hardmode

        In Hardmode, a new enemy, the Goblin Warlock (Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) , can spawn. This enemy attacks by conjuring Shadowflame Apparations and Chaos Balls. Defeating the Summoner can result in it dropping the Shadowflame Knife (Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) , Shadowflame Bow (Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) , or the Shadowflame Hex Doll (Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) .

        Preparation

        General Tips

        This content is transcluded from Guide:Practical tips § Combat.

        • Boss battles can be won or lost before the battle ever starts. Choose your equipment and have it ready; find and/or make potions and placed buffs; use the highest-tier food you have available; set up an arena appropriate to the boss; learn the strategies for the boss you're facing.
        • Prepare your Boss-fighting arena with adequate lighting, Campfires and Heart Lanterns for health regeneration, and Stars in Bottles for mana regeneration if you use magic. Bast Statues (Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) will provide a significant defensive boost. Garden Gnomes (Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) and (Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) (if underground) proper torch placement will reduce damage taken and increase damage dealt due to the luck. The Torch God's Favor (Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) helps with this. Honey pools can also be used for extra health regeneration.
        • (Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) Sunflowers provide the Happy! (Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) buff to nearby players, which grants a +10% movement speed bonus and 17% reduction in enemy spawn rate.
        • Always carry around a stack of the highest-tier healing potion available, as relying only on natural Health Regeneration is not a good idea. Depending on the game stage, this can include items such as Lesser Healing Potions or Honeyfins . On the Desktop, Console, and Mobile versions, Restoration Potions are healing potions with a shorter cooldown.
          • Likewise carry mana potions, if you use Magic.
          • The Strange Brew (Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) is also an option, which yields very similar healing abilities to Healing Potion with added chances to trigger periods of invulnerability upon consumption.
          • On the Old-gen console version and Nintendo 3DSversion, Restoration Potions can save a slot, but will likewise trigger both cooldowns.
        • It is suggested to build houses for the Dryad and the Nurse NPCs in your arena. The former casts the Dryad's Blessing (Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) buff, which increases your defense and provides you with a thorns-like effect, while the latter can heal and remove debuffs instantly, at the cost of some coins .
        • Bosses are displayed on the Minimap: Follow the boss's icon to track it when you're struggling to find it. You can identify the boss icons by checking their respective wiki pages.
        • Once you have freed the Mechanic in the Dungeon, you can use Wire to enhance your arena with Traps and helpful Heart and Star Statues . The former helps to damage the enemies, though be careful to set them up correctly in order not to hurt yourself during the battle. The latter will spawn heart and star pickups, respectively. Connect these devices to timers to activate them infinitely.
        • In Hardmode, the Brand of the Inferno (Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) and Sergeant United Shield (Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) can be used to parry incoming contact damage.
        • It may be useful to summon and kill the Eye of Cthulhu or King Slime before summoning any harder boss in order to spawn an extra one-use pool of Hearts. Note that this will take up a big chunk of the spawnable healing Hearts, which will cause Heart Statues to not spawn as many/any Hearts.
        • Remember to use the Sharpening Station (Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) , Ammo Box (Desktop, Console, Old-gen console and Mobile versions) , Crystal Ball , Bewitching Table (Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) , War Table (Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) , and Slice of Cake (Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) before you go to explore or battle bosses/invasions. These will give boosts that are useful to have, with the first five being class-specific. They give Sharpened (Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) , Ammo Box (Desktop, Console, Old-gen console and Mobile versions) , Clairvoyance , Bewitched (Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) , Strategist (Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) , and Sugar Rush (Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) , respectively.

        Terrain Preparation

        Due to the Mechanic likely not being available and most enemies are grounded, a simple lava pit with a thin layer of lava is ideal. The lava should just thick enough to burn the enemies but not drops. Once hardmode is entered and the Goblin Tinkerer found, raise the lava levels so it burns copper coins but not silver. Don't worry about the spiky balls as you can buy them and there are better sources of damage. Make sure there are Town NPC's nearby if you wish to perform this strategy or the goblins will not spawn, and be wary of Goblin Sorcerers and the Goblin Warlock (Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) . You can also add a roof in order to hang the relative Banner .

        Gearing Up

        Armor

        Pre-Hardmode

        Hardmode

        Weapons

        Pre-Hardmode

        For Melee Users

        • The Enchanted Sword is useful as it has high damage for its obtainment and shoots a projectile. If it is unavailable, the Blood Butcherer can be used. If in a corruption world, the Phaseblade should be used, as it has more range and is only slightly slower than the Light's Bane .
        • The Code 1 (Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) is useful for dealing damage while under cover. If it has not been obtained, the Amazon (Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) is a good backup.
        • As the goblins come in mass hordes, the Swordfish or The Rotted Fork can be used for piercing multiple enemies.
        • The Thorn Chakram is useful for dealing with pesky Sorcerers and Archers from a distance.
        • The Ball O' Hurt or The Meatball can be used to disrupt enemy lines. On the Desktop version, Console version, and Mobile version, they can also be swung around to easily block attacks by Sorcerers.

        For Ranged Users

        • The best bows available are the Demon Bow and the Tendon Bow . However, if Queen Bee Has been defeated, The Bee's Knees (Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) is an excellent option.
        • The Minishark should be used due to its rapid rate of fire. The Star Cannon is also useful due to its high damage.

        For Magic Users

        • The Ruby Staff or Diamond Staff are the best gem staves, but the Vilethorn is useful for piercing damage and the Crimson Rod can be used for damaging passing goblins.
        • The Space Gun is useful due to its rapid rate of fire.
        • The Water Bolt is useful for piercing damage.

        For Summoners

        Options are limited before Hardmode:

        • The Slime Staff is rare and weak, but will at least allow attacking from shelter.
        • After the player has defeated Queen Bee, the Hornet Staff (Desktop, Console, Old-gen console and Mobile versions) is quite useful.
        • The Imp Staff (Desktop, Console, Old-gen console and Mobile versions) is even more powerful, but requires a dangerous trip down to the Underworld.

        Hardmode

        For Melee Users

        • The Titanium Sword is useful as it has high damage. If it is unavailable, the Adamantite Sword can be used. The Ice Sickle is also useful.
        • The Amarok (Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) is useful due to the Frostburn Debuff .
        • The Adamantite Glaive and the Titanium Trident are good piercing weapons.
        • The Flying Knife (Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) is useful for dealing with the Goblin Warlock as it can be controlled.
        • The Dao of Pow can be used to disrupt enemy lines due to the Confused Debuff (although some goblins are immune).
        • The Shadowflame Knife (Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) is very useful if one can acquire it during the event.

        For Ranged Users

        • The Marrow and the Ice Bow (with Cursed Arrows or Venom Arrows ), and the Daedalus Stormbow (Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) (with Holy Arrows ) are all good bows. Even the Hellwing Bow (Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) (with the Endless Quiver (Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) ) is still useful due to its infinite pierce.
        • The Adamantite Repeater and Titanium Repeater (with the Endless Quiver (Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) ) can be used if one has not obtained them.
        • The Clockwork Assault Rifle (with Crystal Bullets or Ichor Bullets ), the Onyx Blaster (Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) (with Ichor Bullets ), the Phoenix Blaster , the Star Cannon , and the Uzi (with the Endless Musket Pouch (Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) ) are excellent choices. The Megashark (with the Endless Musket Pouch (Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) ) is even better if you've beaten The Destroyer.
        • The Dart Rifle (Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) / Dart Pistol (Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) and the Toxikarp (Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) are great for debuffs. Use Ichor Darts (Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) for the Summoner, Cursed Darts (Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) for singular enemies, and Crystal Darts (Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) for crowds. The Flamethrower is also good if one has beaten Skeletron Prime.
        • (Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) if any of the Mechanical Bosses have been defeated, the Super Star Shooter (Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) is also useful.

        For Magic Users

        • The Flower of Frost is useful for debuffs. The Flower of Fire is a weaker version. The Life Drain (Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) is great against crowds, while the Clinger Staff (Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) is useful for barriers. The Nimbus Rod can be used for damage for passerby. The Frost Staff is also good.
        • The Golden Shower , the Cursed Flames , and the Crystal Storm are all good weapons for debuffs and rapid damage respectively. The Demon Scythe can be used for close combat.
        • The Sky Fracture (Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) is a very powerful weapon and can decimate the goblin forces. However, it requires a Magic Missile , which the player may not have. The Medusa Head (Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) can kill multiple goblins at once fully charged. However, it is a rare drop from Medusas (Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) . The Spirit Flame (Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) is also good. The Crystal Serpent (Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) is good against crowds. The Unholy Trident is a good weapon, but it is dropped by deadly Red Devils .

        For Summoners

        • The Spider Staff (Desktop, Console, Old-gen console and Mobile versions) is available early, and a solid improvement over the Pre-Hardmode options, especially with the spiders' ability to latch onto Summoners (putting walls behind your arena can make the spiders more mobile). Later staffs such as the Pirate Staff (Desktop, Console, Old-gen console and Mobile versions) are also good.
        • For sentries, one should use the Queen Spider Staff (Desktop, Console, Old-gen console and Mobile versions) as it is the best one available.

        Potions

        Accessories

        Pre-Hardmode

        Hardmode

        Strategies

        • It is recommended that you build a sky base to keep your NPCs from ground troops.