In Terraria, mastering the art of delegation is key for a summoner. Instead of relying on brute force or rapid-fire projectiles, summoners leverage powerful minion and sentry weapons to command a diverse team of creatures, from small birds and frogs to magnificent celestial dragons. This playstyle rewards strategic thinking and careful planning, offering a unique satisfaction as you orchestrate battles from a distance rather than engaging directly.
While the summoner class can sometimes feel either dominant or lacking, depending on your equipment and game progression, the feeling of unleashing a formidable army to decimate bosses is unparalleled once your setup is optimized.
As we explore the best summoner tools from Pre-Hardmode through Hardmode, it`s crucial to distinguish between minions and sentries. Sentries are fixed in place, ideal for defending specific locations during events, though they must be resummoned if you move. Minions, conversely, offer greater flexibility by following you into combat. Your choice depends on your preferred combat style—whether you lead the charge or command from behind. Both types allow for summoning multiple units of the same kind to amplify your forces.
Pre-Hardmode Summoner Weapons
Finch Staff
- Damage: 7
- Mana cost: 10
- Knockback: 4
- Velocity: 10
- Speed: 36 (Very Slow)
- Summon type: Minion
Often the first summoner weapon players encounter, the Finch Staff can be found in Living Trees. While it only summons a single bird minion that pecks at foes, it provides an invaluable early companion, introducing players to indirect combat long before other classes gain similar assistance. Despite its modest stats—7 damage and 0 knockback—it delivers consistent chip damage in early encounters, proving surprisingly effective for an item available so soon. Though not a powerhouse, it establishes the fundamental summoner experience and hints at the more potent summons to come.
Ballista Rod
- Damage: 30
- Mana cost: 5
- Knockback: 4.7
- Velocity: 1
- Speed: 30 (Average)
- Summon type: Sentry
Acquired from the Tavernkeep after defeating the Goblin Army, the Ballista Rod introduces summoners to the strategic utility of sentries. Deploying a ballista turret allows you to defend chokepoints or add significant damage to boss fights with piercing bolts that can hit multiple enemies. Unlike mobile minions, sentries are stationary, making thoughtful placement crucial. While increasing sentry capacity, for instance, with the War Table`s Strategist buff, requires some effort, the advantage is that these do not count towards your minion limit, allowing for powerful mixed strategies.
Vampire Frog Staff
- Damage: 11
- Mana cost: 10
- Knockback: 5
- Velocity: 10
- Speed: 36 (Very Slow)
- Summon type: Minion
Pre-Hardmode summoning truly begins to shine with the Vampire Frog Staff. Obtained during a Blood Moon by defeating Zombie Mermen or Wandering Eye Fish, this staff unleashes aggressive frogs that swiftly leap at and tear through enemies. These amphibians are a significant upgrade over earlier summons, transforming the summoner class into a genuinely formidable playstyle. Each frog deals 11 damage with rapid attacks, offering excellent crowd control against enemy hordes. Surviving a Blood Moon to acquire this staff grants you one of the most reliable early-game weapons.
Imp Staff
- Damage: 17
- Mana cost: 10
- Knockback: 2
- Velocity: 10
- Speed: 36 (Very Slow)
- Summon type: Minion
Upon reaching the Underworld, the Imp Staff becomes the premier Pre-Hardmode summoner choice. Crafted from 17 Hellstone Bars, a task requiring a perilous journey through lava and fire imps, the reward is substantial. The summoned imps project fireballs from a safe distance, delivering consistent damage without putting themselves in harm`s way. This makes it an exceptionally powerful weapon for boss encounters, particularly against the Wall of Flesh, where sustained ranged pressure is critical. With its strong base damage and piercing fireballs, the Imp Staff surpasses other Pre-Hardmode options and serves as an effective bridge into early Hardmode.
Hardmode Summoner Weapons
Spider Staff
- Damage: 26
- Mana cost: 10
- Knockback: 3
- Velocity: 10
- Speed: 36 (Very Slow)
- Summon type: Minion
After defeating the Wall of Flesh and entering Hardmode, the Spider Staff often represents your first significant upgrade. Crafted from 16 Spider Fangs found in new spider caves, this staff summons spiders that quickly scuttle across the ground to overwhelm foes. These arachnids excel at close-range shredding, making mechanical bosses considerably more manageable. Each spider delivers 26 damage with swift bites and latches onto enemies, making them highly effective against single targets. Their main limitation is their range, but they inflict the Acid Venom debuff, dealing six health per second, ensuring quick dispatch of their targets. With the right armor and accessories, you can raise a formidable spider army to clear your path.
Queen Spider Staff
- Damage: 26
- Mana cost: 10
- Knockback: 7.5
- Velocity: 14
- Speed: 30 (Average)
- Summon type: Sentry
Crafted from 24 Spider Fangs, the Queen Spider Staff is an indispensable addition to any Hardmode summoner’s arsenal. It deploys a sentry that launches explosive eggs. These eggs not only deal direct damage but also inflict the Acid Venom debuff and spawn two baby spiders that attach to enemies. Crucially, sentries do not occupy minion slots, allowing you to pair a Queen Spider turret with a full complement of minions for a devastating combined assault. This continuous volley of damaging eggs and supplementary spiders provides a reliable source of damage that scales effectively with your growing minion forces.
Raven Staff
- Damage: 55
- Mana cost: 10
- Knockback: 3
- Velocity: 10
- Speed: 28 (Average)
- Summon type: Minion
During the Pumpkin Moon event, the Raven Staff emerges as a formidable powerhouse. This weapon, dropped from the event, summons ravens that swoop down fiercely, delivering heavy hits to foes. It immediately propels summoners into late Hardmode viability, providing the means to swiftly dispatch bosses and clear invasion waves. Each raven deals a substantial amount of damage and attacks rapidly from the air, relentlessly harassing enemies. With multiple ravens summoned, the battlefield quickly becomes a flurry of feathers and strikes. While event-dependent, the Raven Staff is a significant upgrade capable of carrying you through the endgame with the right supporting gear.
Stardust Dragon Staff
- Damage: 40
- Mana cost: 10
- Knockback: 2
- Velocity: 10
- Speed: 36 (Very Slow)
- Summon type: Minion
The Stardust Dragon Staff is the ultimate symbol of summoning power, granting a sense of unstoppable might. Crafted from 18 Stardust Fragments after conquering the Lunar Events, it summons a magnificent celestial dragon that grows in length with each additional minion slot invested. Instead of commanding multiple individual creatures, you channel all your summoning capacity into this singular, devastating beast that dominates the battlefield. Each segment of the dragon adds 40 base damage, and when fully extended, it becomes one of Terraria’s most destructive forces. Its continuous sweeping attacks obliterate enemies and bosses, leaving minimal resistance. This is the definitive summoner’s staff for endgame players, outperforming nearly all other Terraria weapons and serving as a fitting reward for those who embraced the path of delegation.
Summoner weapons truly transform Terraria into a distinct gaming experience, shifting success from personal reflexes to the collective strength of your companions. From the humble birds and frogs of your early adventures to the celestial dragons at your peak, these tools empower you as the ultimate battlefield strategist. Master them, and you may never need to wield a sword again.