Is Necro Armor Good? A Deep Dive into the Bone-Chilling Choice

Yes, Necro Armor is good, especially for ranged characters in pre-Hardmode Terraria. Its primary strength lies in its significant boost to ranged damage, making it a very effective choice for players focusing on bows, guns, and other ranged weaponry before entering Hardmode. However, its relatively low defense means it’s best suited for skilled players who prioritize dodging and skillful combat over tanking damage.

Necro Armor: An Overview

Necro Armor is a set of armor crafted from Bones and Cobwebs, making it readily accessible after defeating Skeletron in the Dungeon. This makes it a mid-tier pre-Hardmode armor set that’s particularly useful for players transitioning from early-game armors like wood or iron.

What the Set Offers

The complete Necro Armor set consists of three pieces:

• Necro Helmet: Provides defense and increases ranged damage.
• Necro Breastplate: Offers more defense and further enhances ranged damage.
• Necro Greaves: Completes the defensive bonus and provides the final increase to ranged damage.

In total, the full set offers a combined 19 Defense and a 15% increase to ranged damage. While the defense value might seem low compared to alternatives like Molten Armor, the damage boost is substantial, making a significant difference in your ability to defeat enemies at range.

Comparing Necro Armor

Understanding Necro Armor’s strengths requires comparing it with other pre-Hardmode options:

• Molten Armor: Offers significantly higher defense and a melee damage boost. Ideal for tanking and melee-focused players.
• Jungle Armor: Provides bonuses to mana and magic damage, best suited for mages.
• Shadow/Crimson Armor: Decent all-around stats, but outclassed by Necro Armor for ranged players and Molten Armor for melee players.
• Fossil Armor: Offers less overall defense than Necro Armor but with an equal 15% ranged damage and a 20% chance to not consume ammo.

The core decision hinges on playstyle. Do you prefer to stand and fight, absorbing damage? Molten Armor is your best bet. Prefer to deal damage from a distance, dodging attacks? Necro Armor provides the damage boost you need. For magic users, Jungle Armor is the clear winner. Fossil Armor can be a good choice if you want the additional benefits of ammo conservation on top of the ranged damage bonuses.

The Ideal Necro Armor User

Necro Armor shines in the hands of players who:

• Focus on ranged combat: Bows, guns, and thrown weapons are your bread and butter.
• Are skilled at dodging and movement: You can avoid taking damage through skillful play.
• Prioritize damage output: You want to defeat enemies quickly before they can overwhelm you.

If you prefer a more tank-oriented approach or struggle with dodging, Molten Armor will likely be a more suitable choice. Consider the Games Learning Society for more insights into strategic gameplay and mastering different combat styles.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages

• Significant ranged damage boost: Allows you to defeat enemies more quickly.
• Relatively easy to obtain: Requires materials found in the Dungeon after defeating Skeletron.
• Good for defeating the Wall of Flesh: If used with ranged weapons, the increased damage output can speed up the fight.
• Good early/mid-game option: Provides a good stepping stone armor set before the player is ready for Hardmode armor sets.

Disadvantages

• Low defense: Makes you vulnerable to taking heavy damage, especially in melee range.
• Outclassed by Hardmode armors: Once you enter Hardmode, superior armors become available.
• Not suitable for melee or magic users: The ranged damage bonus is wasted if you don’t use ranged weapons.
• Requires Cobwebs and Bones: Cobwebs, while plentiful, can be slightly tedious to gather. Bones can be tedious, if the player hasn’t discovered a Bone Cave yet.

Necro Armor in Different Stages of the Game

• Early Game: Not accessible until Skeletron is defeated.
• Mid Game (Pre-Hardmode): A powerful option for ranged characters after defeating Skeletron.
• Late Game (Pre-Hardmode): Still viable, but outshined by Molten Armor for tanking. Once Hardmode arrives, it will be outclassed by Hardmode armors.
• Hardmode: Quickly becomes obsolete as Hardmode armors offer significantly better stats.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is Necro Armor better than Molten Armor?

Depends on your playstyle. Necro Armor provides more ranged damage, while Molten Armor offers superior defense and melee damage. If you are good at dodging, Necro Armor is better. If you have trouble surviving, go with Molten Armor.

2. What’s the best weapon to use with Necro Armor?

Any ranged weapon works well. Bows like the Bee’s Knees or guns like the Minishark are excellent choices. Thrown weapons like Bone Throwing Knives are an option, but aren’t as effective when using Necro Armor.

3. How do I get Necro Armor?

Craft the Necro Helmet, Necro Breastplate, and Necro Greaves at a crafting table using Bones and Cobwebs.

4. How much defense does Necro Armor give?

The full set provides 19 Defense.

5. Is Necro Armor good for fighting the Wall of Flesh?

Yes, the increased ranged damage makes the fight easier, especially if you use a piercing weapon like the Bee’s Knees.

6. What armor should I get after Necro Armor?

Once you enter Hardmode, aim for Cobalt/Palladium Armor, then progress to higher-tier Hardmode armors like Adamantite/Titanium Armor.

7. Can I use Necro Armor as a melee character?

While you can, it’s not recommended. The ranged damage bonus is wasted, and Molten Armor provides far better defense and melee damage.

8. Is Necro Armor good for beginners?

It can be if you’re comfortable with ranged combat. However, the low defense might make it challenging for players who struggle to avoid taking damage.

9. What accessories should I use with Necro Armor?

Accessories that boost ranged damage, movement speed, and survivability are ideal. Examples include the Ranger Emblem, Wings, Boots, and Shield accessories.

10. Does Necro Armor work with thrown weapons?

Yes, it does, but it’s less effective than with bows or guns. Consider the Fossil Armor if you rely heavily on thrown weapons for the added benefit of ammo conservation.

11. How does Necro Armor compare to Shadow/Crimson Armor?

Necro Armor provides a higher ranged damage boost than Shadow/Crimson Armor, making it a better choice for ranged characters. Shadow/Crimson Armor offers slightly better melee damage, but worse Defense.

12. Can I upgrade Necro Armor?

No, Necro Armor cannot be directly upgraded. You’ll need to replace it with better armor as you progress.

13. Is Necro Armor good for expert mode?

It can be, but the increased difficulty of Expert Mode highlights its low defense. Skilled players can still make it work, but Molten Armor might be a safer choice for others.

14. How many Bones and Cobwebs do I need for a full set of Necro Armor?

You need 150 Bones and 135 Cobwebs to craft a full set of Necro Armor.

15. Does Necro Armor stack with other damage buffs?

Yes, the ranged damage boost from Necro Armor stacks with other damage buffs from accessories, potions, and other sources, maximizing your damage output. You can look at the GamesLearningSociety.org for more information on game strategies.

Conclusion

Necro Armor is a solid pre-Hardmode armor choice for ranged characters who prioritize damage output and skillful dodging. Its accessibility and significant damage boost make it a valuable asset for those seeking to conquer the world of Terraria with bows and guns. While its low defense necessitates careful gameplay, the rewards for mastering its use are well worth the effort.