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Is the Coin Gun the Best Weapon in Terraria? An Expert’s Analysis

The question of whether the Coin Gun is the best weapon in Terraria is complex and doesn’t have a simple yes or no answer. In terms of raw, theoretical damage output, the Coin Gun, when loaded with Platinum Coins, boasts an incredibly high damage per second (DPS). However, its exorbitant cost and situational effectiveness prevent it from being universally considered the “best” weapon. Other weapons such as the Zenith, S.D.M.G., and Last Prism are much more practical for general use, although there are situations where Coin Gun’s raw damage output will provide the best results for killing enemies.

Understanding the Coin Gun’s Power

The Coin Gun is a Hardmode ranged weapon dropped very rarely from enemies during a Pirate Invasion. What makes it unique is that it uses coins as ammunition. The damage and velocity of the projectiles are directly proportional to the coin’s value. In other words, Platinum Coins deal the most damage, followed by Gold, Silver, and Copper.

The Platinum Coin Advantage

The real potential of the Coin Gun is unlocked when using Platinum Coins. The text you provided indicates it can reach around 2000 damage/second with Platinum. That’s enough to melt most bosses in a ridiculously short timeframe. However, feeding a Coin Gun a steady diet of Platinum is extremely expensive. It transforms wealth into firepower, a trade-off many players aren’t willing to make consistently.

The Cost Factor: A Major Drawback

The Coin Gun’s primary limitation is, without a doubt, its prohibitive cost. Ammunition that requires you to spend your hard-earned wealth is not sustainable for most players. While the mentioned Greedy Ring and Lucky Coin can provide a chance at generating extra coins during combat (creating a sort of loop where firing yields as much or more as it costs), relying on these is not a reliable method of ensuring an endless supply of ammo. Ultimately, the Coin Gun’s “ammo” is finite, unlike bullets or arrows that can be crafted.

Situational Usefulness

Despite its cost, the Coin Gun remains a formidable choice in specific scenarios:

Boss Rush Events: When you absolutely, positively need to obliterate a boss as quickly as possible, and money is no object, the Coin Gun is hard to beat. Think of it as a “nuke” for emergencies.
Wave-Based Events: If you have a solid coin farm already set up, using the Coin Gun during events like the Martian Madness can be devastatingly effective.
Showcasing Wealth: Let’s be honest, sometimes you just want to flex on your friends and demonstrate the sheer scale of your in-game fortune. The Coin Gun lets you do that in spectacular fashion.

Alternatives and Comparisons

While the Coin Gun can hit hard, several other weapons are more practical and versatile for everyday use.

Zenith: The Melee King

The Zenith is widely regarded as one of the best weapons in Terraria, and the best overall melee weapon. A post-Moon Lord sword crafted from a collection of other swords, its area-of-effect and high DPS make it a top choice for both single-target and crowd control. While the Coin Gun might deal more damage against a single target in ideal conditions, the Zenith’s consistent performance and wider attack range are far more useful in most situations.

S.D.M.G.: Reliable Ranged Power

The S.D.M.G. (Space Dolphin Machine Gun) is a powerful ranged weapon that uses bullets. While its base damage is lower than the Coin Gun’s potential Platinum-fueled output, the S.D.M.G. benefits from readily available ammunition and various bullet types. The S.D.M.G. is generally easier to use and more sustainable.

Last Prism: Magic Mayhem

The Last Prism is a post-Moon Lord magic weapon known for its incredible DPS against single targets. While consuming mana rapidly, the Last Prism’s raw damage output can rival or even surpass the Coin Gun in some situations, especially with proper magic-boosting gear.

Conclusion

The Coin Gun is undoubtedly a unique and powerful weapon in Terraria, capable of dealing massive damage when using Platinum Coins. However, its cost makes it a niche choice, best suited for specific situations where money is no object. For general use, weapons like the Zenith, S.D.M.G., and Last Prism offer more practical and cost-effective solutions. Therefore, while the Coin Gun might boast the highest potential DPS, it’s not the best overall weapon in Terraria due to its economic limitations.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About the Coin Gun and Terraria Weapons

Here are some frequently asked questions about the Coin Gun and weapon comparisons in Terraria:

How much damage does the Coin Gun do with Platinum Coins?

The Coin Gun, when loaded with Platinum Coins, can reach approximately 2000 damage per second (DPS), making it one of the highest-damaging weapons in the game.
What is the best modifier for the Coin Gun?

Since the Coin Gun cannot receive modifiers that increase damage, the best modifier is Agile (+12% speed, +3% critical strike chance), as it maximizes its DPS by increasing its firing rate.
How rare is the Coin Gun?

The Coin Gun is exceptionally rare, dropped by regular enemies during a Pirate Invasion with a 1/4000 (0.025%) chance on Desktop, Console, and Mobile versions, and a 1/8000 (0.0125%) chance on Old-gen console and 3DS versions.
Is the Coin Gun still available in Terraria?

Yes, the Coin Gun remains an extremely rare item in the game.
Can the Coin Gun be reforged?

No, the Coin Gun cannot be reforged, and therefore cannot receive modifiers that increase damage.
What coins can the Coin Gun use as ammo?

The Coin Gun can use Copper, Silver, Gold, and Platinum Coins as ammunition. The damage output increases with the coin’s value.
Are there any guns in Terraria that don’t require ammunition?

Yes, several items are referred to as “guns” in the game but do not require ammunition, such as the Piranha Gun, Space Gun, and Water Gun.
What is the best melee weapon in Terraria?

The Zenith is widely considered the best melee weapon, and the best overall weapon, in Terraria due to its high DPS and wide area of effect.
What is stronger, the Zenith or the Meowmere?

While the Meowmere has the highest listed base damage among non-explosive weapons, the Zenith typically achieves much higher DPS due to its unique properties and additional effects.
Is the Zenith pre-Moon Lord?

No, the Zenith is a post-Moon Lord weapon. It requires materials obtained after defeating the Moon Lord.
What is the fastest-hitting weapon in Terraria?

The Fetid Baghnakhs are tied with the Psycho Knife for the fastest melee weapon. However, given the speed bonuses and reductions involved, the Psycho Knife can reach higher speeds. The Chain Gun with the right modifier is the fastest hitting ranged weapon.
What are the best bullets in Terraria?

Crystal Bullets offer the highest damage per second output (excluding Luminite Bullets) and synergize well with Ichor, while Chlorophyte Bullets provide excellent homing capabilities.
What is the most damaging bullet in Terraria?

Crystal Bullets are generally considered to provide the best damage per second output, especially when combined with Ichor. However, Luminite Bullets are also a strong choice for endgame content.
What is better, the Zenith or the Last Prism?

The Zenith generally surpasses the Last Prism in overall DPS, but the Last Prism remains the highest magic DPS weapon.
What is the strongest bow in Terraria?

The Pulse Bow has the highest listed base damage of all bows in the game.

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