Should You Break All the Demon Altars in Terraria?
The short, direct answer is a resounding no, you should not break all the Demon (or Crimson) Altars in Terraria. While the temptation to smash every last one for a quick influx of hardmode ores might be strong, doing so will ultimately be detrimental to your gameplay. These altars, whether the shadowy Demon Altars found in Corruption worlds or the fleshy Crimson Altars found in Crimson worlds, serve a crucial purpose beyond ore generation and destroying them all will severely limit your crafting options.
Why Breaking Altars is Tempting
The allure of breaking altars comes from their ability to generate new hardmode ores upon destruction. These ores—Cobalt/Palladium, Mythril/Orichalcum, and Adamantite/Titanium—are necessary for crafting higher-tier weapons, armor, and tools. Smashing an altar with the Pwnhammer, dropped by the Wall of Flesh, feels like an instant power boost after entering hardmode.
However, it’s essential to understand that ore generation follows a pattern: it starts high initially, and with each subsequent altar broken, the amount of ore spawned reduces. The ore generation is designed around a cycle, meaning the first altar gives Cobalt/Palladium, the second gives Mythril/Orichalcum, the third gives Adamantite/Titanium, and the fourth then begins the cycle again with less overall ore.
The Downsides of Breaking All Altars
Limited Crafting
The primary reason you shouldn’t destroy all the altars is that they are needed to craft certain crucial items. These crafting recipes are exclusive to the altars. Without at least one altar remaining, you will be unable to create essential items like hardmode boss summoning items. Even if you use other worlds to craft these items, it can be highly inefficient and tedious.
Diminishing Ore Returns
As mentioned earlier, each altar you smash provides less ore than the last. So, while breaking a few altars offers a decent return, breaking every single one yields diminishing returns, making it increasingly inefficient to obtain the needed ores. You’ll end up with fewer ores overall than if you had exercised some restraint.
Hardmode Biome Spread
Though a common misconception, breaking altars no longer directly spawns new pockets of Corruption/Crimson. This change was introduced in a patch to make hardmode transition less overwhelming. However, it’s important to note the initial V-shaped spread of Corruption/Crimson and Hallow that occurs at the start of Hardmode is still present. Instead, focusing on strategizing this initial spread is paramount.
Best Practices for Altar Breaking
Break in Multiples of Three
A widely accepted strategy is to break altars in multiples of three. This ensures a relatively balanced spread of all three tiers of hardmode ores: Cobalt/Palladium, Mythril/Orichalcum, and Adamantite/Titanium. Starting with 6 or 9 broken altars is usually sufficient for a good early supply of ore without overdoing it.
Leave at Least One Altar
Always leave at least one altar easily accessible. This will allow you to craft necessary items later without having to venture to other worlds. Having it within your base or in a controlled location is always a good idea.
Prioritize Ore Acquisition
Don’t rely solely on altar breaking for your ores. Fishing up crates in hardmode will also grant you access to all hardmode ores. Combine fishing and breaking a limited number of altars for the most efficient ore gathering strategy. This provides an alternative to breaking all the altars.
Plan Before Hardmode
Before initiating Hardmode, identify and mine paths to several altars. This makes accessing them safer during the initial dangers of hardmode, when corruption spread and hostile enemies are more prevalent.
Conclusion
Destroying every Demon/Crimson Altar in Terraria is not a wise strategy. The limited crafting options, diminishing ore returns, and the relatively limited impact on biome spread make it an inefficient practice. Instead, focus on breaking a few altars strategically while leveraging other ore gathering methods. Maintaining access to an altar will allow you to progress smoothly without facing severe limitations.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How many Demon/Crimson Altars should I break?
Typically, 6 or 9 is a good amount. This allows for a decent balance of ore generation while minimizing the diminishing returns of further altar destruction. Always leave at least one accessible altar.
2. Does breaking Demon/Crimson Altars spread Corruption/Crimson?
No, breaking altars does not directly cause new Corruption/Crimson biomes to spread. This function has been removed. However, they do still provide you access to hardmode ores.
3. Do Altars count as part of the Corruption/Crimson Biome?
No, Altars themselves are not considered part of the Corruption or Crimson biome. They don’t influence biome spread.
4. Can I break Demon/Crimson Altars with any hammer?
No. You need the Pwnhammer (or higher), which is obtained from the Wall of Flesh boss in hardmode, to break them.
5. What happens if I destroy all the Demon/Crimson Altars?
You will not be able to craft items that require a Demon/Crimson Altar. You also hinder ore acquisition through altar breaking due to diminishing returns.
6. What are the Hardmode ores that spawn from breaking altars?
The ores are Cobalt/Palladium, Mythril/Orichalcum, and Adamantite/Titanium. They are spawned in that order each time you break an altar, but at decreasing amounts for each subsequent breaking.
7. How does ore generation from altars work?
The amount of ore produced decreases with each broken altar. The cycle goes in order, with the first spawning Cobalt/Palladium, the second spawning Mythril/Orichalcum, and the third spawning Adamantite/Titanium, and then repeats at a lower total amount.
8. Can I get Hardmode ores by other means?
Yes, you can get all Hardmode ores from fishing up crates in hardmode. This is a very viable alternative to breaking altars.
9. How can I get 0% Corruption/Crimson?
You must purify your entire world, using the Clentaminator with Green Solution. The Dryad will tell you the percentage of Corruption/Crimson remaining. Exit and re-enter your world to update the Dryad’s status.
10. What is the “V” shaped spread after entering Hardmode?
Upon entering hardmode, two diagonal strips of Hallow and Corruption/Crimson will generate in a V-shape from the center of the world. This is a set event that all worlds experience upon entering hardmode.
11. What are the Souls of Night used for?
Souls of Night are used for crafting many hardmode items. They are dropped by hardmode enemies in the Corruption/Crimson biome.
12. Does killing Plantera stop the Corruption/Crimson?
Killing Plantera reduces the spread rate of the Corruption/Crimson by 50%. It does not completely stop it.
13. Can Corruption/Crimson take over the Hallow?
No, the Hallow and the Corruption/Crimson cannot overlap. They will instead try to spread around each other, creating a distinct border.
14. Are Crimson Altars the same as Demon Altars?
They function the same, but look different. They both produce hardmode ores upon being broken and are used for the same crafting recipes.
15. What are Demon Hearts/Crimson Hearts?
Demon Hearts and Crimson Hearts are structures found in Corruption/Crimson worlds, respectively. Smashing them yields special items but doesn’t alter game world progression in the way that breaking Demon/Crimson Altars do.