Can You Have 2 Pets at Once in Terraria? A Comprehensive Guide
The short and sweet answer is yes, you can have two pets at once in Terraria, and even more than that under specific circumstances! However, there are some crucial nuances and item interactions that dictate how you achieve this adorable army of miniature companions. Let’s dive deep into the whimsical world of Terraria pets and explore the rules governing their coexistence.
The Basic Pet Rule: One is the Loneliest Number (Usually)
In general, Terraria restricts you to having only one pet active at a time from a pet-summoning item. Equipping another pet item will despawn your current pet, replacing it with the new one. This is the fundamental rule that governs pet ownership in the game. But, like most things in Terraria, there are exceptions to the rule.
Bending the Rules: The Power of the Magic Lantern and Companionship
The secret to summoning multiple pets lies in the Magic Lantern. This rare pre-Hardmode item drops from Shadow Orbs and Crimson Hearts. Unlike regular pet items, the Magic Lantern doesn’t occupy a buff slot. Instead, it summons a light pet, the Wisp.
Because the Wisp is classified as a light pet and not a regular pet, it doesn’t conflict with your standard pet. This means you can have both a Wisp providing light and a regular pet following you around.
Beyond the Wisp: Companionship for Maximum Pet Mayhem
The plot thickens with the introduction of the Companionship item. This item combines the capabilities of the Baby Dinosaur and the Turtle pets. The unique aspect of Companionship is that it summons both of these pets simultaneously, effectively giving you two standard pets summoned from a single item.
Therefore, when combining Companionship with a light pet summoned from the Magic Lantern, you are able to achieve a grand total of three pets at once: the Baby Dinosaur, the Turtle, and the Wisp.
Dyeing Your Pets: A Touch of Personalization
While you can’t have an unlimited number of pets, you can customize the appearance of your existing ones using dyes. Applying dyes to your pet summoning item will change the color scheme of your beloved companion, allowing you to create unique and vibrant looks for your pets. Experiment with different dye combinations to find the perfect aesthetic for your loyal followers!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Terraria Pets
Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the mechanics of Terraria pets:
1. What is the difference between a pet and a light pet?
Pets are summoned using items that occupy a buff slot. They provide cosmetic companionship, following you around and adding visual flair. Light pets, on the other hand, provide a source of light and typically don’t occupy a buff slot (like the Magic Lantern).
2. Can I have multiple light pets active at the same time?
No, you can only have one light pet active at a time. If you use another light pet summoning item, it will replace the existing one. The Magic Lantern’s Wisp is the exception that unlocks the multi-pet experience.
3. How do I obtain the Magic Lantern?
The Magic Lantern drops from destroying Shadow Orbs in the Corruption biome or Crimson Hearts in the Crimson biome. These are typically found deep underground.
4. Does pet damage scale with my stats?
No, pets do not deal damage. They are purely cosmetic companions and serve no combat function.
5. Can pets die?
No, pets are invulnerable. They cannot be damaged or killed by enemies or environmental hazards.
6. Are there any pets that provide buffs or benefits other than light?
Other than the Magic Lantern’s light, and Companionship’s unique ability to summon two pets, pets offer no gameplay advantages. They are purely cosmetic.
7. How do I unsummon a pet?
To unsummon a pet, simply deselect the pet-summoning item from your equipment slots. This will remove the buff and despawn the pet.
8. Do pets follow me into other worlds?
Yes, your pet will follow you to other worlds. As long as you have the pet-summoning item equipped, your pet will remain by your side.
9. Can I trade pets with other players?
Yes, you can trade pet-summoning items with other players. This allows you to collect rare or hard-to-obtain pets from others.
10. Does the difficulty of the game affect the drop rate of pet-summoning items?
The difficulty of the game generally does not affect the drop rate of most pet-summoning items. However, some pets are exclusively available in specific game modes, like Master Mode.
11. What is the rarest pet in Terraria?
The perception of rarity can change with updates and player experiences, but some consistently sought-after pets include those obtained through fishing quests or rare enemy drops, like the Parrot.
12. Can I get the same pet multiple times?
Yes, you can obtain multiple copies of the same pet-summoning item. There is no limit to how many of the same pet you can acquire.
13. Do pets have any interaction with NPCs?
No, pets do not interact with NPCs. They simply follow you around the world.
14. Are there any pets that are exclusive to certain events or bosses?
Yes, some pets are exclusive to certain events or bosses. For example, the Everscream pet is obtained from the presents that are given from completing the Frost Moon event, and the Cultist pet is obtained by defeating the Lunatic Cultist.
15. What is the Games Learning Society and how is it relevant to Terraria?
The Games Learning Society (GamesLearningSociety.org) is a community of researchers and educators exploring the intersection of games and learning. While not directly involved in Terraria’s development, organizations like the Games Learning Society recognize the educational value of games like Terraria, which promote problem-solving, creativity, and collaboration. Games like Terraria foster critical thinking skills, which aligns with the goals of the Games Learning Society.
Final Thoughts
So, there you have it! While Terraria generally limits you to one pet at a time, the clever use of the Magic Lantern and Companionship opens up the possibility of having a small parade of adorable critters following you on your adventures. Experiment with different pets, dyes, and equipment to create your ultimate Terrarian companion squad!