Why Can’t I Get the Broken Hero Sword in Terraria?
You’re likely struggling to get your hands on a Broken Hero Sword in Terraria because its acquisition is tied to specific, often post-game, progression markers. The primary reason you might be having trouble is that the Broken Hero Sword no longer drops from earlier Hardmode enemies like Frankensteins and Swamp Things. Instead, it’s now exclusively a drop from a Mothron, a powerful enemy that spawns during a Solar Eclipse. Crucially, Mothrons only appear after Plantera has been defeated. Therefore, if you’re pre-Plantera, you will not see a Mothron and, therefore, cannot get a Broken Hero Sword. This change, introduced in Terraria Desktop 1.4, significantly altered when players can access this important crafting component.
The Evolution of the Broken Hero Sword
Before the 1.4 update, obtaining a Broken Hero Sword was quite different. It used to be attainable early into Hardmode, dropped by a variety of enemies. This changed completely, making the sword much more of a late-game objective. This alteration was done to gate some of the most powerful weapons of the game, particularly those that require this sword, like the Terra Blade. Now, the Broken Hero Sword marks a significant milestone in progression, becoming a clear sign you are progressing towards the final stretch of the game.
The Link with Mothron and Solar Eclipses
The Broken Hero Sword’s availability is now intrinsically linked to the Mothron and the Solar Eclipse. Mothron, a challenging flying enemy that spawns during the Solar Eclipse event, has a 25% chance of dropping a Broken Hero Sword in normal mode and a 43.75% chance in Expert Mode. This means that even after Plantera is defeated, acquiring the sword can still require some persistence and luck, making the Solar Eclipse an essential event to capitalize upon.
It’s important to understand that you can only encounter a Mothron during a Solar Eclipse, which is a random event that can happen after breaking a Demon or Crimson altar. If you want to summon one on demand, you can use a Solar Tablet. However, this also can only be used after killing the first mechanical boss. The need to defeat Plantera and the reliance on the Solar Eclipse further emphasize the change in difficulty of acquiring the Broken Hero Sword and the powerful items it crafts. This makes it a vital item to acquire for players wanting to craft end-game swords, and makes fighting the Mothron all that more important.
Factors Affecting Your Success
Several factors influence how efficiently you can obtain a Broken Hero Sword:
- Plantera Defeated: This is the primary requirement. You cannot obtain the sword before defeating Plantera.
- Solar Eclipse Frequency: Solar Eclipses are a random event, so it’s not guaranteed you’ll see one soon after Plantera.
- Mothron Spawn Rate: Even during a Solar Eclipse, Mothrons have only an 8% spawn rate and a 25% chance to drop the sword (normal mode).
- NPC Proximity: It is necessary to have NPCs close to the areas you are farming for Mothrons, as the spawn rate can be dependent on having NPCs alive.
- Expert Mode: If you are in Expert mode, the drop rate for the sword increases to 43.75% but everything will be more difficult.
Farming Techniques
To maximize your chances of getting the Broken Hero Sword, consider these farming techniques:
- Create a Battle Arena: Prepare an area with platforms, campfires, and heart lanterns to help you fight effectively during the Solar Eclipse.
- Use Battle Potions: Battle Potions increase spawn rates, which can lead to more Mothron appearances.
- Water Candle: Having a water candle can also increase spawn rates of enemies.
- Summoners: Summon weapons are very useful for fighting off the other monsters during the Solar Eclipse while you focus on Mothrons.
- Be Patient: Remember, the drop rate isn’t 100%, so you may need to fight several Mothrons before getting a Broken Hero Sword.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can you get the Broken Hero Sword before beating Plantera?
No, you absolutely cannot get the Broken Hero Sword before defeating Plantera. The Mothron, which is the sole source of the sword, only spawns after you have defeated Plantera.
2. What is the drop rate of the Broken Hero Sword from Mothron?
The Broken Hero Sword has a 25% chance to drop in normal mode and a 43.75% chance to drop in Expert Mode when defeated.
3. What is a Mothron?
A Mothron is a powerful flying enemy that spawns during a Solar Eclipse event. It is the only enemy that drops the Broken Hero Sword.
4. Can Mothron drop nothing?
While the Baby Mothrons that hatch from Mothron eggs do not drop anything, a Mothron will always drop something upon defeat. However, if a Mothron doesn’t drop a Broken Hero Sword, it could drop other loot.
5. Can you get the Terra Blade before Plantera?
No, you cannot get the Terra Blade before Plantera. The Terra Blade requires the Broken Hero Sword as a crafting material, and the Broken Hero Sword only drops after Plantera has been defeated.
6. Can you get the Broken Hero Sword after Plantera?
Yes, you can and must get the Broken Hero Sword after defeating Plantera. It’s only obtainable after this milestone.
7. Is the Terra Blade worth it?
Yes, the Terra Blade is an extremely powerful weapon that is worth the effort of obtaining. Its projectile beams can penetrate enemies, making it ideal for dealing with hordes and for events like the Pirate Invasion or Martian Madness.
8. Do you need Broken Hero Sword to craft the Terra Blade?
Yes, you need a Broken Hero Sword to craft the Terra Blade, and, at times, you may need two. The sword is a vital component in its recipe.
9. How do you summon a Solar Eclipse?
A Solar Eclipse occurs randomly after breaking a Demon or Crimson Altar. You can also force a Solar Eclipse by using a Solar Tablet, but this item can only be used after killing a mechanical boss.
10. Is Mothron post-Plantera?
Yes, Mothron is a post-Plantera enemy. It will not spawn in the world until after you defeat Plantera.
11. How rare is a Mothron in Terraria?
Mothron’s spawn chance is only 8% during a Solar Eclipse event, and it can only spawn when near active NPCs. This means it can be somewhat rare.
12. Is the Seedler better than the Terra Blade?
While the Seedler has unique properties, the Terra Blade is often considered a stronger, more reliable weapon due to its higher overall damage output and projectile properties. However, Seedler can sometimes surpass more powerful weapons, like the Terra Blade, but it is still the weaker of the two in most circumstances.
13. What is the strongest sword in Terraria?
The Zenith is the strongest sword in Terraria. It is a combination of multiple weapons and has incredible power, obliterating most enemies with ease.
14. Is True Excalibur or True Night’s Edge better?
The True Night’s Edge generally has higher damage and a larger projectile, making it preferable for many combat situations. However, True Excalibur swings faster with lower damage. Depending on your playstyle and how you are equipped, the True Excalibur can be as good as or better than the True Night’s Edge.
15. Is Broken Sword 5 (Broken Sword: The Serpent’s Curse) worth playing?
Yes, Broken Sword 5: The Serpent’s Curse is definitely worth playing for fans of the adventure genre and the series. It’s praised for recapturing the classic atmosphere of the earlier games while offering a new and engaging story.