How Do You Get a Golden Fishing Pole? A Comprehensive Guide
The shimmering golden fishing pole is a coveted item in various games, each with its own unique method of acquisition. This article will delve into the different ways you can obtain this prized tool, primarily focusing on the popular sandbox adventure game, Terraria, but also touching on other games like Animal Crossing and A Short Hike. Whether you’re an avid angler or a completionist, understanding the steps to get your hands on this golden rod is essential.
In the realm of Terraria, acquiring the Golden Fishing Rod requires a combination of patience, skill, and a touch of luck. It’s not a straightforward purchase or a simple drop, but rather a testament to your dedication to the game’s fishing mechanics. Unlike other golden tools, the Golden Fishing Rod in Terraria is not just a cosmetic upgrade; it provides practical advantages, enhancing your fishing experience.
The Terraria Golden Fishing Rod: A Deep Dive
In Terraria, the primary method of obtaining the Golden Fishing Rod is by completing fishing quests for the Angler NPC. You’ll need to prove yourself a skilled fisherman by embarking on a journey of fulfilling these sometimes-challenging requests.
The Quest for the Angler
First, you need to rescue the Angler NPC, who can be found sleeping near the ocean in the wilderness. Once you’ve given him a suitable place to call home, he’ll start assigning daily fishing quests. These quests require you to catch a specific type of fish and bring it back to him.
Completing the Quests
The golden fishing rod isn’t simply given out after a small amount of quests. In early versions of the game, obtaining this item required completing 50 quests. However, this has since been reduced to 30 fishing quests. Consistency is key here; you need to complete a significant number of quests for the Angler to consider you a master angler.
Hardmode and the Angler’s Drop
There is an alternative, although much rarer, method of getting the Golden Fishing Rod. Once you defeat the Wall of Flesh and enter Hardmode, the Angler NPC has a very low chance of dropping it after you have completed 25 quests. This can be a much faster method if you are incredibly lucky, but should not be relied on for obtaining the rod. This drop is very, very rare, and most players acquire the rod from completing 30 quests.
What Makes It Special?
The Golden Fishing Rod in Terraria isn’t just aesthetically pleasing; it offers improved fishing performance. It increases response time and provides a greater cast range, allowing you to reel in those stubborn catches more easily and to reach more distant fishing spots.
Golden Fishing Rods in Other Games
While Terraria offers a challenging quest-based system, other games have different approaches:
Animal Crossing’s Golden Rod
In the world of Animal Crossing, the Golden Fishing Rod is obtained by filling your Critterpedia with all 80 types of fish. You do not need to donate the fish, but you must catch them all. Once completed, you will receive a DIY recipe in the mail. Unlike the Terraria version, this rod has 90 uses. It shares characteristics with other golden tools in the game; a greater range and ease of use.
A Short Hike
The game A Short Hike offers yet another take on the golden rod. Here, you can acquire the Golden Fishing Rod by completing the fishing journal, which entails trading all 15 variants of fish with the Pelican Captain. The Golden Fishing Rod in A Short Hike helps you attract rarer fish.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 FAQs to help clarify any remaining questions about obtaining a golden fishing rod:
1. How many quests are required for the Terraria Golden Fishing Rod?
You need to complete 30 fishing quests for the Angler NPC to obtain the Golden Fishing Rod (or, very rarely, have it drop after completing 25 quests in Hardmode).
2. Can the Angler drop the Golden Fishing Rod?
Yes, but it’s very rare. After defeating the Wall of Flesh and entering Hardmode, the Angler has a low chance to drop the Golden Fishing Rod after completing 25 quests.
3. How does the Golden Fishing Rod improve fishing in Terraria?
It increases response time and provides a greater cast range, making fishing more efficient and effective.
4. How many uses does the Golden Fishing Rod have in Animal Crossing?
The Golden Fishing Rod in Animal Crossing has 90 uses.
5. Do you need to donate fish in Animal Crossing to get the Golden Fishing Rod?
No, you do not need to donate the fish. You only need to catch all 80 types of fish to complete the Critterpedia.
6. How do you get the Golden Fishing Rod in A Short Hike?
You must complete the fishing journal and trade all 15 variants of fish with the Pelican Captain.
7. How do I get the Angler NPC in Terraria if he dies?
If the Angler is killed and has no suitable house, he will respawn as soon as one becomes available.
8. Why won’t the Angler give me the Sextant as a reward?
In some versions of Terraria, the Angler won’t give you the Sextant if you already have one in your inventory or in your portable storage.
9. What is the rarest fish in fishing according to the article?
The Devils Hole pupfish is mentioned as being the rarest fish in real life, not in the context of any game.
10. How do you fish in lava in Terraria?
You need a Hotline Fishing Hook, a Lavaproof Tackle Bag, a Lavaproof Fishing Hook, or by using a Magma Snail, Lavafly, or Hell Butterfly (caught with a Lavaproof Bug Net or Golden Bug Net).
11. What is the chance of getting a Sextant from an Angler quest?
The Sextant has a 1/34 (2.94%) chance of being a reward for completing an Angler quest.
12. What is the Fish of Cthulhu?
The Fish of Cthulhu is a quest item the Angler may ask you to find. It is obtained by fishing in a Forest in Water.
13. How do I obtain the Golden Slingshot in Animal Crossing?
The golden slingshot can be obtained from crafting, which requires 1× slingshot and 1× gold nugget. The recipe for this item can be obtained from shooting a special golden balloon after shooting 300 balloons.
14. How do I obtain the Golden Watering Can in Animal Crossing?
You need to reach a 5-star island rating to unlock the recipe for the Golden Watering Can.
15. What makes the Obsidian Swordfish a good weapon?
While it has the second highest base damage of any spear, it’s noted to be shorter than other Hardmode spears.
Conclusion
Obtaining a golden fishing rod requires dedication, patience, and a bit of know-how. In Terraria, the journey of completing the Angler’s quests is the most common method to achieve this goal. In Animal Crossing, completing your fish Critterpedia and in A Short Hike the fishing journal is key. With the information in this guide, you’ll be well on your way to adding this gleaming tool to your collection, enhancing your angling adventures. Happy fishing!