What’s Better Than the Nightmare Pickaxe? A Terrarian’s Guide to Upgrading Your Mining Game
The Nightmare Pickaxe is a significant milestone for any aspiring Terrarian, marking a clear upgrade from the earlier Platinum Pickaxe or Gold Pickaxe tier. But while it serves as a powerful tool in pre-Hardmode, it’s far from the end of the line. So, what surpasses the Nightmare Pickaxe in terms of mining prowess? The short answer is the Deathbringer Pickaxe and a wealth of other options, each offering unique advantages in the ever-expanding world of Terraria.
Deathbringer Pickaxe: The Immediate Upgrade
The Deathbringer Pickaxe is the direct Crimson counterpart to the Nightmare Pickaxe. While they share similar characteristics, the Deathbringer Pickaxe boasts a slight edge in mining speed and efficiency. Specifically, it mines Crimstone, Dungeon Bricks, Ebonstone, Hellstone, and Pearlstone Blocks in 3 hits rather than 4. This seemingly small difference translates to a tangible increase in your mining rate and is, therefore, the immediate upgrade over the Nightmare Pickaxe for most players.
The Molten Pickaxe: A Pre-Hardmode Powerhouse
Before venturing into the depths of Hardmode, the Molten Pickaxe stands as a strong contender. It’s crafted from Hellstone, offering superior mining power that allows it to mine stronger blocks. While its tool speed is slightly slower than the Nightmare Pickaxe, for blocks that take multiple hits to break, the Molten Pickaxe often comes out ahead. However, for blocks that can be destroyed in a single hit, the Nightmare Pickaxe retains its speed advantage. This makes the choice between the two situational, with the Molten Pickaxe being better for tough blocks and the Nightmare Pickaxe remaining useful for easily mined materials.
Pre-Hardmode Power: The Reaver Shark
A special mention must go to the Reaver Shark. While it’s not crafted using the usual ore progression, this powerful pickaxe can be obtained by fishing in the ocean. It stands as the most powerful pickaxe you can obtain prior to entering Hardmode. Even exceeding the power of the Molten Pickaxe, though again, with a slightly slower tool speed. This makes the Reaver Shark a highly desirable acquisition for any player looking for an edge in pre-Hardmode mining.
Hardmode and Beyond: The Journey Continues
The arrival of Hardmode opens up a new array of tools that surpass all pre-Hardmode options. Tools such as the Pickaxe Axe and Drax, crafted using Hallowed Bars and Souls of Fright, Might, and Sight, provide a staggering 200% Pickaxe Power. These tools allow you to mine Chlorophyte and other materials previously inaccessible.
Continuing on into the later stages, the Spectre Pickaxe provides added range, giving it an edge despite not being able to mine more blocks. Finally, the Luminite Pickaxes stand as the pinnacle of Terraria pickaxes, the strongest and best picks in the entire game.
Conclusion
While the Nightmare Pickaxe is a fantastic tool during mid-game, its reign is short-lived. The Deathbringer Pickaxe offers a slight immediate upgrade, while the Molten Pickaxe provides more mining power at a speed trade-off. In pre-Hardmode, the Reaver Shark takes the top spot. Moving into Hardmode, picks like the Pickaxe Axe and Drax, as well as Luminite Pickaxes in the end game, quickly outclass the Nightmare Pickaxe. The best pickaxe for you will depend on where you are in the game and the materials you are looking to acquire. However, understanding the strengths and weaknesses of each option will ensure you are always equipped with the best tool for the job.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the difference between the Nightmare Pickaxe and Deathbringer Pickaxe?
The Deathbringer Pickaxe, the Crimson equivalent of the Nightmare Pickaxe, has superior mining speed by one and mines certain blocks ( Crimstone, Dungeon Bricks, Ebonstone, Hellstone, and Pearlstone Blocks) in one less hit (3 instead of 4). This makes it generally better.
Is the Molten Pickaxe better than the Nightmare Pickaxe?
While the Molten Pickaxe possesses higher mining power and can mine more blocks, its slower tool speed makes the Nightmare Pickaxe faster for easily mined blocks. The Molten Pickaxe shines when dealing with tougher blocks.
Is the Nightmare Pickaxe better than a Platinum Pickaxe?
Yes, the Nightmare Pickaxe is a significant upgrade over the Platinum Pickaxe, boasting both superior mining power and speed.
What is the most powerful pickaxe before Hardmode?
The Reaver Shark, obtainable by fishing in the ocean, is the most powerful pre-Hardmode pickaxe. It surpasses even the Molten Pickaxe in power, despite having a slower tool speed.
What is the most powerful pickaxe in Terraria?
The Luminite Pickaxes are the most powerful pickaxes in Terraria.
What Pickaxes have 200% mining power?
The Pickaxe Axe and the Drax both have 200% mining power. They are crafted after defeating all three mechanical bosses.
Can the Nightmare Pickaxe mine Chlorophyte?
No, the Nightmare Pickaxe cannot mine Chlorophyte. You will need a pickaxe or drill with at least 200% Pickaxe Power.
What is the next pickaxe after the Nightmare Pickaxe?
The next pickaxe after the Nightmare Pickaxe will typically be the Deathbringer Pickaxe or the Molten Pickaxe. The Reaver Shark is also an option if you have access to it.
Does melee speed affect pickaxe speed?
No, melee speed only affects use speed (swing speed) while the mining speed is affected by use time. Prefixes affect both use time and use speed.
What is the hardest block to break in Terraria?
Lihzahrd Bricks, found in the Jungle Temple, are the hardest blocks to break. They are impervious to explosives and require a Picksaw or a pickaxe with equal or better power.
What pickaxe is needed to break Chlorophyte?
You need a pickaxe with at least 200% Pickaxe Power to break Chlorophyte, such as the Pickaxe Axe or the Drax.
Is the Spectre Pickaxe worth crafting?
The Spectre Pickaxe is not ideal for its mining capabilities. It doesn’t allow you to mine any new blocks that you couldn’t mine before, but it does have increased range.
What is the ultimate pickaxe in Terraria?
The Luminite Pickaxes are generally considered to be the best, ultimate pickaxes in Terraria due to their high mining speed and power.
What does Crimtane ore look like?
Crimtane Ore emits a faint red glow when placed, similar to Demonite Ore.
What is the best modifier for a pickaxe?
The best modifier for a pickaxe is generally Light for use speed, however it depends on your style of play. For a melee centered build Legendary would be a better option.
This comprehensive article, formatted for web publishing, should provide any Terraria player with a clear understanding of what surpasses the Nightmare Pickaxe, along with many essential FAQs.