Plantera Before Golem: Your Terraria Progression Guide

In Terraria, the order in which you tackle bosses is crucial for smooth progression and optimal gearing. The definitive answer to the question is: you must defeat Plantera before you can fight Golem. Golem is a post-Plantera boss. Plantera drops the Temple Key, which is required to access the Jungle Temple where the Golem is located. Attempting to fight Golem without first defeating Plantera will result in failure; the Power Cell used to summon Golem will be consumed, but nothing will happen. This makes Plantera a necessary hurdle in your Hardmode journey.

Understanding the Progression

Terraria’s world unfolds in stages, each gated by boss fights. Each boss killed directly triggers the next phase. To get to Golem, you’ll need to:

1. Defeat the Wall of Flesh to enter Hardmode.
2. Destroy the Mechanical Bosses: The Destroyer, The Twins, and Skeletron Prime.
3. Defeat Plantera in the Underground Jungle.
4. Use the Temple Key dropped by Plantera to enter the Jungle Temple.
5. Defeat Golem inside the Jungle Temple.

This progression ensures you’re appropriately geared and skilled for each encounter. Skipping Plantera is simply not an option if you wish to fight Golem and progress further into Terraria’s end-game content.

Preparing for Plantera

Plantera can be a significant step up in difficulty compared to the Mechanical Bosses. You’ll need to prepare your arena and gear accordingly.

Arena Preparation

A well-prepared arena can make all the difference. Consider the following:

• Size: Create a large, open space in the Underground Jungle.
• Mobility: Use platforms for easy maneuvering and dodging.
• Lighting: Ensure adequate lighting to avoid unwanted spawns.
• Buffs: Place Campfires and Heart Lanterns for health regeneration, and Star in a Bottle for mana regeneration.
• Traps: Consider strategically placed traps to damage Plantera.

Gearing Up for Plantera

The right gear is essential for victory. Here are some recommended options based on different playstyles:

• Melee: The Death Sickle is considered a top-tier melee weapon for its ability to hit multiple segments of Plantera. Consider armor sets like Turtle Armor.
• Ranged: The Uzi or Megashark, combined with Crystal Bullets or Ichor Bullets, provide excellent damage output. Hallowed Armor or Chlorophyte Armor are good armor choices.
• Magic: Wield powerful spells like Magic Missile, Crystal Storm, or Life Drain. Spectre Armor or Hallowed Armor are good for magic builds.
• Summoner: While challenging, a summoner build can work. The Spider Staff or Optic Staff, paired with Spider Armor or Hallowed Armor, can provide consistent damage.

Strategy against Plantera

The key to defeating Plantera lies in understanding its attack patterns. Plantera attacks primarily with thorny balls and, in its second form, tentacles that can rapidly chase you.

• Mobility is key: Keep moving to avoid Plantera’s attacks.
• Circle around Plantera: Strafe around it to avoid its thorny balls and tentacle attacks.
• Use piercing weapons: Weapons that can hit multiple targets are effective against Plantera’s tentacles.
• Take advantage of buffs: Utilize potions that increase damage, defense, and regeneration.
• Enraged Plantera: If Plantera is pulled out of the Underground Jungle, it will become enraged, dealing massive damage and moving at a high rate of speed. Avoid this.

After Plantera: Gearing Up for Golem

Once you’ve defeated Plantera, you can enter the Jungle Temple. The Jungle Temple can be challenging to navigate, it is filled with traps and enemies. Stock up on healing potions. Once you have navigated your way to the very bottom you will find the Lihzahrd Altar. The Lihzahrd Altar is used to summon the Golem. The Golem will need a Power Cell to activate the Lihzahrd Altar. Power Cells are found inside the Jungle Temple in chests.

Gearing Up for Golem

Golem is generally considered easier than Plantera, but you’ll still need to be prepared:

• Weapons: Inferno Fork and Rainbow Rod are excellent choices for their high damage output. Vampire Knives can provide sustain during the fight.
• Armor: Beetle Armor (melee), Shroomite Armor (ranged), or upgraded magic armor sets are all viable options.
• Accessories: Prioritize accessories that boost damage, defense, and mobility.
• Golem Fight Strategy: Golem has two phases. The first is where the body and fists will attack. Damage the body until it’s health reaches 0. The head will then detach and fly around dealing more damage. Focus your attacks on the head.

Related Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions about Plantera and Golem, providing additional insights and tips for your Terraria adventure:

1. Can you fight Empress of Light before Plantera?

   • No. The Empress of Light is a post-Plantera boss. While you can summon her as soon as Plantera is defeated, she is significantly harder than most Hardmode bosses and requires post-Golem gear.

2. Is Duke Fishron or Golem easier?

   • Golem is generally easier than Duke Fishron. Duke Fishron requires post-Golem gear and a solid understanding of his attack patterns.

3. What happens if you skip Plantera?

   • You cannot skip Plantera if you wish to fight Golem. Plantera is the boss that drops the Temple Key allowing you to enter the Jungle Temple. You also cannot progress to the Lunar Events, which occur post-Golem.

4. Can you enter the temple before Plantera?

   • Normally, no. The Temple is locked until Plantera is defeated. However, some advanced techniques and exploits can allow you to glitch into the Temple early, but you still won’t be able to summon Golem until Plantera is defeated.

5. Does beating Plantera slow corruption?

   • Yes. Defeating Plantera for the first time reduces the speed of the Corruption’s and Crimson’s spread by 50%.

6. Is Plantera harder than Moon Lord?

   • No. Moon Lord is the final boss of Terraria and significantly more difficult than Plantera.

7. Who should I fight after Golem?

   • After Golem, you should fight the Lunatic Cultist, who spawns at the Dungeon entrance after Golem is defeated. Defeating the Lunatic Cultist initiates the Lunar Events, leading to the Moon Lord.

8. Is the Pumpkin Moon post-Golem?

   • The Pumpkin Moon event can be summoned post-Plantera, but it’s generally recommended to tackle it after Golem, as it becomes more manageable with the gear obtained from Golem and the Jungle Temple.

9. What is the best weapon to beat Golem?

   • The Inferno Fork and Rainbow Rod are excellent choices for their high damage output against Golem.

10. Can I skip Eye of Cthulhu?

    • Yes, the Eye of Cthulhu is an optional boss. While it provides valuable loot early in the game, it’s not required for progression.

11. What is the easiest boss to summon in Terraria?

    • King Slime and Eye of Cthulhu are the easiest bosses to summon early in the game. For Hardmode bosses, the Destroyer is often considered the easiest.

12. What is the hardest thing to do in Terraria?

    • Terraria difficulty is subjective. For some, surviving the early game can be extremely difficult. Other people will cite events, such as the Slime Rain or Pirate Invasion.

13. Why is Empress of Light so hard?

    • The Empress of Light is difficult because of her complex attack patterns and high damage output. Fighting her during the day enrages her, making her attacks deal massive damage, often resulting in instant death.

14. How do you summon Plantera?

    • Plantera is summoned by destroying a Plantera’s Bulb in the Underground Jungle after all three Mechanical Bosses have been defeated.

15. What is the best armor to use against Plantera?

    • Turtle Armor (melee), Hallowed Armor (ranged/magic), or Spider Armor (summoner) are all viable options depending on your playstyle.

Conclusion

Navigating Terraria’s boss progression can be challenging, but understanding the order in which to tackle them is key to a successful playthrough. Remember, Plantera must be defeated before you can fight Golem, unlocking the Jungle Temple and advancing your journey towards the final stages of the game. Equip yourself, prepare your arena, and master your strategies to conquer these formidable foes!

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