Does the Goblin Army Go Away? A Comprehensive Guide to Terraria’s Green Menace
Yes, the Goblin Army in Terraria does eventually go away, but not without a fight! This common event can be both exciting and frustrating for players, especially those new to the game. While it may feel relentless at times, understanding how the Goblin Army works and how to deal with it is crucial for progression. This article will break down the mechanics of the event, answer your most pressing questions, and equip you with the knowledge needed to handle this invasion.
Understanding the Goblin Army Event
The Goblin Army is a pre-Hardmode event that occurs when certain conditions are met. It’s essentially a wave-based invasion where numerous goblins of varying types swarm the player’s location. These aren’t just mindless fodder, either; they can be quite dangerous if you’re unprepared. The invasion consists of different waves of enemies, and it’s a challenge that players often face early in their Terraria journey. The event continues until all the goblins in the current wave are defeated and then the event theme will keep playing until the very last goblin is killed, after which the game switches to its normal music.
The Conditions for a Goblin Invasion
Several criteria trigger a natural Goblin Army invasion:
- Daytime: The invasion will begin around 4:30 AM.
- Shadow Orb/Crimson Heart Destruction: At least one Shadow Orb (found in the Corruption) or Crimson Heart (found in the Crimson) must have been destroyed.
- Health Requirement: At least one player must have 200 health or more.
These conditions create a perfect storm for invasion. Breaking the orbs/hearts is part of normal progression, and players will naturally reach 200 health, therefore a goblin army is generally inevitable.
How the Goblin Army Disappears
Once an invasion is underway, the goblins will keep spawning until the final wave is cleared. Defeating the last goblin in the final wave will stop any further spawning. The message “A goblin army has been defeated!” will appear, and the music will switch back to normal. After a short period (around a minute) of no spawns, the game returns to its regular state. It is important to note that even after the defeat message displays the Goblin Army theme will still play until the last goblin is killed.
What Happens After a Goblin Army is Defeated
Defeating the Goblin Army is a key milestone. Here’s what you can expect:
- No More Spawns: Goblins will cease to spawn in the invasion until the conditions for a new one are met again.
- Goblin Tinkerer NPC: This defeated army opens the path to the Goblin Tinkerer NPC, who will now randomly spawn underground. Once found, they will move into player’s house.
- Rewards: The player will gain money and some loot, this typically includes spiky balls and the rare harpoon.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some of the most common questions regarding the Goblin Army, ensuring you’re well-prepared for this challenging event:
1. How do I stop the Goblin Army from spawning again?
The Goblin Army has a chance to spawn every morning if you have over 200 health and you have destroyed either a Shadow Orb or Crimson Heart. The rate for this spawning is 1/3 chance every day if you have never beaten an army before, it lowers to 1/30 chance per day if you have defeated an army already. Short of removing the conditions or defeating the army each time, they will keep spawning.
2. Can I prevent a Goblin Army invasion once the message appears?
No, once the message of a Goblin Army being imminent appears, there’s no way to prevent the invasion. Leaving the world and returning will just trigger the message and the invasion again.
3. How do I respawn the Goblin Army intentionally?
You can summon a Goblin Army anytime using the Goblin Battle Standard. This item is crafted from Tattered Cloth dropped by Goblin Scouts.
4. How can I protect my NPCs from the Goblin Army?
One effective method is to build active stone blocks in front of all doors, including those of your NPCs. Hook these blocks to a switch allowing you to activate them, sealing the entrances during the event and preventing the goblins from entering and killing your npcs.
5. How can I find the Goblin Tinkerer?
After defeating the Goblin Army, the Goblin Tinkerer will randomly spawn underground. Explore caves and caverns to find them. They will then move into a vacant house.
6. What are the odds of the Goblin Army spawning naturally?
The natural spawn rate is 1/3 chance each morning after breaking an orb or heart and having more than 200 health, and 1/30 if an army has been previously defeated.
7. Why am I having trouble finding Goblin Scouts?
Goblin Scouts spawn in the outermost one-sixth of the world, east and west. They won’t spawn in the Corruption or Crimson and only spawn during daytime.
8. What is the role of the Goblin Scout?
Goblin Scouts do not summon the Goblin Army themselves. However, they drop Tattered Cloth, needed to create the Goblin Battle Standard, which can summon the invasion at any time.
9. Can Goblin Scouts spawn at night?
No, Goblin Scouts only spawn during the day.
10. What is the Goblin Battle Standard?
The Goblin Battle Standard is an item that, when used, summons a Goblin Army. It is crafted from Tattered Cloth and Wooden Bars.
11. Can NPCs spawn during a Goblin Army invasion?
NPCs won’t respawn if they die during a Goblin Invasion until the event is defeated. Keep NPCs safe by building blockades or making sure they’re far from where you will be fighting.
12. Can Goblin Scouts spawn near the beach?
Yes, Goblin Scouts can spawn near beaches. They spawn in the outer edges of the world, and beaches can be part of this area.
13. How long does the Goblin Army event last?
The event lasts until all the goblins in the current wave are defeated, after which no new goblins will spawn.
14. What happens if I don’t fight the Goblin Army?
If you don’t fight the goblins they will keep spawning until you have successfully defended from the invasion, as leaving the world won’t stop the invasion.
15. What should I do with Tattered Cloth?
Tattered Cloth is a crafting material used only to create the Goblin Battle Standard.
Conclusion
The Goblin Army is a challenging yet integral part of the Terraria experience. It is a necessary step to progress in the game, so learning how the event works and how to handle it will help you conquer these green foes. While the relentless spawning can be daunting, it’s essential to understand how the event functions, and how to best equip and prepare yourself for it. By understanding the triggers and the rewards, players can transform the Goblin Army from a frustrating obstacle into a stepping stone towards victory.