Conquer Etheria: A Master Guide to Summoning the Old One’s Army in Terraria

So, you want to brave the Old One’s Army in Terraria? Excellent choice, adventurer! This challenging crossover event offers unique rewards and a serious test of your skills. Here’s the lowdown on how to summon it, step by step, along with everything else you need to know to survive.

Summoning the Old One’s Army: A Step-by-Step Guide

To initiate the Old One’s Army event, you’ll need to acquire a few key items and ensure your battlefield is up to par. Here’s how it’s done:

1. Visit the Tavernkeep: The Tavernkeep NPC is your source for everything related to the Old One’s Army. He arrives after you’ve defeated the Eater of Worlds or the Brain of Cthulhu.
2. Purchase the Essentials: Buy an Eternia Crystal Stand (for 1 gold coin) and an Eternia Crystal (for 25 gold coins) from the Tavernkeep.
3. Prepare Your Arena: This is crucial! You need a large, flat, open area to successfully summon the event. Specifically, you need at least 61 clear blocks on either side of where you plan to place the stand, measured from the center. That’s a total clearing of 123 tiles with the stand at the center. The stand itself cannot be placed on platforms; it needs to be on solid ground.
4. Place the Eternia Crystal Stand: Find the center of your cleared area and place the Eternia Crystal Stand on the ground.
5. Activate the Crystal: With an Eternia Crystal in your inventory, approach the stand and press the Interact key (usually the right mouse button) on the stand. This will place the crystal on the stand and initiate the event.

Once the crystal is in place, prepare for a battle! Portals will open on either side of the crystal, and waves of enemies from Etheria will begin their assault.

FAQs: Decoding the Old One’s Army

Still have questions? Fear not, brave Terrarian! These frequently asked questions will illuminate the finer points of the Old One’s Army.

What are the specific block requirements for summoning the Old One’s Army?

You need a minimum of 61 clear blocks on each side of the Eternia Crystal Stand, measured from its center. The stand must be placed on solid blocks, not platforms. Additionally, ensure there’s sufficient vertical space for enemies to spawn and move around freely – a clearing of at least 10 tiles vertically is a good benchmark. The enemy portals can spawn further away if given the space, up to 120 tiles away from the center of the stand on each side.

What happens if the Eternia Crystal is destroyed during the event?

If the Eternia Crystal is destroyed, the event ends immediately in failure. You’ll need to replace the crystal and start over. Protect it at all costs!

How many waves are there in the Old One’s Army event?

The number of waves depends on the tier of the event. Tier 1 consists of 7 waves. Later tiers also have 7 waves, but with progressively tougher enemies and increased rewards.

What’s the best way to defend the Eternia Crystal?

A combination of strategies works best. Sentries are crucial. Place close-range sentries like the Lightning Aura or Explosive Trap near the portals to quickly eliminate incoming enemies. Supplement these with long-range sentries such as the Ballista or Flameburst closer to the center to target enemies before they reach the crystal. Don’t forget to actively participate in the fight yourself!

How do I unlock higher tiers of the Old One’s Army?

You unlock higher tiers by progressing through the game. Tier 1 is available after defeating the Eater of Worlds or Brain of Cthulhu. Tier 2 unlocks after defeating Golem, and Tier 3 becomes available after defeating Moon Lord.

Where do I get Defender Medals, and what are they used for?

Defender Medals are earned by completing waves of the Old One’s Army event. You can earn 25 medals for completing all waves of tier 1. They are the currency used to purchase various items from the Tavernkeep, including sentry summons, armor sets, and weapons.

What is Betsy, and how do I summon her?

Betsy is a powerful dragon boss that appears as the final boss of the Old One’s Army event (Tier 3). She spawns during wave 7. You need to defeat Golem before she can appear.

How do I easily beat the Old One’s Army?

The “easiest” way to beat the Old One’s Army depends on your current progression. However, a solid strategy involves maximizing the effectiveness of your sentries. Focus on upgrading your sentries, placing them strategically, and using weapons that complement their strengths. Armor that boosts summon damage is also helpful. The higher tiers of the Old One’s Army, especially in Master Mode, are incredibly difficult. This strategy, though, relies on the first tier being comparatively easy. The main idea here is that almost all damage is done by the sentries.

Can you speed up the Old One’s Army event?

Yes! During the event, you can right-click the Eternia Crystal Stand to adjust the spawn rate. Lowering the spawn rate will actually cause enemies to spawn faster. Be careful though, lower spawn rate also means more difficult, faster swarms of enemies. The spawn rate resets after each wave.

What happens if I leave the world during the Old One’s Army event?

If you leave the world mid-event, the event will be canceled, and you will have to start from wave 1 again.

What is Etheria in Terraria?

In the context of the Old One’s Army, Etheria is the dimension from which the invading enemies originate. The Eternia Crystal acts as a portal to this dimension, allowing the enemies to cross over. The Etheria seed is an alternative world generation seed where the evil biome is switched; corruption for crimson, and crimson for corruption. The next Step in game progression is defeating the Eyes Of Oblivion.

What are the best sentries to use in the Old One’s Army?

The best sentries depend on the tier of the event and your personal play style. However, some consistently strong options include:

• Early Game: Flameburst Tower, Ballista Tower.
• Mid-Game: Lightning Aura Rod, Explosive Trap Rod.
• Late Game: Ballista Launcher, Rainbow Crystal Staff.

The Ballista is slower than the other towers, but its strength, range, and piercing capability make it one of the best sentries in the game, especially at higher levels.

What equipment and accessories should I use to prepare for the Old One’s Army?

Prioritize items that boost summon damage, minion capacity, and defense. Good options include:

• Armor: Bee Armor (early game), Obsidian Armor (mid-game), Tiki Armor (late game), Valhalla Knight Armor (late-game)
• Accessories: Summoner Emblem, Papyrus Scarab, Necromantic Scroll, Stinger Necklace, Hero Shield, Frozen Shield.

What’s the point of doing the Old One’s Army event?

The Old One’s Army offers several compelling reasons to participate:

• Unique Rewards: It’s the only way to obtain certain powerful items, including sentry summons, weapons, armor sets, and accessories.
• Challenges: It’s a challenging event that tests your combat skills and strategic thinking.
• Progression: It provides a unique avenue for progression, offering rewards that can significantly boost your character’s power.

What drops from the Ogre?

The Ogre is a mini-boss that appears in Tier 2 and Tier 3 of the Old One’s Army. It drops various items, including:

• Ogre’s Club (Tier 3 Only): A powerful melee weapon.
• Defender Medals: Used to purchase items from the Tavernkeep.
• Potions: Healing and buff potions.

The Ogre has an Expert Mode Treasure Bag in Terraria‘s game files, but it is currently unobtainable as he does not actually drop it.

Conquering Etheria: Your Adventure Awaits

The Old One’s Army is a thrilling and rewarding challenge in Terraria. By following this guide and mastering its intricacies, you’ll be well-equipped to defend against the invading forces and claim victory. Now, go forth and conquer Etheria!

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