How To Summon the Desert Elemental in Terraria: A Comprehensive Guide
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The question of summoning a Desert Elemental in Terraria can be a bit misleading, as there isn’t actually a single entity with that name that you can summon. Instead, the term likely refers to several related aspects of the game: the Sand Elemental enemy, the Sand Elemental summoned minion, and even the larger Sandstorm events themselves. This article will clarify these differences and provide a comprehensive guide on how to access and make use of these desert-themed features.
Understanding the Different “Desert Elementals”
Before we dive into summoning techniques, it’s important to distinguish between the various concepts associated with “Desert Elementals”:
- The Sand Elemental Enemy: This is a rare, hostile Hardmode enemy that spawns only during a Sandstorm in the Desert Biome after the Wall of Flesh has been defeated. It attacks by summoning Ancient Storms, creating temporary obstacles for the player.
- The Sand Elemental Minion: This is a summoned companion that you can access by equipping the Elemental in a Bottle accessory. It fights for you and replicates some of the Sand Elemental enemy’s attacks.
- The Rare Sand Elemental Minion: This is an upgraded version of the Sand Elemental Minion summoned by equipping the Rare Elemental in a Bottle accessory. It also heals the player.
- The Sandstorm Event: This is a dynamic weather event that occurs in the Desert Biome and creates conditions for specific enemies to spawn, including the Sand Elemental.
Let’s explore how to access each of these elements.
How to “Summon” the Sand Elemental Enemy
You cannot directly summon the Sand Elemental enemy. It spawns naturally during a Sandstorm in a Hardmode Desert. Here’s what you need to consider:
- Enter Hardmode: Defeat the Wall of Flesh to transition your world into Hardmode.
- Locate a Desert Biome: Travel to the desert.
- Wait for a Sandstorm: Sandstorms occur randomly. However, they are more likely to occur during rain, at night, and with high wind speeds (above 30mph). Sandstorms have only a 1/84,600 chance of occurring per tick, so patience is key.
- It’s important to note that Ebonsand Elementals, stronger versions of the Sand Elemental, spawn in Corrupt Deserts during a Sandstorm.
How to “Summon” the Sand Elemental Minion
To summon the Sand Elemental minion, you’ll need the Elemental in a Bottle accessory.
- Defeat Sand Elementals: The Elemental in a Bottle has a 14.29% chance to drop from the Sand Elemental in Normal mode and a 20% chance in Expert mode.
- Equip the Accessory: Once you obtain the Elemental in a Bottle, equip it in one of your accessory slots.
- Summon: Upon equipping, a Sand Elemental minion will be summoned to fight alongside you. This minion will deal summon damage and will cast sandstorms similar to the enemy.
How to “Summon” the Rare Sand Elemental Minion
To summon the Rare Sand Elemental minion, you’ll need the Rare Elemental in a Bottle accessory.
- Defeat Sand Elementals: The Rare Elemental in a Bottle drops from Sand Elementals, similar to the normal Elemental in a Bottle.
- Equip the Accessory: Once you obtain the Rare Elemental in a Bottle, equip it in one of your accessory slots.
- Summon: Upon equipping, a Rare Sand Elemental minion will be summoned. This minion summons healing orbs when the player is damaged.
How to “Summon” a Sandstorm Event
While you can’t directly control when a Sandstorm starts naturally, you can use the Arid Artifact to manually start and stop them.
- Defeat the Desert Scourge: The Arid Artifact can only be crafted once the Desert Scourge boss has been defeated.
- Obtain the Materials: The Arid Artifact requires 5 Ancient Bone Dust, 5 Forbidden Fragments, and 10 Sandstone Blocks to craft.
- Craft the Artifact: Combine the materials at a Mythril/Orichalcum Anvil to create the Arid Artifact.
- Use the Artifact: Using the Arid Artifact will initiate a Sandstorm shortly after, provided that it is not already happening.
- If used during an active Sandstorm, the artifact will stop the event instead.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the difference between a Sand Elemental and an Ebonsand Elemental?
Sand Elementals spawn in normal deserts during a Sandstorm, while Ebonsand Elementals spawn in Corrupt Deserts during a Sandstorm. The latter is more powerful, and drops Vile Fragments instead of Forbidden Fragments.
2. How do I increase the chances of a Sandstorm occurring naturally?
Sandstorms are more likely to occur during rain, at night (7:30 PM – 4:30 AM in game), and when wind speeds are above 30 mph.
3. Is the Elemental in a Bottle a good accessory?
Yes, the Elemental in a Bottle is a good summoner accessory, especially if you like the sandstorm visual and the combat style of the Sand Elemental, as the minion deals summon damage and casts sandstorms.
4. How does the Rare Elemental in a Bottle differ from the standard version?
The Rare Elemental in a Bottle summons a Rare Sand Elemental that summons healing orbs when the player is damaged. It serves a support role while dealing damage with sandstorms.
5. Can Sand Elementals spawn in Pre-Hardmode?
No, Sand Elementals only spawn in Hardmode after defeating the Wall of Flesh.
6. Do Sand Sharks also spawn during Sandstorms?
Yes, Sand Sharks and their biome-specific variants do spawn in the desert during a Sandstorm. They are not exclusive to the sandstorm event.
7. What is Taurus, the Great Sand Shark, and how is it summoned?
Taurus, the Great Sand Shark, is a Hardmode mini-boss that spawns during a Sandstorm after killing 10 Sand Sharks or by using a Sandstorm’s Core at any time in the Desert after Plantera has been defeated.
8. What is the rarest elemental in Terraria?
While not a playable elemental, Rhenium is the last stable metal to be discovered and it’s one of the rarest elements on earth.
9. How often do Sandstorms happen in Terraria?
The occurrence rate for Sandstorms is quite low naturally (1/84,600 chance per tick). They are best “summoned” with the Arid Artifact.
10. Can I get multiple Sand Elemental minions at the same time?
No, you can only have one active Sand Elemental minion, either the normal or the rare, at any given time.
11. Can Sand Elementals spawn in underground deserts?
No, Sand Elementals spawn in the surface desert during a Sandstorm.
12. Is the Heart of the Elementals good?
The Heart of the Elementals is a very useful accessory, mostly helpful during fishing, as the elementals keep enemies at bay.
13. How do I get the Forbidden Fragments to craft the Arid Artifact?
Forbidden Fragments are dropped by Sand Elementals. You will need to fight some to obtain enough to craft the Arid Artifact.
14. What is the Desert Scourge, and why is it needed to summon Sandstorms?
The Desert Scourge is a Pre-Hardmode boss. Defeating it is a requirement to enable the Arid Artifact to craft.
15. Does rain increase the chance of sandstorms in Terraria?
Yes, rain increases the likelihood of a Sandstorm occurring. These events can overlap, increasing the chances.