Is Broken Hero Sword Post-Plantera in Terraria? The Definitive Guide
Yes, in most versions of Terraria, the Broken Hero Sword is, for all practical purposes, a post-Plantera item. While it technically starts dropping after defeating any of the mechanical bosses (The Destroyer, The Twins, or Skeletron Prime), accessing it reliably hinges on Mothron spawning, which only occurs after Plantera is defeated. Prior to that critical milestone, the chances of obtaining a Broken Hero Sword are slim to none.
Understanding the Broken Hero Sword’s Significance
The Broken Hero Sword is a key ingredient in crafting some of Terraria’s most potent melee weapons. It’s a vital component in creating the True Night’s Edge, True Excalibur, and ultimately, the coveted Terra Blade. This makes understanding its acquisition crucial for any player aiming for endgame power.
Unpacking the Acquisition Timeline
The confusion stems from the mechanics of the Solar Eclipse event and the spawn conditions for Mothron. Let’s break it down step-by-step:
1. Mechanical Boss Defeat: The Starting Gate
The Solar Eclipse event can only occur after at least one of the three mechanical bosses has been defeated. This is the first hurdle. These bosses (The Destroyer, The Twins, and Skeletron Prime) are significantly tougher than pre-Hardmode bosses, requiring considerable preparation and skill to defeat.
2. The Solar Eclipse Event: A Rare Occurrence
Even after defeating a mechanical boss, the Solar Eclipse is a random event. There’s no way to trigger it manually in the base game (unless using exploits or mods). Its probability of occurring on any given day is relatively low, making it an unreliable source of Broken Hero Swords early in Hardmode. You could obtain a Celestial Sigil post one mech boss to summon the Moon Lord but the Mothron won’t spawn.
3. Mothron: The Primary Source (Post-Plantera)
Mothron is a powerful, flying enemy that spawns exclusively during the Solar Eclipse. Crucially, Mothron only spawns after Plantera has been defeated! This is where the “post-Plantera” association comes in. Mothron has a 25% chance of dropping the Broken Hero Sword (43.75% in Expert Mode).
4. Frankensteins and Swamp Things: The Vanished Droppers
Historically, Frankensteins and Swamp Things, other enemies that appear during the Solar Eclipse, used to drop the Broken Hero Sword. However, this was changed in a past update. The Broken Hero Sword no longer drops from Frankensteins and Swamp Things in the current versions of Terraria. This makes Mothron the sole reliable source.
5. The Implication: Practically Post-Plantera
While technically possible to obtain the Broken Hero Sword before defeating Plantera, relying on a rare Solar Eclipse and the very low chance of encountering other Solar Eclipse enemies which are not a guaranteed drop is impractical. For all intents and purposes, consider the Broken Hero Sword a post-Plantera item, as this is when it becomes reliably farmable. Plantera must be defeated, otherwise, you will not be able to find the sword reliably.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Broken Hero Sword
Here are 15 frequently asked questions about the Broken Hero Sword in Terraria, offering even more clarity:
FAQ 1: Can I get the Terra Blade before Plantera?
In the base game, absolutely not. You require the Broken Hero Sword to craft the True Night’s Edge and True Excalibur, which are, in turn, needed for the Terra Blade. Since the Broken Hero Sword is reliably obtainable only after Plantera, the Terra Blade is also locked behind that boss fight. tModLoader might offer different avenues due to mods altering item availability.
FAQ 2: How many Broken Hero Swords do I need for the Terra Blade?
You need three Broken Hero Swords to craft the Terra Blade (two if you’re playing on PC since the latest update). One for the True Night’s Edge, one for the True Excalibur, and one to combine those two into the Terra Blade itself.
FAQ 3: What are the crafting materials for the True Night’s Edge?
You combine (at a Mythril/Orichalcum Anvil) a Broken Hero Sword and the Night’s Edge to get the True Night’s Edge.
FAQ 4: What is the best way to farm Mothron for Broken Hero Swords?
The best strategy is to create a large, flat arena in the Jungle Biome after defeating Plantera. Use a Water Candle and Battle Potions to increase spawn rates. When a Solar Eclipse occurs, patrol the arena and prioritize taking down Mothrons. You can also utilize summons and traps to make the farming process more efficient.
FAQ 5: Does difficulty affect the Broken Hero Sword drop rate from Mothron?
Yes, difficulty affects the drop rate. In Expert Mode, Mothron has a 43.75% chance to drop the Broken Hero Sword, compared to the 25% chance in Normal Mode.
FAQ 6: What is the lore behind the Broken Hero Sword?
The lore suggests that the Broken Hero Swords are fragments of the original Terra Blade. These fragments retain some of the original blade’s power and can be used to reforge a weaker version. How the fragments ended up with monsters during the Solar Eclipse is a mystery.
FAQ 7: What other items are needed to craft the Terra Blade?
Besides the True Night’s Edge and True Excalibur, you’ll also need:
- Terra Blade (crafted from True Night’s Edge and True Excalibur at a Mythril/Orichalcum Anvil)
FAQ 8: What other melee weapons can I get post-Plantera?
After defeating Plantera, you unlock the Hardmode Dungeon and event-specific weapons. Some of the notable post-Plantera melee weapons include the Paladin’s Hammer and the Eye of Cthulhu Yoyo. Defeating Golem after Plantera allows for a different weapon route.
FAQ 9: Is there any way to increase the spawn rate of the Solar Eclipse?
No, there is no way to directly increase the chance of a Solar Eclipse occurring in the base game. The event is random, and patience is required.
FAQ 10: What is the best modifier for the Terra Blade?
The best modifier for the Terra Blade is Legendary, which maximizes its damage output, critical hit chance, speed, and size.
FAQ 11: What is the ultimate best melee weapon in Terraria?
The Zenith is widely regarded as the best melee weapon in Terraria. It’s crafted from numerous other swords and possesses incredible damage and range, making it effective against any enemy.
FAQ 12: Is Plantera a reference to the band Pantera?
Yes, Plantera is a direct reference to the metal band Pantera, a favorite of one of the Terraria developers. Plantera’s Axe is also a reference to Pantera guitarist Dimebag Darrell’s guitar.
FAQ 13: What unlocks after killing Plantera?
After defeating Plantera, you unlock the Hardmode Dungeon, new enemies, and the ability for the Solar Eclipse to occur. You can obtain a Temple Key that unlocks the Jungle Temple.
FAQ 14: Can I skip Plantera?
No, you cannot skip Plantera. Her defeat is essential for progressing through the game and unlocking later stages and bosses.
FAQ 15: Is it possible to get the Broken Hero Sword before Hardmode?
No, it’s not possible to obtain the Broken Hero Sword before Hardmode. The Solar Eclipse event, Mothron, and other relevant enemies only spawn after entering Hardmode.
Conclusion: Plan Your Progression
The Broken Hero Sword, while technically obtainable after any mechanical boss, is practically a post-Plantera item due to the reliability of Mothron spawns. Plan your progression accordingly, focusing on defeating Plantera before seriously farming for this vital crafting material. Mastering these elements of Terraria enhances a player’s learning and problem-solving skills, showcasing the educational potential of gaming as discussed by the Games Learning Society and highlighted at GamesLearningSociety.org.
By understanding this nuanced aspect of Terraria’s item acquisition, you’ll be well-equipped to craft powerful weapons and conquer the challenges that lie ahead. Good luck, and happy crafting!