What Can Break Hellstone in Terraria? A Comprehensive Guide
Breaking Hellstone in Terraria is a crucial step in your progression through the game, particularly as you approach Hardmode. This fiery ore, found deep in the Underworld, presents a unique challenge, as not just any tool will get the job done. Let’s delve into exactly what can break Hellstone, and how to safely acquire it.
Pre-Hardmode Pickaxes for Hellstone
Before entering Hardmode, your options for mining Hellstone are quite limited, demanding some dedicated effort to acquire the right pickaxe. Here are the only pre-Hardmode pickaxes that can break Hellstone:
- Deathbringer Pickaxe: Crafted using Demonite Bars, this pickaxe is a solid choice for mining Hellstone. However, be aware that the Deathbringer Pickaxe can only mine Dungeon Bricks at 0 depth or higher.
- Nightmare Pickaxe: Made with Crimtane Bars, the Nightmare Pickaxe is the counterpart to the Deathbringer and will mine Hellstone as well. While it will also work, the Nightmare Pickaxe has inferior power and a slower mining speed compared to the Deathbringer Pickaxe.
- Molten Pickaxe: This is arguably the most obvious and most widely-sought after pickaxe for mining Hellstone in pre-Hardmode. Made from Hellstone Bars, it is the direct upgrade from the aforementioned pickaxes in power.
- Reaver Shark: This unique pickaxe is obtained by fishing in the Ocean. Remarkably, the Reaver Shark allows players to access Hellstone without fighting the bosses required to create the other pre-Hardmode pickaxes. It provides a more accessible route for those who prefer fishing over combat.
Explosive Alternatives in Hardmode
While pickaxes are the primary tool for mining, once you have defeated the Wall of Flesh and entered Hardmode, you gain an explosive alternative:
- Dynamite and Bombs: In Hardmode, both Dynamite and Bombs are capable of destroying Hellstone. This is significant because, prior to Hardmode, explosives cannot break Hellstone. Bombs can also destroy other blocks that were previously resistant to them, such as Spikes, Ebonstone, and Obsidian, making them a versatile tool for clearing areas.
How to Mine Hellstone Safely
Mining Hellstone is not without its dangers. It’s often located around lava and also releases a small burst of lava when mined. Here are a few tips to mine it safely:
- Obsidian Skin Potions: These potions are practically essential for mining Hellstone, as they grant temporary immunity to lava damage, as well as immunity to Hellstone and Meteorite damage. With this buff, you can freely move around the lava without worrying about taking damage, making it significantly easier to reach the ore.
- Lava Charm and its Derivatives: The Lava Charm, and its upgrades, allows players to be safely submerged in lava for 7 seconds. While it does not grant immunity, this item can be useful for short bursts of mining in deep lava lakes.
- Hook and/or Water Walking Potions: These tools are extremely useful for navigating around lava lakes and safely reaching Hellstone deposits.
- Obsidian Skull: The Obsidian Skull protects players from damage from fiery blocks such as Hellstone and Meteorite. However, it does not protect against lava damage. It is recommended to use the Obsidian Skin Potion in tandem with this item to safely mine Hellstone.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some commonly asked questions about mining Hellstone in Terraria, further expanding on our main topic:
1. Can a Gold Pickaxe break Hellstone?
No, a Gold Pickaxe cannot break Hellstone. It can mine Meteorite Ore, Demonite Ore, and Crimtane Ore, but it is not capable of mining Ebonstone, Crimstone, Hellstone, Obsidian, dungeon bricks or Hard Mode Ores.
2. What is the fastest pickaxe in Terraria?
The Shroomite Digging Claw is the fastest pickaxe in the game. It is a post-Plantera, Hardmode item. Without modifiers it hits 15 times per second and with the legendary modifier it hits 20 times per second.
3. What are you immune to when using the Obsidian Skin Potion?
The Obsidian Skin Potion grants immunity to lava, Hellstone, Meteorite, and the On Fire! debuff for its duration.
4. What is the weakest pickaxe that can mine Hellstone?
The weakest pickaxes that can mine Hellstone are the Nightmare Pickaxe and the Deathbringer Pickaxe. These are crafted using Crimtane Bars and Demonite Bars respectively.
5. Can you be completely lava-proof in Terraria?
While the Obsidian Skin Potion makes players immune to lava damage, and the Lava Charm provides limited protection, you can’t achieve permanent lava immunity. The Obsidian Skin potion is your best bet for lava-related tasks.
6. Is the Nightmare Pickaxe worth it?
The Nightmare Pickaxe is a very important item, allowing you to mine Hellstone for the first time, along with the Deathbringer Pickaxe. However, compared to the Deathbringer Pickaxe, the Nightmare Pickaxe has inferior power and mines slower. It is an important step, but is ultimately not as good as its counterpart.
7. Can you skip the Molten Pickaxe?
While not essential, the Molten Pickaxe is the most effective pre-Hardmode pickaxe for mining Hellstone, as it is the only one that is made from the ore itself. You will need a pickaxe strong enough to mine Hellstone as a baseline to progress to Hardmode ores, so the Molten Pickaxe or the equivalent is practically required.
8. Does the Obsidian Skull protect from Hellstone?
Yes, the Obsidian Skull provides protection from fiery blocks, including Hellstone and Meteorite. However, it does not protect against lava damage.
9. Is the Tungsten Pickaxe worth it?
The Tungsten Pickaxe is stronger than Iron and Lead Pickaxes, but weaker than the Gold and Platinum Pickaxes. Its speed is slower than its alternative, the Silver Pickaxe. For the early-game progression of the pickaxe, it is absolutely worth it, but is not ideal for mining Hellstone.
10. Can the Reaver Shark mine Hellstone?
Yes, the Reaver Shark can mine Hellstone, and is a unique way to access the ore without defeating bosses required for the Nightmare and Deathbringer Pickaxes.
11. How do you smelt Hellstone?
You need a Hellforge to smelt Hellstone into Hellstone Bars. The Hellforge is also required to craft an Adamantite/Titanium Forge in Hardmode.
12. How do you get Lava Charms?
Lava Charms are found in the Cavern layer, often near lava. You can use Bombs, Abandoned Mine Tracks, and Spelunker Potions to explore a wide area quickly.
13. What is the best pet in Terraria?
This is subjective, as it comes down to your preference. Some of the best pets include the Alien Skater, Baby Ogre, Destroyer-Lite, Eater of Worms, and Everscream Sapling, based on their unique appearances and fun factor.
14. What is the best armor in Terraria?
The best armor for melee in Terraria includes Solar Flare Armor, Beetle Armor, Turtle Armor, and others, depending on how late into the game you are. Each tier offers unique benefits and it is constantly changing with updates.
15. What is the best bow in Terraria?
The Pulse Bow is a powerful Hardmode Bow that becomes available after defeating all three mechanical bosses: the Twins, the Destroyer, and Skeleton Prime.
In summary, breaking Hellstone requires specific pickaxes or explosives (in Hardmode), and careful planning is crucial to mining it safely, particularly in the lava-filled depths of the Underworld. Understanding your options and preparing accordingly will allow you to make the most of the valuable resources found there.