What do Orbs do in Terraria? A Comprehensive Guide
The short answer: Shadow Orbs (found in the Corruption) and Crimson Hearts (found in the Crimson) are crucial world-defining elements in Terraria. Destroying them triggers significant game events, like the arrival of the Goblin Army, potentially summoning the Eater of Worlds or Brain of Cthulhu, and allowing you to obtain powerful items. These actions progress you through the early stages of the game.
Understanding Shadow Orbs and Crimson Hearts
In the unforgiving worlds of Terraria, amidst the slimes and skeletons, lie pulsating masses of darkness and blood – the Shadow Orbs and Crimson Hearts, respectively. These aren’t just decorative pieces of background scenery. They’re vital components that drive your progression through the pre-Hardmode portion of the game. Smashing them is a rite of passage for any aspiring Terrarian, but understanding what happens when you do so, and the ramifications of each action, is paramount.
Location, Location, Location
Firstly, let’s pinpoint where these ominous objects reside. Shadow Orbs are nestled deep within the chasms of the Corruption, a biome characterized by its purple, gnarled trees and shadowy creatures. They are usually surrounded by Ebonstone Blocks and are often found in areas swarming with enemies.
Crimson Hearts, on the other hand, are located in the similarly structured chasms of the Crimson, identified by its red, fleshy textures and the unnerving sounds of its inhabitants. These are surrounded by Crimstone Blocks.
In both instances, you’ll need to break the blocks surrounding the Orbs/Hearts. Usually, bombs are the most straightforward solution for doing this, however, you can also use a pickaxe that is strong enough to mine Ebonstone or Crimstone.
The Hammer That Shapes Your World
To actually destroy a Shadow Orb or Crimson Heart, you’ll need a hammer. Not just any hammer will do; you’ll need one with enough power. Specifically, you need a hammer with a hammer power of 60% or higher. A good early-game option is the Purification Powder which can be used to convert the Ebonstone/Crimstone into Stone, which can then be mined. Alternatively, you can blow up the stone using bombs or dynamite.
Once you’ve got the right tool for the job, equip it and start swinging! After a few hits, the Orb or Heart will shatter, releasing its power into the world.
Consequences of Destruction
So, what actually happens when you smash these things? Well, the effects are threefold:
- Item Drop: Each Orb/Heart broken has a 100% chance to drop a unique item. This item is usually a piece of powerful pre-Hardmode gear, like the Musket (from Shadow Orbs) or the Crimson Rod (from Crimson Hearts). You can only get one of each item per world, so breaking multiple Orbs/Hearts only drops items until you have received each item once.
- Goblin Army Incoming! Breaking your first Orb/Heart increases the chance for a Goblin Army invasion. The Goblin Army is a significant early-game threat, challenging your defenses and rewarding you with valuable materials.
- Summoning the Boss: Breaking three Orbs/Hearts allows you to summon their respective biome-specific bosses. Three Shadow Orbs will allow you to summon the Eater of Worlds by crafting and using Worm Food. Similarly, three Crimson Hearts will allow you to summon the Brain of Cthulhu by crafting and using Bloody Spine. These boss fights offer significant rewards and pave the way for further progression.
Important Note: Once you beat the Eater of Worlds or the Brain of Cthulhu for the first time, breaking Shadow Orbs and Crimson Hearts will no longer summon the boss. They will still drop the items and increase the Goblin Army invasion chance.
A Question of Choice: Corruption or Crimson?
The choice between a Corruption world or a Crimson world isn’t merely aesthetic. The biomes offer different enemies, items, and bosses, each requiring different strategies and offering unique benefits. The Corruption generally focuses on ranged and magic damage, while the Crimson offers a more melee-oriented approach. There is no “better” choice; it all comes down to your personal playstyle.
Ultimately, destroying Shadow Orbs and Crimson Hearts is a crucial step in your Terraria journey. It unlocks key items, triggers events, and allows you to challenge powerful bosses, marking your transition from a humble newcomer to a formidable adventurer.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I break Shadow Orbs or Crimson Hearts with any weapon?
No. You need a hammer with at least 60% hammer power. Bombs or dynamite are also viable alternatives.
2. How many Shadow Orbs or Crimson Hearts are there in a world?
The exact number varies depending on the world size, but there are usually enough to obtain all the unique items and summon the boss at least once.
3. What happens if I destroy all the Shadow Orbs or Crimson Hearts?
Destroying all Orbs/Hearts does not prevent you from progressing. You can still obtain the items from fishing in their respective biomes and summon the bosses using the items which are crafted using materials also obtained from fishing.
4. Do I have to destroy Shadow Orbs or Crimson Hearts to beat the game?
No, not necessarily. You can still progress by fishing in the Corruption/Crimson biomes to get the needed items or materials to craft the items. But destroying them is the most common and generally easiest route to early-game progression.
5. Can I move Shadow Orbs or Crimson Hearts after finding them?
No, you cannot move them. They are part of the world generation and are permanently fixed in place.
6. Does breaking Shadow Orbs or Crimson Hearts affect the world’s evil biome spread?
No, breaking them does not directly affect the spread of the Corruption or Crimson. However, creating more underground tunnels to access them can inadvertently contribute to the spread.
7. What’s the difference between the items dropped by Shadow Orbs and Crimson Hearts?
Shadow Orbs drop items like the Musket and Shadow Scales, while Crimson Hearts drop items like the Crimson Rod and Tissue Samples. These items are tailored to their respective biome’s themes and playstyles.
8. Can I get duplicate items from breaking multiple Shadow Orbs or Crimson Hearts?
You will receive each item once, then the following Orbs/Hearts you break will not drop any items.
9. Will the Goblin Army always appear immediately after breaking an Orb/Heart?
No, breaking an Orb/Heart increases the chance for a Goblin Army invasion. It might not happen immediately, but be prepared!
10. Can I summon the Eater of Worlds or Brain of Cthulhu without breaking Shadow Orbs or Crimson Hearts?
Yes, you can. After breaking three orbs you can craft the necessary summoning item. After defeating the Eater of Worlds or the Brain of Cthulhu once, you can craft the necessary summoning item and summon the boss at any time.
11. Is it possible to have both the Corruption and Crimson in the same world?
Normally, no. A world is either generated with the Corruption or the Crimson. However, you can manually introduce the missing biome using seeds, world editors, or by spreading the respective biome yourself using biome-specific blocks.
12. Does the difficulty level of the game affect the rewards from breaking Shadow Orbs or Crimson Hearts?
No, the difficulty level does not affect the items dropped or the events triggered by breaking these structures.
13. What happens if I break a Shadow Orb or Crimson Heart in Hardmode?
Breaking Orbs/Hearts in Hardmode continues to give you a chance to obtain the items and will increase the chance for a Goblin Invasion, but breaking one will not summon the boss. They remain a way to trigger the Goblin Army, even after defeating Plantera.
14. Are there any achievements related to breaking Shadow Orbs or Crimson Hearts?
There are no specific achievements solely for breaking them, but doing so is essential for progressing through the game and achieving other related milestones and boss-related achievements.
15. Where can I learn more about game mechanics and educational aspects of games like Terraria?
You can explore the Games Learning Society website at GamesLearningSociety.org to find resources, research, and discussions on the educational potential of video games. The Games Learning Society promotes understanding how games can be leveraged for learning and engagement.