What is a Light Pet in Terraria? A Comprehensive Guide
A light pet in Terraria is a special type of pet that, in addition to providing companionship and cosmetic flair, also emits light around the player. These pets are distinct from regular pets, which are purely cosmetic. Light pets are incredibly useful for exploring the vast, often dark, caverns and biomes of Terraria. They illuminate the surroundings, making it easier to spot enemies, resources, and hazards without relying solely on torches or other light sources. Each light pet is summoned using a specific item, often dropped by bosses, found in treasure chests, or crafted from rare materials. Importantly, the player can only have one light pet active at any given time, alongside one regular pet. Each pet slot also has a matching dye slot, allowing players to customize the look of their light pets. This combination of utility and personalization makes light pets an essential component of any Terraria player’s exploration toolkit.
The Utility of Light Pets
The primary function of a light pet is to provide a mobile, reliable source of light. Unlike torches, which need to be placed and can be broken, light pets constantly orbit the player, ensuring consistent illumination wherever they go. This is especially valuable in large, dark areas like the Underground Jungle, the Caverns, and even during nighttime exploration on the surface. Light pets eliminate the need to frequently stop to place torches, thus streamlining the exploration process. Some light pets also have unique effects beyond simple illumination, such as casting colored light or creating a larger light radius.
Types of Light Pets
There is a diverse range of light pets in Terraria, each with its own unique appearance and acquisition method. Some are easier to obtain, while others require defeating challenging bosses or participating in specific in-game events. Light pets can be obtained from:
- Boss Drops: Many light pets are dropped as rewards for defeating certain bosses, often in Master Mode.
- Treasure Chests: Some light pets are found in rare chests located in specific biomes or depths.
- Crafting: Certain light pets can be crafted using rare materials gathered from exploration or enemy drops.
- NPC Rewards: Occasionally, some NPCs may offer light pet summoning items after specific tasks are completed.
- Fishing: Some light pets can be fished up as rare catches in certain conditions.
- Special Events: Events can also provide the chance to get light pets.
Comparing Light Pets to Regular Pets
While both types of pets follow the player and offer a unique aesthetic, there are key differences:
- Functionality: Light pets provide illumination while regular pets are purely cosmetic.
- Activation: Both light and regular pets can be activated with a pet summoning item.
- Active Limits: Players can have only one of each type active at a time – one light pet and one regular pet.
- Dye Slots: Both light and regular pets have an associated dye slot, allowing players to personalize their looks.
The availability of dye slots for both types of pets lets players enjoy a vast array of customizations and personalized looks for their companions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions about light pets in Terraria, providing further insight into these useful companions.
1. What is the best light pet for early game in Terraria?
For the early game, the Fairy Princess pet is a solid choice. It’s relatively easy to obtain from opening a Present during Christmas, and it provides a good source of light for navigating early-game areas. The Jack ‘O Lantern from Halloween can also be a good choice to obtain early, it is dropped by the Pumpking.
2. How do you get the Jewel of Light in Terraria?
The Jewel of Light is a Master Mode-exclusive light pet summoning item that has a 1/4 (25%) chance to be dropped by the Empress of Light. This makes it a challenging, but rewarding pet to obtain.
3. Can you dye light pets in Terraria?
Yes, you can dye your light pets. Each light pet slot has a matching dye slot, which allows you to recolor the pet, providing additional customization. The same is true for regular pets.
4. Can I have multiple light pets active at once?
No, you can only have one light pet active at any given time. This is to keep a balance between function and exploration, encouraging players to select the light pet that best fits their needs.
5. What is the Junimo pet and how do I get it?
The Junimo pet is summoned by the Stardrop item. You obtain this by giving a Joja Cola to the Dryad NPC and allowing her to purify it. The Junimo follows the player, and will fly by spinning the leaf on it’s head. This is a reference to the popular game Stardew Valley.
6. Are light pets affected by night time?
No, light pets will always emit light, regardless of the time of day. Their light is unaffected by weather or any other game events.
7. What does the Suspicious Looking Tentacle do?
The Suspicious Looking Tentacle is a Hardmode light pet summoning item obtained from the Moon Lord’s Treasure Bag in Expert Mode. It summons the Suspicious Looking Eye, a small tentacled eye that provides light and follows the player.
8. Is there a pet that looks like the Moon Lord?
Yes, there is! The Piece of Moon Squid is a pet item that has a 1/4 (25%) chance to drop from the Moon Lord in Master Mode. It summons a pet Moonling that resembles the Moon Lord’s head.
9. Do light pets get damaged by enemies?
No, light pets are invincible and cannot be damaged by enemies, traps, or other hazards. They will not take damage in any way.
10. Does the light pet’s illumination extend in water?
Yes, light pets do provide illumination even underwater. This can be essential for exploring deep caverns and underwater areas without needing to rely on other light sources.
11. Is the Toy Golem a good light pet?
Yes, the Toy Golem is a good choice, particularly for early hardmode. It offers reliable illumination and can be obtained from the Wall of Flesh Treasure Bag. It is also good in caves as it does not obscure the screen due to its size.
12. How do you get the Spiffo pet?
The Spiffo Plush is a pet-summoning item that summons a Spiffo pet, which is rare, being dropped by all types of Zombies. It has a 1/1500 chance. It flies after the player by spinning its tail.
13. Can light pets be traded?
Yes, the summoning items for light pets can be traded to other players, allowing you to share the light pet’s abilities or for collection purposes.
14. Does the type of light pet change the quality of light?
Yes, each light pet has a unique light emission radius, intensity, and sometimes even color. Some light pets might have a larger light radius than others, making them better for certain situations.
15. What is the Dirtiest Block pet?
The Dirtiest Block is a pet summoning item that summons a Dirt Block to follow the player. They can be obtained by mining a block that looks similar to Dirt Blocks.
Conclusion
Light pets in Terraria are more than just cosmetic additions; they are a functional element of the game that improves exploration, especially in dark areas. They provide a continuous, mobile source of light that is vital for navigating caves, dungeons, and other areas. With a wide array of light pets to choose from, each with unique acquisition methods and visual flair, Terraria players are sure to find the perfect light pet to accompany them on their adventures. They enhance both the functionality and the aesthetics of a player’s exploration experience.