What is the Best Starter Sword in Terraria? A Comprehensive Guide
The immediate answer to the question, “What is the best starter sword in Terraria?” is not as straightforward as one might think. While the game throws a Copper Shortsword at you upon spawning, it’s undeniably the weakest option. The true “best” starter sword depends on your definition of “starter,” your playstyle, and how quickly you are willing to progress in the early game. The Wooden Sword, crafted immediately after, is an improvement. However, for a slightly longer, but still very early goal, the Cactus Sword offers a significant power boost, and is generally considered by many as the best early-game melee weapon that’s not too difficult to obtain. This combination of accessibility, damage, and range makes it a strong contender for the best starter sword.
Early Game Swords: A Progression
Let’s explore the progression of early-game swords, focusing on why the Cactus Sword stands out:
Copper Shortsword: The Initial Offering
The Copper Shortsword is your starting melee weapon. It has very limited range and low damage, making it suitable only for the very first few moments of the game. You should almost immediately seek out a replacement.
Wooden Sword: The Simple Upgrade
The Wooden Sword is the first craftable upgrade. It’s made from wood, readily available by chopping down trees. While an improvement over the Copper Shortsword, it’s still a very basic option with low damage. It has slightly more range than the Copper Shortsword, but still leaves much to be desired.
Cactus Sword: The Power Spike
The Cactus Sword, obtained by crafting from cactus found in the desert biome, is where things get interesting. This is usually the goal for most players. It offers significantly higher damage and a larger hitbox than both the Copper Shortsword and the Wooden Sword. Its increased size is crucial for hitting enemies more reliably, and its damage is adequate for the early stages of the game. The time investment to gather the necessary cactus is minimal, making it a highly efficient choice and the best contender for the best starter sword.
Other Early Swords
Other early game swords can be obtained, such as the Platinum and Gold Shortswords and Broadswords. These options are crafted from platinum or gold ore, and are stronger than a wooden sword but not nearly as easily obtained as the Cactus Sword. Obtaining enough of either of these rare ores to craft these swords early is inefficient and generally not the best way to progress. The Katana can be purchased from the Traveling Merchant for a reasonable price, is very good for the early-game, and is still often outclassed by the Cactus Sword‘s ease of attainment.
Why the Cactus Sword?
Several factors contribute to the Cactus Sword being a top pick among starter swords:
- Easy Accessibility: Cactus is plentiful in the desert biome, usually one of the first biomes players will encounter.
- Good Damage: Compared to the starting weapons, the Cactus Sword delivers a noticeable increase in damage.
- Larger Hitbox: Its size allows for easier targeting, essential when dealing with multiple enemies.
- Early Progression: Obtaining it doesn’t require battling a boss or navigating dangerous areas, making it a viable upgrade very early in the game.
Conclusion: The Best Balance
The Copper Shortsword and Wooden Sword are merely stepping stones. While other very early swords exist, they tend to be less accessible or more resource intensive. The Cactus Sword strikes a perfect balance, offering a considerable power boost at minimal cost. It is a logical early goal and provides the best return for the time and effort spent acquiring it, making it the optimal “best starter sword” in Terraria.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 FAQs to further expand on starter swords and related early game weaponry in Terraria:
1. What is the first sword you get in Terraria?
You start with the Copper Shortsword when you create a new character in Terraria.
2. How do you craft a Wooden Sword in Terraria?
A Wooden Sword is crafted using 7 pieces of wood at a crafting table.
3. How do you get a Cactus Sword?
The Cactus Sword is crafted using 10 cactus pieces at a crafting table. Cactus is easily obtained from the desert biome.
4. What are the best pre-Hardmode melee weapons besides swords?
Some of the best pre-Hardmode melee weapons include the Spear, Trident, Flamelash, and Arkhalis.
5. Is there a specific best pre-Hardmode weapon in Terraria?
While the best weapon is subjective, the Star Cannon is a very powerful option in pre-Hardmode. For early game, the Cactus Sword is considered top tier for melee.
6. What are the best early hardmode swords?
Good early Hardmode swords include Phasesabers (made from any phaseblade and crystal shards), and the Cutlass, which drops from Pirate Invasions.
7. What is the strongest sword in Terraria?
The strongest sword in Terraria is the Zenith. It is a crafted sword using many of the other powerful swords throughout the game.
8. What are the best pre-Hardmode guns?
The Star Cannon, Musket, Sandgun, Phoenix Blaster, and Handgun are all good pre-Hardmode gun options.
9. How do I find the Muramasa sword?
The Muramasa sword is found in locked gold chests or golden lock boxes inside the Dungeon.
10. What is the fastest melee weapon in Terraria?
The Fetid Baghnakhs and the Psycho Knife are considered the fastest melee weapons. The Fetid Baghnakhs reach higher speeds.
11. What are good melee weapons for the start of Hardmode?
Good weapons for the start of Hardmode include Night’s Edge, Dark Lance, Sunfury, and Cascade.
12. What is the rarest sword in Terraria?
The Arkhalis and Terragrim are the rarest swords in the game due to their unique ways of obtaining them.
13. Is the Katana a good starter weapon?
The Katana, purchased from the Traveling Merchant, is a decent early game sword with good stats for when it can be obtained. It is often outclassed by the Cactus Sword.
14. What are some good pre-Hardmode wands?
Some of the best pre-Hardmode wands include the Flower of Fire, Flamelash, Magic Missile, and Aqua Scepter.
15. What materials are needed for the best early-game armor?
Early-game armor can be crafted from readily available materials such as wood, cactus, or ores like copper, tin, iron, or lead, depending on what’s available in your world. Cactus armor is a notable early option due to its set bonus of thorns, increasing the damage it provides.