So You Want a Ride? The Easiest Mounts to Snag in Terraria

Alright, adventurer, tired of hoofing it across the biomes? I get it. Terraria’s a big place, and sometimes you just need a little extra oomph to get where you’re going. So, let’s cut to the chase: What are the easiest mounts to get in Terraria?

The answer, my friend, boils down to accessibility and effort. The undisputed champion for early-game mount acquisition is the Slime Mount. Why? Because all you need is a bit of luck and to down King Slime. The Slime Mount provides a decent early-game boost in mobility and survivability.

However, the Slime Mount isn’t the only contender, especially as you progress. Here are a few other early-to-mid game options worth considering:

• The Bunny Mount: This is acquired by using a Carrot on an animal. The Carrot is awarded by the Zoologist as a happiness reward.
• The Fish Mount: You can get this during a Blood Moon by fishing and getting a Reaver Shark. You can then use the Reaver Shark to get a Hardmode ore pickaxe and build a house for the Truffle. The Truffle will sell you the Shroom Minecart which allows you to mount it.
• The Minecarts (Basic): These aren’t “true” mounts but offer rapid horizontal movement. While you need to lay track, they’re incredibly useful for traversing pre-existing tunnels. The basic Minecart is crafted with iron or lead bars, making it available very early on.

These mounts offer a good balance of accessibility and usefulness, making them ideal for players looking to enhance their mobility without grinding for hours on end. Now, let’s dive deeper with some frequently asked questions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What exactly is a mount in Terraria?

A mount in Terraria is a summonable creature or vehicle that the player can ride, significantly increasing movement speed, jump height, or providing other unique abilities. They are summoned using a specific item and dismissed by either using the item again or pressing the dedicated “Mount” hotkey.

2. How do I summon a mount?

To summon a mount, you first need the summoning item (like the Slime Saddle for the Slime Mount). Place the item in your inventory. You can either select the item and use it, or assign it to a hotkey for quick access. Pressing the hotkey will summon the mount, and pressing it again will dismount you.

3. Is the Slime Mount really that good?

For early-game exploration, absolutely! The Slime Mount offers increased jump height and immunity to fall damage while mounted, which is invaluable when navigating the Underground Jungle or exploring tall structures. It also bounces, negating fall damage completely. Its speed is decent, making it a solid all-around choice for beginners.

4. Where does King Slime spawn?

King Slime has a chance to spawn randomly in the outer thirds of the world, especially near the surface or in the Forest biome. It is easier to spawn King Slime using a Slime Crown, crafted from gel and gold/platinum bars, which are available very early in the game.

5. What are the best tactics for fighting King Slime?

Arena preparation is key. Create a flat, open area to maneuver. Use ranged weapons or piercing attacks to hit King Slime from a distance. Focus on dodging its jumps, as it’s most vulnerable immediately after landing. Potions that boost movement speed or defense are also helpful.

6. Are there any pre-Hardmode mounts faster than the Slime Mount?

While the Slime Mount is arguably the easiest to acquire early, the Minecart can provide faster horizontal movement if you’ve invested in laying tracks. Ultimately, speed is dependent on the situation. The Lava Shark Mount from fishing in lava is also fast, but it’s difficult to acquire before hardmode.

7. How do I get the Carrot for the Bunny Mount?

The Carrot is obtained from the Zoologist NPC as a happiness reward. You’ll need to have a certain percentage of the Bestiary filled out to receive it. The more entries you complete in the Bestiary, the higher the chance of her selling you the carrot.

8. What’s the point of the Bunny Mount? Is it any good?

The Bunny Mount is cute, admittedly, but it isn’t the fastest or most powerful. It’s more of a novelty mount or a stepping stone towards better options. Its main advantage is its availability as an early-game mount with decent jumping ability.

9. I hate fishing. Are there any other easy ways to get a Minecart?

Besides crafting the basic Minecart the Goblin Tinkerer sells the Tinkerer’s Cart, or there are also Minecart tracks scattered in the Underground. You can also find Minecarts randomly inside chests in the Underground.

10. How do I make Minecart Tracks?

Minecart Tracks are crafted from iron or lead bars at a workbench. Place them in a continuous line to create a rail system. Slopes and loops are possible for more advanced track designs.

11. What is the fastest mount in Terraria?

In terms of pure speed, the Cosmic Car Key (UFO mount) is generally considered the fastest in the game. It allows for incredibly rapid horizontal and vertical movement, but requires defeating the Martian Madness event in Hardmode.

12. Are there any mounts that can fly?

Yes! Besides the Cosmic Car Key, several other mounts offer flight capabilities, including the Fishron Wings and the Witch’s Broom. Some can only hover briefly, while others provide sustained flight.

13. Do mounts take damage? Can they be killed?

No, mounts themselves are invulnerable. You, the player, are still vulnerable to damage while riding a mount. If you take too much damage, you will be knocked off the mount.

14. How do mounts affect combat?

Mounts can significantly alter your combat style. Some, like the Slime Mount, provide knockback resistance and increased jump height, which can be useful for dodging attacks and repositioning. Others, like the Drill Mount, can inflict damage on enemies directly.

15. Where can I learn more about advanced Terraria strategies?

Beyond specific mount strategies, delving deeper into Terraria’s mechanics opens up vast opportunities for learning and mastery. Consider exploring resources like the Games Learning Society to understand the broader educational implications of game design and engagement. Understanding game theory and player behavior can significantly enhance your Terraria gameplay.

Honorable Mentions for Mounts

While not necessarily “easy” to get in the same vein as the Slime Mount, these are worth mentioning for their usefulness and relative accessibility later on:

• Queen Slime Mount (Gelatinous Pillion): Obtained from defeating Queen Slime. Offers superior jumping and falling speed compared to the King Slime Mount.
• Witch’s Broom: Dropped by Mourning Wood during the Pumpkin Moon event. Grants flight.

So, there you have it. From the humble Slime Mount to the slightly more involved Bunny Mount and versatile Minecart, Terraria offers a variety of early-game mounts to speed up your adventures. Experiment, explore, and find the ride that best suits your playstyle. Happy travels! Don’t forget to learn more about gaming and education at the GamesLearningSociety.org website.