What Pickaxe Should I Get in Terraria? A Comprehensive Guide

The answer to “What pickaxe should I get in Terraria?” isn’t as simple as picking the one with the highest pickaxe power. It depends entirely on where you are in the game (pre-Hardmode or Hardmode), what resources you need to mine, and what your priorities are (speed, power, or convenience). Generally, your aim is to always have a pickaxe capable of mining the ores needed for the next tier of equipment. Here’s a tiered breakdown to guide you:

• Early Game (Pre-Hardmode): Start with a Copper Pickaxe (or Tin Pickaxe, if your world generated with Tin). Upgrade to Iron (or Lead) as soon as possible. Your next major goal is the Gold or Platinum Pickaxe. Finally, aim for the Nightmare Pickaxe (from the Eater of Worlds) or Deathbringer Pickaxe (from the Brain of Cthulhu) which can mine Obsidian and Hellstone.
• Late Pre-Hardmode: The Molten Pickaxe is your prize here, crafted from Hellstone bars. This allows you to mine Hardmode ores once you defeat the Wall of Flesh.
• Early Hardmode: Immediately upon entering Hardmode, you’ll want to craft a Cobalt (or Palladium) Pickaxe, followed by Mythril (or Orichalcum). Your next big upgrade is the Adamantite (or Titanium) Pickaxe.
• Mid-Hardmode: After defeating Plantera, you can craft the Chlorophyte Pickaxe, essential for mining Chlorophyte ore in the Underground Jungle.
• Late Hardmode: Post-Golem, the Picksaw obtained from Golem is a good pickaxe/axe alternative before entering the Lunar Events.
• Endgame: Finally, after defeating the Moon Lord, you’ll be able to craft the Luminite Pickaxes, the strongest and fastest in the game. There are four variants, one for each Lunar Event (Solar, Vortex, Nebula, and Stardust), but they all share identical stats. The Shroomite Digging Claw is also a contender for fastest pickaxe, though it can’t mine Lihzahrd Bricks.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Pickaxes in Terraria

1. What is the best pre-Hardmode pickaxe?

The Molten Pickaxe is generally considered the best pre-Hardmode pickaxe in Terraria. It boasts high pickaxe power, allowing you to mine the Hardmode ores that spawn after defeating the Wall of Flesh. It requires a trip to the underworld and mining Hellstone, but it’s well worth the effort.

2. What pickaxe do I need for Hardmode ores?

To mine the Hardmode ores (Cobalt/Palladium, Mythril/Orichalcum, and Adamantite/Titanium), you need a pickaxe with at least 65% pickaxe power. This means you’ll need the Molten Pickaxe from pre-Hardmode to get started.

3. Is the Deathbringer Pickaxe or Nightmare Pickaxe better?

The Deathbringer Pickaxe, obtained from crafting with Crimtane Bars (from the Brain of Cthulhu), is generally considered better than the Nightmare Pickaxe, which is crafted from Demonite Bars (from the Eater of Worlds). While the Nightmare Pickaxe was once preferred due to a mining speed bug, this has since been fixed, making the Deathbringer Pickaxe the superior choice due to its slightly faster mining speed against common blocks.

4. What is the fastest pickaxe in Terraria?

The Shroomite Digging Claw is generally considered the fastest pickaxe in Terraria. It boasts an incredibly high mining speed, making it excellent for quickly clearing large areas. However, it cannot mine Lihzahrd Bricks. The Luminite Pickaxes are a close second and can mine everything.

5. Is Platinum or Gold pickaxe better?

The Platinum Pickaxe is slightly better than the Gold Pickaxe. It has higher pickaxe power, deals 1 more damage, and is slightly faster. However, the difference is relatively minor, and either pickaxe will serve you well in the early game. The Gold Pickaxe also has a unique golden shine while mining which can be visually appealing.

6. What pickaxe can break Hellstone?

The Nightmare Pickaxe, Deathbringer Pickaxe, and Molten Pickaxe are the pre-Hardmode pickaxes capable of mining Hellstone. The Reaver Shark used to, but this was changed in a update.

7. Can bombs break Hellstone?

Yes, in Hardmode, Bombs and Dynamite can break Hellstone. This can be a faster alternative to using a pickaxe, especially when clearing large areas in the Underworld, but it can also be dangerous.

8. What pickaxe can break Demonite?

Any pickaxe can break Demonite as long as the Demonite ore is at 0 depth or higher. However, if the ore is below 0ft in elevation then the Gold Pickaxe or better is required.

9. What pickaxe can break Lihzahrd Bricks?

Only the Luminite Pickaxes are able to break Lihzahrd Bricks. This makes them essential for accessing the Jungle Temple once you’ve defeated Golem.

10. Is the Picksaw a good pickaxe?

The Picksaw, dropped by Golem, is a decent pickaxe, especially for its convenience. It functions as both a pickaxe and an axe, saving inventory space. However, it’s generally surpassed by the Chlorophyte Pickaxe in terms of mining speed and power. It’s a good option to use to mine Chlorophyte before getting the Chlorophyte Pickaxe.

11. Is Tungsten or Silver better?

Generally, Tungsten is considered better than Silver because the Tungsten Pickaxe is able to mine Meteorite, while a Silver Pickaxe cannot. Meteorite is crucial for crafting the Meteor Armor. However, the difference is relatively minor, and either ore will serve you well in the early game.

12. Is Cobalt or Palladium better?

This depends on your preference. Palladium tools and armor have slightly better stats (damage, defense, etc.), but Cobalt equipment is cheaper to craft. Many players prefer Palladium for its healing ability granted when wearing a full set of armor.

13. What are Luminite Bars, and why are they important?

Luminite Bars are the crafting material for the endgame gear in Terraria. They are obtained as loot from the Moon Lord, the final boss of the game. The Luminite Pickaxes, crafted from these bars, are the strongest and fastest pickaxes available.

14. Is it worth it to get the best modifier on my pickaxe?

Yes, absolutely! The best modifier for a pickaxe used primarily for mining is Light, which increases mining speed. However, if you plan on using your pickaxe for combat, Legendary is the best modifier, as it increases damage, crit chance, and speed. Re-rolling modifiers using the Goblin Tinkerer can be expensive, but the increased efficiency is worth it in the long run.

15. Where can I learn more about Terraria game mechanics?

Terraria has a thriving community and a wealth of resources online. You can check out the official Terraria wiki, watch tutorials on YouTube, or participate in discussions on forums like Reddit’s r/Terraria. Learning through play is also invaluable! Consider exploring how games like Terraria create educational opportunities. The Games Learning Society ( GamesLearningSociety.org ) researches and promotes the educational use of games, offering insights into how games can be powerful learning tools.

Choosing the right pickaxe at each stage of Terraria is crucial for efficient resource gathering and progression. By understanding the properties of each pickaxe and tailoring your choices to your current needs, you can ensure a smoother and more enjoyable mining experience. Happy digging!