What’s Better Than a Platinum Pickaxe in Terraria?
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The Platinum Pickaxe is a significant milestone for any budding Terraria adventurer, representing a clear upgrade over the earlier Silver and Tungsten Pickaxes. However, the journey doesn’t end there! So, the straightforward answer to the question “What’s better than a Platinum Pickaxe?” is a whole host of pickaxes and drills that come later in the game. Here’s a breakdown of what awaits beyond the realm of the Platinum Pickaxe, categorized by progression:
Pre-Hardmode Upgrades: Stepping Stones
Before venturing into Hardmode, there are several notable pickaxes that outclass the Platinum Pickaxe. These are crucial for accessing better resources and preparing for the challenges that lie ahead.
Nightmare/Deathbringer Pickaxes
The immediate next step up from the Platinum Pickaxe is dependent on your world’s evil biome:
- Nightmare Pickaxe: In worlds with the Corruption, defeating the Eater of Worlds will yield Shadow Scales and Demonite Bars. These are used to craft the Nightmare Pickaxe, which has better pickaxe power than the Platinum variant.
- Deathbringer Pickaxe: In worlds with the Crimson, defeating the Brain of Cthulhu gives you Tissue Samples and Crimtane Bars. These resources allow you to craft the Deathbringer Pickaxe, also an upgrade with more pickaxe power.
Both of these pickaxes surpass the Platinum Pickaxe in mining speed and are vital for accessing the resources in the Underworld.
The Reaver Shark
An interesting early-game alternative is the Reaver Shark. This pickaxe is obtained through fishing in the Ocean biome. Astonishingly, it boasts higher pickaxe power than the Molten Pickaxe and both the Nightmare and Deathbringer Pickaxes, making it one of the best pre-Hardmode pickaxes available.
Molten Pickaxe
Crafted with Hellstone Bars from the Underworld, the Molten Pickaxe is another notable upgrade from the Platinum Pickaxe. It allows you to mine Hellstone itself, opening up further crafting possibilities. While the Reaver Shark is technically superior in terms of power, the Molten Pickaxe is easier for some players to acquire and is essential for mining Hellstone.
Hardmode Pickaxes and Drills: A New Era
Once you defeat the Wall of Flesh and transition into Hardmode, the power curve for pickaxes and drills takes a dramatic leap.
Early Hardmode Options
Following the defeat of the Wall of Flesh, players will gain access to new ores from which to craft superior tools. The first tier of Hardmode ores provides:
- Cobalt Pickaxe/Drill: From Cobalt Ore, the first Hardmode ore to appear after the Wall of Flesh.
- Palladium Pickaxe/Drill: The alternate version of the Cobalt Pickaxe, crafted from Palladium Ore.
These early Hardmode options are a notable upgrade over the Molten Pickaxe and provide increased mining speed.
Mid-Hardmode Picks
As you progress through Hardmode and defeat the Mechanical Bosses (The Destroyer, The Twins, and Skeletron Prime), you’ll gain access to even stronger materials.
- Mythril Pickaxe/Drill: Crafted from Mythril Bars acquired through mining Mythril Ore, this pickaxe is essential for accessing the next tier of ores.
- Orichalcum Pickaxe/Drill: Made with Orichalcum Bars from Orichalcum Ore, this is the alternate version of the Mythril Pickaxe. Notably, the Orichalcum Drill is slightly faster than the Orichalcum Pickaxe but cannot have reforges that alter size, speed or knockback.
Post-Mechanical Boss Picks
After the mechanical bosses are downed, players will gain access to Hallowed Bars, dropped by these bosses, and along with their respective souls, can craft the Pickaxe Axe or Drax. Both of these tools have 200% Pickaxe Power.
Chlorophyte Tools
Once you have a Pickaxe Axe or Drax, you gain the ability to mine Chlorophyte Ore, allowing you to create the next set of powerful tools.
- Chlorophyte Pickaxe: The pickaxe version crafted from Chlorophyte Bars, giving excellent mining power for its tier.
- Chlorophyte Drill: The drill counterpart, which is just as powerful and is slightly faster.
Post-Plantera Tools
After defeating Plantera, players gain access to the Shroomite Digging Claws. This is the fastest pickaxe in the game, boasting exceptional speed for mining. It can mine all block types except Lihzahrd Bricks.
The Ultimate Pickaxes
Finally, the ultimate pickaxes in the game are acquired after defeating the Moon Lord.
Luminite Pickaxes
Crafted with Luminite Bars (obtained after defeating the Moon Lord), the Luminite Pickaxes are the absolute strongest and best pickaxes in Terraria. They offer unparalleled mining speed and pickaxe power, allowing you to break through any obstacle with ease.
FAQ: Everything You Wanted to Know About Pickaxes in Terraria
Here are some frequently asked questions that expand on our discussion about pickaxes in Terraria:
1. Is the Tungsten Pickaxe worth it?
The Tungsten Pickaxe is a decent early-game pickaxe, stronger than the Iron and Lead Pickaxes, but not as strong as the Gold and Platinum Pickaxes. It is worth using until you can get your hands on one of the latter picks.
2. Can a Platinum Pickaxe break Obsidian?
Yes, a Platinum Pickaxe has enough pickaxe power (55%) to mine Obsidian.
3. Is Tungsten rarer than Platinum?
No, in real life, platinum is much rarer than tungsten, making it more expensive. In Terraria, however, both metals have the same spawn chance.
4. How much is 1 platinum worth in Terraria?
A single Platinum Coin is equal to 1,000,000 Copper Coins or 100 Gold Coins.
5. What pickaxe destroys Chlorophyte?
You need a pickaxe with at least 200% pickaxe power to mine Chlorophyte. The Pickaxe Axe or Drax are the earliest tools that meet this requirement.
6. What does Crimtane ore look like?
Crimtane Ore emits a faint red glow when placed, similar to Demonite Ore.
7. Does melee speed affect pickaxes?
No, melee speed only affects weapons; mining speed on pickaxes is based on use time which prefixes effect.
8. Can the Reaver Shark mine Hellstone?
Yes, the Reaver Shark can mine Hellstone, which is notable for a pre-Hardmode pickaxe.
9. What is the fastest pickaxe in Terraria?
The Shroomite Digging Claw is the fastest pickaxe in the game.
10. What’s the most powerful pickaxe in Terraria?
The Luminite Pickaxes are the most powerful pickaxes in Terraria.
11. What is the best ore in Terraria?
For pre-Hardmode, it is either Gold or Platinum. For Hardmode, it depends on your progress, but Chlorophyte is a key ore after the mechanical bosses, while Luminite from the Moon Lord is used to craft the most powerful gear.
12. Is the Orichalcum drill or pickaxe better?
Functionally, both tools are nearly identical, but the Orichalcum Drill is marginally faster.
13. What happens when you have 100 platinum in Terraria?
On the console version, 100 Platinum Coins will convert into a Fallen Star.
14. Does platinum replace gold in Terraria?
Yes, worlds can generate with either Gold or Platinum as the higher-tier pre-Hardmode ore.
15. Is a Wooden Hammer stronger than a Platinum Pickaxe?
That is Terraria logic at its finest! No, a Wooden Hammer is not more powerful than a Platinum Pickaxe.
Conclusion
The Platinum Pickaxe is a significant step forward, but it is far from the pinnacle of mining power in Terraria. There’s a whole range of more powerful and specialized tools to acquire as you progress through the game. From the early Nightmare/Deathbringer Pickaxes to the ultimate Luminite Picks, each upgrade brings you closer to becoming a master miner. Armed with this knowledge, you’re now well-equipped to chart your path towards becoming a true Terrarian miner!