Why Can’t I Summon the Old One’s Army in Terraria? A Comprehensive Guide
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You’re eager to defend Eternia, but the Old One’s Army refuses to appear. Don’t despair, fellow Terrarian! There are several reasons why you might be struggling to initiate this challenging event. The most common culprits include: incorrect arena setup, missing or improperly placed Eternia Crystal or Stand, incorrect progression stage, and environmental restrictions. Let’s delve into each of these possibilities to get you back in the fight.
Essential Requirements for Summoning the Old One’s Army
Successfully summoning the Old One’s Army involves several key steps. Overlooking any one of these will prevent the event from starting. Here’s a breakdown of what you need:
The Eternia Crystal and Stand
- Acquisition: Both the Eternia Crystal and the Eternia Crystal Stand are purchased from the Tavernkeep NPC. He arrives after you’ve defeated the Eye of Cthulhu or Eater of Worlds/Brain of Cthulhu. Ensure he’s moved into a suitable house.
- Placement: The Eternia Crystal Stand must be placed first. Then, interact with the stand while holding the Eternia Crystal in your inventory to place the crystal on the stand. Simply having the crystal nearby is not enough.
- Availability: Ensure you have the required amount of coins to purchase the items from the Tavernkeep. The price of the Eternia Crystal changes as you progress through the game, costing more initially and significantly less after defeating mechanical bosses.
The Arena: Flat and Spacious
- Size Matters: The area surrounding the Eternia Crystal Stand must be large and relatively flat. The game requires a clearing of at least 123 tiles wide, with the stand positioned at the center tile. This translates to at least 61 tiles on each side of the stand.
- Flat Surface: Significant obstructions like trees, hills, or deep pits will prevent the crystal from being placed. The game displays the message: “The eternia crystal rejects this area and pops away instantly, the Tavernkeep mentioned it should rest in a large flat open area…” Clean up the surrounding landscape.
- Material Type: The material of the flat surface itself doesn’t matter (e.g., dirt, stone, wood planks are all acceptable). The key is that it’s flat and large enough.
Progression and World State
- Early Game Restrictions: You cannot summon the Old One’s Army immediately at the start of the game. You need to have defeated at least the Eye of Cthulhu or the Eater of Worlds/Brain of Cthulhu to get the Tavernkeep to spawn.
- Betsy’s Appearance: To summon Betsy, the final boss of the event, you must first defeat Golem. She appears on wave 7 of the event, after you’ve defeated Golem.
- Tiers: To advance to tier 2 and 3, you must defeat specific mechanical bosses, such as The Destroyer.
External Factors
- Ongoing Events: If another event is already in progress (e.g., a Goblin Army, Blood Moon, Solar Eclipse, Martian Madness), you cannot start the Old One’s Army. Wait for the current event to end.
- Multiplayer Conflicts: In a multiplayer game, ensure that no other player is already summoning or participating in another event that conflicts with the Old One’s Army.
- Mods: If you’re using mods, ensure that none of them interfere with the spawning or mechanics of the Old One’s Army. Conflicts between mods can sometimes cause unexpected behavior.
Specific Troubleshooting Steps
- Double-Check Arena Dimensions: Use a ruler or the in-game grid (if enabled) to precisely measure the area around the Eternia Crystal Stand.
- Flatten the Terrain: Use a pickaxe, shovel, or other terraforming tools to create a consistently flat surface. Pay particular attention to removing even small bumps and dips.
- Relocate the Stand: If your current location is simply unsuitable, move the Eternia Crystal Stand to a different area.
- Restart Terraria: Sometimes, a simple restart of the game can resolve minor glitches that might be preventing the event from starting.
- Verify Game Files: If you suspect a corrupted game file, use Steam (or the appropriate platform) to verify the integrity of your Terraria installation.
- Clear the Area of Enemies: In rare cases, existing enemies around the Eternia Crystal Stand may prevent the event from triggering correctly. Clear the area of any hostile creatures.
Understanding the Tiers and Progression
The Old One’s Army scales in difficulty and rewards based on tiers, each unlocked after defeating specific bosses in the main game.
Tier 1
Available after defeating the Eye of Cthulhu or Eater of Worlds/Brain of Cthulhu. This tier introduces you to the basic mechanics of the event and rewards you with early-game Defender Medals.
Tier 2
Unlocked after defeating any of the mechanical bosses (The Destroyer, The Twins, or Skeletron Prime). The event becomes significantly more challenging, introducing new enemies and requiring more strategic placement of sentries.
Tier 3
Unlocked after defeating Golem. This tier is the most challenging and features the final boss of the event, Betsy. Defeating Betsy grants access to some of the best loot in the game.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions About the Old One’s Army
1. What is the Old One’s Army, and why should I do it?
The Old One’s Army is a tower defense style event in Terraria where you protect the Eternia Crystal from waves of enemies. It rewards players with unique weapons, armor, and accessories, particularly powerful sentries.
2. Where do I find the Tavernkeep?
The Tavernkeep appears after defeating the Eye of Cthulhu or Eater of Worlds/Brain of Cthulhu. He will be found somewhere in your world, unconscious. Talk to him to have him move into a vacant house.
3. How do I get Defender Medals?
Defender Medals are earned by completing waves of the Old One’s Army. The higher the tier and the more waves you complete, the more medals you receive.
4. What are Defender Medals used for?
Defender Medals are used to purchase sentries, armor, and other items from the Tavernkeep.
5. Which sentry is the best for the Old One’s Army?
The Ballista Tower is generally considered one of the best sentries due to its high damage, range, and piercing capabilities. However, the best choice depends on your gear and strategy.
6. How many waves are there in the Old One’s Army?
There are 7 waves in each tier of the Old One’s Army. Betsy spawns on wave 7 of Tier 3, after you’ve defeated Golem.
7. What happens if the Eternia Crystal is destroyed?
If the Eternia Crystal is destroyed, the event ends prematurely, and you receive no rewards for that attempt.
8. Can I speed up the Old One’s Army?
Yes! Right-clicking on the Eternia Crystal Stand during the event allows you to adjust the spawn rate of enemies. Lowering the spawn rate increases the speed at which enemies appear.
9. What is Etherian Mana?
Etherian Mana is dropped by enemies during the Old One’s Army event. It’s used to summon sentries.
10. Is the Old One’s Army hard?
Yes, particularly at higher tiers. It requires strategic planning, good gear, and effective sentry placement.
11. Can I summon the Old One’s Army in the Jungle Temple?
No. The arena needs to be a flat open area that is not within other structures like the Jungle Temple.
12. Are Betsy wings better than Fishron wings?
Both are excellent, but Duke Fishron’s wings are often considered marginally better due to their superior maneuverability.
13. How do I fly forever in Terraria?
The Soaring Insignia combined with wings and rocket boots can grant infinite flight time.
14. Why isn’t the Witch Doctor selling wings?
The Witch Doctor sells Leaf Wings only after Plantera has been defeated.
15. How to get better at the Old One’s Army?
Practice makes perfect! Experiment with different sentries, weapons, and strategies to find what works best for you. Watching videos of other players completing the event can also provide valuable insights. Don’t be afraid to fail and learn from your mistakes. Understanding the enemy patterns and weaknesses is key to success.
Conclusion
The Old One’s Army can be a challenging but rewarding experience in Terraria. By understanding the requirements, preparing your arena, and strategizing your defenses, you can successfully protect Eternia and reap the valuable rewards. If you are further intrested in the educational aspects of the game, consider visiting Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.