Ranged class guide, stage by stage

Before the first boss

Three weapons lead the list: the Minishark from the Arms Dealer, the Boomstick from the Ivy Chest, and the Blood Rain Bow (Rains blood from the sky) from the Zombie Merman in a Blood Moon.

Fossil armor is the early armor pick. Each piece needs Sturdy Fossil x15 at Anvil, and the set bonus is: 20% chance to save ammo. Drink an Archery Potion (10% increased bow damage and 20% increased arrow speed) when you use a bow.

Weapons

Item	Picked by	Effect	Source
Blood Rain Bow	4 of 4 guides	14 damage	Dropped by Zombie Merman
Boomstick	4 of 4 guides	14 damage	In Ivy Chest
Minishark	4 of 4 guides	6 damage	Sold by Arms Dealer
Demon Bow	2 of 4 guides	14 damage	Crafted
Sandgun	2 of 4 guides	30 damage	Crafted

Armor

Item	Picked by	Effect	Source
Fossil armor	3 of 4 guides	13 defenseSet bonus: 20% chance to save ammo

Accessories

Item	Picked by	Effect	Source
Shark Tooth Necklace	3 of 4 guides	Increases armor penetration by 5	Dropped by Blood Zombie
Anklet of the Wind	2 of 4 guides	10% increased movement speed	In Ivy Chest
Band of Regeneration	2 of 4 guides	Slowly regenerates life	In Gold Chest (Underground)
Shiny Red Balloon	2 of 4 guides	Increases jump height	In Skyware Chest

Also picked

Item	Picked by	Effect	Source
Archery Potion	3 of 4 guides	10% increased bow damage and 20% increased arrow speed	In Living Wood Chest (Living Tree root room)
Ammo Reservation	2 of 4 guides

Watch this stage in the videos:

• Clotz, 0:39
• Icoonigtoo, 0:32
• brome, 0:11
• MURA, 2:56

Before Eater of Worlds or Brain of Cthulhu

Bow users make the Demon Bow (Demonite Bar x8 at Anvil). The Shield of Cthulhu from Eye of Cthulhu gives you a dash to get out of trouble.

Weapons

Item	Picked by	Effect	Source
Boomstick	2 of 2 guides	14 damage	In Ivy Chest
Demon Bow	2 of 2 guides	14 damage	Crafted
Minishark	2 of 2 guides	6 damage	Sold by Arms Dealer

Accessories

Item	Picked by	Effect	Source
Magiluminescence	2 of 2 guides	Increases movement speed and acceleration; Provides light when worn	Crafted
Shield of Cthulhu	2 of 2 guides	2 defense; Allows the player to dash into the enemy	From Treasure Bag (Eye of Cthulhu)

Also picked

Item	Picked by	Effect	Source
Ammo Reservation	2 of 2 guides
Archery Potion	2 of 2 guides	10% increased bow damage and 20% increased arrow speed	In Living Wood Chest (Living Tree root room)

Watch this stage in the videos:

• Clotz, 0:58
• MURA, 3:11

Before Skeletron

The Molten Fury (Lights wooden arrows ablaze) is the bow pick, from Hellstone Bar x15 at Anvil. Gun users go for the Star Cannon, made from Minishark, Meteorite Bar x20 and Fallen Star x5 at Anvil. It uses Fallen Star as ammo.

Shadow armor is the top armor pick (picked by 4 of 4 guides, 19 defense). Deerclops drops the Pew-matic Horn, and the Worm Scarf is a good defensive accessory.

Weapons

Item	Picked by	Effect	Source
Molten Fury	4 of 4 guides	31 damage	Crafted
Pew-matic Horn	3 of 4 guides	20 damage	Dropped by Deerclops
Star Cannon	3 of 4 guides	55 damage	Crafted
Minishark	2 of 4 guides	6 damage	Sold by Arms Dealer

Armor

Item	Picked by	Effect	Source
Shadow armor	4 of 4 guides	19 defenseSet bonus: Increased movement speed and acceleration
Crimson armor	2 of 4 guides	19 defenseSet bonus: Greatly increased life regen

Accessories

Item	Picked by	Effect	Source
Shield of Cthulhu	3 of 4 guides	2 defense; Allows the player to dash into the enemy	From Treasure Bag (Eye of Cthulhu)
Worm Scarf	3 of 4 guides	Reduces damage taken by 17%	From Treasure Bag (Eater of Worlds)
Brain of Confusion	2 of 4 guides	Has a chance to create illusions and dodge an attack; Temporarily increase critical chance and minion damage after dodge	From Treasure Bag (Brain of Cthulhu)

Also picked

Item	Picked by	Effect	Source
Archery Potion	3 of 4 guides	10% increased bow damage and 20% increased arrow speed	In Living Wood Chest (Living Tree root room)
Ammo Reservation	2 of 4 guides

Watch this stage in the videos:

• Clotz, 1:16
• Icoonigtoo, 3:45
• brome, 1:34
• MURA, 3:26

Before Wall of Flesh

The Phoenix Blaster is the most picked gun here (picked by 4 of 4 guides). It needs Hellstone Bar x10 and Handgun at Anvil; the Handgun is in the Locked Gold Chest (Dungeon). Bow users take the Hellwing Bow (Wooden arrows turn into flaming bats).

Queen Bee drops The Bee's Knees and the Beenade. Necro armor is the armor pick at this stage: 10% increased ranged critical strike chance. Each piece is cheap: Bone x40 and Cobweb x40 at Work Bench.

Weapons

Item	Picked by	Effect	Source
Phoenix Blaster	4 of 4 guides	30 damage	Crafted
Beenade	3 of 4 guides	12 damage	Dropped by Queen Bee
Hellwing Bow	3 of 4 guides	22 damage	From Obsidian Lock Box
Quad-Barrel Shotgun	3 of 4 guides	14 damage	Sold by Arms Dealer
The Bee's Knees	3 of 4 guides	23 damage	Dropped by Queen Bee
Handgun	2 of 4 guides	26 damage	In Locked Gold Chest (Dungeon)
Star Cannon	2 of 4 guides	55 damage	Crafted

Armor

Item	Picked by	Effect	Source
Necro armor	3 of 4 guides	19 defenseSet bonus: 10% increased ranged critical strike chance

Accessories

Item	Picked by	Effect	Source
Shield of Cthulhu	2 of 4 guides	2 defense; Allows the player to dash into the enemy	From Treasure Bag (Eye of Cthulhu)
Stinger Necklace	2 of 4 guides	Increases armor penetration by 5; Releases bees and douses the user in honey when damaged	Crafted
Worm Scarf	2 of 4 guides	Reduces damage taken by 17%	From Treasure Bag (Eater of Worlds)

Also picked

Item	Picked by	Effect	Source
Ammo Reservation	2 of 4 guides
Archery Potion	2 of 4 guides	10% increased bow damage and 20% increased arrow speed	In Living Wood Chest (Living Tree root room)

Watch this stage in the videos:

• Clotz, 1:36
• Icoonigtoo, 5:58
• brome, 3:01
• MURA, 3:42

Early Hardmode: before the mechanical bosses

Wall of Flesh drops the Ranger Emblem (15% increased ranged damage). The Onyx Blaster and the Daedalus Stormbow (Shoots arrows from the sky) are the top weapons here.

Buy the Ammo Box from the Arms Dealer now; it is sold only in Hardmode. Upgrade your ammo to Crystal Bullet or Holy Arrow.

Weapons

Item	Picked by	Effect	Source
Daedalus Stormbow	3 of 3 guides	38 damage	Dropped by Hallowed Mimic
Onyx Blaster	3 of 3 guides	24 damage	Crafted
Dart Pistol	2 of 3 guides	28 damage	Dropped by Crimson Mimic

Accessories

Item	Picked by	Effect	Source
Ankh Shield	2 of 3 guides	5 defense; Grants immunity to knockback and fire blocks	Crafted
Ranger Emblem	2 of 3 guides	15% increased ranged damage	Dropped by Wall of Flesh
Shield of Cthulhu	2 of 3 guides	2 defense; Allows the player to dash into the enemy	From Treasure Bag (Eye of Cthulhu)
Star Veil	2 of 3 guides	Causes stars to fall and increases length of invincibility after taking damage	Crafted

Also picked

Item	Picked by	Effect	Source
Ammo Box	2 of 3 guides	Usable when placed; 20% chance to save ammo	Sold by Arms Dealer
Ammo Reservation	2 of 3 guides
Archery Potion	2 of 3 guides	10% increased bow damage and 20% increased arrow speed	In Living Wood Chest (Living Tree root room)

Watch this stage in the videos:

• Clotz, 1:54
• Icoonigtoo, 8:17
• brome, 4:05
• MURA, 3:57

Before Plantera

The Megashark (50% chance to save ammo) needs Minishark, Illegal Gun Parts, Shark Fin x5 and Soul of Might x20 at Mythril Anvil, so keep your old gun. The Flamethrower and the Chlorophyte Shotbow are the other picks.

Chlorophyte gives the armor too: Chlorophyte armor (Chlorophyte Headgear / Chlorophyte Helmet) (44 defense). The Ankh Shield keeps many debuffs off you: Grants immunity to knockback and fire blocks. Grants immunity to most debuffs.

Weapons

Item	Picked by	Effect	Source
Chlorophyte Shotbow	3 of 3 guides	34 damage	Crafted
Flamethrower	3 of 3 guides	35 damage	Crafted
Megashark	3 of 3 guides	25 damage	Crafted
Pulse Bow	2 of 3 guides	80 damage	Sold by Traveling Merchant

Armor

Item	Picked by	Effect	Source
Chlorophyte armor (Chlorophyte Headgear / Chlorophyte Helmet)	2 of 3 guides	44 defenseSet bonus: Summons a powerful leaf crystal to shoot at nearby enemies

Accessories

Item	Picked by	Effect	Source
Ankh Shield	2 of 3 guides	5 defense; Grants immunity to knockback and fire blocks	Crafted
Flame Wings	2 of 3 guides	Allows flight and slow fall	Crafted
Shield of Cthulhu	2 of 3 guides	2 defense; Allows the player to dash into the enemy	From Treasure Bag (Eye of Cthulhu)
Star Veil	2 of 3 guides	Causes stars to fall and increases length of invincibility after taking damage	Crafted

Also picked

Item	Picked by	Effect	Source
Ammo Box	2 of 3 guides	Usable when placed; 20% chance to save ammo	Sold by Arms Dealer
Ammo Reservation	2 of 3 guides
Archery Potion	2 of 3 guides	10% increased bow damage and 20% increased arrow speed	In Living Wood Chest (Living Tree root room)

Watch this stage in the videos:

• Clotz, 2:14
• Icoonigtoo, 11:28
• brome, 5:25
• MURA, 4:12

Before Golem

Plantera drops the Venus Magnum (50 damage). Shroomite armor is the armor from now until the lunar events (51 defense). Its bonus: Not moving puts you in stealth, increasing ranged ability and reducing chance for enemies to target you.

The Dungeon after Plantera has the Sniper Rifle from the Skeleton Sniper and the Piranha Gun from the Jungle Chest (Dungeon).

Weapons

Item	Picked by	Effect	Source
Venus Magnum	3 of 3 guides	50 damage	Dropped by Plantera
Nail Gun	2 of 3 guides	85 damage	Dropped by Nailhead
Piranha Gun	2 of 3 guides	40 damage	In Jungle Chest (Dungeon)
Sniper Rifle	2 of 3 guides	200 damage	Dropped by Skeleton Sniper

Armor

Item	Picked by	Effect	Source
Shroomite armor	3 of 3 guides	51 defenseSet bonus: Not moving puts you in stealth, increasing ranged ability and reducing chance for enemies to target you

Accessories

Item	Picked by	Effect	Source
Frozen Shield	2 of 3 guides	6 defense; Grants immunity to knockback	Crafted
Hoverboard	2 of 3 guides	Allows flight and slow fall; Press Down to toggle hover	Crafted
Master Ninja Gear	2 of 3 guides	Allows the ability to climb walls and dash; Gives a chance to dodge attacks	Crafted
Star Veil	2 of 3 guides	Causes stars to fall and increases length of invincibility after taking damage	Crafted

Also picked

Item	Picked by	Effect	Source
Ammo Box	2 of 3 guides	Usable when placed; 20% chance to save ammo	Sold by Arms Dealer
Ammo Reservation	2 of 3 guides
Archery Potion	2 of 3 guides	10% increased bow damage and 20% increased arrow speed	In Living Wood Chest (Living Tree root room)

Watch this stage in the videos:

• Clotz, 2:32
• Icoonigtoo, 13:54
• brome, 6:38
• MURA, 4:28

Before Lunatic Cultist

The Xenopopper drops from the Martian Saucer and leads the list here (picked by 3 of 3 guides). Duke Fishron drops the Tsunami (Shoots 5 arrows at a time), and Empress of Light drops the Eventide.

Weapons

Item	Picked by	Effect	Source
Xenopopper	3 of 3 guides	45 damage	Dropped by Martian Saucer
Aerial Bane	2 of 3 guides	38 damage	Dropped by Betsy
Electrosphere Launcher	2 of 3 guides	40 damage	Dropped by Martian Saucer
Eventide	2 of 3 guides	50 damage	Dropped by Empress of Light
Tsunami	2 of 3 guides	53 damage	Dropped by Duke Fishron

Armor

Item	Picked by	Effect	Source
Shroomite armor	3 of 3 guides	51 defenseSet bonus: Not moving puts you in stealth, increasing ranged ability and reducing chance for enemies to target you

Accessories

Item	Picked by	Effect	Source
Betsy's Wings	2 of 3 guides	Allows flight and slow fall; Press Down to toggle hover	Dropped by Betsy
Frozen Shield	2 of 3 guides	6 defense; Grants immunity to knockback	Crafted
Master Ninja Gear	2 of 3 guides	Allows the ability to climb walls and dash; Gives a chance to dodge attacks	Crafted

Also picked

Item	Picked by	Effect	Source
Ammo Box	2 of 3 guides	Usable when placed; 20% chance to save ammo	Sold by Arms Dealer
Ammo Reservation	2 of 3 guides
Archery Potion	2 of 3 guides	10% increased bow damage and 20% increased arrow speed	In Living Wood Chest (Living Tree root room)

Watch this stage in the videos:

• Clotz, 2:51
• Icoonigtoo, 16:34
• brome, 7:49
• MURA, 4:43

Before Moon Lord

Kill the Vortex Pillar for Vortex Fragment. Make the Phantasm bow or the Vortex Beater gun. Each costs Vortex Fragment x18 at Ancient Manipulator, and both have this line: 66% chance to save ammo.

Weapons

Item	Picked by	Effect	Source
Phantasm	3 of 3 guides	50 damage	Crafted
Vortex Beater	3 of 3 guides	50 damage	Crafted
Xenopopper	2 of 3 guides	45 damage	Dropped by Martian Saucer

Armor

Item	Picked by	Effect	Source
Shroomite armor	3 of 3 guides	51 defenseSet bonus: Not moving puts you in stealth, increasing ranged ability and reducing chance for enemies to target you

Accessories

Item	Picked by	Effect	Source
Betsy's Wings	2 of 3 guides	Allows flight and slow fall; Press Down to toggle hover	Dropped by Betsy
Frozen Shield	2 of 3 guides	6 defense; Grants immunity to knockback	Crafted
Master Ninja Gear	2 of 3 guides	Allows the ability to climb walls and dash; Gives a chance to dodge attacks	Crafted

Also picked

Item	Picked by	Effect	Source
Ammo Box	2 of 3 guides	Usable when placed; 20% chance to save ammo	Sold by Arms Dealer
Ammo Reservation	2 of 3 guides
Archery Potion	2 of 3 guides	10% increased bow damage and 20% increased arrow speed	In Living Wood Chest (Living Tree root room)

Watch this stage in the videos:

• Clotz, 3:10
• Icoonigtoo, 18:53
• brome, 8:58
• MURA, 4:58

Endgame: after Moon Lord

Moon Lord drops the S.D.M.G. (85 damage) and the Celebration Mk2. Make Luminite Bullet for your guns.

Vortex armor is the final ranged armor (62 defense). Its bonus: Double tap DOWN to toggle stealth, increasing ranged ability and reducing chance for enemies to target you but slowing movement speed.

Weapons

Item	Picked by	Effect	Source
Celebration Mk2	3 of 3 guides	50 damage	Dropped by Moon Lord's Core
S.D.M.G.	3 of 3 guides	85 damage	Dropped by Moon Lord's Core
Phantasm	2 of 3 guides	50 damage	Crafted
Vortex Beater	2 of 3 guides	50 damage	Crafted

Armor

Item	Picked by	Effect	Source
Vortex armor	3 of 3 guides	62 defenseSet bonus: Double tap DOWN to toggle stealth, increasing ranged ability and reducing chance for enemies to target you but slowing movement speed

Accessories

Item	Picked by	Effect	Source
Celestial Starboard	2 of 3 guides	Allows flight and slow fall; Press Down to toggle hover	From Treasure Bag (Moon Lord)
Frozen Shield	2 of 3 guides	6 defense; Grants immunity to knockback	Crafted
Master Ninja Gear	2 of 3 guides	Allows the ability to climb walls and dash; Gives a chance to dodge attacks	Crafted

Also picked

Item	Picked by	Effect	Source
Ammo Box	2 of 3 guides	Usable when placed; 20% chance to save ammo	Sold by Arms Dealer

Watch this stage in the videos:

• Clotz, 3:29
• Icoonigtoo, 21:47
• brome, 9:52
• MURA, 5:14