Summoner class guide, stage by stage

Before the first boss

Three staffs lead the list: the Flinx Staff (Flinx Fur x6 and Gold Bar or Platinum Bar x10 at Work Bench), the Vampire Frog Staff from the Zombie Merman in a Blood Moon, and the Abigail's Flower.

For a whip, the guides take the Snapthorn, or the evil whip of your world: the Vasculash or the Soulscourge. The Flinx Fur Coat is worth a slot: Increases summon damage by 5%. Increases your max number of minions by 1.

Weapons

Item	Picked by	Effect	Source
Flinx Staff	4 of 4 guides	8 damage	Crafted
Snapthorn	4 of 4 guides	18 damage	Crafted
Vampire Frog Staff	4 of 4 guides	11 damage	Dropped by Zombie Merman
Abigail's Flower	3 of 4 guides	6 damage
Soulscourge	3 of 4 guides	17 damage	Crafted
Vasculash	3 of 4 guides	19 damage	Crafted
Finch Staff	2 of 4 guides	7 damage	In Living Wood Chest (Living Tree root room)
Foxparks	2 of 4 guides	20 damage
Slime Staff	2 of 4 guides	8 damage	Dropped by Zombie

Armor

Item	Picked by	Effect	Source
Flinx Fur Coat	3 of 4 guides	Increases summon damage by 5%; Increases your max number of minions by 1	Crafted

Accessories

Item	Picked by	Effect	Source
Feral Claws	3 of 4 guides	12% increased melee speed; Enables auto swing for melee weapons and whips	In Ivy Chest
Shark Tooth Necklace	3 of 4 guides	Increases armor penetration by 5	Dropped by Blood Zombie

Also picked

Item	Picked by	Effect	Source
Summoning Potion	2 of 4 guides	Increases your max number of minions by 1	Crafted

Watch this stage in the videos:

• Clotz, 0:39
• Icoonigtoo, 0:32
• MURA, 0:14
• brome, 0:11

Before Eater of Worlds or Brain of Cthulhu

Keep the same staff and whip. Drink a Summoning Potion (Increases your max number of minions by 1) before each boss, and add the Shield of Cthulhu once Eye of Cthulhu is down.

Weapons

Item	Picked by	Effect	Source
Abigail's Flower	2 of 2 guides	6 damage
Flinx Staff	2 of 2 guides	8 damage	Crafted
Foxparks	2 of 2 guides	20 damage
Snapthorn	2 of 2 guides	18 damage	Crafted
Vampire Frog Staff	2 of 2 guides	11 damage	Dropped by Zombie Merman

Armor

Item	Picked by	Effect	Source
Flinx Fur Coat	2 of 2 guides	Increases summon damage by 5%; Increases your max number of minions by 1	Crafted

Accessories

Item	Picked by	Effect	Source
Feral Claws	2 of 2 guides	12% increased melee speed; Enables auto swing for melee weapons and whips	In Ivy Chest
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
Summoning Potion	2 of 2 guides	Increases your max number of minions by 1	Crafted

Watch this stage in the videos:

• Clotz, 0:58
• MURA, 0:30

Before Skeletron

The Imp Staff is the top minion pick here (picked by 4 of 4 guides). It needs Hellstone Bar x17 at Anvil. The Starcrash whip goes with it, from Meteorite Bar x20, Chain x10 and Fallen Star x10 at Anvil.

The Ballista Rod gives you a sentry; the Tavernkeep sells it. For armor, Obsidian armor has this bonus: Increases whip range by 30% and speed by 15%. Increases summon damage by 15%.

Weapons

Item	Picked by	Effect	Source
Ballista Rod	4 of 4 guides	30 damage	Sold by Tavernkeep
Imp Staff	4 of 4 guides	17 damage	Crafted
Starcrash	4 of 4 guides	18 damage	Crafted
Abigail's Flower	2 of 4 guides	6 damage
Foxparks	2 of 4 guides	20 damage
Houndius Shootius	2 of 4 guides	24 damage	Dropped by Deerclops
Mushroom Staff	2 of 4 guides	8 damage	Crafted
Vampire Frog Staff	2 of 4 guides	11 damage	Dropped by Zombie Merman

Armor

Item	Picked by	Effect	Source
Bee armor	2 of 4 guides	13 defenseSet bonus: Increases summon damage by 10%
Obsidian armor	2 of 4 guides	15 defenseSet bonus: Increases whip range by 30% and speed by 15%. Increases summon damage by 15%

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)
Apprentice's Scarf	2 of 4 guides	Increase your max number of sentries by 1; Increases summon damage by 10%	Dropped by Dark Mage
Worm Scarf	2 of 4 guides	Reduces damage taken by 17%	From Treasure Bag (Eater of Worlds)

Also picked

Item	Picked by	Effect	Source
Summoning Potion	2 of 4 guides	Increases your max number of minions by 1	Crafted

Watch this stage in the videos:

• Clotz, 1:16
• Icoonigtoo, 4:02
• MURA, 0:45
• brome, 1:38

Before Wall of Flesh

The Imp Staff stays your main minion. The Spinal Tap is the whip pick (picked by 3 of 4 guides). Queen Bee gives the Hornet Staff and the wax for Bee armor.

Buy the Pygmy Necklace (Increases your max number of minions by 1) from the Witch Doctor. Place a War Table (Usable when placed. Increased your max number of sentries by 1) where you fight.

Weapons

Item	Picked by	Effect	Source
Imp Staff	4 of 4 guides	17 damage	Crafted
Spinal Tap	3 of 4 guides	29 damage	Crafted
Ballista Rod	2 of 4 guides	30 damage	Sold by Tavernkeep
Hornet Staff	2 of 4 guides	12 damage	Crafted
Houndius Shootius	2 of 4 guides	24 damage	Dropped by Deerclops
Vampire Frog Staff	2 of 4 guides	11 damage	Dropped by Zombie Merman

Armor

Item	Picked by	Effect	Source
Bee armor	2 of 4 guides	13 defenseSet bonus: Increases summon damage by 10%
Obsidian armor	2 of 4 guides	15 defenseSet bonus: Increases whip range by 30% and speed by 15%. Increases summon damage by 15%

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)
Apprentice's Scarf	2 of 4 guides	Increase your max number of sentries by 1; Increases summon damage by 10%	Dropped by Dark Mage
Feral Claws	2 of 4 guides	12% increased melee speed; Enables auto swing for melee weapons and whips	In Ivy Chest
Pygmy Necklace	2 of 4 guides	Increases your max number of minions by 1	Sold by Witch Doctor
Terraspark Boots	2 of 4 guides	Allows flight, super fast running, and extra mobility on ice; 8% increased movement speed	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
Flask of Poison	3 of 4 guides	Melee and Whip attacks poison enemies	Crafted
Summoning Potion	2 of 4 guides	Increases your max number of minions by 1	Crafted
War Table	2 of 4 guides	Usable when placed; Increased your max number of sentries by 1	Dropped by Dark Mage

Watch this stage in the videos:

• Clotz, 1:36
• Icoonigtoo, 6:14
• MURA, 1:00
• brome, 3:14

Early Hardmode: before the mechanical bosses

Spider armor is the top armor pick here (picked by 4 of 4 guides). The Spider Staff needs Spider Fang x16 at Mythril Anvil; both come from the Black Recluse in the Spider Nest. Wall of Flesh drops the Summoner Emblem (15% increased summon damage) and the Firecracker whip.

The Sanguine Staff drops from the Dreadnautilus in a Blood Moon. The Cool Whip is the other whip pick. The Blade Staff is another choice: Summons an Enchanted Dagger to fight for you. Ignores 25 points of enemy Defense. Hits quickly at the expense of 33% tag damage.

Weapons

Item	Picked by	Effect	Source
Cool Whip	4 of 4 guides	45 damage	Crafted
Firecracker	4 of 4 guides	37 damage	Dropped by Wall of Flesh
Sanguine Staff	4 of 4 guides	35 damage	Dropped by Dreadnautilus
Barnacle Staff	3 of 4 guides	33 damage	Fishing
Blade Staff	3 of 4 guides	6 damage	Dropped by Queen Slime
Spider Staff	3 of 4 guides	26 damage	Crafted
Queen Spider Staff	2 of 4 guides	26 damage	Crafted

Armor

Item	Picked by	Effect	Source
Spider armor	4 of 4 guides	20 defenseSet bonus: Increases summon damage by 12%

Accessories

Item	Picked by	Effect	Source
Pygmy Necklace	3 of 4 guides	Increases your max number of minions by 1	Sold by Witch Doctor
Shield of Cthulhu	3 of 4 guides	2 defense; Allows the player to dash into the enemy	From Treasure Bag (Eye of Cthulhu)
Fairy Wings	2 of 4 guides	Allows flight and slow fall	Crafted
Summoner Emblem	2 of 4 guides	15% increased summon damage	Dropped by Wall of Flesh
Terraspark Boots	2 of 4 guides	Allows flight, super fast running, and extra mobility on ice; 8% increased movement speed	Crafted

Also picked

Item	Picked by	Effect	Source
Flask of Ichor	2 of 4 guides	Melee and Whip attacks decrease enemies defense	Crafted
Summoning Potion	2 of 4 guides	Increases your max number of minions by 1	Crafted
War Table	2 of 4 guides	Usable when placed; Increased your max number of sentries by 1	Dropped by Dark Mage

Watch this stage in the videos:

• Clotz, 1:54
• Icoonigtoo, 8:32
• MURA, 1:15
• brome, 4:02

Before Plantera

The Optic Staff is the minion pick after the mechanical bosses (Black Lens, Lens x2, Hallowed Bar x12 and Soul of Sight x20 at Mythril Anvil). The Durendal is the whip, and the Ballista Cane is the sentry upgrade from the Tavernkeep.

Weapons

Item	Picked by	Effect	Source
Ballista Cane	4 of 4 guides	74 damage	Sold by Tavernkeep
Durendal	4 of 4 guides	55 damage	Crafted
Optic Staff	4 of 4 guides	24 damage	Crafted
Cool Whip	3 of 4 guides	45 damage	Crafted
Firecracker	3 of 4 guides	37 damage	Dropped by Wall of Flesh
Blade Staff	2 of 4 guides	6 damage	Dropped by Queen Slime
Queen Spider Staff	2 of 4 guides	26 damage	Crafted
Spider Staff	2 of 4 guides	26 damage	Crafted

Armor

Item	Picked by	Effect	Source
Chlorophyte armor (Chlorophyte Visor)	2 of 4 guides	33 defenseSet bonus: Summons a powerful leaf crystal to shoot at nearby enemies. Increases your max number of minions by 2
Hallowed armor (Hallowed Hood)	2 of 4 guides	27 defenseSet bonus: Become immune after striking an enemy. Increases your max number of minions by 2

Accessories

Item	Picked by	Effect	Source
Pygmy Necklace	3 of 4 guides	Increases your max number of minions by 1	Sold by Witch Doctor
Shield of Cthulhu	3 of 4 guides	2 defense; Allows the player to dash into the enemy	From Treasure Bag (Eye of Cthulhu)
Ankh Shield	2 of 4 guides	5 defense; Grants immunity to knockback and fire blocks	Crafted
Butterfly Wings	2 of 4 guides	Allows flight and slow fall	Crafted
Summoner Emblem	2 of 4 guides	15% increased summon damage	Dropped by Wall of Flesh
Terraspark Boots	2 of 4 guides	Allows flight, super fast running, and extra mobility on ice; 8% increased movement speed	Crafted

Also picked

Item	Picked by	Effect	Source
Flask of Ichor	2 of 4 guides	Melee and Whip attacks decrease enemies defense	Crafted
Summoning Potion	2 of 4 guides	Increases your max number of minions by 1	Crafted
War Table	2 of 4 guides	Usable when placed; Increased your max number of sentries by 1	Dropped by Dark Mage

Watch this stage in the videos:

• Clotz, 2:14
• Icoonigtoo, 11:07
• MURA, 1:30
• brome, 5:38

Before Golem

The Desert Tiger Staff is in the Desert Chest (Dungeon) after Plantera. The Witch Doctor now sells Tiki armor. Its bonus: Increases your max number of minions by 1. Increases whip range by 20%.

For whips, Plantera drops the Vulgar Display of Flower, and the Rusty Armored Bones in the Dungeon drop the Morning Star.

Weapons

Item	Picked by	Effect	Source
Desert Tiger Staff	4 of 4 guides	41 damage	In Desert Chest (Dungeon)
Morning Star	4 of 4 guides	160 damage	Dropped by Rusty Armored Bones
Vulgar Display of Flower	4 of 4 guides	50 damage	Dropped by Plantera
Deadly Sphere Staff	3 of 4 guides	55 damage	Dropped by Deadly Sphere
Staff of the Frost Hydra	3 of 4 guides	100 damage	In Ice Chest (Dungeon)

Armor

Item	Picked by	Effect	Source
Tiki armor	3 of 4 guides	35 defenseSet bonus: Increases your max number of minions by 1. Increases whip range by 20%

Accessories

Item	Picked by	Effect	Source
Master Ninja Gear	3 of 4 guides	Allows the ability to climb walls and dash; Gives a chance to dodge attacks	Crafted
Hoverboard	2 of 4 guides	Allows flight and slow fall; Press Down to toggle hover	Crafted
Mothron Wings	2 of 4 guides	Allows flight and slow fall	Dropped by Mothron
Terraspark Boots	2 of 4 guides	Allows flight, super fast running, and extra mobility on ice; 8% increased movement speed	Crafted

Also picked

Item	Picked by	Effect	Source
Flask of Ichor	2 of 4 guides	Melee and Whip attacks decrease enemies defense	Crafted
Summoning Potion	2 of 4 guides	Increases your max number of minions by 1	Crafted
War Table	2 of 4 guides	Usable when placed; Increased your max number of sentries by 1	Dropped by Dark Mage

Watch this stage in the videos:

• Clotz, 2:32
• Icoonigtoo, 13:26
• MURA, 1:45
• brome, 7:05

Before Lunatic Cultist

Empress of Light drops the Terraprisma (90 damage) and the Kaleidoscope whip. The Xeno Staff drops from the Martian Saucer. The Ballista Staff is the last ballista.

Craft the Papyrus Scarab from Necromantic Scroll and Hercules Beetle at Tinkerer's Workshop. It stays in the build to the end: Increases your max number of minions by 1. Increases your summon damage by 15% and the knockback of your minions.

Weapons

Item	Picked by	Effect	Source
Ballista Staff	4 of 4 guides	156 damage	Sold by Tavernkeep
Terraprisma	4 of 4 guides	90 damage	Dropped by Empress of Light
Xeno Staff	4 of 4 guides	36 damage	Dropped by Martian Saucer
Kaleidoscope	3 of 4 guides	170 damage	Dropped by Empress of Light
Dark Harvest	2 of 4 guides	110 damage	Dropped by Pumpking
Electric Eel	2 of 4 guides	150 damage	Dropped by Duke Fishron

Armor

Item	Picked by	Effect	Source
Spooky armor	2 of 4 guides	30 defenseSet bonus: Increases summon damage by 25%
Tiki armor	2 of 4 guides	35 defenseSet bonus: Increases your max number of minions by 1. Increases whip range by 20%

Accessories

Item	Picked by	Effect	Source
Master Ninja Gear	3 of 4 guides	Allows the ability to climb walls and dash; Gives a chance to dodge attacks	Crafted
Papyrus Scarab	3 of 4 guides	Increases your max number of minions by 1; Increases your summon damage by 15% and the knockback of your minions	Crafted
Betsy's Wings	2 of 4 guides	Allows flight and slow fall; Press Down to toggle hover	Dropped by Betsy
Fishron Wings	2 of 4 guides	Allows flight and slow fall; Allows quick travel in water	Dropped by Duke Fishron

Also picked

Item	Picked by	Effect	Source
Flask of Ichor	2 of 4 guides	Melee and Whip attacks decrease enemies defense	Crafted
Summoning Potion	2 of 4 guides	Increases your max number of minions by 1	Crafted
War Table	2 of 4 guides	Usable when placed; Increased your max number of sentries by 1	Dropped by Dark Mage

Watch this stage in the videos:

• Clotz, 2:51
• Icoonigtoo, 15:31
• MURA, 2:00
• brome, 8:20

Before Moon Lord

Kill the Stardust Pillar for Stardust Fragment. The Stardust Dragon Staff is the staff to aim for (picked by 4 of 4 guides). It costs Stardust Fragment x18 at Ancient Manipulator. The Stardust Cell Staff is the other staff.

Weapons

Item	Picked by	Effect	Source
Stardust Dragon Staff	4 of 4 guides	40 damage	Crafted
Ballista Staff	3 of 4 guides	156 damage	Sold by Tavernkeep
Stardust Cell Staff	3 of 4 guides	60 damage	Crafted
Terraprisma	3 of 4 guides	90 damage	Dropped by Empress of Light
Electric Eel	2 of 4 guides	150 damage	Dropped by Duke Fishron

Armor

Item	Picked by	Effect	Source
Spooky armor	2 of 4 guides	30 defenseSet bonus: Increases summon damage by 25%
Tiki armor	2 of 4 guides	35 defenseSet bonus: Increases your max number of minions by 1. Increases whip range by 20%

Accessories

Item	Picked by	Effect	Source
Master Ninja Gear	3 of 4 guides	Allows the ability to climb walls and dash; Gives a chance to dodge attacks	Crafted
Papyrus Scarab	3 of 4 guides	Increases your max number of minions by 1; Increases your summon damage by 15% and the knockback of your minions	Crafted
Betsy's Wings	2 of 4 guides	Allows flight and slow fall; Press Down to toggle hover	Dropped by Betsy
Fishron Wings	2 of 4 guides	Allows flight and slow fall; Allows quick travel in water	Dropped by Duke Fishron
Necromantic Scroll	2 of 4 guides	Increases your max number of minions by 1; Increases summon damage by 10%	Dropped by Mourning Wood

Also picked

Item	Picked by	Effect	Source
Flask of Ichor	2 of 4 guides	Melee and Whip attacks decrease enemies defense	Crafted
Summoning Potion	2 of 4 guides	Increases your max number of minions by 1	Crafted
War Table	2 of 4 guides	Usable when placed; Increased your max number of sentries by 1	Dropped by Dark Mage

Watch this stage in the videos:

• Clotz, 3:10
• Icoonigtoo, 17:51
• MURA, 2:15
• brome, 9:33

Endgame: after Moon Lord

Stardust armor is the endgame summoner set. Its bonus: A stardust guardian will protect you from nearby enemies. Moon Lord drops the Lunar Portal Staff sentry, and the Possession is the whip pick (110 damage).

Weapons

Item	Picked by	Effect	Source
Lunar Portal Staff	4 of 4 guides	100 damage	Dropped by Moon Lord's Core
Possession	4 of 4 guides	110 damage	Dropped by Moon Lord's Core
Stardust Dragon Staff	4 of 4 guides	40 damage	Crafted
Terraprisma	3 of 4 guides	90 damage	Dropped by Empress of Light
Ballista Staff	2 of 4 guides	156 damage	Sold by Tavernkeep
Kaleidoscope	2 of 4 guides	170 damage	Dropped by Empress of Light
Rainbow Crystal Staff	2 of 4 guides	130 damage	Dropped by Moon Lord's Core
Stardust Cell Staff	2 of 4 guides	60 damage	Crafted

Armor

Item	Picked by	Effect	Source
Stardust armor	4 of 4 guides	38 defenseSet bonus: A stardust guardian will protect you from nearby enemies

Accessories

Item	Picked by	Effect	Source
Celestial Starboard	3 of 4 guides	Allows flight and slow fall; Press Down to toggle hover	From Treasure Bag (Moon Lord)
Master Ninja Gear	3 of 4 guides	Allows the ability to climb walls and dash; Gives a chance to dodge attacks	Crafted
Papyrus Scarab	3 of 4 guides	Increases your max number of minions by 1; Increases your summon damage by 15% and the knockback of your minions	Crafted
Necromantic Scroll	2 of 4 guides	Increases your max number of minions by 1; Increases summon damage by 10%	Dropped by Mourning Wood

Also picked

Item	Picked by	Effect	Source
Flask of Ichor	2 of 4 guides	Melee and Whip attacks decrease enemies defense	Crafted
Summoning Potion	2 of 4 guides	Increases your max number of minions by 1	Crafted
War Table	2 of 4 guides	Usable when placed; Increased your max number of sentries by 1	Dropped by Dark Mage

Watch this stage in the videos:

• Clotz, 3:29
• Icoonigtoo, 20:32
• MURA, 2:30
• brome, 10:29