Terraria Ranger Build Guide: Best Weapons, Armors, Accessories, and Tips & Tricks

(Estimated Read Time: 19 minutes)

In Terraria, a ranger is a character that uses long-range weapons to deal devastating damage from a distance. These characters can quickly overcome powerful foes all while keeping out of harm's way for as long as possible. With that, we're here to cover some of the best weapons, armor, and accessories available for the Terraria Ranger build and how to get the most out of this playstyle.

The Terraria Ranger Build: An Overview

Before starting this guide, it’s important to note that there’s no definitive way of playing a Ranger class in Terraria. However, certain weapons, accessories, and armor sets can benefit Rangers more than others, thanks to their effects and stats. As a Ranger in Terraria, this class is significantly less tanky than a Melee class. Also, a player that goes down this build may find it more challenging to defeat large groups of monsters than a Magic or Summoner class with limited AOE options. Players must also keep a constant eye on their ammunition unless using the Endless Quiver or Endless Musket Pouch. Despite its shortcomings, a ranged class has the potential to deal significant damage to single enemies, including bosses. This build applies focus fire on enemies, depleting their HP bars quickly while staying relatively safe from harm.

Best Armors for Rangers in Terraria

Your Ranger can’t deal damage to bosses if the character dies early in the fight, so a good defense can also help you dish out extra damage to enemies in the long run. To give yourself more survivability and overall stats, these are some of the best armors for ranged builds in Terraria.

Fossil Armor

The Fossil Armor set comprises three components: the Fossil Helmet, Fossil Plate, and Fossil Greaves. If worn as a set, it has the following stats and effects:

• 13 base defense
• +8% critical hit chance
• +5% ranged damage
• 20% chance for the user not to consume ammo (set bonus)

This armor set is a good choice for a new Ranger. Players can craft it by combining 60 x Sturdy Fossil. This item drops from Basilisks and Tomb Crawlers. It also has a chance to appear in Oasis and Mirage Crates. Using the Metal Detector may also allow players to find a Sturdy Fossil but the chance is quite low.

Necro Armor

Players can move from the Fossil Armor to the Necro Armor as they progress through the game. Like the Fossil Armor, the Necro Armor has three components: the Necro Helmet, Necro Breastplate, and Necro Greaves. Wearing the full set grants the Ranger the following stats and effects:

• 19 base defense
• +15% ranged damage
• +10% critical hit chance (set bonus)
• 20% chance for the user not to consume ammo (set bonus)

Aside from these stats and effects, wearing all the pieces of the Necro Armor grants after-images to the character during movement. Additionally, throwing the Necro Helmet to Shimmer transforms it into the Ancient Necro Helmet. Despite the change in name and appearance, the Ancient variant offers the same stats and effects as its original counterpart.

Frost Armor

The Frost Armor and its components are only obtainable in Hardmode. It also has three components: the Frost Helmet, Frost Breastplate, and Frost Leggings. Wearing each of these pieces grants the Ranger the following stats and effects:

• 43 base defense
• +26% melee and ranged damage
• +11% melee and ranged critical hit chance
• +8% movement speed
• +10% melee weapon speed
• Weapon attacks inflict the Frostburn debuff on enemies, which deals cold damage over time for 5 to 14 seconds (set bonus)

Crafting the Frost Armor’s components require 46 x Adamantite or Titanium Bars and 3 x Frost Cores. Like the Necro Armor, wearing the Frost Armor set grants the character some visual enhancements. In particular, the user will leave a snow trail as they walk while wearing this set.

Chlorophyte Armor

The Chlorophyte Armor is another Hardmode armor with three components: the Chlorophyte Plate Mail, Chlorophyte Greaves, and either the Chlorophyte Mask, Helmet, or Headgear. That means that players can only obtain this armor set after defeating the Moon Lord. Since Terraria players can choose between the Mask, Helmet, or Headgear, the final stats and effects of the armor set differ depending on the helmet worn. Here are the stats and effects of the Chlorophyte Armor if the player chooses the Chlorophyte Mask. Take note that wearing the mask offers better benefits for Melee builds, though ranged players can still take advantage.

• 51 base defense
• +5% damage
• +15% critical hit chance
• +5% movement speed
• +16% melee damage
• +6% melee critical hit chance
• Attacking with the Chlorophyte Armor set worn will produce a Leaf Crystal that shoots nearby enemies (set bonus)

On the other hand, wearing the Chlorophyte Headgear provides enhanced mana and magic damage for users. This helmet might be ideal for hybrid Rangers that also use magic in dealing with enemies. Wearing the Chlorophyte Armor with the headgear grants the character the following stats and effects:

• 38 base defense
• +5% damage
• +15% critical hit chance
• +5% movement speed
• +80 to maximum mana
• +16% magic damage
• -17% mana cost
• Attacking with the Chlorophyte Armor set worn will produce a Leaf Crystal that shoots nearby enemies (set bonus)

That leaves the Chlorophyte Helmet, which is the overall best option for a Ranger. Wearing it provides the character with the following stats and effects:

• 44 base defense
• +5% damage
• +15% critical hit chance
• +5% movement speed
• +16% ranged damage
• 20% chance of not consuming ammunition
• Attacking with the Chlorophyte Armor set worn will produce a Leaf Crystal that shoots nearby enemies (set bonus)

Crafting the Chlorophyte Armor set requires the player to gather and craft 54x Chlorophyte Bar. This amount is the same regardless of the helmet chosen for the set.

Shroomite Armor

The Shroomite Armor is a Hardmode armor set with stats and effects that fall short only to the Vortex Armor. Like the Chlorophyte Armor, the Shroomite Armor set also has three helmets that grant different effects to users. But the difference here is that all of Shroomite’s helmets grant the same base defense regardless of the type worn. Players need to wear the three components of the Shroomite Armor set to gain its benefits: the Shroomite Breastplate, Shroomite Leggings, and the Shroomite Headgear, Helmet, or Mask. With all the components worn, the player takes advantage of the following stats and effects:

• 51 base defense
• +13% ranged damage
• +25% critical hit chance
• 20% chance of not consuming ammunition
• +12% movement speed
• x1.15 damage boost when firing arrows or stakes (when wearing the Shroomite Headgear)
• x1.15 damage boost when firing bullets or candy corn (when wearing the Shroomite Mask)
• x1.15 damage boost when firing other types of ammunition (when wearing the Shroomite Helmet)
• Allows the user to enter “stealth mode” when standing still (set bonus)

While the player is in stealth mode, it grants the following bonuses:

• Your character model becomes nearly invisible
• -750 aggro
• +60% ranged damage
• +10% ranged critical hit chance
• +50% knockback

Take note that making any kind of movement or attack while in stealth mode removes the buff quickly. Additionally, creating the entire armor set requires players to gather and mix 54 x Shroomite Bar. Crafting that amount of Shroomite Bars need 810 x Glowing Mushroom.

Vortex Armor

Arguably the best armor for the Ranger class in Terraria, the Vortex Armor has three main components: the Vortex Helmet, Vortex Breastplate, and Vortex Leggings. This armor set has some properties found in other armors already mentioned, such as the stealth mode of the Shroomite Armor. However, the Vortex Armor’s stealth mode has better bonuses than those supplied by the Shroomite Armor. Wearing the Vortex Armor set grants the user with the following stats and effects:

• +62 base defense
• +36% ranged damage
• +27% ranged critical hit chance
• 25% chance of not consuming ammunition
• +10% movement speed
• Allows the user to enter “stealth mode” by double tapping the down button on the keyboard (set bonus)

If the stealth mode is active, the Ranger gains the following bonuses:

• Your character model becomes nearly invisible
• -1,200 aggro
• +80% ranged damage
• +20% ranged critical hit chance
• +50% knockback

Unlike the Shroomite Armor’s stealth mode which quickly disappears when the character moves, players can still move while staying in stealth mode with the Vortex Armor. However, movement speed reduces by 33% while this mode is active. Crafting the Vortex Armor’s components requires players to gather and mix 36 x Luminite Bar and 45 x Vortex Fragments. Also, players must use the Ancient Manipulator to craft the armor’s pieces.

Best Ranged Weapons in Terraria

Terraria has no shortage of ranged weapons available for the Ranger build. Here are some options from the plethora of ranged weapons that you can acquire in the game:

Boomstick

A pre-Hardmode gun, the Boomstick is a shotgun that has a chance to appear in Ivy Chests and Jungle Crates. It has the following stats:

• 14 base ranged damage
• 5.75 knockback
• 4% critical hit chance

Attacking with the Boomstick makes the gun fire 3 to 4 bullets. However, it consumes only one ammo per shot.

Minishark

Another pre-Hardmode gun that can be a good choice for a new Ranger is the Minishark. It’s a minigun that players can buy from the Arms Dealer for 35 gold pieces. Although it can use any type of bullet, it can shoot fast, which means that ammunition can also deplete rapidly. Nonetheless, it does offer a 33.33% chance of not consuming ammo upon use. The Minishark has the following stats:

• 6 base ranged damage
• 0 knockback
• 4% critical hit chance

Hellwing Bow

The Hellwing Bow has a chance of appearing in Underworld Shadow Chests, in Obsidian Lock Boxes, and in Hellstone Crates. Although it offers decent damage in pre-Hardmode, firing Wooden Arrows from this bow is quite inaccurate as the transformed Hellwings fly in different directions. If a Ranger decides to use this bow, it gives that user the following stats:

• 22 base ranged damage
• 5.5 knockback
• 4% critical hit chance

Bee’s Knees

Killing the Queen Bee boss may drop the Bee’s Knees bow. Like the Hellwing Bow, this weapon uses Wooden Arrows. However, firing an arrow will transform that type of ammunition into 3 to 6 bees that home in on nearby enemies. It also has a 33% chance of firing an extra bee. The Bee’s Knees bow also has the following stats:

• 23 base ranged damage
• 3 knockback
• 4% critical hit chance

Daedalus Stormbow

The first Hardmode bow to grace this list is the Daedalus Stormbow. It has a unique animation wherein the user will summon arrows that rain from the sky instead of the standard bow-shooting animation. Each click of the attack button will use three arrows from the player’s inventory. It also uses any arrow but uses one less arrow if the user is firing Hellfire, Holy, Unholy, or Jester’s Arrows. The Daedalus Stormbow may drop from Hallowed Mimics, and it has the following stats:

• 38 base ranged damage
• 2.25 knockback
• 4% critical hit chance

Super Star Shooter

The Super Star Shooter fires the rare Fallen Stars as ammunition. Nonetheless, each star will pass through enemies, making it a good choice for clearing enemies in a line. Players can craft this weapon by mixing the Star Cannon (1 x Minishark, 20 x Meteorite Bar, and 5 x Fallen Star) with 12 x Hallowed Bar. Rangers that use this weapon can take advantage of the following stats:

• 60 base ranged damage
• 5 knockback
• 4% critical hit chance

Venus Magnum

The Venus Magnum may drop from the Plantera boss, and it’s a Hardmode weapon that fires high-velocity bullets. Although players can’t use autofire with this weapon, its firing speed is still quite fast. This weapon uses Musket and Tungsten Bullets as ammunition and has the following stats:

• 50 base ranged damage
• 5.5 knockback
• 4% critical hit chance

Phantasm

The Phantasm is a Hardmode craftable bow made by mixing 18x Vortex Fragment in the Ancient Manipulator. It’s also one of the flat out best ranged weapons in the game. Holding the attack button will auto-fire four arrows per shot but will only consume one arrow in the player’s inventory. Additionally, each arrow hit on an enemy will generate three Phantasm Arrows that home in on that target. These extra arrows only deal 30% of the original arrow’s damage. The Phantasm has the following stats:

• 50 ranged damage
• 2 knockback
• 4% critical hit chance

Snowman Cannon

Another endgame ranged weapon is the Snowman Cannon. Players may acquire this item as a random drop after defeating the Ice Queen boss. This weapon fires homing rockets, allowing players to disregard aiming when using this rocket launcher. Also, the explosions made by the rockets won’t harm the player. The Snowman Cannon has the following stats:

• 67 ranged damage
• 4 knockback
• 4% critical hit chance

Best Accessories for Rangers in Terraria

Rangers can wear different accessories in Terraria depending on their chosen builds and unique playstyles. But it can be wise to wear accessories with Menacing or Warding modifiers for the damage and defense boosts. Here are some notable accessories for your Ranger:

Terraspark Boots

As a pre-Hardmode accessory, players can craft the Terraspark Boots by combining the Frostspark Boots and Lava Waders. It’s a lengthy crafting tree but provides users with different abilities:

• Flight
• Increased walking/running speed
• Walk on honey, lava, and water
• Immunity to fire blocks
• 7-second immunity when touching lava
• Reduced damage from lava

Sniper Scope

The Sniper Scope is a Hardmode accessory obtainable after defeating the Golem boss. Wearing it gives the user an additional 10% increase in ranged damage and critical hit chance. Holding the attack button also increases the user’s viewing range. Crafting the Sniper Scope requires players to mix the Rifle Scope and a Destroyer Emblem at the Tinkerer’s Workshop.

Stalker’s Quiver

Another Hardmode accessory, the Stalker’s Quiver combines the effects of the Putrid Scent and Magic Quiver accessories, which are also the materials used to craft this item. Do note, however that it doesn’t inherit the Putrid Scent’s damage bonus and increase in critical hit chance. Nonetheless, wearing the Stalker’s Quiver grants the player an additional 10% arrow damage while greatly increasing the arrow flight speed. It also has a 20% chance of not consuming arrows when the Ranger attacks.

Ranger Emblem

The Ranger Emblem has the straightforward effect of increasing the user’s ranged damage by 15%. Players have the chance of receiving this item as a random drop from the Wall of Flesh boss.

Additional Tips & Tricks

While getting the best gear is always a help, these little adjustments can go a long way in taking full advantage of your Terraria ranger build.

• Bring a sword or melee weapon. You might run out of ammo while you’re exploring, and it’s not ideal to keep returning to base to restock.
• Never underestimate buffs. Ensure that you always have a buff active to help you deal as much damage as possible while trying to survive.
• Summon Minions. These summoned beings can help increase your DPS and provide backup when you run out of ammo.
• Recruit the Arms Dealer as fast as possible. This NPC will be one of your main sources of ammunition.

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