So, you wanna build an Old One's Army farm in Terraria, huh? Well, you've come to the right place! Farming the Old One's Army event is a fantastic way to snag some seriously powerful gear. We're talking about weapons, armor, and accessories that can make a huge difference in your progression. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to set up a super-efficient farm, so you can rake in those rewards. Let's get started, Terrarians!

Understanding the Old One's Army Event

Before we dive into the nitty-gritty of building a farm, let's make sure we're all on the same page about the Old One's Army event itself. This event is a crossover with the Dungeon Defenders 2 game, and it involves defending the Eternia Crystal from waves of enemies pouring in through portals. To initiate the event, you'll need an Eternia Crystal Stand and an Eternia Crystal, both of which you can purchase from the Tavernkeep NPC. You unlock the Tavernkeep by defeating the Eater of Worlds or the Brain of Cthulhu in your world. Once you've got your hands on these items, find a large, flat area to set up your defense. The event comes in multiple tiers that scale with your game progress, which determines the difficulty and the rewards you get, from basic to god-tier items. Understanding these tiers is crucial for optimizing your farm, as it influences the type of enemies you'll face and the defenses you'll need.

Key Requirements for Starting the Event

To kick off the Old One's Army, you'll need more than just the Eternia Crystal and the stand. First off, make sure you've got a relatively flat, open area. The game recommends at least 61 tiles wide, but honestly, the more space you have, the better. This gives you room to maneuver and set up your defenses effectively. Secondly, ensure that the area is free from any obstructions that might interfere with enemy spawns or your defenses. Clear out any trees, bushes, or uneven terrain. Finally, and this is super important, make sure you've defeated either the Eater of Worlds or the Brain of Cthulhu. The Tavernkeep won't show up until you've taken down one of these bosses. Once you've met these requirements, the Tavernkeep will appear somewhere in your world, and you can start buying the Eternia Crystal and the stand from him. Remember, the first time you summon the Old One's Army, it's going to be a learning experience. Don't be afraid to experiment with different strategies and setups to see what works best for you. The goal is to find a balance between efficiency and survivability, so you can farm those sweet, sweet rewards.

Designing Your Old One's Army Farm

Alright, let's get to the good stuff: designing your Old One's Army farm. The key to a successful farm is creating a setup that maximizes your damage output while minimizing the risk to your Eternia Crystal. This involves careful planning of your arena, strategic placement of traps and towers, and smart use of buffs and consumables. The most effective farm designs usually incorporate a combination of these elements, creating a layered defense that can withstand even the toughest waves of enemies.

Arena Layout

The arena layout is the foundation of your farm. You want to create an environment that funnels enemies into kill zones, where you can unleash your firepower. A common strategy is to build a long, flat platform on either side of the Eternia Crystal, with walls at the ends to prevent enemies from flanking you. Place the Eternia Crystal Stand in the center. Underneath the platform, dig out a series of pits or tunnels. These pits will serve as traps, slowing down or damaging enemies as they approach the crystal. Consider lining the pits with lava to deal constant damage, but be careful not to place too much lava, as it can destroy the loot dropped by enemies. Above the platform, you can build additional layers of defense, such as platforms for placing sentry turrets or walls to provide cover. The goal is to create a gauntlet that enemies must navigate before reaching the Eternia Crystal. This gives you ample time to whittle down their numbers and protect your objective. Experiment with different layouts to find what works best for you, but always prioritize creating a clear path for enemies and maximizing your line of sight.

Traps and Turrets

Traps and turrets are your primary damage dealers in the Old One's Army farm. Traps are stationary devices that inflict damage or apply debuffs to enemies that pass over them, while turrets are player-summoned entities that automatically attack nearby enemies. The choice of traps and turrets will depend on your progression level and the tier of the Old One's Army event you're farming.

Some of the most effective traps include: Flame Traps, which deal high damage to groups of enemies; Super Dart Traps, which fire piercing projectiles that can hit multiple targets; and Lava Traps, which inflict continuous damage over time. When placing traps, consider their range and firing rate. Flame Traps are best placed in narrow corridors where enemies are forced to funnel through, while Dart Traps are more effective in open areas where they can hit multiple targets. Turrets, on the other hand, provide mobile firepower that can adapt to changing combat situations. The Ballista and Lightning Aura turrets are particularly effective in the Old One's Army event. Ballista Turrets deal high single-target damage, making them ideal for taking down bosses and mini-bosses, while Lightning Aura Turrets inflict area-of-effect damage, which are perfect for clearing out hordes of weaker enemies. Experiment with different combinations of traps and turrets to find the optimal setup for your farm. Don't be afraid to mix and match different types of defenses to cover all your bases.

Buffs and Consumables

Buffs and consumables can provide a significant boost to your damage output and survivability in the Old One's Army event. These temporary effects can enhance your attack power, defense, movement speed, and other stats, making you a more formidable defender. Some of the most useful buffs for the Old One's Army include: Ironskin Potions, which increase your defense; Regeneration Potions, which restore your health over time; Swiftness Potions, which increase your movement speed; and Wrath Potions, which increase your damage output. In addition to potions, you can also use food items to gain temporary buffs. Cooked dishes like Cooked Fish and Steak provide well-fed buffs, which increase your health regeneration and other stats. When choosing buffs and consumables, consider your play style and the challenges you're facing. If you're struggling to survive, focus on defensive buffs like Ironskin and Regeneration. If you're having trouble dealing enough damage, prioritize offensive buffs like Wrath and Archery. And don't forget to stock up on healing potions and mana potions, as you'll likely need them during the event. By strategically using buffs and consumables, you can significantly improve your chances of success in the Old One's Army event.

Optimizing Your Farm for Maximum Efficiency

Okay, so you've got your arena built, your traps and turrets set up, and your buffs ready to go. But how do you ensure that your farm is running at maximum efficiency? Here are a few tips and tricks to help you optimize your Old One's Army farm:

Enemy Spawn Manipulation

One of the keys to an efficient farm is controlling enemy spawns. You want to ensure that enemies are spawning in the areas where you can most effectively deal with them. One way to do this is to use player-placed walls to block off certain areas, forcing enemies to spawn in specific locations. For example, you can build walls on either side of your Eternia Crystal, leaving only a narrow corridor for enemies to pass through. This will funnel them into your kill zone, where you can unleash your traps and turrets. Another technique is to use lava to manipulate enemy spawns. Lava can damage or kill certain enemies, preventing them from reaching your Eternia Crystal. By strategically placing lava pools, you can thin out the ranks of weaker enemies, making it easier to deal with the stronger ones. Experiment with different spawn manipulation techniques to find what works best for your farm. The goal is to create a predictable and controllable flow of enemies, so you can maximize your damage output and minimize the risk to your Eternia Crystal.

Gear and Loadout Considerations

Your gear and loadout play a crucial role in the effectiveness of your Old One's Army farm. You want to choose weapons, armor, and accessories that complement your play style and maximize your damage output. For weapons, consider using those that have high damage per second such as the Last Prism or the Celebration MK2. For armor, aim for sets that provide a balance of defense and damage bonuses. The Valhalla Knight armor is a popular choice for its high defense and damage reduction, while the Squire armor provides bonuses to sentry damage. As for accessories, focus on those that increase your damage output, such as the Avenger Emblem and the Warrior Emblem. You should also consider using accessories that provide utility, such as the Celestial Cuffs. Remember to reforge your accessories to Menacing or Lucky to further boost your damage output or critical strike chance. By carefully selecting your gear and loadout, you can significantly improve your chances of success in the Old One's Army event.

AFK Farming Techniques

For those of you who want to take a more hands-off approach, AFK (away from keyboard) farming is a viable option. AFK farming involves setting up your farm in such a way that it can automatically defeat enemies without your direct input. This requires careful planning and a well-designed arena. To set up an AFK farm, you'll need to create a closed-off area around your Eternia Crystal, with traps and turrets providing the primary source of damage. You'll also need to ensure that you have a way to automatically heal yourself, such as using the Celestial Cuffs or the Life Drain spell. One popular AFK farming technique is to use a combination of Flame Traps and Super Dart Traps to clear out enemies as they approach your Eternia Crystal. Place the Flame Traps in narrow corridors to deal high damage to groups of enemies, and use the Super Dart Traps to target individual enemies that manage to slip through. With a well-designed AFK farm, you can earn a steady stream of rewards from the Old One's Army event without having to actively participate. Just remember to check in periodically to collect your loot and repair any damage to your defenses.

Conclusion

Building an efficient Old One's Army farm in Terraria can be a rewarding experience, allowing you to acquire valuable gear and progress further in the game. By understanding the mechanics of the event, designing a strategic arena layout, and optimizing your gear and loadout, you can create a farm that consistently churns out loot. Whether you prefer an active, hands-on approach or a more passive AFK setup, the tips and tricks in this guide will help you maximize your efficiency and conquer the Old One's Army. Now go forth, Terrarians, and defend your Eternia Crystal with skill and determination!