How is damage calculated in Terraria?

Damage is calculated by taking the weapon's base damage, applying modifiers (prefixes, armor, accessories), and then subtracting enemy defense. Defense effectiveness depends on the difficulty mode (50% in Classic, 75% in Expert, 100% in Master).

Does defense reduce damage before or after critical hits?

Defense is subtracted from the damage BEFORE the critical hit multiplier is applied. This means high defense is very effective against low base damage weapons, even if they crit.

What is the best modifier for weapons?

Generally, 'Legendary' is best for Melee, 'Unreal' for Ranged, 'Mythical' for Magic, and 'Ruthless' for Summoner weapons.

Terraria Damage Calculator

1. Gear & Stats

Weapon Base Damage

Use Time (Ticks)

Weapon Crit Chance (%)

Weapon Modifier (Prefix)

Total Damage Boost (%)

Armor Penetration

2. Enemy & Buffs

Target Boss / Enemy

Difficulty Mode

Enemy Defense

Enemy HP (for TTK)

Active Buffs & Debuffs

Ichor (-15 Def) Betsy's Curse (-40 Def) Wrath (+10% Dmg) Well Fed (+5% Dmg/Crit)

3. Analysis

DPS (Estimated) 0

Damage Per Hit 0

Crit Damage 0

Attacks Per Second 0

Time to Kill 0s

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About the Terraria Damage Calculator

Welcome to the most advanced Terraria Damage Calculator on the web. Whether you're preparing for the Wall of Flesh or min-maxing your loadout for the Moon Lord, this tool helps you understand your true damage output. Unlike simple DPS meters, this calculator accounts for enemy defense, difficulty modes (Expert/Master), and critical hit mechanics to give you realistic combat scenarios.

How to Use

Gear & Stats: Enter your weapon's base damage and use time (found on the Wiki or in-game tooltip). Add your total damage bonuses from armor and accessories.
Enemy & Buffs: Select a boss from the dropdown to automatically load their defense and HP stats. Adjust the difficulty to see how Expert or Master mode affects your damage.
Buffs: Toggle common buffs like Ichor (which lowers enemy defense) or Wrath Potion to see their impact on your Time-to-Kill.
Analyze: Check the "Time to Kill" metric. This is often more valuable than raw DPS, as it tells you exactly how long you need to survive the fight.

Understanding the Math

Terraria's damage formula can be tricky. Here are a few key tips:

Defense is Key: In Expert Mode, enemies block 75% of their defense value from your damage. If you have a fast, low-damage weapon (like the Minishark) against a high-defense enemy, you might do only 1 damage per hit!
Critical Hits: Crits deal double damage, but the calculation happens after defense is subtracted. This means armor penetration is often more valuable than small damage boosts against armored foes.
Attack Speed: "Use Time" is measured in ticks (60 ticks = 1 second). A lower use time means faster attacks.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I find my weapon's Use Time?

You can check the official Terraria Wiki or look at the in-game tooltip. "Very Fast" usually corresponds to 8-19 ticks, while "Slow" might be 30+ ticks.

Does this calculator support Modded Terraria (Calamity/Thorium)?

While the presets are for Vanilla bosses, the math works for modded versions too! Just select "Custom Enemy" and enter the modded boss's Defense and HP manually.

Why is my in-game DPS different?

In-game DPS meters often don't account for enemy defense (if testing on a dummy) or missed shots. This calculator assumes 100% accuracy to show your theoretical maximum potential.

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