Terraria is among the most popular indie games of all time, receiving much praise and becoming one of the most well-known independent titles ever. Much of its renown stems from its immense variety, as it features numerous distinct biomes, enemies, bosses, etc., which can keep players occupied for hours while enhancing its replayability. The game has many defining characteristics that distinguish itself from other titles, such as its inclusion of Hardmode ⁠— a more challenging version of the initial world with many new additions and changes.

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Hardmode is a turning point in Terraria that completely refreshes the game, providing players with new obstacles and challenges to overcome. It changes the game in a way that makes players feel like they are starting over as they must accustom themselves to the disparate and dangerous Hardmode world. Doing so is an exhilarating experience, regardless of how demanding it may be. However, unlocking Hardmode is a challenge in and of itself, especially for players unaware of how to go about it. So, here is how to unlock Hardmode in Terraria.

Prepare Yourself For The Worst

Before players can take the steps toward unlocking Hardmode, they must prepare themselves for the worst, for it is yet to come. This preparation means ensuring they are at their best so that the hardship ahead is not as grueling of an endeavor. Doing so will require much work as players must be at their strongest, which will require them to explore the world, slay enemies, and defeat bosses to bolster their capabilities lest they will not be ready for the difficulty ahead of them. This process is very straightforward as it is a natural progression for most.

While there are many ways for players to prepare, the first and most vital step is to max out their Health and Mana. Doing so requires them to find Life Crystals and create Mana Crystals, which demands much time and effort but will ultimately benefit players. The next step is for players to acquire the best gear for whatever build they are pursuing. This pursuit will see players defeating various enemies and bosses alongside exploration, as that is how they will obtain many beneficial items. Once players prepare accordingly, they may continue.

Go To Hell

Upon preparing the best they can, players need to descend underground straight down to the Underworld biome, best known as Hell. Such a venture reveals why players must prepare themselves so thoroughly, for Hell is a relentlessly unforgiving place, and the journey there, as straightforward as it may be, is nearly as unfavorable. Players must cut through the underground a significant distance before they reach the bottom of all creation, which in and of itself presents numerous challenges for players to face and hopefully overcome.

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Players can delve into a cavern and work their way to Hell, but the most effective and safe strategy is to create a Hellevator — a linear mineshaft that goes straight down to the Underworld from the surface. Making a Hellevator is very simple as players need only dig a hole their width straight down until they reach Hell. Of course, some dangers come with this, as players will likely pass various caverns possessing hazards and obstructions. These perils are avoidable should players stay aware of the surrounding area and blockade the Hellevator's walls.

Find A Voodoo Demon

Once the Hellevator is complete, players can quickly and effortlessly descend to Hell. While the environment of Hell is hostile beyond belief, there are many treasures for players to obtain should they desire, many of which will benefit their plight to unlock Hardmode. The most notable being Hellstone — an ore that can make powerful armor and weapons. However, a player's priority should not be the loot but a rare enemy known as a Voodoo Demon, which carries a vastly important item necessary for unlocking Hardmode.

A Voodoo Demon carries a Guide Voodoo Doll, the item necessary for summoning the final pre-Hardmode boss, the Wall of Flesh. Defeating a Voodoo Demon is no easy feat, as it possesses an assortment of attacks that can slay even the best-equipped players with remarkable ease. Thus, players must exercise caution when facing this foe and more upon defeating it. Players must quickly grab the Guide Voodoo Doll once they finish a Voodoo Demon, for if it falls into the lava, there will be soul-shattering consequences.

Incinerate The Guide Voodoo Doll

The next step after defeating a Voodoo Demon and acquiring the Guide Voodoo Doll is somewhat morally questionable but straightforward. Players must take the Guide Voodoo Doll and incinerate it in one of the many scorching pools of lava found throughout Hell. Doing so will immediately kill the Guide NPC and summon the Wall of Flesh within the vicinity of a player. Once done, there is no going back, so players must be ready.

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Should players be defeated, they must wait for the Guide to respawn and delve into Hell again, meaning they should effectively prepare lest they go through the trouble all over again. Appropriate preparations involve the usual practices for boss battles, such as stocking up on potions, buff items, and ammunition. But, there are unique difficulties that come with this fight as the landscape is unfavorable and the boss is unavoidable.

Defeat The Wall Of Flesh

When the Guide Voodoo Doll burns in the lava, the Wall of Flesh will spawn nearby and begin approaching relentlessly, sweeping all in its path. This boss is one to fear as it uses its hostile environment to its advantage, forcing players to evade pools of lava and natural obstructions while trying not to fall into its reach. As such, defeating the Wall of Flesh will be no easy feat, requiring much effort and preparation on a player's part. Yet, there is one thing a player can do to make the fight much more manageable.

Players must build a long bridge that spans the entire length of Hell to avoid the expanse of lava and unfavorable terrain. Doing so will negate one of the most pressing challenges of the Wall of Flesh boss fight. From then on, players need only worry about getting too close as that can end the battle quickly. By keeping distance and inflicting consistent damage to this towering boss, players can defeat the Wall of Flesh to unlock Hardmode permanently, forever changing their world in dramatic and magical ways.

Terraria is available on PC, PS Vita, PS3, PS4, PS5, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, Wii U, 3DS, IOS, Android, and Google Stadia.

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