In the vast world of Terraria, the Calamity Mod’s Infernum difficulty pushes every aspect of gameplay to its limits, including the Summoner class. Summoners in Infernum face unique challenges, such as intense boss AI changes, increased damage taken, and stricter resource management. But with the right strategies, optimal equipment, and deep knowledge of summon mechanics, the class can shine brilliantly in this hardcore environment. This guide explores a complete Calamity Infernum Summoner progression, covering gear selection, minion types, boss strategies, and tips for survival.
Understanding Summoner in Calamity Infernum
The Summoner class relies heavily on minions and sentries to deal damage while the player focuses on mobility and survival. In Infernum, proper positioning and awareness become even more critical due to revamped boss mechanics and increased enemy aggression. Unlike other classes, Summoners must balance their damage output with minion slot management, whip usage, and buff uptime to stay competitive. The Infernum difficulty is unforgiving, but Summoners can succeed through preparation and adaptability.
Advantages of Playing Summoner in Infernum
- High DPS potential with proper minion stacking and whip synergy
- Ranged playstyle allows for safer positioning
- Scales well with accessories and potion buffs
- Unique class-specific gear that unlocks new strategies
Challenges Unique to Summoners
- Low defense and survivability early on
- Whip range and damage are limited compared to ranged weapons
- Requires active management of summons and buffs
- Minions may struggle with boss movement patterns in Infernum
Early Game Progression
Pre-Boss Preparation
Before facing any major bosses, focus on acquiring your first summon weapon, like theFlinx Staff. Aim to craftFlinx Fur Coatand farm for a few Life Crystals to boost survivability. Summoners benefit greatly from early mobility upgrades, such as Hermes Boots or Cloud in a Bottle, especially when dodging Infernum’s complex boss attacks.
Recommended Gear
- Weapon: Flinx Staff
- Armor: Flinx Fur Coat + Platinum Helmet and Greaves
- Accessories: Feral Claws, Hermes Boots, Band of Regeneration
Key Boss: King Slime
In Infernum, King Slime is faster and more aggressive. Summon your minions at a safe distance and avoid direct confrontation. Use a long platform arena to maintain control of the fight. After defeating King Slime, you’ll gain Gel armor and an early summon weapon upgrade.
Mid-Game Summoner Build (Post-Eye of Cthulhu to Wall of Flesh)
Important Summon Weapons
- Vulcan’s Wrath: Acquired after Brain of Cthulhu; deals consistent AoE damage
- Sun Spirit Staff: Craftable after Desert Scourge; useful for crowd control
- Snapthorn (Whip): Boosts minion tag damage and essential for whip stacking
Armor Progression
- Obtain theObsidian Armorfor a solid mid-game summoner set
- Later transition intoBee Armorafter defeating Queen Bee for extra minion slots
Boss Tips
Against Infernum’s Brain of Cthulhu, minions can struggle to track the clones. Stay mobile and use your whip to mark targets for focused damage. For Skeletron, prepare a wide arena and consider using Sun Spirit Staff to handle the aggressive hands. Dodge patterns become tighter, so prioritize survival over pure DPS.
Late Pre-Hardmode Preparation
Wall of Flesh Strategy
The Wall of Flesh in Infernum has enhanced speed and defense. Use platforms over lava to allow vertical dodging. Summon weapons like the Imp Staff and whips such as Spinal Tap will give you the tag damage needed to burn down its health. Dodge the Hungries aggressively, and don’t forget to reapply minions if they get caught in lava.
Essential Buffs
- Summoning Potion
- Bewitching Table Buff
- Well Fed or higher tier food
- Inferno Potion for minor defense
Early Hardmode Progression
Summoner Weapon Upgrades
- Blade Staff: Excellent tag-focused summon with armor penetration
- Cool Whip: Great synergy with frostburn damage
- Houndius Shootius (if available): Powerful sentry option
Armor Choices
- Spider Armor:Grants more minion slots and is accessible right after entering Hardmode
- Forbidden Armor:Hybrid set if you want some magic versatility
Mechanical Boss Fights
Infernum’s Mech bosses are aggressive and relentless. Use teleporters or long skybridge arenas. Keep your summons active and reposition constantly. Avoid tunnel visioning the boss and keep an eye on minion placement and whip targeting.
Post-Plantera and Endgame
High-End Summon Weapons
- Xeno Staff: Homing minions that pair well with fast movement
- Terraprisma: If obtained, dominates with raw DPS and perfect tracking
- Staff of the Mechworm: Post-Devourer of Gods weapon with incredible synergy
Final Armor Sets
- Tarragon Armor:Defensive choice with high survivability
- Bloodflare Armor:Boosts offensive output and lifesteal
- Empyrean Armor:Balanced for Infernum’s endgame
Buffs and Accessories for Final Battles
- Pygmy Necklace (more minions)
- Summoner Emblem
- Statis’ Blessing and Curse (from Calamity)
- Soaring Insignia for mobility
Final Boss: Supreme Calamitas
This fight is a gauntlet even for the most prepared Summoners. Positioning and situational awareness are key. Keep your summons attacking consistently while dodging her wide array of projectiles and patterns. Use speed boosts and teleporters to stay alive. Whip attacks help keep aggro on minions and apply crucial tag damage. Recasting minions mid-fight is essential, especially after her clones or terrain shifts disrupt your setup.
General Tips for Summoners in Infernum
- Re-summon your minions frequently to avoid pathing glitches
- Use your whip strategically to mark enemies for your minions to prioritize
- Always enter boss fights with a full loadout of buffs and a clean arena
- Don’t forget sentries they add a massive DPS boost during stationary phases
- Mix whip and summon types for best synergy (e.g., fire + frost)
The Summoner class in Calamity’s Infernum mode is a thrilling but demanding experience. It rewards players who master minion control, timing, and mobility. While it may lack brute force early on, Summoners grow into one of the most powerful classes when handled with care. Through clever preparation and learning each boss’s patterns, you can conquer Infernum’s brutal gauntlet and emerge victorious. Embrace the challenge, experiment with different summon tools, and unleash the true potential of the Summoner class.