In Terraria, combat pets, more commonly referred to as «summons» or «minions,» play a crucial role in enhancing your combat capabilities by autonomously attacking enemies. These companions are invaluable for players who specialize in the Summoner class, but they’re also beneficial for any player looking to increase their damage output. Here’s a guide to some of the best combat pets available in Terraria, ranked by their usefulness and how to obtain them.

1. Stardust Dragon Staff

• Summon Type: Minion
• Description: Summons a dragon that segments itself with each additional summon. Its ability to pass through walls and its long body make it exceptionally powerful for dealing continuous damage.
• How to Obtain: Crafted from Stardust Fragments obtained from the Stardust Pillar during the Lunar Events.

2. Terraprisma

• Summon Type: Minion
• Description: Summons a sword-like entity that rapidly attacks enemies. It’s one of the strongest minions, with high damage and fast attack speed, and it can target multiple enemies simultaneously.
• How to Obtain: Dropped by the Empress of Light, but only if all damage to the Empress is dealt during the daytime.

3. Raven Staff

• Summon Type: Minion
• Description: Summons ravens that attack enemies by diving at them. The ravens have high damage and good targeting ability, making them effective in various combat scenarios.
• How to Obtain: Dropped by Pumpking during the Pumpkin Moon event.

4. Xeno Staff

• Summon Type: Minion
• Description: Summons a UFO that fires lasers at enemies. It has a fast attack rate and excellent accuracy, which is great for both single-target and crowd control.
• How to Obtain: Dropped by the Martian Saucer during the Martian Madness event.

5. Desert Tiger Staff

• Summon Type: Minion
• Description: Summons a tiger that leaps at enemies, dealing significant damage, especially with its pounce attack.
• How to Obtain: Found in Sandstone Chests in the Underground Desert or by opening Oasis Crates and Mirage Crates.

6. Deadly Sphere Staff

• Summon Type: Minion
• Description: Summons deadly spheres that hover around and ram into enemies. It’s very effective for dealing damage in confined spaces.
• How to Obtain: Dropped by Deadly Spheres during the Solar Eclipse event.

7. Sanguine Staff

• Summon Type: Minion
• Description: Summons a bat that attacks enemies. The bat has good attack speed and decent damage, and it can chase down faster enemies effectively.
• How to Obtain: Dropped by the Dreadnautilus, which can be fished up during a Blood Moon.

8. Pygmy Staff

• Summon Type: Minion
• Description: Summons a small pygmy that throws spears at enemies. While not the strongest, it’s useful due to its range and rapid attack rate.
• How to Obtain: Dropped by Plantera in the Jungle.

9. Optic Staff

• Summon Type: Minion
• Description: Summons miniature versions of the Twins, Spazmatism, and Retinazer. Each minion attacks with lasers and cursed flames, offering a mix of range and damage.
• How to Obtain: Crafted from Hallowed Bars and Black Lenses.

10. Spider Staff

• Summon Type: Minion
• Description: Summons a spider that attacks your enemies by latching onto them. It’s particularly effective in crowded and enclosed spaces.
• How to Obtain: Crafted from Spider Fangs, which are dropped by spiders in the Spider Nest biome.

These combat pets offer a range of abilities that can significantly boost your combat effectiveness in Terraria. Whether you’re engaging in solo battles or teaming up with friends, these summons can provide valuable support to help you conquer the toughest of Terraria’s challenges.