Terraria: Skeletron Prime

Boss Strategies, Tips, and Drops

Skeletron Prime is one of three Mechanical Bosses in Terraria's Hard Mode. This Guide to defeating him will focus on what you need to prepare, how to get the components for the mechanical skull to summon him at will, and what you'll get when you defeat Skeletron. Like all Hard Mode Mechanical Bosses, it may visit you at night randomly and you may get its unique summoning item from any kill so long as it hasn't been defeated yet.

Random Encounter Before Summoning
If you've not yet defeated this boss, there is a slim chance each night that it will spawn and attack you. The message for Skeletron Prime's attack is "You feel the air growing colder..." .

Crafting Mechanical Skull

• Bone x30 - farmed in the Dungeon, drops from skeletal enemies
• Iron or Lead Bar x5
• Soul of Light x3 - farmed from creatures in Underground Hallow
• Soul of Night x3 - farmed from creatures in Underground Corruption/Crimson
• Orichalcum or Mythril Anvil Required

The only hard part here if you world is explored is bone. If you hadn't defeated Skeletron back in normal mode, you'll need to do so now. Head to the dungeon where you'll see an old man. Talk to him at night and he'll transform into Skeletron - regular Skeletron - who you should be able to decimate if you have Hard Mode gear. Killing skeletal enemies inside the dungeon should yield you bones.

Once you have the required items (or many more of them for multiple attempts) head to your anvil to craft the worm. You can then use it at night (I'd do this just as night falls) and summon Skeletron Prime.

Here are some facts about him:

• Life (head) - 28,000
• Life (ranged weapons) - 6-7000
• Life (melee weapons) - 9000
• Weaponry - Has a cannon with small explosion area, laser, saw, and vice. Independent weapons can be destroyed, leaving the head. The fight grows easier as these are eliminated
• Head Change - The head will grow spikes and fly toward you, dealing heavy damage. Focus on dodging at this point because defense is doubled. He'll usually roar just before doing this, alerting you to his rage. All weapons will fire extra attacks or be more aggressive.
• Left Alone - Once the others are defeated, the head will become more erratic. It sometimes flies up, dodging your attacks while its main spike melee attack is on cooldown. Use ranged weapons when it's out of reach, and if you're melee special consider using your weapon only when the spike mode has just ended.

Use your health potions as soon as life is below the max they can heal - if regular and life at 400, then use a potion at around 280. This will give you an optimum time frame for potion sickness to wear off. You don't want to use it with only 100 life left. If you're using a setup like above, this should be about perfect. Don't move unnecessarily - though you can swing your weapon - life regeneration is faster when standing still.

Flight is key here. See my guide to Getting Wings for Players New to Hard Mode if you do not have a pair. Rocket boots can help.

With your ability to farm materials and give the fight more than one try, you should be able to get past Skeletron Prime. The Twins are harder for more people, or so it seems. Once he's defeated, consider fighting him again for more Hallowed Bars and Souls of Fright. In general, the boss that is easiest for you is the one you should farm, however, and others have materials that are easier to acquire.

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