Looking for a hard-hitting, visually stunning weapon to carry you through Terraria’s late-game challenges? Look no further than the Influx Waver! This magnificent melee weapon is a coveted prize for Terraria players venturing into the Hardmode phase after defeating Plantera. Its unique projectile attack and respectable damage output make it a fantastic choice for tackling a variety of enemies and bosses.
The Influx Waver isn’t just another sword; it’s a symbol of progress and power in the game. Its accessibility after a challenging event and its effectiveness in combat have made it a favorite among players. This article provides a comprehensive guide to the Influx Waver, covering its core attributes, how to obtain it, effective strategies, its strengths and weaknesses, and comparisons to similar weapons, giving you all the information you need to wield this weapon like a true Terrarian warrior.
The Influx Waver: Breaking Down The Basics
Let’s get into the nitty-gritty of the Influx Waver. This powerful sword boasts a respectable base damage that makes it a formidable weapon against many enemies. Coupled with a decent critical strike chance, it can deliver devastating blows that can quickly dispatch foes. The use time of the weapon, indicating its attack speed, allows for swift and consistent damage output. It also provides a decent amount of knockback, helping to keep enemies at bay.
The defining feature of the Influx Waver lies in its projectile attack. When swung, the sword releases a blade-shaped energy projectile that travels a moderate distance. What sets this projectile apart is its ability to bounce off enemies and blocks. This bouncing behavior allows the projectile to strike multiple targets or hit a single target multiple times, especially in confined spaces, making it an exceptional tool for crowd control. The projectile itself does not appear to have any damage falloff within its range.
Of course, the Influx Waver functions as a standard melee weapon as well. Swinging the sword directly at enemies deals damage and applies knockback, allowing for more traditional combat styles. This makes the Influx Waver a versatile weapon, suitable for both close-range and mid-range engagements. Finally, the Influx Waver is an autoswing weapon, meaning you can hold down the attack button for continuous swings without needing to repeatedly click. This is a great quality of life feature, making it much easier to use.
Securing the Sword: Conquering Martian Madness
The path to wielding the Influx Waver leads directly through the chaotic Martian Madness event. This event, triggered by encountering a Martian Probe in the outer regions of the world, brings a host of extraterrestrial enemies to your doorstep, culminating in a battle against the formidable Martian Saucer.
To trigger Martian Madness, you must first allow a Martian Probe to spot you. These probes spawn in the outer thirds of the map, both above and below ground. Once it spots you, it will try to fly away; if it succeeds, it initiates the Martian Madness event. If you kill it before it escapes, nothing happens.
Before intentionally triggering Martian Madness, preparation is key. Building a suitable arena is highly recommended. A flat, open area with solid platforms to move around is ideal. Ensure you have adequate lighting and defenses in place to fend off the Martian invaders. Equipping yourself with appropriate gear is crucial. Hardmode armor sets like Hallowed Armor, Chlorophyte Armor, or Turtle Armor will provide much-needed protection. Weapons with high damage output and good range are essential for dealing with the numerous enemies that spawn during the event.
The Martian Madness event throws a variety of enemies your way, each with unique attack patterns and abilities. From the nimble Martian Walkers to the ranged Ray Gunners, you’ll need to adapt your tactics to survive. Be prepared for a relentless onslaught as you battle your way through the Martian ranks.
The climax of the Martian Madness event is the encounter with the Martian Saucer, a powerful boss that unleashes a barrage of lasers and missiles. The Martian Saucer has several distinct attack patterns and phases, requiring careful observation and precise movements to avoid its attacks. Employing strategies such as utilizing cover, dodging projectiles, and focusing fire on its weak points will be essential for emerging victorious. Weapons that deal consistent damage are key to taking it down.
Upon defeating the Martian Saucer, there’s a chance it will drop the Influx Waver. The drop rate is not guaranteed, adding a layer of RNG (Random Number Generator) to the acquisition process. This means you might need to defeat the Martian Saucer multiple times before the Influx Waver finally drops. To maximize your chances, focus on efficiently farming Martian Saucers by quickly triggering the event and taking down the boss.
Unleashing the Power: Influx Waver Strategies and Synergies
Mastering the Influx Waver requires understanding its strengths and utilizing effective combat tactics. Maximizing the damage output of the projectile is crucial. Positioning yourself strategically to take advantage of the bouncing behavior of the projectile can result in multiple hits on enemies, significantly increasing your damage per second.
Experiment with different angles and distances to find the optimal positions for launching the projectile. Utilizing the sword’s melee attack in conjunction with the projectile provides a versatile approach to combat. Use the melee attack for close-range encounters and the projectile for ranged attacks, adapting your tactics to the specific situation.
The choice of armor and accessories can significantly enhance the Influx Waver’s effectiveness. For melee builds, armor sets like Beetle Armor or Solar Flare Armor provide excellent damage reduction and melee damage bonuses. Accessories that boost melee damage, such as the Warrior Emblem or Destroyer Emblem, will further amplify your damage output. Critical strike chance increases, provided by accessories like the Avenger Emblem, can also contribute to higher overall damage.
Movement accessories, such as wings and boots, are essential for navigating the battlefield and dodging enemy attacks. Other useful accessories include the Mechanical Glove and Fire Gauntlet, which increase melee attack speed and damage. Consider equipping accessories that provide additional benefits, such as increased defense or health regeneration, to enhance your survivability.
The Influx Waver excels in specific boss fights and events. It is particularly effective against bosses like Duke Fishron and the Lunatic Cultist, where its projectile can deal significant damage. Its crowd control capabilities make it a valuable asset in events like the Pumpkin Moon and Frost Moon, where large waves of enemies need to be managed.
Weighing the Options: Strengths and Weaknesses
The Influx Waver boasts numerous strengths that make it a formidable weapon. Its high damage output, especially with projectiles, allows for quick dispatch of enemies. Its excellent crowd control capabilities, thanks to the bouncing projectiles, make it ideal for dealing with groups of foes. Its good range provides flexibility in combat, allowing you to engage enemies from a safe distance. And let’s be honest, it looks incredibly cool.
However, the Influx Waver also has weaknesses. Its acquisition is RNG-dependent, meaning you might have to grind the Martian Saucer for quite a while before it drops. It is less effective in very close-quarters combat, where the projectile has limited space to bounce. Aiming the projectile effectively can be challenging in certain situations, requiring practice and precision. While it’s a great weapon, it’s not the absolute best option against all bosses, as some require different strategies and damage types.
Rivals on the Battlefield: Comparing Swords
When it comes to post-Plantera swords, the Influx Waver faces stiff competition. The Terra Blade, another popular option, boasts high damage and a powerful projectile. The Terra Blade is generally easier to acquire and has a slightly different projectile behavior. Whether the Terra Blade or Influx Waver is better depends on personal preference and the specific situation. The Seedler, obtained from Plantera, offers a unique projectile that bounces around, similar to the Influx Waver. However, the Seedler’s projectile behavior and effective range differ. The Seedler could be considered an early stepping stone towards obtaining the Influx Waver. There are also other great weapons to consider such as the Meowmere and Star Wrath, both of which are acquired much later in the game and have their own very unique properties.
Tips and Tricks for Wielding the Influx Waver
To maximize your effectiveness with the Influx Waver, consider these tips and tricks. Aim the projectile strategically to take advantage of its bouncing behavior. Use it on the boss, Betsy, during the Old One’s Army event for fantastic damage. Experiment with different angles and distances to find the optimal positions for launching the projectile. Practice your aiming skills to consistently hit your targets. Also, make sure you are using melee enhancing armour such as the Beetle armour, for more damage.
Final Verdict: Is the Influx Waver Worth It?
In conclusion, the Influx Waver is a powerful and versatile weapon that serves as an excellent option for players progressing through the late-game stages of Terraria. Its high damage output, crowd control capabilities, and cool factor make it a worthwhile addition to any melee player’s arsenal. While its acquisition can be RNG-dependent, the effort is well worth it for those seeking a reliable and effective weapon. If you enjoy melee combat and are looking for a sword that can handle a wide range of challenges, the Influx Waver is definitely worth considering.
Now, what are your experiences with the Influx Waver? Share your tips, strategies, and thoughts in the comments below!
