Pre-Hardmode Summoner Weapons Guide: Staves & Whips Before Wall of Flesh
From Finch Staff to Imp Staff — 6 summon weapons fully reviewed with boss combat recommendations
Command minions and crack whips with 6 key Pre-Hardmode summon weapons. The most challenging but rewarding class for experienced players.
Class Overview
The Summoner class has the most unique playstyle in Pre-Hardmode. Your minions auto-attack while you use whips to boost their damage and mark targets. Summoner is the hardest class early on due to limited gear, but Imp Staff + Snapthorn is a strong endgame combo. This guide covers 6 core Summoner weapons.
Why Choose Summoner?
- Minions auto-attack, letting you focus entirely on dodging and positioning
- Imp Staff has the best minion AI in Pre-Hardmode — ranged fireballs that rarely miss
- Whips boost minion speed and mark targets for focus-fire — the core combat loop
- The only class where you can fight without actively attacking — hands-free gameplay
Finch Staff
7 Damage 36 Use Time 0 Knockback 0% Crit
Finch Staff summons a baby finch minion that attacks nearby enemies. While weak, it is typically the very first summon weapon available, enabling summoner playstyle from the start.
Found in Living Wood Chests inside Living Trees. These are large, hollow trees on the surface with a room at their base.
Easy to ObtainAdvantages
- Available at the very start of the game — no progression needed
- Enables summoner playstyle immediately from game start
- Passive damage while you focus on building and exploring
- Free damage output that requires zero player input
Caution
Very low damage (7); should be replaced as soon as a better summon weapon is available
Slime Staff
8 Damage 36 Use Time 2 Knockback 0% Crit
Slime Staff summons a baby slime minion. It has the rarest drop rate of any summon weapon in Pre-Hardmode, but can be AFK-farmed with Slime Statues.
Dropped by any Slime at 1/10000 (0.01%) drop rate. Pinky has 1/100 rate. Use Slime Statue with timer for AFK farming.
Very Hard to ObtainAdvantages
- Can theoretically be obtained from the very start of the game
- Slime Statue + timer enables AFK farming possibility
- Novelty value and collector's bragging rights
- Slightly better damage (8) than Finch Staff
Caution
Extremely rare 1/10000 drop; low damage makes it inferior to most alternatives
Vampire Frog Staff
11 Damage 36 Use Time 3 Knockback 0% Crit
Vampire Frog Staff summons a vampire frog with high-frequency ground collision damage. A meaningful upgrade from Finch/Slime Staff. Best used alongside Imp Staff — frogs handle ground enemies while imps provide ranged bombardment.
Dropped by Blood Zombies and Dripplers during Blood Moon at 1/200 (0.5%) chance.
MediumAdvantages
- Solid 11 damage — meaningful upgrade over starter staves
- Farmable during common Blood Moon events
- Good minion AI with decent enemy targeting
- Bridge weapon before reaching Jungle or Underworld
Caution
Requires waiting for Blood Moon events which occur randomly at night
Imp Staff
17 Damage 36 Use Time 2 Knockback 0% Crit
Imp Staff is the best summon weapon in Pre-Hardmode. The fire imp shoots fireballs that pierce 4 enemies at ~1.13 seconds per shot, inflicting On Fire! for 3-6 seconds. At 17 damage, it remains viable well into early Hardmode.
Crafted at an Iron/Lead Anvil using 17 Hellstone Bars. Mine Hellstone in the Underworld.
MediumAdvantages
- Best summon minion AI — ranged fireballs pierce 4 enemies with On Fire! debuff
- Ranged fireball attack keeps imps safe from enemies
- Excellent AI — imps rarely miss their target
- Remains viable well into early Hardmode
Caution
Requires dangerous Hellstone mining in the Underworld
Snapthorn
18 Damage 30 Use Time 1 Knockback 4% Crit
Snapthorn is the first craftable whip. On hit, it triggers the "Jungle's Fury" buff granting +12% attack speed for 3 seconds. Also has a 20% chance to inflict Poisoned. The attack speed boost kickstarts the whip-minion DPS loop.
Crafted at an Iron/Lead Anvil using 12 Jungle Spores, 3 Vines, and 3 Stingers.
MediumAdvantages
- Increases minion attack speed on hit — boosts overall DPS
- Tags enemies directing all minions to focus-fire that target
- First available whip for the summoner class
- Adds personal direct damage alongside minion attacks
Caution
Requires Jungle exploration which can be challenging at recommended level
Spinal Tap
29 Damage 30 Use Time 1 Knockback 4% Crit
Spinal Tap is the strongest Pre-Hardmode whip at 29 damage with +7 summon tag damage. Its 10% multi-segment falloff is the lowest of all whips, making it the best whip for group fights where you tag multiple enemies.
Crafted at Demon/Crimson Altar: 15 Shadow Scales or Tissue Samples + 20 Stingers + 2 Vines.
MediumAdvantages
- Highest whip damage (29) in Pre-Hardmode with +7 summon tag damage
- Longer reach than Snapthorn — safer distance
- Strong tag damage boosts minion focus-fire
- Significantly increases total summoner DPS output
Caution
Requires Evil Boss defeat and Jungle materials — needs significant progression
Weapon Comparison
Summoners use one staff + one whip simultaneously. This comparison helps find the best combination for your progression stage.
| Weapon Comparison | DPS Output | Safety | Versatility | Obtain Ease |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Finch Staff | ★☆☆☆☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★☆☆☆ | ★★★★★ |
| Slime Staff | ★☆☆☆☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★☆☆☆ | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Vampire Frog Staff | ★★☆☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Imp Staff | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Snapthorn | ★★★☆☆ | ★★☆☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ |
| Spinal Tap | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ |
Best Combo: Imp Staff + Spinal Tap — highest summon DPS + strongest whip, the endgame build
Early Pick: Finch Staff + Snapthorn — starter minion + first whip, bootstrap the class
Peak DPS: Imp Staff — 21 damage with excellent AI, nothing else is close
Safest: Imp Staff — ranged fireball attack means your minions never need to get close
Class Traits
The Summoner's core lies in the 'minion + whip' synergy system. Understanding this maximizes your Pre-Hardmode DPS.
Auto Combat
Minions automatically seek and attack nearby enemies. You don't need to actively attack — focus entirely on dodging and positioning.
Whip Synergy
Whips tag enemies causing all minions to focus-fire the marked target. Snapthorn boosts attack speed, Spinal Tap adds raw damage. Smart whipping is the Summoner's core skill.
Gear Scarcity
Summoner has the least gear options in Pre-Hardmode. Bee Armor is the best dedicated set, but it requires Queen Bee defeat. Patience and dodging skill are essential.
Player Positioning
Minion AI judges based on your position and target position. Good positioning dramatically improves minion attack efficiency and prevents them from getting stuck.
Accessory Builds
Summoner accessories focus on adding minion slots and boosting summon damage. Options are limited in Pre-Hardmode.
Bee Armor (Set)
Core Essential+23% summon damage + 2 minion slots. The best Pre-Hardmode summoner armor — requires Queen Bee materials.
Pygmy Necklace
Core Essential+1 minion slot. One extra minion adds ~25-30% more DPS — the most valuable summoner accessory.
Shield of Cthulhu
Core EssentialDash ability for dodging. Summoners have the lowest defense — dodging is your primary survival tool.
Feral Claws
Recommended+12% melee speed. Makes whip attacks faster for more efficient marking and direct damage.
Hive Pack
RecommendedIncreases bee damage and spawn. Boosts Bee Armor minion and Hornet Staff effectiveness.
Obsidian Armor (Set)
Situational+31% summon damage + 15% whip speed + 1 slot. Alternative to Bee Armor — better whip damage, worse minion count.
Build Advice
Standard build: Bee Armor + Pygmy Necklace + Shield of Cthulhu + Lightning Boots + Cloud in a Bottle. Use Imp Staff + Spinal Tap as your weapon combo. For Wall of Flesh: Obsidian Armor + Imp Staff + Spinal Tap for maximum whip DPS.
Pre-Hardmode Summoner Summary
Find Finch Staff in Living Trees to start your summoner journey — it's usually the first summon weapon available
Farm Blood Moon for Vampire Frog Staff, then rush to Jungle for Snapthorn whip
Craft Imp Staff from 17 Hellstone Bars — it's the ultimate Pre-Hardmode summon with excellent AI
Best endgame build: Bee Armor + Imp Staff + Spinal Tap + Pygmy Necklace
Command your minion army, crack your whip, dodge everything — the Summoner masters the art of 'fighting without fighting'!