Exploring the vast and exciting world of Terraria can be a thrilling, yet sometimes lonely adventure. But fear not, intrepid explorer! Terraria offers a delightful solution to your solitary journeys: pets! These charming companions follow you on your adventures, adding a touch of personality and visual flair to your gameplay. While they are purely cosmetic and won’t fight off hordes of monsters for you, the joy of having a loyal pet trotting alongside you is undeniable. If you’re wondering how to get pets in Terraria, you’ve come to the right place. This guide will delve into all the methods for acquiring these adorable pixelated pals and becoming a true pet collector in Terraria.
Before we embark on our pet-collecting journey, make sure you have your Terraria world ready to go. If you’re looking for a seamless multiplayer experience to share your pet adventures with friends, consider setting up your own Terraria server.
Purchasing Pets from NPCs: Shop ‘Til You Drop for Companionship
One of the most straightforward ways to expand your pet family in Terraria is by purchasing them from various Non-Player Characters (NPCs) you’ll encounter throughout your journey. These NPCs often have unique pets for sale, adding to the diversity of collectible companions. Here are some key NPCs to visit for pet acquisitions:
- Zoologist: This animal-loving NPC is a treasure trove for pet enthusiasts. Once you’ve filled a certain percentage of your Terraria Bestiary, the Zoologist will offer a rotating selection of pets in exchange for coins. Her stock can include charming creatures like the Zephyr Fish, a miniature air-swimming fish, the playful Sugar Glider, and the color-changing Chameleon. Keep checking back with the Zoologist as her inventory can change!
- Witch Doctor: Found in the Jungle biome, the Witch Doctor deals in more exotic wares, including unique pets. He offers the Pygmy Necklace, which summons a miniature Pygmy as a pet, and the Bejeweled Collar for a Parrot pet. These are typically purchased with coins, so make sure you’ve got some spare change after your dungeon crawls.
- Traveling Merchant: This nomadic NPC appears randomly and brings a diverse inventory, which can sometimes include rare pets. Keep an eye out for the Traveling Merchant as he might offer pets like the fierce Desert Tiger, the enigmatic Companion Cube (a nod to Portal fans!), and the illuminating Magic Lantern. His stock is unpredictable, making each visit an exciting opportunity for pet discovery.
To purchase a pet, simply locate the relevant NPC, browse their shop inventory, and if you have the required coins, the pet item is yours! Once acquired, you’re ready to summon your new friend.
Battling Bosses and Enemies: Pets as Spoils of War
For those who enjoy a bit more of a challenge, some of Terraria’s pets are obtained by defeating bosses or enemies. These pets often serve as bragging rights, showcasing your prowess in combat. Here are some examples of pets that drop from foes:
- Baby Face Monster: This creepy-cute pet is summoned by the Bone Rattle, which drops from the Brain of Cthulhu boss in Expert Mode. Defeating this formidable boss not only rewards you with valuable loot but also the chance to acquire this unique pet.
- Petri Dish: Venture into the underground jungle and conquer Plantera, the jungle’s monstrous boss, for a chance to obtain the Petri Dish. This item summons a miniature, mobile Petri dish as a pet, a quirky and unique companion.
- Tiki Spirit: Explore the lush Jungle biome and defeat enemies there for a chance to find the Tiki Spirit pet. This ethereal spirit is more likely to appear during the daytime, so jungle expeditions during daylight hours might increase your chances of finding this elusive pet.
- Vampire Frog: Delve into the Crimson biome and battle enemies at night for a chance to encounter the Vampire Frog pet item. This nocturnal amphibian is a fitting pet for those who prefer the darker side of Terraria.
To obtain these battle-earned pets, you’ll need to repeatedly fight the corresponding bosses or enemies until the pet item drops. Persistence is key, but the reward of a unique, combat-related pet is well worth the effort.
Fishing for Pets: Casting a Line for Companions
Terraria’s fishing mechanic isn’t just for catching food and resources; it can also net you some adorable pets! By using a fishing rod and bait in specific biomes and conditions, you can reel in some aquatic companions. Here are a couple of fishable pets:
- Bunny: For a classic and cuddly pet, try fishing in the Forest biome during the daytime using a Carrot as bait. Bunnies are relatively common catches, making them an easily obtainable pet for early-game players.
- Penguin: Brave the frigid Snow biome and fish with Ice Golem Bait for a chance to catch a Penguin pet. Penguins are rarer catches, reflecting the colder and harsher environment they inhabit.
Fishing for pets adds a relaxing and engaging alternative to combat-focused pet acquisition. Experiment with different baits and biomes to discover other potential pet catches!
Random Drops: Luck of the Draw Pet Collection
Some pets in Terraria are obtained through random drops from enemies or loot bags. These are often luck-based and can require some grinding, but the surprise of a random pet drop can be quite rewarding. Here are a couple of examples of randomly dropped pets (some overlap with enemy drops mentioned earlier, highlighting the multiple ways to obtain certain pets):
- Tiki Spirit: As mentioned before, Jungle enemies can randomly drop the Tiki Spirit pet. This highlights that some pets can be obtained through multiple methods – both direct enemy drops and random biome enemy drops.
- Vampire Frog: Crimson biome enemies at night can also randomly drop the Vampire Frog pet, again showing the overlap in acquisition methods.
- Magic Lantern: During the Lantern Night event, Treasure Bags have a chance to drop the Magic Lantern pet. Participating in events is another avenue for obtaining unique, event-specific pets.
Obtaining pets through random drops requires patience and persistence. Focus on farming enemies in the appropriate biomes or participating in events to maximize your chances of a lucky pet drop.
Event Rewards: Pet Prizes for Seasonal Celebrations
Terraria hosts special in-game events, particularly around holidays like Halloween and Christmas, and these events often offer exclusive pets as rewards for participation. These event-exclusive pets add a seasonal and time-limited aspect to pet collecting.
- Black Cat: During the Halloween event, completing event-related tasks and challenges can reward you with the Black Cat pet. This spooky feline is a perfect companion for your Halloween adventures.
- Elf Copter: Participating in the Christmas event and completing its festive challenges can earn you the Elf Copter pet. This festive little helicopter adds a touch of holiday cheer to your Terraria world.
Event pets are often time-limited, so make sure to participate in Terraria’s holiday events to collect these exclusive companions before they’re gone!
Summoning Your Terraria Pet: Bringing Your Companion to Life
Once you’ve acquired a pet item through any of the methods above, summoning your new companion is a simple process. Here’s how to bring your pet into the world of Terraria:
- Open your Inventory: Press the Inventory key (default “Esc” on PC) to access your inventory screen.
- Locate the Pet Item: Find the pet item you’ve acquired in your inventory. Pet items are typically found in your general inventory tabs.
- Place in Hotbar: Drag the pet item from your inventory down to your hotbar at the bottom of the screen.
- Select the Pet Item: Press the corresponding hotkey for the hotbar slot where you placed the pet item (default number keys “1”, “2”, “3” etc. on PC). This will select the pet item.
- Summon Your Pet! With the pet item selected, your character will use the item, and your pet will be summoned! They will now faithfully follow you on your adventures.
Your pet will remain summoned indefinitely, unless you die, summon a different pet, leave the game, or manually cancel the pet buff (typically by right-clicking the buff icon). You can only have one pet summoned at a time.
Frequently Asked Questions About Terraria Pets
Q: Can I get a pet in Terraria by completing specific quests?
A: While Terraria doesn’t have traditional quests that directly reward pets, some in-game events, like Halloween and Christmas, have associated tasks or challenges that, upon completion, reward event-exclusive pets.
Q: Can I breed pets in Terraria to create new pets?
A: No, pet breeding is not a feature in Terraria. Pets are exclusively obtained through the methods outlined in this guide: purchasing from NPCs, defeating bosses or enemies, fishing, random drops, and event rewards.
Q: Can I trade pets with other players in Terraria?
A: Yes, pet items can be traded between players in Terraria. This allows you to exchange pets with friends or other players, helping you complete your pet collection or obtain pets that are rare in your own world. However, remember that both players must have the necessary conditions met to initially acquire or summon the pet (e.g., having the required money to buy from an NPC).
Q: Can I get a pet unicorn in Terraria?
A: While there isn’t a “pet” unicorn in the traditional sense, you can obtain a Unicorn mount called the Blessed Apple. This mount is dropped by enemies in the Hallow biome once you’ve entered Hardmode. The drop rate is quite low (0.5%, increased to 0.67% in Expert Mode), making it a rare and sought-after mount. While not a pet, it’s a magical, unicorn-themed companion!
Q: Can I have multiple pets in Terraria summoned at once?
A: No, you can only have one pet summoned at a time in Terraria. If you summon a new pet while another is already active, the previous pet will be unsummoned and replaced by the new one. You can, however, collect and own as many different pet items as you like and switch between them as desired.
Final Thoughts: Embark on Your Terraria Pet Collection Today!
Pets in Terraria are more than just cosmetic additions; they are charming companions that enhance your gameplay experience and add a personal touch to your adventures. From purchasing them from quirky NPCs to earning them through challenging boss battles or lucky fishing catches, Terraria offers a diverse and engaging range of methods for collecting pets. So, venture forth, explore every biome, conquer every boss, and try your luck at fishing – your perfect pixelated pet companion awaits in the wonderful world of Terraria! Start your pet collection journey today and discover the joy of having a loyal friend by your side as you explore, build, and battle in Terraria.
