whats the best class?

[Marcato]

Ranger, as it's starts out really good early game and then is able to hold its own late game.

 

[Shyguymask]

It's either Tank Melee or Summoner. Defense is overpowered when stacked, letting you take 1 damage from Master mode Eye of Cthulhu, and single or low double digit damage from mech bosses for example. Only Melee can really abuse it.

As for general DPS, excluding Melee when facetanking, Summoner is king in Hardmode mainly. Its DPS against mech bosses rivals that of Ranger with Daedalus and Dart Gun/Rifle, and once Durendal is obtained there's no more contest, Whip stacking is incredibly strong and Summoner is capable of shredding Expert Plantera in around half a minute if played properly.

Either Mage or Ranger is the weakest class, but I'd lean toward Ranger being the weakest class in 1.4, actually. It's very strong in Pre-Hardmode, perhaps the best class there. But as soon as Hardmode starts, it drops off a lot. It performs badly against regular Hardmode enemies especially before Dart Gun/Rifle is obtained, and it struggles to compete with Sanguine Staff/Firecracker in term of DPS against Mech bosses. Ranger only start to become decent again post-Cultist with Phantasm and Vortex Beater, but Stardust Dragon/Firecracker/Dark Harvest setup still deals more DPS overall, arguably. And Summoner is wayyyyy better at handling pillars as well, and that's not even considering Terraprisma.

 

[mathbrush]

Melee is good if you're bad at dodging and like being direct. It has a lot of variety (up-close weapons like Starlight or Fetid Baghnaks, medium weapons like yoyos, ranged weapons like Storm Spear or boomerangs). You have the most weapons to choose from and flasks last forever giving big buffs. With no ammo, mana, or minions to worry about, it's the simplest class to play.

Ranged is good if you like to 'prep' for fights. If you don't mind making a bunch of ammo over and over and farming for accessories (like magic quiver or sniper scope), this is a great class, and its the good ammo that makes it so strong. You can keep your distance in fights, they have good armor (second best defense in the game). They have a 'safe' strategy for every boss, and most people who do no-hit Moon Lord runs do ranged.

Mages have a lot of power but you have to be able to multitask. You have to keep an eye on your mana (through potions and mana sickness or regeneration potions or celestial cuffs/mana cloak). To maximize your potential, you often have to switch weapons (I often use Nimbus Rod, Rainbow Gun, Clinger Staff, Magnet Sphere and a main weapon). You also have to dodge pretty well while handling all this.

Summoner seems like it would be the least work of all the classes (your minions kill them for you!) but it has a lot of different playstyles and most of them are fussy. Whips require getting up close and personal with little defense, so dodging skills are crucial for this playstyle. Devs have said that Summoners are supposed to use the strongest available weapons from other classes to (that's how DPS was balanced), but since you don't have specialized armor your Daedalus Stormbow or Terra Blade doesn't contribute as much DPS. Even if you just fly around and let minions attack, it leads to long fights and you still have to pay attention with some minions so they don't get stuck.

 

[EaterofBurgers]

Ranged is really good, but I love melee and tanking

 

[yanzinator]

I'd have to say summoner. Reason is, you have a really nice challenge early game trying to get the slime staff. But get really powerful endgame

even in endgame summoner in terms of power is trumped by other classes,
the only reason to play summoner is because its fun which is also the only reason to play terraria

 

[Dapling]

even in endgame summoner in terms of power is trumped by other classes,
the only reason to play summoner is because its fun which is also the only reason to play terraria

Summoner is actually the strongest class from early hardmode to post-golem due to things like whip stacking and how absurdly strong 1.4 minions are. Additionally the other classes are all completely suboptimal because if summoner isn’t involved then you are missing out on damage, no exceptions (seriously, there is literally NOTHING stopping you from using a minion alongside ranged, melee, or magic weapons). If you think summoner is weak you either probably haven’t played it since 1.3 or don’t know how to play it.

 

[Kane Schmitz]

Ranged is he most consistent class, but summoner provides quite the challenge, especially in 1.3.

 

[yanzinator]

Summoner is actually the strongest class from early hardmode to post-golem due to things like whip stacking and how absurdly strong 1.4 minions are. Additionally the other classes are all completely suboptimal because if summoner isn’t involved then you are missing out on damage, no exceptions (seriously, there is literally NOTHING stopping you from using a minion alongside ranged, melee, or magic weapons). If you think summoner is weak you either probably haven’t played it since 1.3 or don’t know how to play it.

i did forget about the 1.4 update yes

 

[RestlessJungle]

Ranger, without a doubt. Especially if you prefer being tactical about combat.

 

[JabbaD]

I like range