Terraria Beginner's Guide: Your First Day, House and Bosses
By Vini Gürk · Editor
Published Oct 8, 2026 · 4 min read
In this guide
Terraria drops you into a big 2D world with three copper tools and no instructions. That freedom is the fun, but the first night catches most new players off guard. This guide covers what to do in your first in-game day, how to build a house that people will move into, and the rough order of the first bosses, with a short note for parents at the end.
Your first day, step by step
A new character starts with a Copper Shortsword, Copper Pickaxe and Copper Axe, per the Terraria Wiki. The Guide, a friendly character who answers crafting questions, stands near your spawn point.
- Chop wood. Aim for around 200 pieces. You need it for almost everything early on.
- Collect gel. Slimes show up soon and drop gel, which you combine with wood to make torches.
- Craft a Work Bench from 10 wood. It unlocks wooden furniture and tools.
- Build a small house before sunset (see the next section).
- If night comes first, the Wiki’s fallback is to dig about four blocks down and cover yourself with dirt until morning.
- Talk to the Guide. Use his Craft option to see what your materials can make.
Day two is for exploring underground: you want iron or lead for better tools and armor, and more torches than you think.
Building a house NPCs will live in
Non-player characters (NPCs) such as the Guide, the Merchant and the Nurse only move in when a room counts as valid housing. The Terraria Wiki lists the rules:
| Requirement | What counts |
|---|---|
| Size | At least 60 tiles of total area, frame included, and under 750 |
| Enclosed | Solid frame with background walls; no big holes |
| Light | A torch, lantern or other light furniture |
| Table | A table, work bench, dresser, bookcase and similar |
| Chair | A chair, bed, bench, sofa and similar |
| Entrance | A door, platform, tall gate or trap door |
The Wiki’s starter suggestion is a box of about 9 by 7 blocks with a door, walls, a work bench, a chair and torches. Open the housing menu in your inventory to check a room, then assign an NPC to it. Several small rooms stacked together are better than one big room, because each NPC needs their own.
The four ways to fight
Terraria has no fixed class, but the Wiki groups weapons into four main types. Most players lean into one as they gear up.
- Melee: swords, spears and yo-yos. Simple and tough, good for a first run.
- Ranged: bows and guns. Strong damage from a distance, but you need ammo.
- Magic: wands and spell tomes that use mana instead of ammo.
- Summoner: minions that fight for you. Fun, but harder to gear early.
You can switch any time by crafting different weapons and armor, so there is no wrong pick on day one.
The early boss path
Bosses mark your progress. The Terraria Wiki lists these pre-Hardmode bosses: King Slime, Eye of Cthulhu, Eater of Worlds or Brain of Cthulhu (depending on your world), Deerclops, Queen Bee, Skeletron and the Wall of Flesh. That list follows a typical progression from easier to harder, but the game does not force an order, so treat it as a rough path.
Two warnings worth knowing early:
- Do not enter the Dungeon before defeating Skeletron. The Wiki warns that Dungeon Guardians spawn, and they are far too strong for a new character.
- Beating the Wall of Flesh changes your world permanently. The world switches to Hardmode, which adds new biomes and much tougher enemies. Make a backup copy of the world first if you want to keep an easier version.
Platforms and price
The Terraria Wiki lists versions for Windows, macOS and Linux, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, Android and iOS. The Wiki also describes it as a one-time purchase with free updates. Prices vary by store and sale; check the store on your device for the current price in USD.
A note for parents
- Rating: the ESRB rates Terraria T for Teen, with cartoon violence, blood and gore, mild suggestive themes and alcohol references. Online interactions are not rated.
- Multiplayer: players join each other by Steam friends, by IP address or on a server. A private world shared only with friends you know is the safest setup.
- Cross-play is limited: the Wiki notes Android and iOS players can play together, but PC, console and mobile generally do not mix.
- Cost: the game is bought once, so check the store listing on your device before buying.
If your child is choosing between this and other block-building games, our comparison of games like Roblox and our Minecraft vs Roblox guide for parents look at safety and cost side by side. Looking for a calmer pick? Try our Stardew Valley beginner’s guide.
Sources checked October 2026: Terraria Wiki: Getting started, Terraria Wiki: House, Terraria Wiki: Hardmode, Terraria Wiki: Multiplayer, Terraria Wiki: Terraria (platforms and price model), ESRB: Terraria.
Frequently asked questions
What age is Terraria rated?
The ESRB rates Terraria T for Teen, citing cartoon violence, blood and gore, mild suggestive themes and alcohol references. Online interactions are not rated by the ESRB.
Does Terraria have in-game purchases?
It is a one-time purchase with free updates, according to the Terraria Wiki.
Why won't my NPC move into the house I built?
The house needs full background walls, a light source, a table-type item, a chair-type item and a door or platform entrance, and it has to be big enough. The housing menu shows whether a room is valid.
Can friends on different devices play together?
Not across PC, console and mobile in general. The Terraria Wiki notes Android and iOS players can play with each other; other cross-play is limited.
