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Skeletron Terraria boss · Pre-Hardmode · #6 in the usual order

Skeletron in Terraria
Skeletron

A giant floating skull with two huge hands, born from the Old Man's curse. It guards the Dungeon, and you must beat it to explore the Dungeon safely. Its defeat frees the Old Man, who becomes the Clothier.

Stage
Pre-Hardmode
Required?
Needed to progress
Summon
Clothier Voodoo Doll
Where
Dungeon entrance, night
Max life
4,400 (Classic)
Defense
10

Biome: Dungeon

Stats by difficulty

StatClassicExpertMaster
Max life4,4008,80011,220
Contact damage3270105
Parts
PartClassicExpertMaster
Skeletron Hand6001,5601,989

How to summon Skeletron

Clothier Voodoo Doll. Talk to the Old Man at the Dungeon entrance at night and choose Curse. After the first win, summon it again by killing the Clothier at night while wearing the Clothier Voodoo Doll (dropped by Angry Bones and Dark Casters).

Attacks and phases

  • The head stays above you while both hands swipe and grab at you.
  • Every so often the head spins and chases you, dealing heavy contact damage but taking more damage itself.
  • Only the head must die; the hands are optional. In Expert each living hand gives the head much more defense.
  • If dawn comes before it dies, it becomes nearly invincible and kills almost instantly.

Strategy

  • Fight early in the night so you have time before dawn.
  • Build a long platform bridge near the Dungeon to run along.
  • During the spin, keep running and turn back only when it passes you.
  • In Expert, kill both hands first so the head is easier to hurt.
  • Use a Campfire, Heart Lantern and Regeneration and Ironskin potions.
  • Fighting the Dungeon Guardian instead is pointless; only Skeletron opens the Dungeon.

Recommended weapons

Melee

Fiery Greatsword or the Cascade yoyo

Ranged

Molten Fury with Hellfire Arrows, or the Minishark

Magic

Water Bolt or Demon Scythe

Summoner

Imp Staff or Hornet Staff with the Snapthorn

Armor and gear for each stage.

Drops

ItemQtyChance
Healing Potion5–15100%
Skeletron Mask114.29%
Skeletron Hand112.24%
Book of Skulls110.5%
Skeletron Trophy110%
Chippy's Couch114.29%

Expert and Master Mode extras

Bone Glove Expert · 100% Possessed Skull Master · 25% Skeletron Relic Master · 100%

Classic Mode rates. In Expert and Master Mode most loot comes in a treasure bag , which also holds the Expert-only Bone Glove.

After you beat Skeletron

  • Safe access to the Dungeon and its loot, such as the Muramasa, Water Bolt and Cobalt Shield
  • The Old Man becomes the Clothier, and the Mechanic can be rescued inside the Dungeon
  • The Book of Skulls, Skeletron Hand and the Bone Glove (Expert)

Did you know? Skeletron and the Eater of Worlds are the only bosses that do not have a unique AI of their own.

FAQ

How do you summon Skeletron in Terraria?

Talk to the Old Man at the Dungeon entrance at night and choose Curse. After the first win, summon it again by killing the Clothier at night while wearing the Clothier Voodoo Doll (dropped by Angry Bones and Dark Casters).

How much health does Skeletron have?

4,400 in Classic, 8,800 in Expert and 11,220 in Master Mode.

What does Skeletron drop?

Healing Potion, Skeletron Mask, Skeletron Hand, Book of Skulls, Skeletron Trophy, Chippy's Couch, plus the Bone Glove from the Expert Mode treasure bag.

What should I use against Skeletron?

Melee: Fiery Greatsword or the Cascade yoyo. Ranged: Molten Fury with Hellfire Arrows, or the Minishark. Magic: Water Bolt or Demon Scythe. Summoner: Imp Staff or Hornet Staff with the Snapthorn.

Sources & picture credits

Guide text is original retrogameindex writing, checked against the Terraria Wiki. Boss statistics and drop rates are the game values shown in the Terraria Wiki’s infoboxes. Sprites and artwork © Re-Logic; local copies archived from Terraria Wiki file pages (listed on the image gallery).