The Terraria Heavy Workbench: Your Guide to Hardmode Crafting and Beyond

Introduction

Terraria, the beloved sandbox adventure game, throws you headfirst into a world teeming with monsters, treasures, and endless possibilities. One of the core mechanics that drives your progression in Terraria is its robust crafting system. From simple wooden tools to powerful magic weapons, crafting allows you to create the items you need to survive, explore, and ultimately, conquer the game’s many challenges. As you delve deeper, especially upon entering Hardmode, you’ll discover that certain crafting stations become absolutely essential. One of these pivotal stations is the Terraria Heavy Workbench.

The Heavy Workbench isn’t just another crafting table; it’s a gateway to a whole new tier of powerful items, most notably, the means to summon the fearsome Mechanical Bosses that guard the next stage of your adventure. Unlock this workbench, and you’ll unlock a new range of tools and gear, each designed to tackle the escalating challenges that Hardmode throws your way. Thinking of taking on the Mech Bosses but finding you aren’t able to craft what you need? The Terraria Heavy Workbench is the crafting station that’s going to allow you to craft the items to summon the Mech Bosses.

What defines the Heavy Workbench and its general purpose

So, what exactly *is* the Heavy Workbench in Terraria? In essence, it’s a specialized crafting station that enables the creation of a specific subset of Hardmode items. It’s not a general-purpose workbench used for everything; instead, it’s a focused tool necessary for crafting certain advanced items. It provides a vital bridge, allowing you to transition from pre-Hardmode gear to the tools and weapons needed to progress further.

While the standard Workbench allows you to create basic furniture and tools, and the Anvil is essential for crafting armor and weapons from metal, the Heavy Workbench focuses on mechanical items, advanced tools, and most importantly, the items needed to summon some of the toughest challenges in the game. It’s a specialized tool in your crafting arsenal, one that becomes indispensable once you’ve taken your first steps into Hardmode. Understanding its role is crucial for efficient progression. The Heavy Workbench doesn’t replace any of your old workbenches, but allows you to craft things that you just can’t with your prior workbenches.

Acquiring the Heavy Workbench and how to get it

Unlike many crafting stations that are themselves crafted, the Heavy Workbench needs to be acquired from a specific source: the Goblin Tinkerer Non-Player Character (NPC). Finding the Goblin Tinkerer and unlocking the Heavy Workbench is not too difficult, once you know the steps.

The Goblin Tinkerer sells the Heavy Workbench for ten gold coins. However, you can’t simply waltz into his shop and buy it from day one. First, you need to rescue him.

To spawn the Goblin Tinkerer, you must first defeat a Goblin Army event. Goblin Armies are randomly occurring events that can happen at any time once a Shadow Orb or Crimson Heart has been destroyed in the world. If you have smashed these in your world, be ready for a Goblin Army at any time. Beating the Goblin Army, however, is only the first step to acquiring the Heavy Workbench.

After defeating a Goblin Army, the Goblin Tinkerer will begin to spawn randomly in the Caverns layer of your world. He will be bound and unable to move, so you’ll need to seek him out and free him. Once freed, he will then move into any available player housing you have constructed. The Goblin Tinkerer spawns in the Caverns layer, which is generally the layer that contains stone backgrounds instead of the dirt background of the Underground. You will be able to tell the difference between these layers simply by exploring your world downwards.

Once the Goblin Tinkerer is spawned and located in a player house, you will be able to buy items from him, including the Heavy Workbench for ten gold coins. While the Goblin Army event can occur even before you enter Hardmode, the Heavy Workbench’s primary purpose lies in crafting Hardmode items. So, while you can technically acquire it before, its true value is unlocked after defeating the Wall of Flesh.

The items that can be crafted at the Heavy Workbench and what they mean for you

The true value of the Terraria Heavy Workbench lies in the items it allows you to create. These items are crucial for progression, exploration, and conquering the challenges that Hardmode throws your way. Let’s take a look at some of the most important crafts that it enables:

Drills (such as the Drill Containment Unit, Picksaw)

Mining is a fundamental aspect of Terraria. As you progress, you’ll need to mine stronger ores to craft better gear. The Heavy Workbench allows you to craft advanced drills like the Picksaw (a multi-tool that both mines and chops wood) and the Drill Containment Unit. The Drill Containment Unit is particularly noteworthy, as it allows the player to mine a massive area with incredible speed. Acquiring one of these drills drastically improves your mining efficiency, allowing you to gather resources much faster. Better mining gear is almost essential for finding the higher tier ores to make better weapons.

Chainsaws (such as the Picksaw)

Similar to drills for mining, chainsaws are used for quickly chopping down trees. While an axe can be used to chop down trees to acquire wood, the efficiency of a chainsaw will get you the wood you need much more quickly. The Picksaw, which can also be crafted at the Heavy Workbench, can be used for both mining and chopping wood.

Minecart Tracks

Minecart tracks provide the player with a faster method of traversal. Once the tracks are set down, players can get into a Minecart and travel along the tracks. Acquiring enough of these tracks to set up a network throughout your world will let you travel much more quickly than walking or even using wings.

Mechanical Boss Summons (Mechanical Worm, Mechanical Eye, Mechanical Skull)

Perhaps the most critical function of the Heavy Workbench is its ability to craft the summon items for the Mechanical Bosses: The Destroyer, The Twins, and Skeletron Prime. Defeating these bosses is essential for advancing through Hardmode and unlocking even stronger gear and items.

Mechanical Worm

Summons The Destroyer, a massive, segmented worm boss. The ingredients include Rotten Chunks, Souls of Night, and Iron/Lead Bars.

Mechanical Eye

Summons The Twins, two independently attacking eyes. The ingredients include Lenses, Souls of Light, and Iron/Lead Bars.

Mechanical Skull

Summons Skeletron Prime, a skeletal boss with four attacking limbs. The ingredients include Bones, Souls of Night, Souls of Light, and Iron/Lead Bars.

These mechanical boss summons are used by the player at night to summon these bosses. Defeating the bosses provide key materials that enable you to craft other items that will progress you through the game.

Other Notable Items

Beyond these key crafts, the Heavy Workbench also allows the creation of other useful items, such as Minecarts, and even some accessories, niche tools, and other things that you might find useful as you explore.

The recipes are easy enough to find with a quick search, or from the Goblin Tinkerer himself, so it’s important to not only know what you can make, but what you need to craft these things. Gathering the ingredients can be tough, so plan ahead and be ready to gather the resources you need.

Tips and Tricks for Using the Heavy Workbench in Terraria and ways to get the most out of it

To maximize the efficiency and utility of your Heavy Workbench, consider these tips and tricks:

• Placement: Think carefully about where you place your Heavy Workbench. A central location near your base or a dedicated crafting room is ideal. If you utilize minecarts, place it near a minecart track for easy access to materials and quick travel.
• Organization: Keep your crafting area organized. Store your materials in nearby chests, clearly labeled and sorted. This will save you time and frustration when crafting.
• Early Hardmode Prioritization: When you first enter Hardmode, prioritize crafting the items that will help you progress the fastest. This often means summoning the Mechanical Bosses as soon as possible, so focus on gathering the necessary ingredients. Better mining gear is also a solid choice early on.
• Money Saving: The Heavy Workbench isn’t difficult to acquire, but it also isn’t something you want to accidentally buy multiple of. Remember that you only need one Heavy Workbench, so don’t buy multiples unless you have a very specific purpose for doing so.

In Closing: The Heavy Workbench is critical for Hardmode progression

The Terraria Heavy Workbench is a cornerstone of Hardmode progression. It provides the tools and resources necessary to conquer the challenges that lie ahead, from summoning the Mechanical Bosses to gathering valuable resources more efficiently. While it may seem like just another crafting station, its importance cannot be overstated. It’s a crucial investment that will significantly enhance your Terraria experience.

Don’t delay; acquire the Heavy Workbench early in Hardmode. Locate the Goblin Tinkerer, free him from his underground prison, and purchase this essential crafting station. With the Heavy Workbench at your disposal, you’ll be well-equipped to face the dangers and reap the rewards of Hardmode. Now that you have your Heavy Workbench, explore the vast array of other crafting recipes Terraria has to offer! Experiment, discover new combinations, and become a master craftsman in the world of Terraria! Good luck, and happy crafting!