Guide:Scarabeus strategies

Scarabeus is usually the first boss a player will encounter in the Spirit Mod. It is summoned with a Scarab Idol anywhere in the world. The following are some hints, tips, and strategies to help defeat it.

Terrain preparation
Since this is the first boss you will face, arena possibilities are limited. Simply flatting out some land should suffice, allowing you to evade the boss, and also letting you hit the boss when it flies above you. Make sure you have a few platforms above the end of your flat land to avoid a hit once you need to turn back.

Additionally, you can make the fight a bit easier by placing various items across your flat land; a Campfire and Heart Lantern will boost your life regeneration, a Star in a Bottle will boost mana regeneration, and a Sunflower will boost your speed, which can be very beneficial in this battle.

Armor
The best armor to have at this point would be Gold, Platinum armor or Bismite armor, although the gold and platinum armors can be difficult to obtain. Consider using these sets if you are having trouble beating the boss with the Bismite armor.

If you have taken out King Slime previously, the Ninja armor will be especially useful. While it provides less defense than the armor listed above, it enhances the combat potential of throwing items, which can be useful for this boss. Rogue armor is a worthy counterpart as well.

The Leather armor, Daybloom armor, Silk armor and Frigid armor are all great armor for their respective classes. Despite what you may think, the Stone armor is not a good idea due to its movement decrease.

Accessories
A Cloud in a Bottle, Sandstorm in a Bottle, a Blizzard in a Bottle, or a Tsunami in a Bottle can be very helpful for jumping Scarabeus' minions and Gold Dust.

Hermes Boots, Sailfish Boots, or Flurry Boots are an absolute must have because otherwise Scarabeus can easily catch up to you.

If you find one, a Band of Regeneration can help speed up life regen, making lasting a longer fight easier. A Panic Necklace is a useful accessory if you find it hard to outrun Scarabeus, and the increase in speed after being hit can make being hit immediately after less likely.

Any accessory with the Warding modifier be useful if you come across one, and the extra four defense can be used to make up for lower-tier armor if you decide to use them.

Weapons
In general, long-range piercing weapons are recommended, as they are able to take out the minions and hit the boss.

Melee
Melee's options are fairly limited at this point, and mostly serve as a way to take attack the minions Scarabeus spawns. Certain melee weapons are able to launch projectiles, but may be difficult to come across.

Broadswords aren't very helpful against the boss itself, but can make short work of the Scarabs without the need to aim. You should aim for a Gold Broadsword, Platinum Broadsword or Huskstalk Sword at this point.

Using projectile-launching broadswords instead of regular broadswords is highly recommended, as their sword slash can take out nearby servants and their projectile can hit the boss itself. The three projectile swords available at this point are the Enchanted Sword found rarely throughout the world or in Enchanted Sword Shrines, the Ice Blade found in Ice Chests in the Underground Snow, the Bismite Sword made from Bismite Crystals and Starfury found on Floating Islands.

Spears are almost useless unless you are willing to risk getting hit by the boss.

Boomerangs can be of great use due to their long range, but missing with a boomerang can leave the player open for a moment. A Bismite Cutter (made from Bismite Crystals) is a good idea, but an Enchanted Boomerang is the preferred option if you are focusing on damage.

Yoyos are a rather good choice for this boss. A Rally should be good enough, though a Malaise or Artery are preferred if you have the materials to make them. More ambitious players can try to craft an Amazon, though this requires going into the highly dangerous Underground Jungle.

Ranged
Ranged weapons are a great choice for dealing damage to the boss itself, unlike melee's more supportive role of taking out the Scarabs.

Bows are the main choice of ranged weapon available at this point. You should aim for a Gold Bow or a Platinum Bow at this point, but if you want to use the Bismite Bow, it'll work fine as well. You can also craft a Demon Bow or a Tendon Bow, which will perform even better. Standard arrows will work well, but they leave some to be desired in terms of combat potential. Flaming Arrows or Frostburn Arrows are a better choice for hitting the boss itself, as their lingering fire effects can harm the boss even while it's out of your range. Jester's Arrows or the Corruption-exclusive Unholy Arrows are ideal for this battle. Additionally, if they are fired accurately, you can kill the Scarabs at the same time.

The Snowball Cannon, found in Ice Chests in the Underground Snow is a good alternative to bows. While its base damage is low, it makes up for this with the ability to rapidly auto-fire and use easily-obtained Snowballs as ammunition.

Guns can also be used to great effect against the boss, although this requires venturing into the Corruption/Crimson to smash Shadow Orbs/Crimson Hearts. Nearly any gun will outperform bows available at this point, so if you can get your hands on one, use it.

Magic
Magic weapons are mainly good for beating on the boss itself, but can also be used to attack servants in a pinch. All magic weapons at this point are able to pierce through multiple enemies.

Gem staves are the main magic weapon of choice against the eye, with their long ranged piercing shots being a perfect fit for the boss battle. You should aim for a Ruby Staff, a Emerald Staff, a Sapphire Staff or Bismite Staff at this point. The Amethyst Staff and Topaz Staff are far too weak for this battle, so don't even consider using it.

The Bismite Wrath is a good weapon for this battle, despite its low damage.

Summoner
The Thornwild Staff and Crawlerock Staff are great choices for this fight. The Slime Staff is also a good choice if you're lucky enough to get it

If you're willing to fish, the Fungal Icthyoid is a good choice for a more active summoner.

Throwing
Platinum Shurikens or Gold Shurikens are an effective weapon which can be made with their respective bar. They are a good replacement for Throwing Knives and/or Shurikens.

Grenades cause high damage and hurt everything in their blast. It is a brilliant choice for this battle.

If you can get them, Molotov Cocktails are a fantastic option. You should use these if you can use them.

Potions
Finally, bring a batch of Lesser Healing Potions at the very least, in case you start taking too much damage. (Regular Healing Potions can be used if one has access to a Glowing Mushroom farm.) Three other helpful potions are the Regeneration Potion, the Ironskin Potion, and the Thorns Potion. Swiftness Potion, Hunter Potion, Archery Potion and Bowl of Soup/Cooked Marshmallow/Pumpkin Pie/Cooked Fish wouldn't hurt as well. They are easy to brew and last a few minutes each, so you will probably only need a couple.

The Battle
Scarabeus' main attack is charging up to the player and dealing high amounts of damage. This is one of the prime reasons you must keep your distance. Scarabeus will also jump into the air regularly and fall down onto the player's position, which is one of Scarabeus' most deadly attacks. During this time, it is very difficult to hit the boss, so attacking Scarabs, a minion spawned by Scarabeus every 4 seconds, is probably the best thing to do. Attacking the Scarabs with a broadsword or a piercing weapon (such as a bow with Jester's Arrows) is probably the best way. Having the minimap up will allow you to know when to move out of the way when it is falling, where you should try to grapple away. If you have already defeated the Eye of Cthulhu, the Shield of Cthulhu will be a great help for the part where you must quickly move away to avoid Scarabeus falling on your position. You must remember that at 20% life Scarabeus begins to run much faster, so killing the Scarabs may not be worth the risk of Scarabeus catching up with you.

Redux
Scarabeus at first may seem very threatening, but once you have defeated it once it becomes a lot easier to adapt to its movement and attacks. Fighting multiples of Scarabeus can be very beneficial for items like Folv's Lost Blade and the Gilded Idol which is needed for crafting Artifact weapons.