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Reaver Shark Terraria: The Ultimate Guide to Early-Game Mining

Terraria, the popular action-adventure sandbox game, offers players a vast world to explore, filled with resources to gather, enemies to defeat, and structures to build. One of the most crucial aspects of Terraria is mining, as it allows players to acquire the ores needed to craft better weapons, armor, and tools. Early in the game, acquiring a powerful mining tool can significantly speed up progression. Enter the Reaver Shark, a pre-hardmode pickaxe that can be obtained relatively early and makes mining a breeze. This comprehensive guide will delve into everything you need to know about the Reaver Shark in Terraria, including how to obtain it, its stats, its uses, and its overall impact on early-game progression.

What is the Reaver Shark?

The Reaver Shark is a pickaxe available in pre-hardmode Terraria. What sets it apart from other early-game pickaxes is its high mining speed and the fact that it can mine most pre-hardmode ores, including those found in the Jungle and the Underworld. This makes it an invaluable tool for players who want to quickly upgrade their gear and prepare for the challenges that lie ahead.

Key Features of the Reaver Shark:

High Mining Speed: Compared to other early-game pickaxes like the Copper Pickaxe, Tin Pickaxe, or even the Iron Pickaxe, the Reaver Shark has a significantly faster mining speed.
Mining Power: With a mining power of 65%, it can mine most pre-hardmode ores, including Gold, Platinum, Demonite, Crimtane, and Hellstone.
Availability: It can be obtained relatively early in the game, making it a great option for players looking to fast-track their progression.

How to Obtain the Reaver Shark

The Reaver Shark is obtained by fishing in the Ocean biome. It’s important to note that the Ocean biome is located at the far left or right edge of your Terraria world. Fishing in the Ocean biome can yield a variety of items, including fish, crates, and, with a bit of luck, the Reaver Shark. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to obtain the Reaver Shark:

Step-by-Step Guide:

Locate the Ocean Biome: Travel to the far left or right edge of your Terraria world until you reach the Ocean biome. You’ll know you’re in the right place when you see the ocean water, seagulls, and the ocean background.
Prepare Your Fishing Gear: To increase your chances of catching the Reaver Shark, you’ll need to prepare your fishing gear. This includes a fishing rod, bait, and potentially some fishing-enhancing accessories and potions.
Acquire a Fishing Rod:
- Old Rod: The Old Rod is the most basic fishing rod and can be obtained from the Merchant NPC for 5 gold coins. While it’s not the best, it’s a good starting point.
- Wood Fishing Pole: Can be crafted using 8 wood at a workbench. Slightly better than the Old Rod.
- Reinforced Fishing Pole: Can be obtained from the Angler after completing 5 quests. A significant upgrade from the starting rods.
Gather Bait: Bait is essential for fishing. Different types of bait have different fishing power, which affects your chances of catching rarer items. Some common types of bait include:
- Worms: Can be found on the surface during rain or by digging in the dirt.
- Grasshoppers: Can be caught using a Bug Net in grassy areas.
- Butterflies: Can be caught using a Bug Net in forest biomes.
- Fireflies: Appear at night and can be caught with a Bug Net.
Consider Fishing Accessories and Potions:
- Tackle Box: Reduces the chance of bait being consumed when fishing.
- Fishing Potion: Temporarily increases your fishing power.
- Angler Armor Set: Obtained from the Angler through quests, this armor set increases fishing skill.
Start Fishing: Equip your fishing rod, select your bait, and cast your line into the ocean. Wait for a bite, and then reel it in.
Repeat and Be Patient: The Reaver Shark is not a guaranteed catch. It may take several attempts before you finally obtain one. Keep fishing, and eventually, you’ll get lucky.

Reaver Shark Statistics

Understanding the statistics of the Reaver Shark will help you appreciate its value and use it effectively. Here’s a breakdown of its key stats:

Type: Pickaxe
Damage: 9
Knockback: 0 (Extremely Weak)
Critical Chance: 4%
Use Time: 15 (Very Fast)
Mining Speed: 65%
Rarity: Blue
Buy: N/A (Not sold by any NPC)
Sell: 54 silver coins

The most important stat is the 65% mining power, which allows the Reaver Shark to mine most pre-hardmode ores. The very fast use time also contributes to its high mining speed, making it an efficient tool for gathering resources.

Uses of the Reaver Shark

The Reaver Shark’s primary use is, of course, mining. However, its capabilities extend beyond simply breaking blocks. Here are some specific uses for the Reaver Shark:

Mining Ores:

Gold and Platinum: These ores are essential for crafting high-tier pre-hardmode armor and weapons. The Reaver Shark can mine these ores with ease, allowing you to quickly upgrade your gear.
Demonite and Crimtane: These ores are found in the Corruption and Crimson biomes, respectively. They are used to craft powerful weapons and armor, and the Reaver Shark can mine them efficiently.
Hellstone: Located in the Underworld, Hellstone is a valuable ore used to craft powerful weapons and armor. The Reaver Shark is one of the few pre-hardmode pickaxes capable of mining Hellstone.
Other Ores: The Reaver Shark can also mine other common ores like Copper, Tin, Iron, Silver, and Tungsten, making it a versatile tool for all your mining needs.

Building and Construction:

While not its primary function, the Reaver Shark can also be used for building and construction. Its fast mining speed allows you to quickly clear out areas and gather blocks for your building projects.

Exploration:

The Reaver Shark can be used to quickly clear paths through underground tunnels and caves, making exploration easier and more efficient. This is especially useful when searching for specific items or biomes.

Comparison with Other Early-Game Pickaxes

To fully appreciate the value of the Reaver Shark, it’s helpful to compare it with other early-game pickaxes. Here’s a comparison of some common pre-hardmode pickaxes:

Pickaxe	Mining Power	Use Time	How to Obtain	Notes
Copper Pickaxe	35%	20 (Average)	Crafted with 12 Copper Bars	Basic starting pickaxe.
Tin Pickaxe	40%	19 (Above Average)	Crafted with 12 Tin Bars	Slightly better than Copper.
Iron Pickaxe	50%	18 (Above Average)	Crafted with 12 Iron Bars	A decent upgrade.
Silver Pickaxe	55%	17 (Above Average)	Crafted with 12 Silver Bars	Another step up in mining power.
Tungsten Pickaxe	59%	16 (Very Fast)	Crafted with 12 Tungsten Bars	Faster than Silver.
Gold Pickaxe	60%	16 (Very Fast)	Crafted with 12 Gold Bars	Good mining power and speed.
Platinum Pickaxe	62%	15 (Very Fast)	Crafted with 12 Platinum Bars	Slightly better than Gold.
Reaver Shark	65%	15 (Very Fast)	Fishing in the Ocean Biome	Can mine Hellstone.

As you can see, the Reaver Shark has the highest mining power of all pre-hardmode pickaxes, allowing you to mine Hellstone earlier than any other pickaxe. While the Platinum Pickaxe is close in terms of mining power, it requires more resources to obtain, making the Reaver Shark a more accessible and efficient choice.

Tips and Tricks for Using the Reaver Shark

Here are some tips and tricks to maximize the effectiveness of the Reaver Shark:

Prioritize Fishing: Focus on fishing in the Ocean biome early in the game to obtain the Reaver Shark as soon as possible. This will significantly speed up your mining progress.
Use Fishing Potions and Accessories: Use fishing potions and accessories to increase your fishing power and improve your chances of catching the Reaver Shark.
Explore the Underworld Early: Once you have the Reaver Shark, venture into the Underworld to mine Hellstone. This will allow you to craft powerful weapons and armor, giving you a significant advantage in the game.
Combine with Mining Armor and Accessories: Combine the Reaver Shark with mining armor and accessories to further increase your mining speed and efficiency.
Use Mining Potions: Mining potions can provide a temporary boost to your mining speed, making you even more efficient at gathering resources.

The Impact of the Reaver Shark on Early-Game Progression

The Reaver Shark has a significant impact on early-game progression in Terraria. Its high mining speed and ability to mine Hellstone allow players to quickly upgrade their gear and prepare for the challenges that lie ahead. Here are some of the key benefits of obtaining the Reaver Shark early in the game:

Faster Resource Gathering: The Reaver Shark allows you to gather resources much faster than other early-game pickaxes, saving you time and allowing you to focus on other aspects of the game.
Early Access to Hellstone: The ability to mine Hellstone early in the game gives you access to powerful weapons and armor that can significantly improve your combat capabilities.
Improved Combat Readiness: With better gear, you’ll be better equipped to handle the challenges of early-game bosses and events, such as the Eye of Cthulhu, Eater of Worlds, and Brain of Cthulhu.
Faster Exploration: The Reaver Shark allows you to quickly clear paths through underground tunnels and caves, making exploration easier and more efficient.

Alternatives to the Reaver Shark

While the Reaver Shark is an excellent early-game pickaxe, there are a few alternatives that players can consider, depending on their playstyle and preferences.

Deathbringer Pickaxe / Crimson Pickaxe: Crafted using Crimtane/Demonite bars and Shadow Scales/Tissue Samples respectively. These are viable alternatives if fishing isn’t your thing.
The Molten Pickaxe: This pickaxe is crafted using Hellstone Bars and is the next logical upgrade from the Reaver Shark. It allows you to mine Cobalt and Palladium.

Conclusion

The Reaver Shark is an invaluable tool for players in early-game Terraria. Its high mining speed, ability to mine Hellstone, and relatively easy obtainability make it a must-have for anyone looking to quickly upgrade their gear and progress through the game. By following the tips and tricks outlined in this guide, you can maximize the effectiveness of the Reaver Shark and enjoy a smoother and more efficient early-game experience. So, grab your fishing rod, head to the Ocean biome, and start fishing for your very own Reaver Shark today!