How to Run Expert and Master Mode on Your Terraria Server
Set up Expert Mode and Master Mode on your MANAfuel Terraria server with difficulty configuration, exclusive loot tables, and boss scaling for multiplayer.
Understand Terraria Difficulty Modes
Terraria has four world difficulty levels: Classic (normal enemy stats, no exclusive drops), Expert (enemies deal double damage, have more health, drop Expert-exclusive accessories, and bosses gain new attack patterns), Master Mode (triple damage, even more health, Master-exclusive pets and mounts, and relics from boss kills), and Journey Mode (creative tools, adjustable difficulty). The difficulty is set at world creation and cannot be changed later.
Create an Expert or Master Mode World
When deploying your Terraria server on MANAfuel, the world generates on first boot. Set the difficulty before the first startup by editing the server configuration. In your server settings, set the difficulty parameter: 1 for Expert or 2 for Master Mode. Alternatively, generate the world locally in single-player with your desired difficulty, then upload it to the server via the File Manager.
Plan for Increased Difficulty
Expert and Master Mode servers require more coordination from players. Enemies hit harder and have more health, making early progression more punishing. Prepare your community: recommend players bring pre-built characters or start fresh together. Consider adjusting tShock settings to give new players a small boost — starting inventory items, reduced spawn-kill protection, or bonus starting health via plugins.
Configure Boss Scaling for Multiplayer
In Expert and Master Mode, boss health scales with the number of players in the fight. A boss with 10,000 HP in single-player Expert might have 15,000+ with 4 players nearby. This scaling is built into the game engine — there are no server settings to adjust it. Communicate this to your players so they understand that 8-player boss fights are significantly harder than 4-player ones. Preparation (arenas, potions, gear) matters more in multiplayer Expert/Master.
Manage Exclusive Loot Distribution
Expert Mode drops exclusive accessories (like the Shield of Cthulhu and Worm Scarf) and Master Mode drops relics and exclusive pets. Treasure Bags in Expert Mode give one set of loot per player who participates, so every player gets their own drops. In Master Mode, relics and pets are single-drop — only one player receives them per kill. Use tShock commands or economy plugins to manage fair distribution if your community has loot disputes.