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Skeletron Prime
Skeletron PrimeOld-gen console version and Nintendo 3DS version
Classic mode icon Classic
Expert mode icon Expert
Master mode icon Master
Statistics
Type
AI TypeSkeletron Prime Head AI
Damage47
94 (while spinning)
Max Life28000
Defense24
48 (while spinning)
KB Resist10000%
Drops
Coins12
For strategies on defeating Skeletron Prime, see Guide:Skeletron Prime strategies

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"You feel the air getting colder around you..."

Skeletron Prime is a Hardmode Mechanical Boss which is a much harder version of Skeletron. He is summoned with the Mechanical Skull at night. Players have until dawn to kill him. He can also randomly spawn at dusk in Hardmode if he has not yet been defeated, in this case signaling his approach via the chat message, "You feel the air getting colder around you" or "The air is getting colder around you".

Quick Answers

What does 'the air is getting colder around you' mean regarding Skeletron Prime? toggle section
In the game Terraria, the phrase 'the air is getting colder around you' is a significant indicator that the boss Skeletron Prime is about to spawn. This phrase appears as a status message to alert players of the impending challenge. Skeletron Prime, a Hardmode mechanical boss, can also be manually summoned using a Mechanical Skull, but this phrase typically signifies its natural appearance in the game.
Provided by: Fandom
How can you summon Skeletron Prime using a Mechanical Skull? toggle section
Skeletron Prime, the weaponized mechanical variation of Skeletron, can be summoned using a Mechanical Skull. This boss-summoning item is used to call upon Skeletron Prime, a Hardmode version of Skeletron. However, it's important to note that the Mechanical Skull can only be used at night. So, if you're planning to summon Skeletron Prime, make sure to wait until the sun goes down and the air is getting colder around you!
Provided by: Fandom
What is the chance of Skeletron Prime spawning naturally at dusk? toggle section
Skeletron Prime has a 10% chance to spawn naturally at dusk in the world of Terraria. This event is usually announced with the status message 'The air is getting colder around you...'. Remember, this only happens if Skeletron Prime has not yet been defeated at least once in the current world.
Provided by: Fandom
What are the differences between Skeletron and Skeletron Prime? toggle section
Skeletron Prime is essentially a more difficult version of Skeletron, a boss character in Terraria. Unlike Skeletron, Skeletron Prime is a Hardmode mechanical boss with a head and four limbs. The limbs are unique, consisting of a vice, a laser gun, a saw, and a cannon that shoots bombs. While both bosses require only the head to be defeated, Skeletron Prime's head spins, increasing its Defense, unlike Skeletron whose Defense drops to zero when spinning. Additionally, Skeletron Prime is more mobile, often flying off-screen, making targeting more challenging. It's also worth noting that Skeletron Prime can be summoned as many times as you want in a world by crafting and using a Mechanical Skull, but only at night. Remember, when you're about to face this boss, 'the air is getting colder around you'.
Provided by: Fandom
What happens when you defeat only the head of Skeletron Prime? toggle section
When you defeat only the head of Skeletron Prime, you've essentially won the battle! Despite Skeletron Prime having four limbs – a vice, laser gun, saw, and cannon – only the head needs to be defeated for a successful victory. This is a unique feature of this boss in Terraria, making the 'air getting colder around you' a thrilling moment for players as they summon Skeletron Prime.
Provided by: Fandom

Attacks

Skeletron Prime has four limbs which are all immune to the Poisoned and On Fire! debuffs:

  • Prime Cannon fires flashing bombs that do not destroy blocks, usually up into the air rather than directly at the player.
  • Prime Laser shoots Death Lasers similar to those of Retinazer and The Destroyer, and is always pointed at a player.
  • Prime Saw and the Prime Vice swipe around dealing hefty amounts of damage on contact.

Skeletron Prime will occasionally enter into a "Rage Mode," in which his attacks become more aggressive:

  • Skeletron's Head will grow spikes and start spinning towards the player slowly. Damage and defense is doubled.
  • Prime Cannon will aim at the player directly and fire rapidly.
  • Prime Laser will fire more frequently.
  • Prime Saw will begin homing directly towards the player's location.
  • Prime Vice becomes more aggressive and frequently lunges towards the player.

Prime himself is much more mobile than his predecessor, and will regularly move off-screen, which can make him difficult to hit reliably with ranged weapons.

Like Skeletron, if he is not dead by dawn he will begin to dish out instant kills and will take only 1 damage from attacks (2 for critical hits).

Arms

Prime Cannon
Prime CannonOld-gen console version and Nintendo 3DS version
Classic mode icon Classic
Expert mode icon Expert
Master mode icon Master
Statistics
Type
AI TypePrime Cannon AI
Damage40 grenade
30 melee
Max Life7000
Defense23
Prime Laser
Prime LaserOld-gen console version and Nintendo 3DS version
Classic mode icon Classic
Expert mode icon Expert
Master mode icon Master
Statistics
Type
AI TypePrime Laser AI
Damage25 death laser
29 melee
Max Life6000
Defense20
Prime Vice
Prime ViceOld-gen console version and Nintendo 3DS version
Classic mode icon Classic
Expert mode icon Expert
Master mode icon Master
Statistics
Type
AI TypePrime Vice AI
Damage52
Max Life9000
Defense34
Prime Saw
Prime SawOld-gen console version and Nintendo 3DS version
Classic mode icon Classic
Expert mode icon Expert
Master mode icon Master
Statistics
Type
AI TypePrime Saw AI
Damage56
Max Life9000
Defense38

Notes

  • While it is possible to continue the fight during the day without dying, Skeletron Prime will continually headspin and barely take any damage (1 damage per hit and 2 damage per crit), while killing players instantly. Due to the similarities, he is sometimes referred to as Dungeon Guardian Prime. He will do this indefinitely, even if the next night comes before he's gone.
  • The bombs fired by the Prime Cannon will only detonate if they hit solid blocks (they will not destroy blocks). They pass through platforms without detonating.
  • If the player is deep enough underground, Skeletron Prime will not spawn randomly, even when the chat message indicates he's coming.
  • Using a Mechanical Skull while Skeletron Prime is already spawned can cause it to headspin continuously as if dawn has arrived, instantly killing players.
  • In the mobile version, each limb is treated as if it was a boss on it's own, but does not have its own summoning message. When you defeat a limb, it says (name of limb) has been defeated! Also will drop hearts and Greater Healing Potions.
  • If (in singleplayer) the player dies, Skeletron Prime will not come back.
  • Unlike the Skeletron, Skeletron Prime defense raises when it is spinning.

Tips

  • Standing on platforms far from blocks can mostly nullify the effects of the Prime Cannon, as its projectiles only detonate on blocks, while passing through platforms harmlessly.
  • Skeletron Prime can be the most profitable boss in the game, as the Souls of Fright can be crafted into Naughty Present to summon the Frost Moon, netting large amounts of money per 5 souls.
  • In multiplayer, the Prime Cannon and the Prime Laser will point at the player Skeletron Prime is attacking.
  • Skeletron Prime can be debuffed by the Golden Shower which can make destroying the limbs easier
  • Focus mostly on taking out his melee limbs, then his head.

Trivia

  • The boss Cortez, from "Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door" may have influenced Skeletron Prime, as Cortez's final form is a floating skull surrounded by four different levitating weapons, all of different attack powers and methods.
  • His name may have been inspired by Optimus Prime, a robotic character from the Transformers franchise.

History

For changes that affect all the mechanical bosses, see Mechanical_Bosses#History.
  • 1.2.3: Increased health, damage and defense of most parts. May now drop Skeletron Prime Mask. Fixed bug where you can respawn skeletron prime if you kill its prime cannon hand and not skeletron prime himself.
  • 1.2:
    • Now has a chance to spawn during hardmode with the message: "You feel the air getting colder around you...".
    • Will now drop 20-40 Souls of Fright, instead of 20-30. Also has a chance to drop Skeletron Prime Trophy.
    • Health, damage and defense of all parts and head reduced.
  • 1.1: Introduced.
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