Terraria (Wiki): Rocket Launcher

Matt

On this page, you will learn everything about the Rocket Launcher. That includes how the explosive ranged weapon works, ways of obtaining it, some useful tips and tricks for maximized efficiency, and more.

Everything you need to know

General Information

The Rocket Launcher is a launcher-type weapon that fires an explosive rocket that leaves a trail of orange and gray smoke before exploding upon enemy or block contact. It uses rockets as ammunition. The resulting explosion has a considerable reach, making the Rocket Launcher damage multiple enemies. It is also capable of autofiring.

In desktop, mobile, console, the Rocket Launcher deals double damage on a direct hit against a single target.

When the Rocket Launcher is put into action, the projectile is noticeably not emitting light. Fired rockets are unaffected by gravity and will endlessly travel directly toward the cursor until they come into contact with a block or disappear in space.

It is advised to fire the Rocket Launcher at a safe distance away from the potential explosion radius to prevent taking damage.

Of all Rocket Launchers, the Rocket Launcher has the slowest travel speed for its projectiles.

With PvP off, misfiring the Rocket Launcher to friendlies will not damage them upon projectile impact. However, the same cannot be said once PvP is enabled.

With its splashing damage capability, the Rocket Launcher can also take down enemies behind cover using most rocket ammunition. Exceptions are Dry Rocket, Wet Rocket, Lava Rocket, and Honey Rocket.

During the Martian Madness event, the player will encounter the projectile-reflecting Selenians. As with its terrifying skill against the player, the Selenian will reflect all projectiles except launched rockets.

Shroomite Helmet and other items that boost ranged damage are excellent for the Rocket Launcher.

The Rocket Launcher can handle large waves of enemies coming from events and invasions. Most Worms’ segments will also take damage from the weapon’s launched rockets as it explodes in a large radius.

Ammunition that destroys tiles, namely Rocket II, Rocket IV, Cluster Rocket II, and Mini Nuke II, is great for stopping the spread of Crimson, Corruption, and Hallow biomes. The player must use the mentioned ammunition and create a large hole. However, watch out for thorny bushes as they still grow and may cause another spread.

The Rocket Launcher benefits the most from Unreal - the best modifier for ranged weapons - dramatically improving all stats and increasing the weapon’s overall value by sixfold (desktop, mobile, console). For 3DS, old-gen consoles, Godly or Demonic suits the weapon more.

Type: Weapon
Type of Weapon: Rocket Launcher
Mode: Hardmode

Strengths & Weaknesses of the Rocket Launcher

Strengths

  • Great against waves of enemies.
  • Deals twice damage on direct hit against a target.

Weaknesses

  • Slightly risky and tricky to obtain.
  • Outperformed by other Rocket Launchers.

How to get the Rocket Launcher

The Rocket Launcher is dropped by the Skeleton Commando once slain (5.56% (Classic); 10.8% (Expert & Master)). It is obtainable during Hardmode after defeating Plantera.

Stats & Attributes of the Rocket Launcher

General Type: Ranged Weapon
Damage value: 55 (desktop, mobile, console) / 50 (3DS, old-gen consoles) Health Points
Rarity: Yellow
Knockback: 4
Sell-Value: 8 Gold Coins
Buy-Value: Not sold
Critical Size: 4%
Use Time: 30
Required Research: 1
Velocity: 5
Special Properties: None

Related Items

Included in these lists: