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Copper Shortsword
  • Copper Shortsword item spriteold Copper Shortsword item sprite
Stack digit 1
Statistics
Type
Damage5 / 7 (Melee)
Knockback4 (Weak)
Critical chance4%
Use time13 (Very fast)
Velocity4.2 (effective)
RarityRarity level: 0
Sell70
Research1 required
Projectile created
  • Copper Shortsword
    Copper Shortsword
Copper Shortsword (demo)

The Copper Shortsword attacking a Target Dummy. Note the limited range.

The Copper Shortsword is the weakest of the shortswords. It has a slightly stronger counterpart, the Tin Shortsword, except in the Nintendo 3DSNintendo 3DS version version, where the Copper Shortsword is equivalent.

On the PC version PC, Console version Console, Old-gen console version Old-gen console, Mobile version Mobile, Old Chinese version Old Chinese, tModLoader version tModLoader, and tModLoader 1 tModLoader Legacy versions, all newly created non-Journey Mode characters will spawn with a Copper Shortsword in their first inventory slot, and it is possible that it can have a modifier already applied to it. On the Windows Phone version Windows Phone and 3DSNintendo 3DS version versions, newly created players will spawn with a Wooden Sword instead of a Copper Shortsword. In Journey Mode, newly created characters will spawn with an Iron Shortsword instead of a Copper Shortsword.

Like all shortswords, the Copper Shortsword has a very limited range and attacks with a stabbing motion at any direction on PC version PC, Console version Console, Mobile version Mobile, and tModLoader version tModLoader, and horizontally in front of the player on Old-gen console version Old-gen console, Windows Phone version Windows Phone, Old Chinese version Old Chinese, 3DSNintendo 3DS version, and tModLoader 1 tModLoader Legacy, instead of an arc. This makes it almost useless against flying or jumping enemies, although its high attack rate makes it somewhat effective against weaker fighter type enemies.

Its best modifier is Legendary.

Crafting

Recipes

ResultIngredientsCrafting station
Old-gen console versionWindows Phone versionNintendo 3DS versiontModLoader 1 only:
Copper ShortswordCopper Shortsword
Iron AnvilIron Anvil
or
Lead AnvilLead Anvil
PC versionConsole versionMobile versiontModLoader version only:
Copper ShortswordCopper Shortsword

Used in

ResultIngredientsCrafting station
ZenithZenith
Mythril AnvilMythril Anvil
or
Orichalcum AnvilOrichalcum Anvil

Tips

  • Always keep at least one Copper Shortsword, as it is required to craft the Zenith. In a world that generates with Tin Ore, fishing or the Chlorophyte Extractinator must be relied on.
  • Journey Mode characters always start with an Iron Shortsword, if a Journey's Mode World spawns with Tin Ore instead of Copper, it is possible to obtain Copper by Fishing.

Trivia

  • The uselessness of the Copper Shortsword, even at the beginning of the game which it is supposedly suited for, has earned it "memetic" status within the Terraria community. On videos of people successfully completing challenges in Terraria such as unusual boss fights or speedruns, for example, comments saying "Now do it with a copper shortsword!" are not a rare sight, to make the seemingly impossible challenge even more ridiculous. However, there have been videos where bosses have been defeated with a Copper Shortsword.
    • The developers seem to have made fun of this idea by including the Copper Shortsword in the recipe of the Zenith, an endgame melee weapon.
  • A Tiny Copper Shortsword is the smallest possible sword in the game.
  • It is possible to spawn with a Broken Copper Shortsword. This reduces its damage to 3, which makes the early game even harder. Furthermore, a Broken Copper Shortsword is the weapon with the second-lowest damage in the game, as the weapon with the lowest damage is the Broken Wooden Hammer, which deals 1 damage. However, a player in this condition can simply make a new sword, which is generally accepted as the best course of action for a new character anyways.
  • Because the Copper Shortsword autoswings on the Nintendo 3DSNintendo 3DS version version, its use is slightly increased. However, 3DSNintendo 3DS version players start with a Wooden Sword, a mostly better weapon.
  • The Zenith appears to have a similar shape as the Copper Shortsword.

History

  • Desktop 1.4.1: Copper Bars needed to craft decreased from 7 to 5.
  • Desktop 1.0.5: Newly created characters will now spawn with a Copper Shortsword.
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