The Queen Bee is a normal mode boss that can be summoned either by breaking a Larva in a Bee Hive, or by using an Abeemination anywhere in the Jungle. It does not need to be killed to progress the game, but it has some useful drops and the Witch Doctor NPC will spawn when it is killed.
Terrain Preparation
Note that if you choose to summon it via breaking the Larva, you do not need to stay in the hive to fight it. You can get out of the hive and fight it in the wide-open areas of the Underground Jungle if you'd prefer. However, most Hives offer a decent amount of space already carved out for you, and the pool of Honey at the bottom provides a health-regenerating buff, which is almost strong enough to make up for the effect of a Campfire. If you want to spawn it using an Abeemination, you could make a long platform a few blocks above the surface Jungle. Remember, the Queen bee won't despawn if you exit the jungle biome during the fight, you just need to use the Abeemination inside the Jungle biome.
As with most bosses, Wooden Platforms are vital. One of the Queen Bee's attacks is to charge at you very quickly from off-screen. Considering it's about as tall as you can jump, you need the platforms to give you a chance to quickly jump out of the way. Having them every 4-5 blocks is an optimal height but if your jump height is boosted in some way (say, via the Shiny Red Balloon) you can increase the number of spaces between platforms which can save you materials. Remember to bring along Campfires and Heart Lanterns to boost regeneration.
The Fight
The Queen Bee has 3 distinct attack patterns. 1. It will fly off-screen and charge at you three times. 2. It will hover above you and spawn tiny Bee minions which are especially hard to kill due to their microscopic size and relatively high damage 3. It will behave like a normal hornet and fly around, shooting stingers which have a chance to poison you.
- When it charges you, use platforms, a flight Accessory, or a double jump accessory to dodge upwards. You can stand perfectly still upon landing which gives you a short moment to regenerate health faster.
- When it summons her bees, use a weapon that can pierce targets and aim for its backside to stop the bees the moment they spawn. If any bees manage to escape then use a Sword with a large swing to clear them out.
- If it is using the stinger-shooting phase, keep moving back and forth. A Swiftness Potion and/or a running Accessory like Hermes Boots can give you the upper edge in this stage. Use a ranged weapon, and try to track her movements by aiming where it is going to move, not where it currently is.
- In expert mode, all of her attacks become faster, especially at low health. Poisoning and/or burning her is recommended to deal damage while she is outside the hive in her charge attack.
Gearing Up
Armor
- When it comes to HP, 300 Health is recommended, but lower amounts can be offset by better armor.
- A full set of at least Gold Armor should be acquired, but better armor is always an option. Other armor sets with set bonuses can be effective as well.
- If one is offensively minded they can use armors that boost the damage of their weapons, such as Necro armor for rangers and Jungle armor for mages.
- In Expert Mode, Crimson armor is excellent due to the high defense values and increased damage. Shadow armor is good too and suits a melee playstyle.
Accessories
- Anything that increases your vertical mobility is a godsend. The Cloud in a Bottle is good, but better choices would be the Blizzard in a Bottle or the Sandstorm in a Bottle. You can also use the Rocket Boots for flight, and the Spectre Boots for flight and speed.
- If you have managed to obtain one, a Bezoar can be effective at removing the Poisoned debuff.
- If you are going for a melee approach, the Magma Stone is great for an increase to your DPS.
- Anything that reduces damage is very helpful, including Expert Mode-exclusive Worm Scarf and defensive reforges on accessories.
Potions
- Swiftness Potions will aid in your dodging.
- Ironskin Potions will help mitigate any damage you take.
- Regeneration Potions will speed up your regeneration (strangely enough).
- Ammo Reservation Potions and Archery Potions are good for rangers.
- Endurance Potions work similarly to Ironskin but completely block out %10 of all damage rather than increasing your defence.
- Magic Power Potions and Mana Regeneration Potions are good for mages.
- Rage Potions increase your critical strike chance but can only be made in worlds generated with the Crimson.
Weapons
Melee
- For swords, the best sword would be the Blade of Grass; despite inflicting it, the Queen Bee is not immune to the Poisoned debuff. The Fiery Greatsword or Night's Edge will make mincemeat of the Queen but they are harder to acquire (especially the Night's Edge).
- For boomerangs, a Thorn Chakram or Flamarang are excellent. If one is playing during Halloween you can use the Bloody Machete, but it is very difficult to acquire.
- Flails are good choices for when the Queen is firing Bees at you, as they will pierce through the bees and hit the Queen too. A Blue Moon or The Meatball are good, and the Sunfury is excellent.
Ranged
- If you are using bows, you should use a Demon Bow or a Tendon Bow. You can also use a Molten Fury but it is harder to craft. Bring along arrows that can pierce, such as Jester's Arrows or Unholy Arrows. About half a stack is enough.
- If you are using guns, A Musket or The Undertaker are decent, but if you want raw damage or speed, a Boomstick can be used for the former or a Minishark can be used for the latter. The Handgun and its upgrade the Phoenix Blaster find a happy balance between these two stats but are slightly harder to acquire (especially the Pheonix Blaster, which requires visiting the Underworld). The best ammunition is Meteor Shot, as it has higher base damage and can bounce, hurting her twice. Silver Bullets are an acceptable compromise, though. Half a stack is enough but Minishark users will want a full stack.
Magic
- At this point, your Mana should be at the maximum, or at least close to it. You can increase your Mana up to 260 with Jungle armor.
- The Crimson Rod is a good secondary weapon as you can fire it once then switch to another weapon.
- The Meteor armor/Space Gun combo is always an excellent choice. The piercing effect of the Space Gun will plough through Bees.
- The Water Bolt is a fantastic weapon if you're fighting her in the Hive, due to how many times it can ricochet off walls.
- The Demon Scythe takes a little bit of practice to use but its high damage and piercing ability will rip the Queen to shreds.
- The Aqua Scepter is a good weapon with large range but it chews through Mana like no tomorrow.
- The Vilethorn is perfect for dealing with the bees she shoots at you.
Summoning
Really, your only option here is the Slime Staff, which is a very weak minion. It's suggested you wait until Hardmode, where Summoners get a more prominent role. If you dare to make a trip to the Underworld, you can mine Hellstone to craft an Imp Staff.
Throwing/Consumables
- Grenades deal high amounts of damage, but you should be mindful of taking damage yourself.
- Molotov Cocktails are good choices which deal afterburn damage to the Queen.
- Poisoned Knives can poison the Queen, increasing your DPS.
- Bone Javelins stick to the queen and deal 3 damage every second. The more you throw into her, the higher the sticking damage becomes.
