Terraria Map
Stats
| Classic | Expert | Master | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Life | 4,000 | 8,000 | 10,200 |
| Contact damage | 90 | 180 | 270 |
| Defense | 38 | 38 | 38 |
| Knockback resistance | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| Coin value | – | – | – |
Where and when it spawns
- Events and invasions
- Old One's Army
Drops
| Item | Chance | Amount | Modes | Condition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Dark Mage Mask | 7.14% (1 in 14) | 1 | All modes | |
 Squire's Shield | 8.33% (1 in 12) | 1 | All modes | |
 Apprentice's Scarf | 8.33% (1 in 12) | 1 | All modes | |
 War Table | 12.5% (1 in 8) | 1 | Classic only | |
 War Table Banner | 12.5% (1 in 8) | 4 | Classic only | |
 Dragon Egg | 8.33% (1 in 12) | 1 | All modes | |
 Gato Egg | 8.33% (1 in 12) | 1 | All modes | |
 Dark Mage Trophy | 10% (1 in 10) | 1 | All modes | |
| War Table | 25% (1 in 4) | 1 | Expert and Master | |
| War Table Banner | 25% (1 in 4) | 4 | Expert and Master | |
 Dark Mage Relic | 100% (always) | 1 | Master only | |
 Dark Mage's Tome | 25% (1 in 4) | 1 | Master only |
Chances are for one kill, before Luck, Rate of fire or banners change anything. The Modes column says in which difficulties the game lists the drop.
Floating spellcaster of the Old One's Army
The Dark Mage is a flying spellcaster encountered during the Tavernkeep's Old One's Army invasion. In Tier 1, he enters as the final encounter on wave 5, floating steadily toward the Eternia Crystal atop an enchanted tome. In Tier 3, he appears in multiple waves alongside the Ogre/ and Betsy. Because he floats above the ground and ignores knockback, stationary traps struggle to halt his approach while he hurls dark magical energy bolts at defenders.
Healing auras and skeletal summons
Beyond hurling ranged magical bolts, the Dark Mage acts as a crucial support unit for etherian forces. He frequently conjures runic magic rings that restore missing health to surrounding invasion minions, undoing damage dealt by ballistas and explosive traps. Additionally, he summons clusters of Old One's Skeletons around himself to intercept oncoming melee strikes. Piercing arrows or high-angle magic spells are ideal for striking him through his skeletal bodyguards before he mends his vanguard.
Sentry accessories and flying book mount
Overcoming this magician in Tier 1 grants access to valuable sentry accessories, including the Apprentice's Scarf (8.33%) and Squire's Shield (8.33%), as well as decorative War Tables (12.5%). In Master mode, he reliably drops the Dark Mage Relic (100%) and has a 25% chance to drop the Dark Mage's Tome mount, allowing players to levitate on a book of their own.
Trivia
- The Dark Mage originates from the Dungeon Defenders II crossover update.
- Unlike common caster enemies in Terraria, he actively restores the health of nearby allied monsters.