Terraria Multiplayer 101: Servers and More

Terraria is one of the classic survival crafting games. Originally dubbed “2d Minecraft” despite coming out 7 months before Minecraft did. Re-Logic has done an incredible job carving out a unique place for the game over the 14 years since its release, with an endless stream of “final” updates. Including some notable collaborations with other established titles like Dead Cells and Palworld. Even with all that support, the game has never been more than $10, which means almost everyone has it (seriously check your steam friends list, it’s insane). For that reason it’s become a staple when looking for something the whole group can play. But what are your options to get that classic co-op gaming experience?

Steam Multiplayer (AKA Peer-to-Peer)

This is the method that almost everyone is familiar with. Simply go to Multiplayer → Host & Play and you’re all set, anyone on your steam friends list should be able to join and play with you. However, like the name suggests, whoever starts the world is the host. So you’ll only be able to play when they’re on, or they’ll have to leave the game running in the background. And if anything goes wrong like power/internet outages, nobody will be able to play until they relaunch the world. Luckily you have other options.

Host your own Dedicated Terraria Server

Like most modern multiplayer survival titles, Terraria allows you to host a dedicated server on your own hardware. Given how light the game is to run, this could be the perfect use for that old laptop you have lying around (if you can find it). There’s a wonderful in-depth guide on how to set up a Terraria server on their wiki. But like using Steam multiplayer, hosting your own Terraria server has its downsides. First and foremost, while not overly complicated, you need to have some solid technical abilities to get a dedicated server running. Basic networking knowledge and comfort working with config files are necessities, but strong troubleshooting skills are also recommended. Speaking of troubleshooting, if anything goes wrong and your friend(s) can’t join, you’re on the hook to figure out why. Plus hosting your own server is still prone to local internet/power outages, and can open your network to cyber attacks. Hosting your own Terraria server, or any game server for that matter, is a super fun project and absolutely worth doing if you have the time. But if you don’t have the skills, don’t want to risk your home network, or just don’t feel like playing tech support, the last option is probably your best bet.

Use a Dedicated Server Provider

Obviously, if you’re only going to be playing with a few people, or for a short time, a dedicated server (self-hosted or rented) is probably overkill. But for bigger groups or long running worlds, like a calamity playthrough, it’s highly recommended. And if you want the best experience for your group, renting from an established provider will give you the best results. Dedicated providers like AleForge handle all of the technical minutiae and security so you can focus on playing with your friends. No need to worry about connection issues, port forwarding, or DDoS attacks. The only downside is that unlike Steam multiplayer or self-hosting, it’s not free. But at ~$6 for an entire month, it might as well be.

Conclusion

Whichever multiplayer option you choose, Terraria is hands down one of the best co-op experiences out there. The game might be simple in appearance, but it offers a depth that few other titles can match. From battling massive bosses together to building elaborate sky fortresses, the memories you’ll make with friends are well worth figuring out the multiplayer setup. If you’ve got a consistent group or are planning a full playthrough (especially with mods like Calamity or Thorium), investing in a dedicated server is absolutely the way to go. Not only will everyone be able to hop on whenever they want, but you won’t have to worry about anyone’s computer crashing mid-Moon Lord battle! For those ready to dive into the full Terraria experience without the technical headaches, grab a Terraria server from AleForge and start your adventure today. At just a few dollars a month, it’s a small price to pay for 24/7 access to your world and the peace of mind that comes with professional support. Remember, whether you’re digging for rare ores, constructing elaborate bases, or facing down mechanical monstrosities, everything’s better with friends. Happy mining, building, and surviving!