Martian Probe

     

PC/Console/Mobile/Old Chinese/tModLoader/tModLoader 1.3-Legacy-Only Content: This information applies only to the PC, Console, Mobile, Old Chinese, tModLoader, and tModLoader Legacy versions of Terraria.

Martian ProbeHardmode exclusive

 

 Classic

 Expert

 Master

Statistics

Type	Flying Enemy
Environment	Surface Space
AI Type	Martian Probe AI
Damage	5/10/15
Max Life	500/1000/1500
Defense	5
KB Resist	100%
Immune to

Sounds

Hurt
Killed

• Internal NPC ID: 399

Not to be confused with Probe or Martian Drone.

A Martian Probe scanning for players. Its green scanning beam turns red when players are detected.

The Martian Probe is a rare Hardmode, post-Golem flying enemy that can spawn anywhere in the outer two thirds of the map. It is most commonly found in the space layer. It does not fly through blocks until it spots a player. The Martian Probe initially appears with a green light. When it detects the player, the light turns red, and it attempts to escape. If allowed to, it initiates the Martian Madness event.

It is one of the few entities that can be detected by the Lifeform Analyzer or its upgrades.

Notes

• Martian Probes spawn more frequently in the Space layer.
• Effects that increase enemy spawn rates, such as Water Candles and Battle Potions, as well as events like a Blood Moon or Solar Eclipse, will give the Martian Probe more chances to spawn. The probe can also spawn during these events.
  • In addition to increasing the spawn rate, using a Water Candle will also nearly triple the Martian Probe's spawn chance.
• The spawn rate of the Martian Probe is reduced by 98.471%^Verify after Martian Madness is completed once, so it may be a better idea to kill the first probe you see to obtain the Bestiary entry first, as the spawn rate will not be reduced.
• Minions do not deliberately attack the Martian Probe, but those that deal contact damage may unintentionally kill it.
• If the player follows the Martian Probe up to the sky until it escapes, it disappears before reaching the top of the map and the Martian Madness event will not occur.
• Its Bestiary entry will not unlock if allowed to escape.
• The Martian Probe has no means of attack besides contact damage. Its only purpose is to serve as a trigger for the event.
• It will not spawn if a Martian Saucer is still alive somewhere in the world, regardless of event progress.
  • It also does not spawn during Lunar Events or if a boss is alive somewhere in the world.

    

    Martian Probe after it detected a player.

• Once it detects a player it gains the ability to pass through solid blocks.
• Homing projectiles will ignore Martian Probes.
• Martian Probes can spawn above the maximum player height, meaning they can detect the player without being seen.
• If a Goblin Army or Pirate Invasion begins its approach before the probe fly's away it will have no effect and the Martian Madness event won't start

Trivia

The Bestiary entry for the Martian Probe: "Sensing growing power on the planet, otherworldly beings send space-age technology to scan for advanced lifeforms."

History

 PC version

• Desktop 1.3.0.6: Fixed a bug that prevented Martian Madness and other invasions from triggering when they should.

• Desktop 1.3.0.5:
  • Now detected by Lifeform Analyzer and its upgrades.
  • Space layer spawning now less frequent, though still higher than the Surface rate.
  • Spawning no longer blocked by Cultists.

• Desktop 1.3.0.4:
  • Reduced spawn chance.
  • Can no longer spawn near the world center.
  • Can no longer spawn during events or boss fights.
  • Fixed Martian Probe detecting players above it.

• Desktop 1.3.0.3: Health increased from 150 to 500.

• Desktop 1.3.0.1: Introduced.

 Console version

• Console 1.0.933.1: Introduced. ()

• Console 1.0.750.0: Introduced. ()

 Nintendo Switch version

• Switch 1.0.711.6: Introduced.

 Mobile version

• Mobile 1.3.0.7: Introduced.