Terraria Multiplayer in 2026: Host, Servers and Classes

Terraria multiplayer works in two ways: one player hosts a world from their own game and friends join, or a dedicated server runs the world without anyone playing on it. On PC, friends can join through Steam, and a dedicated server defaults to port 7777 and 16 players. As of November 2, 2026, PC and mobile players can already join each other by IP address on the same version, but console players cannot, because Re-Logic's Crossplay Phase One (update 1.4.6) is still in final testing before platform review.

We checked the official Terraria wiki (wiki.gg), the Steam store pages for Terraria and tModLoader, and Re-Logic's State of the Game posts on Steam on November 2, 2026.

Quick facts

Host and play, the quick way

The first player starts a world in the normal game and becomes the host. The world is saved on and runs from the host's device, so it shuts down when the host leaves. That makes it the right option for a small group that plays at the same time.

Friends on Steam can join through a dedicated Steam option in the multiplayer menu, so nobody has to type an IP address. Players who are not on Steam, or who join over the internet, choose the join option and enter the host's server information.

Since 1.4.5.0, you automatically rejoin your last team when you enter a world, and servers save the world when the last player leaves. Several multiplayer crashes were also fixed in that update, so keep everyone on the same game version: a mismatch is the most common reason a friend cannot join.

Dedicated servers

Bigger groups and long-running worlds use a dedicated server. It needs no graphics and no player has to stay connected. On Windows, TerrariaServer.exe is in the Terraria install folder, and start-server.bat starts it from serverconfig.txt and restarts it after a crash. Linux uses the TerrariaServer.bin.x86_64 binary, and the wiki suggests running it in a tmux session. Apple Silicon Macs need Rosetta 2.

Things to know before you set one up:

• Port forwarding: behind a home router, forward TCP port 7777 (or the port you set). If you cannot, a VPN such as Hamachi or Radmin VPN works, but every player must install it.
• Cloud hosts: the wiki says to open both TCP and UDP 7777.
• Steam friends on a server: the wiki mentions start-server-steam-friends.bat, which runs the server through the console so Steam friends can join.

tModLoader

tModLoader is an open-source mod platform that is listed on Steam as free DLC for Terraria. For multiplayer there is one hard rule from its Steam page: every player must install tModLoader, because vanilla and tModLoader players cannot play together. Mods are shared through the Steam Workshop and the built-in mod browser.

Agree on the mod list before the evening starts, and use the same version of tModLoader.

Journey Mode and Master Mode

Master Mode is chosen when the world is created and starts immediately. Per the wiki, most enemies have about 50% more health and damage than in Expert, bosses get a flat 50% damage increase and 27.5% health increase over Expert, and players drop all their coins on death. Boss health also rises for each player in the game, as in Expert Mode, so a bigger group does not trivialise it. Pet and mount drops from Master bosses are rolled per player, so everyone who damaged the boss can get one.

Journey Mode is the relaxed option. Master Mode can be switched on or off there with the Enemy Difficulty Slider, which a normal world does not allow after creation. Researching items shares them with teammates on the same team, but only for items researched while they are in the world, and research counters stay tied to each character. Since 1.4.5.0, researching also contributes to the research progress of online team members.

Pick one mode per world before day one, since Master Mode is locked in at creation outside Journey.

Crossplay: what is officially stated

Re-Logic's February 2026 State of the Game explains that PC, dedicated servers and mobile already share the same code, so they can play together when everyone is on the same version: you type the host's IP address and port into any of those clients. Local play over the same Wi-Fi network works too. Consoles are the missing piece, because crossplay there needs approval from Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo.

Crossplay Phase One, shipping as update 1.4.6, brings that IP and LAN joining to consoles, plus a list of remote servers you have joined before. In the October 29, 2026 State of the Game, Re-Logic said Phase One was in final testing, that submission to the platform holders was expected the following week, and that it cannot predict when all of them will sign off. As of November 2, 2026, there is no release date. A later Phase Two is being planned.

Practically: a PC and a mobile player can meet today on a dedicated server or by IP, as long as versions match. A console player cannot join them yet.

Splitting classes in a group

Terraria has four damage classes: melee, ranged, magic and summoner. Anyone can switch gear at any time, so splitting is about coverage, not locked roles.

1. Cover each damage type early: a ranged player (bows, guns) and a melee player handle most early bosses, while magic and summoner often come online later.
2. Do not stack summoners: minions share the same fight space, and a group with three summoners spends more time waiting than fighting.
3. Assign a builder: boss arenas, houses for NPCs and healing stations save every run. One person who likes building helps the whole group.
4. Assign a scout: someone who explores and fetches materials while others farm keeps the group moving.
5. Swap before a boss, not during: choose loadouts in the lobby, then check that someone carries healing and buffs.

Because boss health scales with player count, a group of four is not four times faster, so a mix of damage types matters more than raw numbers.

Finding people to play with

Most Terraria groups form outside the game.

• Discord and Reddit: Terraria communities and general LFG servers are the main route. Say your platform, mode (Journey or Master) and the time you play. Our list of the best LFG Discord servers in 2026 is a starting point.
• Community servers: public dedicated servers let you meet regulars, often with a modpack on tModLoader.
• GameVerse: GameVerse is a desktop app for Windows, macOS and Linux (mobile coming soon). For the games it lists, it shows players online now on the same game and region, chill or competitive, and lets you message them. You can search for up to 8 players at once. It does not match on rank, role or schedule, so you agree on mode and classes in chat. See the Terraria page or the list of games on find players.

FAQ

How many players can join a Terraria server?

A dedicated server defaults to 16 players and can be set from 1 to 255 with maxplayers= in serverconfig.txt, per the wiki. Before 1.4.0.1 the default was 8.

Does Terraria have crossplay in 2026?

Partly. PC, mobile and dedicated servers can connect by IP on the same version. Consoles join with Crossplay Phase One in update 1.4.6, which Re-Logic described as in final testing on October 29, 2026, with no release date as of November 2, 2026.

Can I play Terraria with friends on Steam without a server?

Yes. One player hosts from the normal game, and Steam friends can join through the Steam option in the multiplayer menu. The world closes when the host leaves.

Do all players need tModLoader?

Yes. Per its Steam page, multiplayer requires every player to install tModLoader, and vanilla and tModLoader players cannot play together.

Which mode is best for a group, Journey or Master?

Journey suits relaxed groups, since it shares research between teammates and lets you toggle Master Mode with the Enemy Difficulty Slider. Master suits experienced groups who want tougher bosses, because the mode is locked in when the world is created.