EXPLORING

Q: I'm in a forest. Tell me more.
A: Forests are the basic biome. Trees, Mushrooms, Slimes, Bunnies and Sunflowers spawn here.

Q: I found a big flat area with lots of sand.
A: This is a desert. Deserts contain Cacti, which are pointy and harmful but can be axed down, as well as one of the alchemy plants. Vultures and Antlions spawn here as well.

Q: I was exploring and found purple grass, and the sky turned dark and ugly things are attacking me.
A: This is the Corruption. It's recommended that you avoid it if you're just starting out. More on this later.

Q: There's this giant building made of colored bricks. What is it?
A: This is the Dungeon. Every world contains one, and you can't enter until you defeat Skeletron. If you try to enter anyway, you'll be instantly killed.

Q: There are pots everywhere?
A: Pots spawn randomly underground or in sheltered areas, and can be smashed for goodies such as money, ammo, health and bombs.

Q: I dug underground, and the background is all brown.
A: The dirt layer is your basic underground area. Red and Yellow Slimes spawn here, as does the occasional Giant Worm and Goldfish. For the most part it isn't too dangerous, provided you brought some mushrooms and don't jump off any cliffs blindly.

Q: Farther underground, and now the background is grey stone.
A: This is the stone layer, the second part of undergroundness. Tougher enemies begin spawning here, such as Skeletons, Black Slimes and Mother Slimes. You'll also find Cave Bats, Piranhas, and special rare enemies like Tim. This area can be especially dangerous if you don't have good armor and weapons (Silver-ish), so try to be careful.

Q: Even deeper down, I found this big cavern and OH GOD LAVA WHAT
A: Welcome to Hell, the third and final layer. Hell is filled with lava, as well as teleporting fire-balling Fire Imps and massive skeletal Bone Serpents, not to mention flying Demons, Hellbats, and Lava Slimes. It also contains quite a few chests, various goodies, the coveted Hellstone, and lots of Gold near the border between Stone and Hell. If you plan to come down here, you had better bring good equipment (Gold-Demonite at the least) and lots of health. Grappling hooks are required as well, to climb back out and avoid the lava seas.

Q: I found a goldfish. How do I get goldfish?
A: Goldfishes can be collected if and when another enemy kills them. Lure a Slime into a Goldfish to kill it, then pick up the dead fish. Goldfish can be eaten. Mmm, goldfish.

Q: I found a spiky brown thing that hurts me when I try to hammer it. What gives?
A: You've found a Demonic Altar. These weird-looking pedastals are immobile and harmless, but if you want to craft boss-summoning baits, you'll have to visit one.