How do I make the Tavernkeep NPC happy in Terraria?

To make the Tavernkeep NPC happy in Terraria, you need to understand the NPC happiness system, which was introduced in the 1.4 update. This system allows NPCs to have preferences for specific biomes and neighbors, which directly affects their happiness. A happy NPC will offer discounts on their items and, in some cases, sell unique items that are otherwise unavailable. The Tavernkeep is a unique NPC who sells items related to the Old One's Army event, such as sentry summon weapons and armor sets. Keeping him happy is essential if you want to maximize your efficiency in this event and save money on his items.

The Tavernkeep prefers to live in the Hallow biome. This is one of the key factors in making him happy. If you place him in any other biome, his happiness will decrease, and he will charge higher prices for his items. Additionally, the Tavernkeep has specific preferences for neighbors. He likes living near the Princess, the Goblin Tinkerer, and the Wizard. These NPCs share a similar affinity for the Hallow biome, making it easier to create a happy neighborhood. On the other hand, he dislikes living near the Demolitionist and the Arms Dealer, so you should avoid placing him near these NPCs.

To start, you need to create a suitable house for the Tavernkeep in the Hallow biome. The Hallow is a bright, colorful biome that spawns after defeating the Wall of Flesh and entering Hardmode. You can create an artificial Hallow biome by spreading Hallow grass using Hallowed Seeds or by using the Clentaminator with Blue Solution. Once you have a Hallow biome, build a house using any material, but make sure it meets the basic housing requirements: it must have walls, a door, a table, a chair, and a light source. You can also decorate the house with Hallow-themed furniture to make it more appealing.

Next, place the Tavernkeep in the house and ensure that his preferred neighbors are nearby. For example, you can place the Princess, Goblin Tinkerer, and Wizard in adjacent houses. This will increase his happiness and provide you with discounts on his items. If you want to optimize his happiness further, you can place him in a house with a large enough space to accommodate multiple NPCs, but make sure they are within a certain distance to count as neighbors.

One common mistake players make is placing the Tavernkeep in the wrong biome or near NPCs he dislikes. This can significantly reduce his happiness and increase the prices of his items. To avoid this, always check the biome and the neighboring NPCs before placing him in a house. Another mistake is not providing enough space for the NPCs to live comfortably. If the houses are too close together or too small, the NPCs may not be happy, even if they are in the correct biome.

Advanced techniques for optimizing the Tavernkeep's happiness include creating a dedicated Hallow town with multiple houses for his preferred neighbors. This not only increases his happiness but also makes it easier to manage other NPCs who prefer the Hallow biome. You can also use the Pylon system to create a network of teleportation points between different biomes, making it easier to travel between your Hallow town and other areas of the world.

Resource requirements for making the Tavernkeep happy are relatively simple. You need Hallowed Seeds or Blue Solution to create an artificial Hallow biome, and basic building materials like wood, stone, or any other block to construct the houses. You may also need to craft furniture items like tables, chairs, and torches to meet the housing requirements. If you are in Hardmode, you can use the Clentaminator to quickly spread the Hallow biome, but this requires purchasing the Clentaminator and Blue Solution from the Steampunker NPC.

In terms of class and equipment considerations, making the Tavernkeep happy does not require any specific class or equipment. However, if you plan to participate in the Old One's Army event, you may want to invest in summoner gear, as the Tavernkeep sells sentry summon weapons that are highly effective in this event. Additionally, having a strong defense and mobility items like wings or a grappling hook can help you survive the event and protect your town from invasions.

In summary, to make the Tavernkeep happy in Terraria, place him in the Hallow biome and ensure he lives near his preferred neighbors, such as the Princess, Goblin Tinkerer, and Wizard. Avoid placing him near NPCs he dislikes, like the Demolitionist and Arms Dealer. Create a suitable house with the necessary furniture and decorations, and consider building a dedicated Hallow town to optimize his happiness. By following these steps, you can ensure the Tavernkeep is happy, providing you with discounts and access to unique items for the Old One's Army event.