How do I make the Merchant NPC happy in Terraria?

To make the Merchant NPC happy in Terraria, you need to understand the NPC happiness system, which was introduced in the 1.4 update. This system affects how NPCs feel based on their environment, neighbors, and biome preferences. A happy NPC will offer discounts on their items and, in some cases, sell unique items. For the Merchant, his happiness is influenced by the biome he lives in and the NPCs he is near. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide on how to maximize his happiness.

First, letÔÇÖs talk about the mechanics. The Merchant prefers the Forest biome, which is the default biome where you start the game. If you place him in a Forest biome, he will be happier than if he were in other biomes like the Desert or Snow. Additionally, the Merchant likes to live near the Nurse and the Golfer. If you place him in a house with these NPCs nearby, his happiness will increase. On the other hand, he dislikes living near the Angler and the Tax Collector, so avoid placing him near them. If you place him in a biome he dislikes or near NPCs he dislikes, his happiness will decrease, and his prices will go up.

To make the Merchant happy, follow these steps. First, build a house in the Forest biome. This can be done by placing wooden walls, a table, a chair, and a light source in a small enclosed space. Make sure the house is valid by checking the housing menu. Once the house is ready, assign the Merchant to it. Next, build houses nearby for the Nurse and the Golfer. These NPCs should be within 25 tiles of the MerchantÔÇÖs house to count as neighbors. If you donÔÇÖt have the Golfer yet, you can find him in the Underground Desert biome. Once you have these NPCs set up, the MerchantÔÇÖs happiness should increase.

There are some important tips to consider. First, make sure the Forest biome is not corrupted or hallowed, as this can affect the MerchantÔÇÖs happiness. If your Forest biome is corrupted, you can purify it using Purification Powder or the Clentaminator. Second, avoid overcrowding the area with too many NPCs. While the Merchant likes the Nurse and the Golfer, having too many NPCs nearby can reduce his happiness. Keep the area around his house relatively clear of other NPCs unless they are ones he likes.

Common mistakes to avoid include placing the Merchant in a biome he dislikes, such as the Desert or Snow, or placing him near NPCs he dislikes, like the Angler or Tax Collector. Another mistake is not checking the housing menu to ensure the house is valid. If the house is not valid, the Merchant will not move in, and you wonÔÇÖt be able to increase his happiness. Additionally, avoid placing too many NPCs in the same area, as this can reduce happiness for all of them.

For advanced techniques, you can optimize the MerchantÔÇÖs happiness by creating a dedicated Forest biome area for him and his preferred neighbors. This can be done by planting Forest biome-specific blocks like grass and trees in a controlled area. You can also use pylons to create a network of teleportation points, making it easier to manage NPC happiness across different biomes. Pylons are special items that allow you to teleport between biomes, and they can only be used if the NPCs in that biome are happy.

Resource requirements and preparation are minimal. You will need basic building materials like wood, stone, and torches to create houses. If you need to purify a corrupted Forest biome, you will need Purification Powder or the Clentaminator, which can be purchased from the Steampunker. The Clentaminator is more effective but requires Green Solution, which can also be purchased from the Steampunker.

Class and equipment considerations are not directly related to NPC happiness, but having a strong character can help you gather resources and defend your town from events like Goblin Invasions or Blood Moons. Make sure you have good armor and weapons to protect your NPCs and yourself.

In specific scenarios, if you are playing in a world where the Forest biome is heavily corrupted, you might need to create an artificial Forest biome. This can be done by planting grass seeds on dirt blocks and placing trees. Once the area looks like a Forest biome, you can build houses for the Merchant and his preferred neighbors. This is a useful strategy if your world has a lot of corruption or hallow spread.

In conclusion, making the Merchant happy in Terraria involves placing him in a Forest biome with the Nurse and Golfer nearby. Avoid placing him in biomes he dislikes or near NPCs he dislikes. Use the housing menu to ensure his house is valid, and consider using pylons for easier travel. With these steps, you can maximize the MerchantÔÇÖs happiness and enjoy discounts on his items.