How do I get the Clothier NPC to move in Terraria?

To get the Clothier NPC to move into your world in Terraria, you need to meet specific conditions. The Clothier is a unique NPC who sells vanity items, such as costumes and dyes, and he becomes available after defeating the Skeletron boss. Here is a detailed explanation of the mechanics, strategies, and tips to ensure the Clothier moves in successfully.

First, you need to defeat Skeletron, a pre-Hardmode boss found at the Dungeon entrance. Skeletron is a challenging boss, so preparation is key. You should have strong armor, such as Molten Armor or Shadow Armor, and weapons like the Minishark, Star Cannon, or a strong melee weapon like the Night's Edge. Additionally, potions like Ironskin, Regeneration, and Swiftness can help during the fight. Once you defeat Skeletron, the Dungeon becomes accessible, and the Clothier's conditions for moving in are met.

After defeating Skeletron, you need to provide suitable housing for the Clothier. Housing in Terraria requires a room that is at least 6 blocks wide and 10 blocks tall, with walls, a door, a table, a chair, and a light source. The room must also be fully enclosed and free of corruption or crimson. You can build this room in any biome, but placing it near other NPCs can help with the happiness system, which affects prices and unlocks unique items.

Once the housing is ready, the Clothier will spawn and move in. However, there is a unique mechanic tied to the Clothier: he is actually the Old Man who guards the Dungeon entrance. After defeating Skeletron, the Old Man is freed from his curse and becomes the Clothier. This means you cannot have both the Old Man and the Clothier in your world at the same time. If you try to summon Skeletron again, the Clothier will temporarily leave and revert to the Old Man until the boss is defeated.

To optimize the Clothier's happiness, place him in a biome he likes, such as the Underground or Cavern layer, and pair him with NPCs he enjoys, such as the Tax Collector or the Mechanic. This will reduce his prices and make his items more affordable. Avoid placing him near NPCs he dislikes, such as the Nurse or the Arms Dealer, as this will decrease his happiness and increase prices.

Common mistakes to avoid include not providing proper housing or forgetting to defeat Skeletron. If the Clothier does not move in, double-check that the room meets all housing requirements and that Skeletron has been defeated. Additionally, ensure the room is not too close to corruption or crimson, as this can invalidate the housing.

Advanced techniques involve using the Clothier's unique mechanic to your advantage. For example, if you need to summon Skeletron again for farming purposes, you can temporarily remove the Clothier by summoning the boss. After defeating Skeletron, the Clothier will return to his normal state. This can be useful for farming Dungeon loot or obtaining Skeletron's drops.

Resource requirements for getting the Clothier to move in are minimal. You need basic building materials like wood, stone, and torches to create a suitable house. Combat preparation for Skeletron is more resource-intensive, requiring strong weapons, armor, and potions. Make sure to gather these resources before attempting the fight.

In terms of class and equipment considerations, any class can defeat Skeletron, but ranged and melee classes tend to have an easier time due to their high damage output and survivability. Mages and summoners can also succeed but may need to rely on mobility and dodging to avoid Skeletron's attacks.

A specific example scenario would be a player who has just entered Hardmode and wants to purchase the Clothier's vanity items. They defeat Skeletron, build a suitable house in the Underground biome, and place the Clothier near the Tax Collector for maximum happiness. This setup ensures the Clothier is happy, his prices are low, and the player can easily access his items.

In summary, getting the Clothier to move in requires defeating Skeletron, providing suitable housing, and optimizing his happiness. Proper preparation, resource management, and understanding of NPC mechanics are key to successfully adding the Clothier to your world.