How do I make the Painter NPC happy in Terraria?

To make the Painter 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. For the Painter, his happiness is influenced by the biome he lives in and the NPCs he is housed near. Below is a detailed guide on how to maximize the Painter's happiness.

The Painter NPC prefers to live in the Jungle biome. This is his favorite biome, and placing him here will significantly boost his happiness. If you cannot place him in the Jungle, the next best option is the Forest biome, as it is neutral and does not negatively affect his happiness. Avoid placing him in biomes like the Desert, Snow, or Corruption/Crimson, as these will make him unhappy. Additionally, the Painter likes to be near the Dryad and the Party Girl. Housing him close to these NPCs will further increase his happiness. However, he dislikes being near the Cyborg and the Steampunker, so avoid placing him near these NPCs.

To set up the Painter's housing, you will need to create suitable rooms in the Jungle biome. Each room must meet the basic housing requirements, which include walls, a light source, a table, a chair, and a door. You can use any materials to build the room, but using jungle-themed blocks like mudstone or living wood can enhance the aesthetic. Once the room is ready, assign the Painter to it by interacting with the housing menu. If you are placing the Dryad and Party Girl nearby, ensure their rooms are within 25 tiles of the Painter's room to maximize the happiness bonus.

One common mistake players make is overcrowding NPCs in a small area. While it might seem efficient to house all NPCs in one location, this can lead to overcrowding, which reduces happiness. To avoid this, spread out your NPCs and ensure they are housed with their preferred neighbors. Another mistake is ignoring biome preferences. Placing the Painter in a biome he dislikes, such as the Desert, will make him unhappy, even if he is near his preferred neighbors. Always prioritize biome preferences when setting up housing.

Advanced techniques for optimizing the Painter's happiness include creating mini-biomes. If you cannot place the Painter in the Jungle, you can create an artificial Jungle biome near your base. This involves placing at least 80 Jungle grass blocks or Jungle plants in an area to convert it into a Jungle biome. This allows you to keep the Painter happy without having to travel far to the natural Jungle. Additionally, you can use pylons to create a network of teleportation points, making it easier to access different biomes and NPCs.

Resource requirements for setting up the Painter's housing are minimal. You will need basic building materials like wood, stone, and torches. If you are creating an artificial Jungle biome, you will need Jungle grass seeds, which can be obtained by breaking grass in the Jungle biome. For advanced setups, you may need additional materials like teleporters or wires to create a pylon network.

Class and equipment considerations are not directly related to NPC happiness, but having a well-equipped character can make the process easier. For example, a character with a high movement speed and flight abilities can quickly travel between biomes to set up housing. Additionally, having a good pickaxe or drill can help you gather resources faster.

In specific scenarios, such as early-game setups, you might not have access to the Jungle biome or the Dryad and Party Girl. In this case, prioritize placing the Painter in the Forest biome and avoid housing him near NPCs he dislikes. As you progress and unlock more biomes and NPCs, you can relocate the Painter to his preferred environment.

In summary, making the Painter NPC happy in Terraria involves placing him in the Jungle biome, housing him near the Dryad and Party Girl, and avoiding overcrowding. By following these steps and avoiding common mistakes, you can maximize his happiness and enjoy the benefits of discounted items and unique offerings. Advanced techniques like creating artificial biomes and using pylons can further optimize your setup, making it easier to manage multiple NPCs and biomes.