How do I make the Angler NPC happy in Terraria?

To make the Angler NPC happy in Terraria, you need to understand the NPC happiness system, which was introduced in the 1.4 update. Happiness affects the prices of items sold by NPCs, their willingness to sell certain items, and even their ability to provide unique items like pylons. The Angler, like other NPCs, has specific preferences for biomes and neighbors, and keeping him happy requires careful planning and placement.

The Angler prefers to live in the Ocean biome. This is his favorite biome, and placing him here will significantly boost his happiness. If you place him in any other biome, his happiness will decrease. Additionally, the Angler likes to live near the Party Girl and the Princess. These are his preferred neighbors, and having them nearby will further increase his happiness. On the other hand, he dislikes living near the Tax Collector and the Demolitionist, so avoid placing him near these NPCs.

To maximize the Angler's happiness, you should build a house for him in the Ocean biome. The Ocean biome is located at either the far left or far right of your world, depending on the world generation. You can identify it by the presence of water, sand blocks, and unique enemies like Crabs and Sharks. Build a suitable house using materials like wood, stone, or any other block type, and ensure it meets the basic housing requirements: walls, a light source, a table, a chair, and a door. Once the house is ready, assign the Angler to it.

Next, place the Party Girl and the Princess in nearby houses. The Party Girl is a rare NPC who has a chance to spawn after you have at least 8 other NPCs in your world. The Princess, on the other hand, only appears after you have defeated all the mechanical bosses and have all other NPCs in your world. If you haven't unlocked these NPCs yet, you can still make the Angler happy by placing him in the Ocean biome without any disliked neighbors.

One common mistake players make is placing the Angler in a biome he dislikes, such as the Desert or the Jungle. This will reduce his happiness and increase the prices of his items. Another mistake is placing him near NPCs he dislikes, like the Tax Collector or the Demolitionist. Always check the Angler's preferences before assigning him a house.

Advanced techniques for optimizing the Angler's happiness include creating a dedicated Ocean town. This involves building multiple houses in the Ocean biome and assigning other NPCs who like the Ocean, such as the Pirate and the Stylist. This way, you can create a thriving community where all NPCs are happy, and you can take advantage of the Ocean Pylon for fast travel.

Resource requirements for building in the Ocean biome include sand blocks, wood, and stone. You may also need to craft furniture like tables, chairs, and torches. If you're playing in Expert or Master mode, consider building defenses to protect your Ocean town from enemies like Sharks and Crabs.

In terms of class and equipment considerations, having a ranged or magic weapon can be useful for defending your Ocean town. Enemies in the Ocean biome can be tough, especially in higher difficulty modes, so having a good weapon and armor set is important. Additionally, consider using accessories that increase your movement speed or allow you to breathe underwater, such as the Neptune's Shell or the Flipper.

Specific examples of scenarios where the Angler's happiness is crucial include when you're trying to purchase the Golden Fishing Rod or the Fish Finder. These items are essential for advanced fishing, and having a happy Angler will reduce their prices significantly. Another scenario is when you're trying to set up a Pylon network for fast travel. A happy Angler in the Ocean biome will allow you to purchase the Ocean Pylon, making it easier to travel between biomes.

In summary, making the Angler happy involves placing him in the Ocean biome, near the Party Girl and the Princess, and away from disliked NPCs like the Tax Collector and the Demolitionist. Building a dedicated Ocean town, using the right resources, and defending against enemies are all important steps. By following these strategies, you can ensure the Angler is happy, reduce his prices, and take advantage of the benefits he offers.