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 his favorite biome, and placing him there will significantly increase his happiness. If you place him in a biome he dislikes, such as the Corruption or Crimson, his happiness will decrease, and he will charge higher prices for his items. Additionally, the Tavernkeep has specific preferences for neighbors. He likes the Princess, the Goblin Tinkerer, and the Wizard. Placing him near these NPCs will further increase his happiness. On the other hand, he dislikes being near the Angler, the Stylist, and the Demolitionist, so avoid placing him near these NPCs if you want to keep him happy.

To start, you need to create a suitable house for the Tavernkeep in the Hallow biome. The Hallow is a bright, colorful biome that is generated after defeating the Wall of Flesh and entering Hardmode. If you haven't reached Hardmode yet, you will need to progress through the game until you defeat the Wall of Flesh and the Hallow biome is generated. Once you have access to the Hallow, you can build a house there. The house should be at least 6 blocks tall and 10 blocks wide, with walls, a door, a table, a chair, and a light source. Make sure the house is valid by checking the housing menu.

After building the house, you need to assign the Tavernkeep to it. You can do this by opening the housing menu and selecting the Tavernkeep's portrait, then clicking on the house you built in the Hallow. Once he moves in, you should place his preferred neighbors nearby. For example, you can build houses for the Princess, the Goblin Tinkerer, and the Wizard in the same area. Make sure these houses are within 25 tiles of the Tavernkeep's house, as this is the range within which NPCs are considered neighbors.

One common mistake players make is placing the Tavernkeep in a biome he dislikes, such as the Corruption or Crimson. This will make him unhappy and increase the prices of his items. Another mistake is placing him near NPCs he dislikes, such as the Angler or the Demolitionist. To avoid these mistakes, always check the NPC happiness menu to see how the Tavernkeep feels about his current location and neighbors. You can access this menu by talking to the Tavernkeep and selecting the "Happiness" option.

Advanced techniques for maximizing the Tavernkeep's happiness include creating a dedicated NPC town in the Hallow biome. This town should include houses for the Tavernkeep and his preferred neighbors, as well as other NPCs who like the Hallow, such as the Party Girl and the Painter. By grouping these NPCs together, you can create a highly efficient town where all NPCs are happy, and their prices are discounted. Additionally, you can use pylons to create fast travel points between different biomes, making it easier to manage your NPCs and access their items.

Resource requirements for building a house in the Hallow include wood, stone, and other basic building materials. You may also need to gather materials for furniture, such as tables, chairs, and light sources. If you are in Hardmode, you may need to defend your Hallow town from powerful enemies, so make sure to equip yourself with strong weapons and armor. The Tavernkeep sells items that are useful for the Old One's Army event, so consider investing in these items to improve your combat effectiveness.

In terms of class and equipment considerations, the Tavernkeep's items are primarily focused on summoning sentries, which are useful for all classes but especially for summoners. If you are playing as a summoner, you should prioritize purchasing the Tavernkeep's sentry summon weapons and armor sets. These items will significantly increase your summoning capabilities and make it easier to defeat the Old One's Army event. For other classes, the Tavernkeep's items can still be useful for providing additional firepower and defense during events and boss battles.

In summary, to make the Tavernkeep happy in Terraria, you need to place him in the Hallow biome and near his preferred neighbors, such as the Princess, the Goblin Tinkerer, and the Wizard. Avoid placing him in biomes he dislikes or near NPCs he dislikes. Build a dedicated NPC town in the Hallow to maximize happiness and efficiency, and use pylons for fast travel. Equip yourself with strong weapons and armor to defend your town, and consider investing in the Tavernkeep's items to improve your combat effectiveness. By following these steps, you can keep the Tavernkeep happy and take full advantage of his discounted prices and unique items.