What are the best NPC pairings to maximize happiness in Terraria?

In Terraria, the NPC happiness system is a mechanic that allows players to influence the happiness of NPCs by placing them in preferred biomes and pairing them with liked or loved neighbors. When NPCs are happy, they offer discounts on their goods and services, and some even sell unique items. To maximize NPC happiness, you need to understand their preferences and strategically place them in your world.

The mechanics of NPC happiness involve three main factors: biome preference, neighbor preference, and overcrowding. Each NPC has a preferred biome where they feel most comfortable. For example, the Guide prefers the Forest biome, while the Arms Dealer prefers the Desert. Additionally, NPCs have preferences for specific neighbors. Some NPCs love certain neighbors, while others dislike or hate them. For instance, the Nurse loves the Arms Dealer, but the Arms Dealer dislikes the Nurse. Overcrowding occurs when too many NPCs are placed in a small area, which reduces their happiness. To avoid overcrowding, you should spread out your NPCs across different biomes and houses.

To maximize happiness, follow these step-by-step strategies. First, identify the preferred biome for each NPC. You can find this information in the Terraria Wiki or by experimenting in-game. Next, build houses in those biomes and assign NPCs to them. Make sure to pair NPCs with neighbors they like or love. For example, place the Merchant and the Nurse together in the Forest biome, as they like each other. Avoid placing NPCs with neighbors they dislike or hate, as this will reduce their happiness. Additionally, ensure that no more than three NPCs are living in close proximity to avoid overcrowding.

Important tips and considerations include using pylons to create a fast travel network. Pylons are special items that allow instant travel between biomes, but they only work if the NPCs in that biome are happy. To unlock a pylon, you need at least two NPCs in the same biome who are happy. For example, placing the Zoologist and the Golfer in the Forest biome will unlock the Forest Pylon. Another tip is to use the housing menu to check NPC happiness. This menu shows the current happiness level of each NPC, allowing you to make adjustments as needed.

Common mistakes to avoid include placing NPCs in biomes they dislike or pairing them with neighbors they hate. For example, placing the Goblin Tinkerer in the Desert biome will make him unhappy, as he prefers the Underground biome. Another mistake is overcrowding, which can be avoided by spreading out NPCs and ensuring no more than three are in close proximity. Additionally, avoid placing NPCs in houses that are too small or lack proper furniture, as this can also reduce their happiness.

Advanced techniques and optimizations involve creating specialized towns for specific NPCs. For example, you can create a Desert town with the Arms Dealer, Nurse, and Steampunker, as they all prefer the Desert biome and like each other. Another optimization is to use the Party Girl's ability to increase NPC happiness during parties. Additionally, you can use the Traveling Merchant to sell unique items that can help improve NPC happiness, such as the Universal Pylon.

Resource requirements and preparation include gathering materials to build houses in different biomes. You will need wood, stone, and other building materials to create suitable housing. Additionally, you may need to craft furniture and decorations to make the houses more appealing. Preparation also involves exploring the world to find suitable biomes for your NPCs and clearing out any enemies or hazards.

Class and equipment considerations are not directly related to NPC happiness, but having a strong character can help you gather resources and build houses more efficiently. For example, a melee character with high defense can easily clear out enemies in dangerous biomes, while a ranged character can quickly gather resources from a distance.

Specific examples and scenarios include creating a Forest town with the Guide, Merchant, and Nurse. These NPCs all prefer the Forest biome and like each other, making them a good pairing. Another example is creating a Desert town with the Arms Dealer, Nurse, and Steampunker. These NPCs prefer the Desert biome and like each other, making them another good pairing. By following these strategies and tips, you can maximize NPC happiness and unlock the benefits of discounts and unique items.