What are the requirements for the Tavernkeep NPC to move in Terraria?

The Tavernkeep is a unique NPC in Terraria who sells items related to the Old One's Army event, such as Defender Medals, sentry summon weapons, and armor sets. To get the Tavernkeep to move in, you need to meet specific requirements and follow a series of steps. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide on how to achieve this.

First, the Tavernkeep can only spawn after you have defeated the Eater of Worlds or Brain of Cthulhu, depending on your worldÔÇÖs evil biome. These bosses are early-game challenges, so youÔÇÖll need to prepare accordingly. For the Eater of Worlds, youÔÇÖll need to break Shadow Orbs in the Corruption biome, which requires at least a Nightmare Pickaxe or better. For the Brain of Cthulhu, youÔÇÖll need to destroy Crimson Hearts in the Crimson biome, which also requires a pickaxe of similar strength. Once you defeat one of these bosses, the Tavernkeep has a chance to spawn.

After defeating the boss, the Tavernkeep will appear as a bound NPC somewhere in your world. He can spawn in any biome, but he is most commonly found in the outer thirds of the map, either in the Caverns or Underground layers. YouÔÇÖll need to search for him, and when you find him, youÔÇÖll need to free him by interacting with him, similar to other bound NPCs like the Goblin Tinkerer or Mechanic. Once freed, he will move into an available house if you have one prepared.

To prepare a house for the Tavernkeep, youÔÇÖll need to build a suitable room. The room must meet the basic housing requirements, which include walls, a light source, a flat surface item like a table or workbench, and a comfort item like a chair. The room must also be enclosed with walls and have a door or other entrance. Make sure the room is valid by using the housing query tool, which can be accessed by talking to the Guide or using the housing menu.

One important tip is to ensure you have enough housing available before searching for the Tavernkeep. If you donÔÇÖt have a valid house, he wonÔÇÖt move in even after you free him. Additionally, if you have other NPCs waiting to move in, they might take priority, so make sure to have extra rooms ready.

A common mistake players make is not searching thoroughly for the Tavernkeep. He can spawn in hard-to-reach areas, so itÔÇÖs a good idea to explore the Caverns and Underground layers carefully. Using items like the Hunter Potion, which highlights enemies and NPCs, can make this process easier. Another mistake is not preparing for the boss fight required to trigger his spawn. Make sure you have appropriate weapons, armor, and potions to defeat the Eater of Worlds or Brain of Cthulhu.

For advanced players, optimizing your search for the Tavernkeep can save time. Using a fast mount like the Slimy Saddle or a flying mount can help you cover more ground quickly. Additionally, using items like the Magic Lantern or Spelunker Potion can help you spot the Tavernkeep in dark areas. If youÔÇÖre playing in a multiplayer world, coordinating with teammates to search different areas can speed up the process.

Resource requirements for this process are relatively low. YouÔÇÖll need basic building materials like wood, stone, and torches to create a house. For the boss fight, youÔÇÖll need weapons and armor appropriate for early-game progression. Weapons like the Blade of Grass or the Minishark are effective against the Eater of Worlds, while the Crimson Rod or Vilethorn works well against the Brain of Cthulhu. Armor sets like Gold or Platinum are sufficient, but Shadow or Crimson armor provides better defense and bonuses.

Class and equipment considerations depend on your playstyle. Melee characters should focus on high-defense armor and weapons with good reach, like spears or swords. Ranged characters can use bows or guns with appropriate ammunition. Magic users should prioritize mana regeneration and spells with area-of-effect damage. Summoners can use minions to assist in the fight, though early-game summoning options are limited.

In summary, to get the Tavernkeep to move in, defeat the Eater of Worlds or Brain of Cthulhu, search for him in the Caverns or Underground layers, free him, and provide a valid house. Prepare for the boss fight with appropriate gear, ensure you have enough housing, and use tools to optimize your search. Avoid common mistakes like not searching thoroughly or not preparing for the boss fight. With these steps, youÔÇÖll have the Tavernkeep in your town, ready to provide valuable items for the Old OneÔÇÖs Army event.