What are the best NPC pairings for the Ocean biome in Terraria?

In Terraria, the Ocean biome is a unique and challenging environment for NPC housing due to its limited space and specific requirements. To maximize NPC happiness in the Ocean biome, you need to carefully consider NPC pairings, biome preferences, and housing placement. NPC happiness affects their prices, which can save you money on items and services, and it also unlocks unique items like the Pylon system, which allows for fast travel between biomes.

First, letÔÇÖs discuss the mechanics of NPC happiness. Each NPC has preferred biomes and neighbors. When placed in their preferred biome and near NPCs they like, their happiness increases. Conversely, being in a disliked biome or near NPCs they dislike decreases their happiness. The Ocean biome is preferred by the Angler and the Pirate, making them ideal candidates for this area. The Angler is a child NPC who loves the Ocean biome and enjoys the company of the Pirate and the Party Girl. The Pirate, on the other hand, likes the Ocean biome and prefers to live near the Angler or the Tavernkeep.

To set up an Ocean biome town, start by creating a suitable housing area. The Ocean biome is located at the far left and right edges of the world map. YouÔÇÖll need to build houses on the beach or slightly inland, ensuring they are within the Ocean biome boundaries. Use blocks like sand, palm wood, or coralstone to maintain the biomeÔÇÖs theme. Each house should be at least 6 blocks tall and 10 blocks wide, with walls, a door, a table, a chair, and a light source. Avoid overcrowding the area, as too many NPCs in one biome can reduce happiness.

Next, assign the Angler and the Pirate to the Ocean biome. Place their houses close to each other to maximize their happiness. If you want to add a third NPC, consider the Party Girl, as she is liked by the Angler. However, avoid placing NPCs like the Golfer or the Arms Dealer in the Ocean biome, as they dislike it and will reduce overall happiness.

Resource requirements for building in the Ocean biome include sand blocks, palm wood, and coralstone. You can gather these materials by mining sand and coral in the Ocean biome and cutting down palm trees. Crafting stations like the workbench and sawmill are essential for creating furniture and walls. You may also need to craft background walls if natural walls are insufficient.

Combat considerations are important when building in the Ocean biome. The Ocean is home to dangerous enemies like Sharks, Crabs, and Jellyfish. To protect your NPCs, build a defensive wall around the housing area or use traps and lava moats. Equip yourself with weapons like the Minishark or the Trident to handle Ocean enemies effectively. If youÔÇÖre in Hardmode, consider using stronger weapons like the Megashark or the Daedalus Stormbow.

Advanced techniques include using pylons for fast travel. Once NPCs are happy, they will sell a Pylon for the Ocean biome. Place the Pylon near the housing area to create a fast travel point. This is especially useful for accessing the Ocean biome quickly for fishing or farming resources. Additionally, you can optimize happiness by ensuring no more than three NPCs live in the Ocean biome, as overcrowding reduces happiness.

Common mistakes to avoid include placing too many NPCs in the Ocean biome, using incorrect building materials, or failing to defend the area from enemies. Overcrowding can negate the benefits of preferred biomes and neighbors, while incorrect materials can disrupt the biomeÔÇÖs theme. Neglecting defenses can lead to NPC deaths, which disrupts happiness and requires rebuilding.

In summary, the best NPC pairings for the Ocean biome are the Angler and the Pirate, with the Party Girl as an optional third NPC. Build houses using Ocean-themed materials, defend the area from enemies, and avoid overcrowding. Use pylons for fast travel and optimize happiness by following NPC preferences. With careful planning and resource management, you can create a thriving Ocean biome town in Terraria.