How do I make the Arms Dealer NPC happy in Terraria?

To make the Arms Dealer 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 Arms Dealer is a unique NPC who sells guns, bullets, and other ranged weapons, making him essential for players focusing on the Ranger class. To maximize his happiness, you need to place him in a biome he likes and pair him with neighbors he prefers.

The Arms Dealer prefers the Desert biome. This means you should build his house in or near a Desert biome to increase his happiness. If you place him in a biome he dislikes, such as the Snow biome, his happiness will decrease, and he will charge higher prices for his items. Additionally, the Arms Dealer has specific preferences for neighbors. He likes the Nurse and the Steampunker as neighbors. The Nurse is a healer NPC who sells health potions and other healing items, while the Steampunker sells mechanical items and can help you create advanced machinery. Placing the Arms Dealer near these NPCs will further increase his happiness.

To start, you need to prepare a suitable house for the Arms Dealer in the Desert biome. You can either build a new house in the Desert or relocate an existing house to this biome. Make sure the house meets the basic requirements for NPC housing, which include walls, a table, a chair, and a light source. Once the house is ready, assign the Arms Dealer to it. Next, build houses for the Nurse and the Steampunker nearby. Ideally, these houses should be within 25 tiles of the Arms Dealer's house to ensure they are considered neighbors. You can check the distance by using a ruler or by counting blocks.

One common mistake players make is placing the Arms Dealer in a biome he dislikes or pairing him with NPCs he dislikes. For example, the Arms Dealer dislikes the Goblin Tinkerer and the Zoologist. Placing him near these NPCs will decrease his happiness. Another mistake is not considering the biome when building NPC houses. Even if you place the Arms Dealer near preferred neighbors, if the biome is wrong, his happiness will still be low. Always double-check the biome and neighbor preferences before finalizing your NPC placements.

Advanced techniques for optimizing the Arms Dealer's happiness include creating a mini-biome in your main base. You can do this by placing enough Desert blocks, such as Sand or Hardened Sand, to create an artificial Desert biome. This allows you to keep the Arms Dealer close to your main base while still benefiting from his preferred biome. Additionally, you can use pylons to create a network of teleportation points, making it easier to access the Arms Dealer and other NPCs without having to travel long distances.

Resource requirements for this setup include basic building materials like wood, stone, and sand. You may also need to gather biome-specific materials if you are creating an artificial Desert biome. For example, you will need Sand Blocks, Cactus, and other Desert-themed items to create an authentic Desert environment. If you are relocating NPCs, you may need to craft a King or Queen Statue to teleport them to their new homes.

Class and equipment considerations are also important when dealing with the Arms Dealer. Since he sells ranged weapons and ammunition, players focusing on the Ranger class will benefit the most from keeping him happy. A happy Arms Dealer will offer discounts on bullets, guns, and other ranged items, making it easier to stock up on supplies for boss battles and events. Additionally, the Arms Dealer sells the Minishark and the Megashark, two powerful ranged weapons that are essential for mid-to-late game progression.

In specific scenarios, such as preparing for a boss fight or an invasion event, having a happy Arms Dealer can make a significant difference. For example, during a Goblin Army invasion, having access to discounted bullets and guns can help you fend off the invaders more effectively. Similarly, during boss fights like the Eye of Cthulhu or the Skeletron, having a steady supply of ammunition can give you the edge you need to win.

In conclusion, making the Arms Dealer happy in Terraria involves placing him in the Desert biome and pairing him with the Nurse and the Steampunker. Avoid placing him in biomes he dislikes or near NPCs he dislikes. Use advanced techniques like creating artificial biomes and using pylons to optimize his placement. Gather the necessary resources and consider your class and equipment needs when setting up his house. By following these steps, you can ensure the Arms Dealer is happy, which will benefit your gameplay, especially if you are focusing on the Ranger class.