What are the best NPC pairings for discounts in Terraria?

In Terraria, NPC happiness is a system that affects the prices of items sold by NPCs, as well as their willingness to sell certain items. When NPCs are happy, they offer discounts on their goods, which can save you a lot of money over time. To maximize these discounts, you need to understand the mechanics of NPC happiness and how to pair NPCs effectively.

The happiness of an NPC is influenced by two main factors: the biome they live in and the NPCs they are paired with. Each NPC has preferred biomes and neighbors, and being in a biome they dislike or paired with NPCs they dislike will reduce their happiness. Conversely, placing them in a biome they like and pairing them with NPCs they like will increase their happiness. The happiness level directly affects the prices of items they sell, with happier NPCs offering discounts of up to 20%.

To start, you need to know the preferred biomes and neighbors for each NPC. For example, the Guide prefers the Forest biome and likes to live with the Zoologist or the Clothier. The Merchant prefers the Forest biome and likes to live with the Golfer or the Nurse. The Arms Dealer prefers the Desert biome and likes to live with the Nurse or the Steampunker. The Demolitionist prefers the Underground biome and likes to live with the Tavernkeep or the Mechanic. These are just a few examples, and you can find a complete list of preferences on the Terraria wiki.

Once you know the preferences, the next step is to build suitable housing in the correct biomes. You can create small towns in different biomes, each housing a group of NPCs that like each other. For example, you can build a Forest town with the Guide, Merchant, Golfer, and Nurse. In the Desert, you can place the Arms Dealer, Nurse, and Steampunker. In the Underground, you can place the Demolitionist, Tavernkeep, and Mechanic. This way, each NPC is in a biome they like and paired with neighbors they like, maximizing their happiness.

It's important to note that NPCs also have dislikes and hates. For example, the Arms Dealer dislikes the Nurse if she is not in the Desert biome, and the Goblin Tinkerer hates the Mechanic. Avoid placing NPCs in biomes they dislike or pairing them with NPCs they dislike, as this will reduce their happiness and increase their prices.

One common mistake is overcrowding NPCs in a single biome. While it might seem convenient to have all NPCs in one place, this can lead to unhappiness if they are not paired correctly or if they are in a biome they dislike. Spread out your NPCs across different biomes and pair them according to their preferences.

Advanced techniques include using pylons to create a fast travel network between your towns. Pylons are sold by NPCs when they are happy and in a biome they like. By placing pylons in each town, you can quickly travel between them, making it easier to manage your NPCs and access their discounted items.

Resource requirements for building towns include wood, stone, and other basic materials for constructing houses. You may also need specific blocks or walls to create the right biome environment. For example, you need sand blocks to create a Desert biome or snow blocks for a Snow biome. Preparation involves gathering these materials and planning the layout of your towns.

Class and equipment considerations are minimal for NPC happiness, but having a good pickaxe and building tools will make constructing towns easier. Additionally, having a good weapon for defending your towns during events like Goblin Invasions or Blood Moons is important.

In summary, achieving the best NPC pairings for discounts in Terraria involves understanding NPC preferences, building suitable housing in the correct biomes, and pairing NPCs with neighbors they like. Avoid common mistakes like overcrowding and incorrect pairings, and use advanced techniques like pylons for fast travel. With proper planning and resource management, you can create happy NPC towns that offer significant discounts on their goods.