What are the best NPC housing setups for expert mode Terraria?

In expert mode Terraria, managing NPC housing setups is crucial for maximizing happiness, which directly impacts the prices of items sold by NPCs and unlocks unique items like the Pylon system. The happiness system is based on three factors: biome preference, neighbor preference, and overcrowding. Each NPC has specific likes and dislikes for biomes and neighbors, and placing them in crowded areas reduces their happiness. To create the best NPC housing setups, you need to carefully plan where and how you place your NPCs.

First, letÔÇÖs discuss biome preferences. Each NPC has a preferred biome where they feel most comfortable. For example, the Guide prefers the Forest biome, the Merchant likes the Forest or Desert, and the Nurse prefers the Hallow. Placing NPCs in their preferred biome increases their happiness. Additionally, some NPCs dislike certain biomes. For instance, the Dryad dislikes the Desert, and the Arms Dealer dislikes the Hallow. Always check the NPCÔÇÖs preferences before assigning them to a biome.

Next, neighbor preferences play a significant role. Some NPCs like or dislike specific neighbors. For example, the Nurse likes the Arms Dealer but dislikes the Dryad. Pairing NPCs who like each other increases their happiness, while placing them near disliked neighbors decreases it. You can find detailed lists of NPC preferences online or in the gameÔÇÖs wiki. Use this information to group NPCs who get along well together.

Overcrowding is another factor to consider. If too many NPCs are placed in a small area, their happiness decreases. To avoid this, spread out your NPCs across different biomes and ensure each housing area has only a few NPCs. A good rule of thumb is to have no more than three NPCs in a single biome area.

To start building your NPC housing setups, first identify the biomes you want to use. Common choices include the Forest, Desert, Snow, Jungle, and Hallow. Create small towns in each biome, with enough space between houses to prevent overcrowding. Each house should meet the basic requirements: at least 60 tiles of space, walls, a light source, a table, and a chair. Use platforms or blocks to create multi-level housing if space is limited.

For example, in the Forest biome, you can place the Guide, Merchant, and Zoologist together since they all like the Forest and get along well. In the Desert, place the Arms Dealer and Nurse, as they like the Desert and each other. In the Snow biome, the Mechanic and Goblin Tinkerer make a good pair. In the Jungle, the Witch Doctor and Dryad work well together. In the Hallow, the Party Girl and Wizard are a good match.

Resource requirements for building NPC housing include wood, stone, and other basic materials. YouÔÇÖll also need torches, tables, and chairs for each house. Preparation involves gathering these materials early in the game and setting up housing as soon as possible. This ensures NPCs move in quickly, providing access to their services and items.

Common mistakes to avoid include placing NPCs in biomes they dislike, overcrowding housing areas, and ignoring neighbor preferences. These mistakes can lead to unhappy NPCs, higher prices, and the inability to purchase Pylons. Always double-check NPC preferences before finalizing their housing.

Advanced techniques include using Pylons to create fast travel networks between biomes. To unlock Pylons, you need at least two NPCs in a biome with high happiness. Once unlocked, Pylons allow instant travel between biomes, making resource gathering and exploration much easier. Optimize your housing setups by grouping NPCs who like each other and their biome, ensuring maximum happiness and Pylon availability.

In terms of class and equipment considerations, managing NPC housing doesnÔÇÖt require specific gear, but having a good pickaxe and building tools speeds up construction. As you progress, consider upgrading your tools to make building faster and more efficient.

In summary, the best NPC housing setups in expert mode Terraria involve careful planning of biome and neighbor preferences, avoiding overcrowding, and creating efficient housing layouts. By following these strategies, you can maximize NPC happiness, unlock Pylons, and enjoy discounts on items. Proper preparation and attention to detail are key to creating thriving NPC towns in Terraria.