How do I make the Tavernkeep NPC happy in Terraria?

To make the Tavernkeep 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 Tavernkeep is a unique NPC who sells items related to the Old One's Army event, such as sentry summon weapons and armor sets. Keeping him happy is essential if you want to maximize your efficiency in this event and save money on his items.

The Tavernkeep prefers to live in the Hallow biome. This is his favorite biome, and placing him here will significantly boost his happiness. If you place him in any other biome, his happiness will decrease, and he will charge higher prices for his items. Additionally, the Tavernkeep likes to have the Princess and the Goblin Tinkerer as neighbors. These are his preferred neighbors, and having them nearby will further increase his happiness. On the other hand, he dislikes living near the Demolitionist and the Steampunker, so avoid placing him near these NPCs if you want to keep him happy.

To set up a happy environment for the Tavernkeep, you should first locate or create a Hallow biome. If your world does not naturally have a Hallow biome, you can create one by spreading Hallow blocks, such as Pearlstone or Hallowed Grass, in an area of your choice. Once you have a Hallow biome, build suitable housing for the Tavernkeep, the Princess, and the Goblin Tinkerer. Make sure their houses are close to each other but not too crowded, as overcrowding can reduce happiness. A good strategy is to place their houses within 25 tiles of each other but ensure there is enough space between them to avoid overcrowding penalties.

When building the houses, consider using materials that match the Hallow biome's aesthetic, such as Crystal Blocks or Pearlwood. This not only enhances the visual appeal but also ensures that the houses are considered part of the Hallow biome. You can also add furniture and decorations that match the biome to further increase happiness. For example, using Crystal Furniture or Hallow-themed paintings can make the houses more appealing to the NPCs.

One common mistake players make is placing the Tavernkeep in a biome he dislikes, such as the Corruption or Crimson. This will drastically reduce his happiness and increase the prices of his items. Another mistake is overcrowding the houses, which can lead to penalties even if the NPCs are in their preferred biome. To avoid these issues, always check the biome and neighbor preferences of each NPC before placing them in a house.

Advanced techniques for optimizing the Tavernkeep's happiness include using pylons to create a network of fast travel points. If you place the Tavernkeep, Princess, and Goblin Tinkerer in a Hallow biome with a Pylon, you can quickly travel to other biomes without disrupting their happiness. This is especially useful if you need to access different areas of your world frequently. Additionally, you can use the Clentaminator with Blue Solution to create a Hallow biome in a specific area, allowing you to control the environment more precisely.

Resource requirements for setting up a happy Tavernkeep include Hallow blocks, furniture, and housing materials. You will need to gather Pearlstone, Crystal Shards, and Pearlwood to create a Hallow biome and build suitable houses. If you are creating the biome artificially, you may also need to purchase Blue Solution from the Steampunker, which requires defeating at least one mechanical boss.

In terms of class and equipment considerations, the Tavernkeep's happiness is not directly tied to your character's class or equipment. However, if you plan to participate in the Old One's Army event, you should prepare with appropriate gear. The Tavernkeep sells sentry summon weapons, which are particularly useful for summoners. If you are playing as a summoner, you may want to invest in these items to enhance your combat effectiveness during the event.

A specific example of optimizing the Tavernkeep's happiness would be setting up a Hallow biome near your main base. This allows you to keep the Tavernkeep, Princess, and Goblin Tinkerer close to your other NPCs while maintaining their happiness. You can then use a Pylon to connect this area to other biomes, creating a fast travel network that makes it easy to access different parts of your world.

In summary, making the Tavernkeep happy in Terraria involves placing him in a Hallow biome with the Princess and Goblin Tinkerer as neighbors. Avoid placing him near the Demolitionist or Steampunker, and ensure his house is not overcrowded. Use Hallow-themed materials and decorations to enhance his happiness, and consider using pylons for fast travel. By following these steps, you can maximize the Tavernkeep's happiness, reduce his prices, and gain access to unique items that will help you in the Old One's Army event.