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. Keeping him happy is essential if you want to access these items at lower prices.

The Tavernkeep prefers to live in the Hallow biome. This is his favorite biome, and placing him there will significantly increase 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 boost his happiness. On the other hand, he dislikes living near the Arms Dealer, the Steampunker, and the Cyborg. Placing him near these NPCs will reduce his happiness, so you should avoid doing so.

To maximize the Tavernkeep's happiness, you should build a house for him in the Hallow biome. The Hallow is a biome that appears after you defeat the Wall of Flesh and enter Hardmode. It is characterized by its bright, colorful appearance and unique enemies. You can create an artificial Hallow biome by using Hallowed Seeds, which can be purchased from the Dryad during Hardmode. Once you have the seeds, you can plant them in the area where you want to build the Tavernkeep's house. Make sure the area is large enough to be recognized as the Hallow biome by the game.

Next, you need to ensure that the Tavernkeep has the right neighbors. The Princess is a late-game NPC who only appears after all other NPCs have moved in, so she may not be available early on. However, the Goblin Tinkerer is easier to obtain. You can find him in the Cavern layer after defeating the Goblin Army. Once you rescue him, you can move him into a house near the Tavernkeep. If you have the Princess, place her in the same house or nearby to further increase the Tavernkeep's happiness.

When building the Tavernkeep's house, make sure it meets the basic requirements for NPC housing. The house must have walls, a chair, a table, and a light source. It should also be at least 6 blocks tall and 10 blocks wide. You can use any type of block for the walls and floor, but using Hallow-themed blocks like Pearlstone or Crystal Blocks can enhance the aesthetic of the house and make it feel more like part of the Hallow biome.

One common mistake players make is placing the Tavernkeep in the wrong biome or near NPCs he dislikes. This can lead to higher prices and reduced happiness. To avoid this, always check the Tavernkeep's preferences before placing him in a house. Another mistake is not creating a large enough Hallow biome. The game requires a certain number of Hallow blocks to recognize an area as the Hallow biome, so make sure you have enough Hallowed Seeds or blocks to create a sufficiently large area.

Advanced techniques for optimizing the Tavernkeep's happiness include using Pylons to create a network of fast travel points. Pylons are items that allow you to teleport between different biomes, and they can only be purchased from NPCs who are happy in their current biome. By placing the Tavernkeep in the Hallow with the Goblin Tinkerer and Princess, you can create a happy environment that allows you to purchase a Hallow Pylon. This Pylon can then be used to quickly travel to other biomes, making it easier to manage your NPCs and resources.

In terms of resource requirements, you will need Hallowed Seeds or blocks to create the Hallow biome. You can obtain Hallowed Seeds from the Dryad during Hardmode, or you can mine Pearlstone and Pearlstone Bricks in the Hallow biome. You will also need basic building materials like wood, stone, and torches to construct the Tavernkeep's house. If you want to enhance the aesthetic of the house, you can use Crystal Blocks, which are crafted from Crystal Shards found in the Underground Hallow.

Class and equipment considerations are not directly related to the Tavernkeep's happiness, but having the right gear can make it easier to gather resources and build his house. For example, a character with high mining speed and mobility can quickly gather Hallowed Seeds and blocks, while a character with strong combat abilities can defend against the enemies in the Hallow biome. If you are playing as a summoner, the Tavernkeep's sentry summon weapons can be very useful, so keeping him happy is especially important.

In summary, to make the Tavernkeep happy, place him in the Hallow biome with the Goblin Tinkerer and Princess as neighbors. Build a suitable house that meets the basic requirements, and avoid placing him near NPCs he dislikes. Use Hallowed Seeds or blocks to create a large enough Hallow biome, and consider using Pylons to optimize your travel network. By following these steps, you can ensure that the Tavernkeep is happy and offers his items at discounted prices.