How do I make the Zoologist NPC happy in Terraria?

To make the Zoologist 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 levels. A happy NPC will offer discounts on their items and, in some cases, sell unique items that are otherwise unavailable. The Zoologist, in particular, has specific preferences that you need to cater to in order to maximize her happiness.

First, letÔÇÖs discuss the mechanics of NPC happiness. Each NPC has a preferred biome and a list of NPCs they like, love, or dislike as neighbors. The ZoologistÔÇÖs preferred biome is the Forest biome. This means she will be happiest when housed in a Forest biome. Additionally, she has specific preferences for neighbors. She loves the Golfer, likes the Witch Doctor and the Guide, and dislikes the Angler. Placing her in a Forest biome with the Golfer as her neighbor will significantly increase her happiness.

To start, you need to create a suitable house for the Zoologist in the Forest biome. The Forest biome is the default biome where you spawn in the game, so itÔÇÖs relatively easy to set up. Build a house using wood or other materials, ensuring it meets the basic requirements for NPC housing: it must have walls, a chair, a table, and a light source. Once the house is ready, assign the Zoologist to it.

Next, you need to consider her neighbors. The Golfer is her favorite neighbor, so you should place him nearby. The Golfer can be found in the Underground Desert biome, and you need to rescue him by finding him trapped in a cave. Once rescued, he will move into an available house. Place him in a house adjacent to the ZoologistÔÇÖs house to maximize her happiness. If the Golfer is not available, the Witch Doctor or the Guide are acceptable alternatives, though they wonÔÇÖt provide as much of a happiness boost.

ItÔÇÖs important to avoid placing the Angler near the Zoologist, as she dislikes him. If the Angler is too close, her happiness will decrease, leading to higher prices for her items and potentially missing out on unique items she might sell when happy.

Now, letÔÇÖs talk about some tips and considerations. When building houses for NPCs, try to keep them close enough to benefit from each otherÔÇÖs presence but not so close that they feel crowded. A good rule of thumb is to have at least one block of space between houses. Additionally, make sure the Forest biome is not corrupted or hallowed, as this can affect the ZoologistÔÇÖs happiness. If the Forest biome becomes corrupted, you may need to purify it using purification powder or a Clentaminator.

Common mistakes to avoid include placing the Zoologist in the wrong biome or with disliked neighbors. For example, placing her in the Desert or Snow biome will make her unhappy, even if she has the Golfer as a neighbor. Similarly, placing her too close to the Angler will negate any happiness bonuses from other neighbors.

Advanced techniques involve optimizing the placement of multiple NPCs to maximize happiness across your town. For example, you can create a Forest biome village with the Zoologist, Golfer, and Guide living close together, while keeping the Angler in a separate area. This way, you can ensure that all NPCs are happy and provide discounts on their items.

Resource requirements for this setup are minimal. You mainly need wood for building houses and some basic furniture like chairs and tables. If you need to purify the Forest biome, youÔÇÖll need purification powder or a Clentaminator, which requires some effort to obtain.

In terms of class and equipment considerations, there are no specific requirements for making the Zoologist happy. However, having a good set of tools for building and exploring will make the process easier. For example, a good pickaxe will help you gather materials quickly, and a grappling hook can assist in building structures.

In summary, to make the Zoologist happy, place her in a Forest biome house with the Golfer as her neighbor. Avoid placing her near the Angler and ensure the Forest biome is not corrupted. By following these steps, you can maximize her happiness, enjoy discounts on her items, and potentially unlock unique items she sells when happy.