What are the best NPC housing setups for multiplayer Terraria?

In multiplayer Terraria, setting up NPC housing efficiently is crucial for maximizing happiness, discounts, and overall gameplay experience. NPC happiness is a mechanic introduced in Terraria 1.4, where NPCs have preferences for specific biomes and neighbors. When NPCs are happy, they offer discounts on their goods and, in some cases, sell unique items. For multiplayer, this system becomes even more important because multiple players may need to interact with NPCs frequently, and having them in optimal locations can save time and resources.

To start, you need to understand the basics of NPC housing. Each NPC requires a valid house, which is a fully enclosed space with walls, a light source, a table, a chair, and a door or other entrance. The house must also be in a biome that the NPC prefers or at least tolerates. For multiplayer, you should aim to create multiple housing clusters in different biomes to accommodate NPCs based on their preferences. This ensures that all players have easy access to NPCs without needing to travel long distances.

Step-by-step, hereÔÇÖs how to set up NPC housing for multiplayer. First, identify the biomes you want to use. Common biomes for NPC housing include the Forest, Desert, Snow, Jungle, and Hallow. Each biome has specific NPCs that prefer it. For example, the Arms Dealer prefers the Desert, while the Dryad prefers the Jungle. Next, build housing clusters in these biomes. Each cluster should have enough houses to accommodate the NPCs that prefer that biome. For example, in the Desert, you might build houses for the Arms Dealer, Nurse, and Stylist.

When building houses, ensure they are close enough to each other to form a town but not too close, as overcrowding can reduce happiness. Each house should be at least 25 tiles apart horizontally to avoid overcrowding penalties. Additionally, consider the NPCsÔÇÖ neighbor preferences. Some NPCs like each other, while others dislike or even hate each other. For example, the Arms Dealer likes the Nurse but dislikes the Goblin Tinkerer. Placing NPCs with positive relationships near each other will increase their happiness.

Important tips and considerations include using pylons to create fast travel points between biomes. Pylons are sold by NPCs when they are happy and in a biome they like. They allow players to teleport between biomes instantly, making it easier to access NPCs and resources. To get pylons, you need at least two NPCs in a biome who are happy enough to sell them. Another tip is to use background walls and furniture that match the biomeÔÇÖs theme. This not only looks good but can also help with NPC happiness.

Common mistakes to avoid include placing NPCs in biomes they dislike, overcrowding houses, and ignoring neighbor preferences. For example, placing the Goblin Tinkerer in the Jungle, which he dislikes, will make him unhappy and reduce his discounts. Overcrowding houses by placing too many NPCs in a small area will also reduce happiness. Ignoring neighbor preferences can lead to NPCs being unhappy even if they are in their preferred biome.

Advanced techniques include creating hybrid biomes to maximize happiness. For example, you can create a small Desert biome near your main base by placing enough Sand Blocks and Desert-themed furniture. This allows you to house Desert-preferring NPCs without needing to travel far. Another technique is to use teleporters to connect different housing clusters, making it easier for players to move between them.

Resource requirements and preparation include gathering materials for building houses, such as wood, stone, and glass. You will also need biome-specific blocks and furniture, such as Sand Blocks for the Desert or Ice Blocks for the Snow biome. Preparing these materials in advance will save time when building housing clusters.

Class and equipment considerations are minimal for NPC housing, but having a good pickaxe and building tools can speed up construction. For example, the Shroomite Digging Claw or the Laser Drill can help you gather materials quickly. Additionally, having a good supply of torches, furniture, and walls will make building easier.

Specific examples and scenarios include setting up a Forest biome housing cluster near your main base. This cluster can house NPCs like the Guide, Merchant, and Zoologist, who prefer the Forest. Another example is setting up a Desert biome housing cluster for the Arms Dealer, Nurse, and Stylist. By placing these NPCs in their preferred biome and near NPCs they like, you can maximize their happiness and discounts.

In conclusion, setting up NPC housing in multiplayer Terraria requires careful planning and consideration of biome preferences, neighbor relationships, and housing placement. By following these steps and tips, you can create efficient and happy housing clusters that benefit all players in your world.