How do I make the Tavernkeep NPC move in Terraria?

To make the Tavernkeep NPC move into your world in Terraria, you need to meet specific conditions and follow a series of steps. The Tavernkeep is a unique NPC who sells items related to the Old One's Army event, such as Defender Medals, which are used to purchase powerful gear and accessories. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide on how to get the Tavernkeep to move in, along with tips and strategies to make the process easier.

First, you need to understand the mechanics behind the TavernkeepÔÇÖs appearance. The Tavernkeep does not spawn naturally like other NPCs. Instead, he appears as a bound NPC after you defeat the Eater of Worlds or Brain of Cthulhu, depending on whether your world has Corruption or Crimson. Once you defeat one of these bosses, the Tavernkeep will spawn randomly in the world as a bound NPC, similar to the Bound Goblin or Bound Wizard. You must find him and free him by interacting with him, just like other bound NPCs. After freeing him, he will move into an available house in your world.

To begin, you need to prepare for the fight against the Eater of Worlds or Brain of Cthulhu. These bosses are early-game challenges, so you should have decent gear and weapons. For the Eater of Worlds, which spawns in Corruption biomes, you can use weapons like the Vilethorn or a bow with JesterÔÇÖs Arrows, as these are effective against segmented enemies. For the Brain of Cthulhu in Crimson biomes, weapons like the Crimson Rod or a sword with high attack speed work well. Make sure to have armor like Gold or Platinum, and accessories such as Hermes Boots or Cloud in a Bottle to improve mobility during the fight.

Once you defeat the boss, the Tavernkeep will spawn somewhere in the world. He can appear in any biome, so youÔÇÖll need to explore thoroughly to find him. Use a Hunter Potion to make him easier to spot, as it highlights NPCs and enemies. If you have a Lifeform Analyzer, it will also help you detect his presence. When you find him, simply interact with him to free him, and he will move into an available house.

ItÔÇÖs important to ensure you have a suitable house ready for the Tavernkeep before you free him. A house must meet the basic requirements: it should have walls, a light source, a table, a chair, and a door. The house should also be in a valid location, meaning itÔÇÖs not too close to Corruption or Crimson biomes, as these can invalidate housing. If you donÔÇÖt have a house ready, the Tavernkeep will not move in, and youÔÇÖll need to build one quickly.

One common mistake players make is not preparing for the boss fight properly. If you attempt to fight the Eater of Worlds or Brain of Cthulhu without adequate gear, you may struggle or fail, delaying the TavernkeepÔÇÖs appearance. Another mistake is not having a house ready, which can lead to frustration if you free the Tavernkeep but have nowhere for him to live. To avoid this, always prepare your housing and gear in advance.

For advanced players, you can optimize the process by creating a small arena for the boss fight. For the Eater of Worlds, dig a long horizontal tunnel in the Corruption biome and place platforms for mobility. For the Brain of Cthulhu, create a flat area in the Crimson biome and use platforms to dodge its attacks. These arenas will make the fights easier and faster, allowing you to progress to the Tavernkeep sooner.

In terms of resource requirements, youÔÇÖll need basic building materials like wood, stone, and torches to create a house. For the boss fights, gather potions like Healing Potions, Ironskin Potions, and Swiftness Potions to improve your survivability and mobility. If youÔÇÖre playing as a specific class, such as a Ranger or Mage, make sure to craft or find weapons that suit your class for the boss fights.

Once the Tavernkeep moves in, he will sell items like the Eternia Crystal Stand and Defender Medals, which are essential for summoning and participating in the Old OneÔÇÖs Army event. This event is a wave-based defense challenge where you protect the Eternia Crystal from enemies. The TavernkeepÔÇÖs items are crucial for progressing through this event and obtaining powerful gear.

In summary, to get the Tavernkeep to move in, defeat the Eater of Worlds or Brain of Cthulhu, find and free the bound Tavernkeep, and ensure you have a suitable house ready. Prepare for the boss fights with proper gear and potions, and consider building an arena to make the fights easier. Avoid common mistakes like not having a house ready or being underprepared for the boss fights. With these steps, youÔÇÖll successfully bring the Tavernkeep into your world and unlock access to the Old OneÔÇÖs Army event.