How do I make the Merchant NPC move in Terraria?

To make the Merchant NPC move into your world in Terraria, you need to meet specific conditions. The Merchant is one of the earliest NPCs you can attract, and he sells useful items like ropes, torches, and basic tools. Understanding the mechanics and requirements for his arrival is essential for early-game progression.

First, the Merchant will only move in if there is an available house and if you have at least 50 silver coins in your inventory. The house must meet the basic requirements for NPC housing, which includes having walls, a light source, a table, a chair, and a door. The house must also be in a valid location, meaning it cannot be too close to corruption, crimson, or hallow biomes. Once these conditions are met, the Merchant will spawn during the day.

To prepare for the Merchant's arrival, start by gathering resources to build a suitable house. You will need wood, which can be obtained by chopping down trees. Use the wood to craft walls, a table, a chair, and a door. Place these items inside a structure that is at least 6 blocks tall and 10 blocks wide. Make sure the walls are fully enclosed, and the room has a light source like a torch. Once the house is ready, ensure you have at least 50 silver coins in your inventory. You can earn silver coins by defeating enemies, selling items, or mining ore like silver or tungsten.

A common mistake players make is not having enough coins or not building a valid house. Double-check that your house meets all the requirements, and keep an eye on your coin count. If the Merchant does not move in, it could be because the house is too close to a corrupted biome or because you do not have enough coins. Another mistake is not having enough housing for multiple NPCs. As you progress, more NPCs will want to move in, so it is a good idea to build multiple houses early on.

Advanced techniques include optimizing NPC happiness to get discounts on the Merchant's items. NPC happiness is influenced by the biome they live in and the neighbors they have. The Merchant prefers the Forest biome and likes to live with the Golfer and the Nurse. Placing him in a Forest biome with these neighbors will increase his happiness, reducing the prices of his items. This can save you a lot of coins in the long run, especially if you plan to buy expensive items like the Piggy Bank or the Safe.

Resource requirements for attracting the Merchant are minimal, but you should prepare for future NPCs by gathering more materials. Stockpile wood, stone, and other building materials to create additional houses. This will save time later when you need to house NPCs like the Arms Dealer or the Demolitionist. Additionally, keep an eye on your coin count and try to save up for future purchases. The Merchant sells useful items like the Bug Net, which is essential for catching critters and bait for fishing.

Class and equipment considerations are not directly tied to attracting the Merchant, but having a good set of tools and weapons will help you gather resources and coins more efficiently. A copper or tin pickaxe is sufficient for early-game mining, and a wooden sword or bow can help you defeat enemies for coins. As you progress, upgrading your tools and weapons will make it easier to gather resources and prepare for future challenges.

In summary, attracting the Merchant NPC in Terraria requires building a valid house and having at least 50 silver coins. Make sure your house meets all the requirements, and keep an eye on your coin count. Avoid common mistakes like building too close to corrupted biomes or not having enough housing for multiple NPCs. Optimize NPC happiness by placing the Merchant in a Forest biome with preferred neighbors. Prepare for future NPCs by gathering resources and saving coins. With these strategies, you can successfully attract the Merchant and take advantage of his useful items.