What are the requirements for the Princess NPC to move in Terraria?

The Princess NPC in Terraria is a unique and late-game character who can only move in under very specific conditions. She is tied to the game's NPC happiness system and requires a significant amount of progression before she becomes available. Here is a detailed explanation of how to get the Princess to move in, along with tips, strategies, and considerations to help you achieve this.

To have the Princess move in, you must first meet two key requirements. First, all other town NPCs must already be present in your world, excluding special NPCs like the Traveling Merchant or Skeleton Merchant. This means you need to have unlocked and housed every other NPC, including those tied to specific events or conditions, such as the Angler, Goblin Tinkerer, and Pirate. Second, the Princess will only appear if there is an available house for her to move into. This means you need to have at least one empty, valid housing structure ready for her.

The Princess is unique in that she does not require any specific biome or neighbor preferences to move in. However, once she is present, her happiness will be influenced by her surroundings, just like other NPCs. To maximize her happiness, you can place her in a Hallowed biome, as she prefers this environment. Additionally, she likes being near the Wizard and the Party Girl, so placing her house near these NPCs can increase her happiness and provide discounts on her items.

To prepare for the Princess, you should focus on progressing through the game and unlocking all other NPCs. This involves completing quests, defeating bosses, and exploring various biomes. For example, you will need to defeat the Wall of Flesh to unlock the Hardmode NPCs like the Mechanic and the Steampunker. You will also need to defeat Plantera to unlock the Cyborg. Each NPC has specific requirements, so make sure to check the Terraria Wiki or guides for detailed information on how to unlock each one.

Once all NPCs are present, ensure you have a valid house ready for the Princess. A valid house must meet the basic requirements, such as being at least 6 blocks wide and 10 blocks tall, having walls, a light source, a table, and a chair. You can use any material for the house, but using Hallowed blocks or other decorative materials can make it more visually appealing. Place the house in a Hallowed biome if possible, and near the Wizard and Party Girl for optimal happiness.

Common mistakes to avoid include forgetting to unlock certain NPCs or not having a valid house ready. Some NPCs, like the Angler or the Goblin Tinkerer, can be easy to overlook if you are not actively working on their requirements. Additionally, make sure your housing is valid by using the housing query tool from the housing menu. This tool will tell you if a house is suitable for an NPC to move into.

Advanced techniques include optimizing your town layout for NPC happiness. By grouping NPCs who like each other together, you can maximize their happiness and reduce the prices of their items. For example, the Princess, Wizard, and Party Girl can be placed in a Hallowed biome together to create a happy trio. You can also use pylons to create a fast travel network between biomes, making it easier to manage your NPCs and access their services.

Resource requirements for housing the Princess are minimal, as you only need basic building materials like wood, stone, or Hallowed blocks. However, progressing through the game to unlock all NPCs will require significant resources, such as weapons, armor, and potions for boss fights. Make sure to gather materials and craft powerful gear to handle the challenges of Hardmode and beyond.

Class and equipment considerations depend on your playstyle, but having a well-rounded character with strong weapons and armor is essential for defeating bosses and unlocking NPCs. For example, melee players should focus on obtaining powerful swords and armor, while ranged players should prioritize bows, guns, and ammunition. Magic users will need strong spells and mana regeneration items, and summoners should focus on summoning weapons and accessories.

In summary, getting the Princess to move in requires unlocking all other NPCs and having a valid house ready. Focus on progressing through the game, defeating bosses, and completing quests to unlock NPCs. Prepare a house in a Hallowed biome near the Wizard and Party Girl for optimal happiness. Avoid common mistakes like forgetting NPCs or invalid housing, and use advanced techniques like grouping NPCs and using pylons for efficient town management. With proper preparation and strategy, you can successfully have the Princess move into your world and enjoy her unique services.