How do I make the Tavernkeep NPC happy in Terraria?

To make the Tavernkeep 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. A happy NPC will offer discounts on their items and, in some cases, sell unique items that are otherwise unavailable. The Tavernkeep is a unique NPC who sells items related to the Old One's Army event, such as sentry summon weapons and armor sets. Keeping him happy is essential if you want to maximize your efficiency in dealing with this event.

The Tavernkeep prefers to live in the Hallow biome. This is his favorite biome, and placing him there will significantly boost his happiness. If you place him in any other biome, his happiness will decrease, and he will charge higher prices for his items. Additionally, the Tavernkeep has specific preferences for neighbors. He likes the Princess, the Goblin Tinkerer, and the Wizard. Placing him near any of these NPCs will further increase his happiness. On the other hand, he dislikes the Demolitionist and the Arms Dealer, so avoid placing him near these NPCs if you want to keep him happy.

To set up a happy environment for the Tavernkeep, you should first locate or create a Hallow biome. If you haven't naturally generated a Hallow biome in your world, you can create one by spreading Hallow grass using Hallowed Seeds or by using the Clentaminator with Blue Solution. Once you have a Hallow biome, you need to build suitable housing for the Tavernkeep and his preferred neighbors. The housing should be within close proximity to each other, ideally within 25 tiles, to ensure they are considered neighbors.

When building the housing, make sure each NPC has their own room that meets the basic requirements: a solid background wall, a light source, a flat surface item, and a comfort item. The rooms should be at least 6 blocks wide and 10 blocks tall, but you can adjust the size as needed. You can use platforms to create multi-level housing if space is limited. Once the housing is ready, assign the Tavernkeep to one of the rooms in the Hallow biome and place his preferred neighbors nearby.

One common mistake players make is ignoring the NPC happiness system altogether, which leads to higher prices and less efficient gameplay. Another mistake is placing the Tavernkeep in a biome he dislikes, such as the Corruption or Crimson, which will make him unhappy. Additionally, placing him near NPCs he dislikes, like the Demolitionist or Arms Dealer, will also decrease his happiness. To avoid these mistakes, always check the NPC's preferences before assigning them to a biome or placing them near other NPCs.

Advanced techniques for optimizing the Tavernkeep's happiness include creating a dedicated Hallow biome town. This town can house multiple NPCs who prefer the Hallow, such as the Princess, Goblin Tinkerer, and Wizard. By grouping these NPCs together, you can maximize their happiness and create a highly efficient town. You can also use pylons to create a fast travel network between your towns, making it easier to access the Tavernkeep and other NPCs.

Resource requirements for setting up a happy environment for the Tavernkeep include Hallowed Seeds or Blue Solution for creating the Hallow biome, building materials for housing, and furniture for the rooms. You may also need to gather resources for crafting pylons if you plan to create a fast travel network. Preparation involves gathering these resources and planning the layout of your town to ensure all NPCs are placed optimally.

In terms of class and equipment considerations, the Tavernkeep's happiness is not directly affected by your character's class or equipment. However, having a well-equipped character will make it easier to gather resources and defend your town from enemies, especially during events like the Old One's Army. Make sure to have appropriate weapons, armor, and accessories for your chosen class to handle any threats that may arise.

A specific example of setting up a happy environment for the Tavernkeep would be creating a Hallow biome town on the surface. You can build a row of houses, each with a room for the Tavernkeep, Princess, Goblin Tinkerer, and Wizard. Place a Hallow Pylon in the center of the town for easy access. Ensure each room meets the basic housing requirements and is within 25 tiles of the Tavernkeep's room. This setup will keep the Tavernkeep happy, providing you with discounts and access to unique items.

In conclusion, making the Tavernkeep happy in Terraria involves understanding the NPC happiness system, placing him in the Hallow biome, and ensuring he has the right neighbors. By following these steps and avoiding common mistakes, you can create an efficient and happy environment for the Tavernkeep, enhancing your gameplay experience.