How do I make the Merchant NPC happy in Terraria?

To make the Merchant 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 Merchant will offer discounts on his items, and if he is extremely happy, he may even sell unique items like the Piggy Bank or the Safe. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide on how to achieve this.

First, letÔÇÖs talk about the mechanics. The Merchant prefers the Forest biome and likes to live near the Golfer and the Nurse. He dislikes living in the Desert or Snow biome and does not like being near the Tax Collector or the Angler. If you place him in a biome he dislikes or near NPCs he dislikes, his happiness will decrease, and his prices will go up. Conversely, placing him in a biome he likes and near NPCs he likes will increase his happiness and lower his prices.

To start, you need to create a suitable house for the Merchant in the Forest biome. The Forest biome is the default biome where you start the game, so this should be relatively easy. Build a house using wood or other materials, ensuring it meets the basic requirements for NPC housing: it must have walls, a chair, a table, a light source, and be enclosed. Once the house is ready, assign the Merchant to it.

Next, you need to place the Golfer and the Nurse nearby. The Golfer can be found in the Underground Desert, and you need to rescue him by defeating enemies in that biome. Once rescued, he will move into an available house. The Nurse is one of the early NPCs who will move in once you have a suitable house and your character has more than 100 health. Place both the Golfer and the Nurse in houses close to the MerchantÔÇÖs house, ideally within 25 tiles.

Now, letÔÇÖs discuss some important tips and considerations. Make sure the Merchant is not too close to NPCs he dislikes, such as the Tax Collector or the Angler. If these NPCs are nearby, the MerchantÔÇÖs happiness will decrease. Also, avoid placing the Merchant in biomes he dislikes, such as the Desert or Snow biome. If you need to place him in a different biome temporarily, make sure to move him back to the Forest biome as soon as possible.

Common mistakes to avoid include placing the Merchant in a biome he dislikes or near NPCs he dislikes. Another mistake is not checking the distance between NPCs. If the Merchant is too far from the Golfer or the Nurse, his happiness will not increase. Always ensure the NPCs are within 25 tiles of each other.

For advanced techniques, you can optimize the placement of NPCs to maximize happiness for multiple characters. For example, you can create a small town in the Forest biome with the Merchant, Golfer, and Nurse living close together. This setup not only makes the Merchant happy but also benefits the other NPCs, as they will also have preferred neighbors and biomes.

Resource requirements and preparation are minimal. You need basic building materials like wood, stone, and torches to create houses. If you want to decorate the houses, you can use furniture and other decorative items, but these are not necessary for NPC happiness.

Class and equipment considerations are not directly related to NPC happiness, but having a well-equipped character will help you gather resources and build houses more efficiently. For example, a character with a good pickaxe and axe will make building and gathering materials faster.

In specific scenarios, if you are playing in a world where the Forest biome is not easily accessible, you can create an artificial Forest biome by planting enough trees and grass. This will allow you to place the Merchant in a Forest biome even if the natural one is far away.

In conclusion, making the Merchant happy in Terraria involves placing him in the Forest biome and near the Golfer and the Nurse. Avoid placing him in biomes he dislikes or near NPCs he dislikes. By following these steps and tips, you can ensure the Merchant is happy, which will result in lower prices and access to unique items.