What are the best NPC housing layouts for Pylons in Terraria?

To achieve the best NPC housing layouts for Pylons in Terraria, you need to understand the mechanics of NPC happiness and how it affects Pylon functionality. Pylons are special teleportation devices that allow fast travel between biomes, but they only work if the NPCs in the area are happy. Happiness is determined by two main factors: the biome the NPC is in and the NPCs they are near. Each NPC has preferred biomes and neighbors, and being in a disliked biome or near disliked NPCs will reduce their happiness. When NPCs are happy, they sell Pylons, which can be placed to create a network of fast travel points across your world.

To start, you need to plan your housing layout carefully. Each biome should have at least two NPCs who like each other and the biome. For example, the Guide and the Zoologist both like the Forest biome and enjoy each other's company. Placing them together in the Forest will keep them happy and allow you to purchase the Forest Pylon. Similarly, the Merchant and the Nurse like the Forest biome and get along well, making them another good pair for the Forest Pylon. The key is to pair NPCs who have positive relationships and prefer the same biome.

When building housing, ensure each NPC has a valid room. A valid room must be at least 6 blocks wide and 10 blocks tall, with walls, a light source, a table, and a chair. The room should also have a door or platform entrance. You can stack rooms vertically or horizontally, but make sure they are close enough to count as being in the same biome. For Pylons, the NPCs must be within 25 tiles of each other horizontally and 45 tiles vertically. This range ensures they are considered neighbors for happiness purposes.

A common mistake is placing too many NPCs in one area, which can lead to overcrowding and reduced happiness. Each biome should ideally have only two or three NPCs to maintain high happiness levels. Overcrowding can also make it difficult to place Pylons, as they require a clear area to function. Another mistake is ignoring NPC preferences. For example, placing the Arms Dealer in the Forest biome will make him unhappy, as he prefers the Desert. Always check the NPC's preferred biome and neighbors before placing them.

Advanced techniques involve optimizing your housing layout for both happiness and convenience. For example, you can create a central hub with Pylons leading to different biomes. This hub can be in the Forest biome, as it is the most neutral and easiest to manage. From there, you can place Pylons in other biomes like the Desert, Snow, Jungle, and Ocean. Each biome should have its own pair of NPCs to maintain happiness and Pylon functionality. You can also use teleporters or minecart tracks to connect distant biomes, but Pylons are the most efficient method for fast travel.

Resource requirements for building NPC housing are minimal. You will need basic building materials like wood, stone, and torches. For more advanced builds, you can use biome-specific blocks to match the theme of the area. For example, use sandstone blocks in the Desert or ice blocks in the Snow biome. Crafting stations like the workbench and sawmill are essential for creating furniture and walls. You can also use paint to customize the appearance of your buildings, but this is purely cosmetic and does not affect NPC happiness.

Class and equipment considerations are not directly related to NPC housing, but having a strong character can help you gather resources and defend your base during events. A melee character with high defense is useful for mining and building, while a ranged or magic character can handle enemies from a distance. Always carry a pickaxe, axe, and hammer for building and mining. Having a grappling hook or wings can help you navigate your base and place Pylons in hard-to-reach areas.

Specific examples of good NPC pairs include the Arms Dealer and the Nurse in the Desert biome, the Demolitionist and the Tavernkeep in the Underground biome, and the Witch Doctor and the Dryad in the Jungle biome. These pairs have positive relationships and prefer their respective biomes, making them ideal for Pylon placement. By carefully planning your housing layout and considering NPC preferences, you can create a network of Pylons that allows for fast and efficient travel across your Terraria world.