What are the best NPC happiness combinations for discounts in Terraria?

In Terraria, NPC happiness is a system that affects the prices of items sold by NPCs, as well as their willingness to sell certain items. When NPCs are happy, they offer discounts on their goods, which can significantly reduce the cost of purchasing items, especially in the late game when items can be very expensive. To maximize NPC happiness and achieve the best discounts, you need to understand the mechanics of NPC preferences, biomes, and neighbor relationships.

NPC happiness is influenced by two main factors: the biome they live in and the NPCs they are housed near. Each NPC has preferred biomes and neighbors, as well as disliked biomes and neighbors. For example, the Guide prefers the Forest biome and likes living with the Zoologist, but dislikes the Merchant. When an NPC is in a preferred biome and near a liked neighbor, their happiness increases, leading to discounts. Conversely, if they are in a disliked biome or near a disliked neighbor, their happiness decreases, and prices go up.

To achieve the best NPC happiness combinations, you need to carefully plan your town layout. Start by identifying the preferred biomes and neighbors for each NPC. You can find this information in the Terraria wiki or by experimenting in-game. Once you know the preferences, you can begin building houses in the appropriate biomes and placing NPCs near their preferred neighbors. For example, the Nurse prefers the Hallow biome and likes living with the Arms Dealer. Placing them together in the Hallow will increase their happiness and provide discounts.

One effective strategy is to create multiple small towns in different biomes, each housing a group of NPCs that like each other and the biome. For example, you could have a Forest town with the Guide, Zoologist, and Merchant, a Desert town with the Dye Trader, Stylist, and Painter, and a Hallow town with the Nurse and Arms Dealer. This way, you can ensure that each NPC is in a biome they like and near neighbors they prefer.

When building houses, make sure they meet the basic requirements for NPC housing. Each house must have walls, a chair, a table, and a light source. The house must also be in a valid biome and not too close to Corruption or Crimson, as these biomes can prevent NPCs from moving in. Additionally, avoid overcrowding NPCs in a single area, as this can lead to decreased happiness. Spread out your houses to give each NPC enough space.

One common mistake is placing NPCs in biomes they dislike or near neighbors they dislike. This can lead to increased prices and reduced happiness. Always double-check the preferences of each NPC before placing them in a house. Another mistake is neglecting to build houses in multiple biomes. Focusing on a single biome can limit your ability to maximize happiness for all NPCs.

Advanced techniques include using pylons to create a fast travel network between your towns. Pylons are special items that allow you to teleport between biomes, but they only work if the NPCs in the area are happy. By setting up pylons in each of your towns, you can quickly travel between biomes and manage your NPCs more efficiently.

Resource requirements for building towns include wood, stone, and other basic building materials. You may also need biome-specific blocks to create the appropriate environment for each town. For example, you will need Pearlstone blocks to create a Hallow biome. Preparation involves gathering these materials and planning your town layouts in advance.

Class and equipment considerations are minimal for NPC happiness, as it primarily involves building and town management. However, having a good pickaxe and building tools can make the process faster and more efficient. Additionally, having a high movement speed and flight ability can help you travel between towns quickly.

Specific examples of optimal NPC happiness combinations include the Guide and Zoologist in the Forest biome, the Nurse and Arms Dealer in the Hallow biome, and the Dye Trader and Stylist in the Desert biome. These combinations ensure that each NPC is in a preferred biome and near a liked neighbor, maximizing their happiness and providing the best discounts.

In conclusion, achieving the best NPC happiness combinations in Terraria requires careful planning, understanding of NPC preferences, and strategic town building. By creating multiple towns in different biomes, placing NPCs near their preferred neighbors, and avoiding common mistakes, you can maximize NPC happiness and enjoy significant discounts on items. Advanced techniques like using pylons can further enhance your town management, making it easier to maintain happy NPCs across your world.