What are the best NPC housing designs for pre-boss Terraria?

In pre-boss Terraria, setting up efficient and effective NPC housing is crucial for managing your town and ensuring NPCs are happy. NPC happiness affects their prices, and keeping them content can save you money and unlock unique items. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide on how to create the best NPC housing designs for this stage of the game.

First, letÔÇÖs discuss the mechanics of NPC housing. NPCs require a valid house to move in, which must meet specific criteria. A valid house must have walls, a light source, a flat surface item (like a table or workbench), a comfort item (like a chair), and a door or other entrance. The house must also be enclosed and have enough space for the NPC to move around. NPC happiness is influenced by the biome they live in and the NPCs they are near. Each NPC has preferred biomes and neighbors, and placing them in the right environment with the right neighbors will increase their happiness.

To start, gather the necessary resources for building. YouÔÇÖll need wood, stone, and other basic materials like torches and furniture. Wood is the most accessible material early in the game, so use it to build the basic structure of your houses. Stone bricks or other materials can be used for more durable and aesthetically pleasing designs. Make sure to gather enough materials to build multiple houses, as youÔÇÖll need to accommodate several NPCs.

When designing your housing, consider the layout and spacing. NPCs prefer to live in biomes they like, so plan your town accordingly. For example, the Guide prefers the Forest biome, while the Merchant prefers the Desert. You can create separate housing clusters in different biomes to maximize happiness. Each house should be at least 6 blocks wide and 10 blocks tall to provide enough space for the NPC and their furniture. Leave at least 3 blocks of space between houses to prevent overcrowding.

To build a basic house, start by creating a rectangular frame using wood or stone. Place walls inside the frame, ensuring there are no gaps. Add a door or platform entrance, a table or workbench, a chair, and a light source like a torch. Make sure the house is fully enclosed and has a solid background wall. Repeat this process for each NPC you want to house.

Here are some important tips and considerations. First, avoid placing NPCs in biomes they dislike, as this will decrease their happiness. For example, the Guide dislikes the Snow biome, so avoid placing his house there. Second, pay attention to NPC preferences for neighbors. Some NPCs like each other, while others dislike or even hate each other. For example, the Nurse and the Arms Dealer like each other, so placing them near each other will increase their happiness. On the other hand, the Merchant and the Tax Collector dislike each other, so keep them apart.

Common mistakes to avoid include overcrowding NPCs in a single biome or house. Overcrowding can lead to decreased happiness and higher prices. Another mistake is not providing enough space or furniture in the house, which can make it invalid. Always double-check that each house meets the requirements before assigning an NPC to it.

Advanced techniques include creating themed housing clusters in different biomes. For example, you can build a Forest village for the Guide and the Zoologist, a Desert village for the Merchant and the Dye Trader, and an Underground village for the Demolitionist and the Goblin Tinkerer. This not only maximizes happiness but also adds aesthetic appeal to your world.

Resource requirements and preparation are straightforward. Gather wood, stone, and other basic materials early in the game. YouÔÇÖll also need torches, tables, chairs, and doors for each house. As you progress, you can upgrade your houses with better materials and furniture.

Class and equipment considerations are minimal for housing, but having a good pickaxe and axe will help you gather materials faster. A ranged or melee weapon is also useful for defending your town from enemies.

In specific scenarios, you might need to adapt your housing designs. For example, if youÔÇÖre playing in a Corruption or Crimson world, youÔÇÖll need to build houses away from these biomes to prevent NPCs from moving out. Similarly, if youÔÇÖre playing in a small world, you might need to build vertically to save space.

In conclusion, creating the best NPC housing designs in pre-boss Terraria involves understanding NPC preferences, gathering the right resources, and building efficient and aesthetically pleasing houses. By following these steps and tips, you can ensure your NPCs are happy and your town thrives.