What are the best NPC pairings for mid-game discounts in Terraria?

In Terraria, NPC happiness is a crucial mechanic that directly impacts the prices of items sold by NPCs, as well as their willingness to sell certain items. By pairing NPCs with their preferred neighbors and placing them in their favored biomes, you can maximize their happiness, which results in significant discounts on their goods. This is especially important in the mid-game, where resources are still somewhat limited, and every coin saved can be used to purchase better gear or materials for crafting.

The happiness system works by assigning each NPC a set of preferences for biomes and neighbors. When an NPC is placed in a biome they like and near NPCs they enjoy, their happiness increases. Conversely, placing them in disliked biomes or near disliked NPCs will decrease their happiness. Happiness levels affect the prices of items sold by NPCs, with higher happiness leading to discounts of up to 20%. Additionally, some NPCs will only sell certain items if they are happy enough.

To achieve the best NPC pairings for mid-game discounts, you need to consider both biome preferences and neighbor preferences. For example, the Arms Dealer prefers the Desert biome and likes to live near the Nurse. The Nurse, in turn, prefers the Hallow biome and likes to live near the Arms Dealer. By placing these two NPCs together in a Desert biome, you can maximize their happiness and get the best discounts from both.

Another effective pairing is the Goblin Tinkerer and the Mechanic. The Goblin Tinkerer prefers the Underground biome and likes to live near the Mechanic. The Mechanic prefers the Snow biome and likes to live near the Goblin Tinkerer. Placing these two together in an Underground Snow biome will keep them both happy and provide you with discounted prices for their services.

The Dryad and the Witch Doctor are another great pair. The Dryad prefers the Jungle biome and likes to live near the Witch Doctor. The Witch Doctor also prefers the Jungle biome and likes to live near the Dryad. Placing these two together in a Jungle biome will ensure they are both happy and offer you the best prices.

To set up these pairings, you need to create suitable housing in the appropriate biomes. Start by identifying the biomes you want to use and clearing out space for NPC houses. Use blocks and walls that match the biome to ensure the game recognizes the area correctly. For example, in the Desert biome, use Sandstone Bricks and Palm Wood Walls. In the Jungle biome, use Rich Mahogany and Jungle Grass Walls.

Once the houses are built, assign the NPCs to their respective homes. You can do this by opening the housing menu and clicking on the house you want to assign. Make sure to place the NPCs close to each other to maximize their happiness. If you need to move NPCs around, you can use the housing menu to reassign them to different houses.

It's important to avoid common mistakes when setting up NPC pairings. One mistake is placing too many NPCs in one area, which can lead to overcrowding and decreased happiness. Each NPC needs enough space to feel comfortable, so spread out your houses accordingly. Another mistake is ignoring biome preferences. Even if NPCs like each other, placing them in a disliked biome will decrease their happiness. Always check the NPC's preferences before assigning them to a house.

Advanced techniques include creating mini-biomes within your main base. For example, you can create a small Jungle biome near your main base by planting Jungle Grass Seeds and using Jungle-themed blocks and walls. This allows you to keep certain NPCs happy without having to travel far. You can also use Pylons to create fast travel points between different biomes, making it easier to manage your NPCs and access their discounted goods.

Resource requirements for setting up NPC pairings include building materials, furniture, and biome-specific blocks. You will need a variety of materials to create the houses and ensure they match the biome. For example, in the Snow biome, you will need Ice Blocks and Snow Bricks. In the Desert biome, you will need Sandstone Bricks and Palm Wood. Make sure to gather these materials before starting your construction.

Class and equipment considerations are minimal when setting up NPC pairings, as this is primarily a building and management task. However, having a good pickaxe or drill can help you gather materials more efficiently. Additionally, having a Magic Mirror or Recall Potion can help you quickly return to your base if you need to make adjustments.

In summary, achieving the best NPC pairings for mid-game discounts in Terraria involves understanding the happiness system, creating suitable housing in preferred biomes, and placing NPCs near their liked neighbors. By following these steps and avoiding common mistakes, you can maximize NPC happiness and enjoy significant discounts on their goods. Advanced techniques like creating mini-biomes and using Pylons can further optimize your setup, making it easier to manage your NPCs and access their discounted items. With proper preparation and resource management, you can create a thriving town that benefits your mid-game progression.