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NPCs, NPC Towns and the Pylon system
Terraria

NPCs, NPC Towns and the Pylon system

Terraria NPC guide detailing spawning conditions, preferred biomes, and items sold. Learn about the Pylon system and how to unlock each NPC.

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Terraria NPC guide detailing spawning conditions, preferred biomes, and items sold. Learn about the Pylon system and how to unlock each NPC.

NPCs

NPCs (Non-Player Characters) are crucial in Terraria, each possessing distinct uses, inventories, and spawning requirements. Understanding these conditions is key to progressing.

Pre-Hardmode NPCs

  • Guide: Spawns when a new world is created. Prefers the Forest biome. Offers crafting tips and recipe information via the 'Help' option.
  • Merchant: Spawns when you or all players collectively possess 50 silver coins. Prefers the Forest biome. Sells items like the Piggy Bank, basic potions, and the Bugnet.
  • Nurse: Spawns when you have over 100 health. Prefers the Hallow biome. Heals you and removes debuffs for a cost that scales with missing health.
  • Demolitionist: Spawns when you have an explosive item (grenade, bomb, dynamite) in your inventory. Prefers the Underground biome. Sells explosives.
  • Dye Trader: Spawns when you possess a dye item or an item used to craft dyes. Prefers the Desert biome. Sells the Dye crafting station.
  • Angler: Spawns automatically and is found in Ocean biomes. Accepts one fishing quest per in-game day, rewarding fishing accessories, potions, bait, and useful items upon completion.
  • Zoologist: Spawns when you have completed 10% of the bestiary (52 entries). Prefers the Forest biome. Sells critter-related items.
  • Dryad: Spawns after defeating any boss except King Slime. Prefers the Jungle biome. Sells nature items, Corruption/Crimson items, and provides a defensive buff in a large area. Can also report world biome percentages.
  • Painter: Spawns when you have acquired 8 other NPCs. Prefers the Jungle biome. Sells paints, painting tools, and furniture.
  • Golfer: Spawns automatically and must be found and rescued in the Underground Desert. Prefers the Forest biome. Sells golfing items for the golf minigame.
  • Arms Dealer: Spawns when you have bullets or a bullet-shooting gun in your inventory. Prefers the Desert biome. Sells guns and bullets.
  • Tavernkeep: Spawns in Hardmode after defeating the Eater of Worlds or Brain of Cthulhu. Must be found and rescued. Prefers the Hallow biome. Offers access to the Old One's Army event and sells related items and rewards.
  • Stylist: Spawns on world creation. Must be found and rescued in a Spider Cave mini-biome. Prefers the Ocean biome. Sells hair dyes and can change your hairstyle.
  • Goblin Tinkerer: Spawns after defeating the Goblin Invasion event once. Prefers the Underground biome. Sells the Tinkerer's Workshop, Rocket Boots, and offers the Reforge service to reroll equipment modifiers.
  • Witch Doctor: Spawns after defeating Queen Bee. Prefers the Jungle biome. Sells the Imbuing Station, Leaf Wings (in Hardmode), summoner items, and fountains.
  • Clothier: Spawns after defeating Skeletron. Prefers the Underground biome. Sells vanity items and can be interacted with again to re-fight Skeletron.
  • Mechanic: Found in the Dungeon after defeating Skeletron once. Prefers the Snow biome. Sells the Wrench, Wires, and other mechanic-related items.
  • Party Girl: Has a 1/40 chance of spawning when you have acquired 14 other NPCs. Prefers the Hallow biome. Sells novelty items.

Hardmode NPCs

  • Wizard: Spawns in Hardmode in the Cavern Layer. Prefers the Hallow biome. Sells magic items, including the Crystal Ball buffing station.
  • Tax Collector: Acquired by using Purification Powder on a Tortured Soul enemy in the Underworld. Prefers the Snow biome. Collects money from other NPCs, up to a cap of 10 gold coins for you to collect.
  • Truffle: Spawns when a house is built in a Surface Mushroom Biome. Prefers the Surface Mushroom biome. Sells mushroom-themed items and the Autohammer crafting station.
  • Pirate: Spawns after defeating the Pirate Invasion event. Prefers the Ocean biome. Sells the Cannon and other pirate-themed items.
  • Steampunker: Spawns after defeating a mechanical boss. Prefers the Desert biome. Sells the Clentaminator for cleansing corruption, Teleports, mechanism items, and the Jetpack wings accessory.
  • Cyborg: Spawns after defeating Plantera. Prefers the Snow biome. Sells rocket launchers, rockets, and nanites.
  • Santa Claus: Spawns after defeating the Frost Legion event. Prefers the Snow biome. Sells the Santa costume and Christmas-themed items.

Other NPCs (Temporary Spawns)

  • Old Man: Spawns at the Dungeon entrance when the world is created. Interacting with him and choosing to lift the curse initiates the Skeletron boss fight. He respawns as the Clothier after Skeletron is defeated.
  • Traveling Merchant: Has a 22% chance to spawn daily between 4:30 AM and 12:00 PM. Sells a rotating stock of various random items.
  • Skeletron Merchant: Randomly spawns in the Cavern Layer. Sells items like the Counterweight for yoyos, Spelunker Glowsticks, Magic Lantern, and the yoyo glove.

Pylon System

While not detailed in the source text, the Pylon system in Terraria allows for fast travel between different biomes once specific NPC (non-player character — anyone the game controls, not you) housing and happiness requirements are met.

Tips
  • Pay attention to NPC preferred biomes, as housing them in these locations can increase their happiness and potentially unlock better stock or services.
  • The Guide's 'Help' feature is invaluable for discovering crafting recipes early on.
  • The Traveling Merchant offers a wide variety of items, so check their stock regularly.
  • Defeating bosses is often a prerequisite for unlocking new NPCs, so prioritize boss progression.

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