NPCs


 * For a complete list of NPC names, see NPC names.

An NPC (Non-Player Character) is a friendly automated character that provides some service to players. Players can utilize NPCs by standing near them and using the button on them. Most NPCs are vendors, selling items to players in exchange for coins, and can be sold items by a player in order to obtain coins. Most NPCs also have an attack method, which they will use to defend themselves against enemies in the vicinity. Some NPCs also perform other functions.

Most NPCs are "Town" NPCs, appearing after various milestones are achieved in game advancement (details below). They move into structures the player must generally build, known as Houses, which are generally required for Town NPCs to remain available.

Town NPCs that have moved into Houses reduce enemy spawn rates in the area, an effect that increases the more of them are present. With four or more Town NPCs in close proximity, enemies generally stop spawning on or near the visible screen altogether. Players tend to utilize this effect by building large structures ("Towns" or "Bases") with several integrated Houses, to serve as their safe haven. These reductions are usually overridden by Events like Blood Moons or Goblin Invasions, during which spawn rates return to normal, or are elevated, and enemies will once again attack players and NPC's in the area.

Town NPCs generally walk around during the day. Occasionally, they sit in Chairs and "talk" to each other, or to the player (shown as mouth movement and speech bubbles). They remain still in their assigned Houses at night. NPC's have limited health and can take damage, and ultimately die from, enemies, Traps, or Lava; though they cannot be attacked directly by players (outside of special Voodoo Doll accessories or Rotten Eggs). Their health regenerates over time, and if killed, they will also respawn following a delay, as long as a suitable vacant House is still available.

There are currently 22/21/20 Town NPC's, 7/6 of whom normally appear in Hardmode. An additional 3/2 NPC's can be encountered that don't move into Houses.

Housing
Each Town NPC requires a suitable, vacant House. A House is a confined room enclosed by a frame of blocks, along with a table and chair. Certain types of furniture are required, as well as certain room dimensions (see House for full details). Houses must not be located near Corruption or Crimson, and if those spread too close to an occupied House, the NPC living there may move out.

Town NPCs' home assignments can be rearranged using NPC Flags from the Housing Menu, where players can also check whether a room is a suitable House.

The Guide and Old Man are unique in that they always spawn upon creating a world. The Guide will also move into the first House you build. If he dies, he will need a proper House to respawn. The Old Man does not move into a House, but always appears near the Dungeon's entrance, and respawns the following day if killed (When Skeletron hasn't been defeated).

If a House occupied by an NPC is damaged in a way that makes it invalid, the NPC will move out and walk around the area until a suitable House is restored. If killed, the NPC will respawn again whenever a new House becomes available.

Buying and Selling
Items can be bought simply by right-clicking an NPC and taking items from their inventory while their cost in coins is available in the player's inventory. Holding the right mouse button will allow the player to buy an item in bulk, so long as the item is stackable. The buy speed increases the longer the right-click button is held.

Some NPC's sell biome-specific items when they are located in certain biomes; this can be done by housing them there, or by teleporting them with a King or Queen Statue.

All NPC vendors can also be used to sell your unwanted or surplus items to gain coins, simply by placing your unwanted item(s) in their inventory. Items are always sold to vendors at one-fifth their purchase price. Not all items have a sell value (very common items such as Dirt or Wood have no value). Hovering over your item while the NPC's inventory is open will display its sell value.

Should you change your mind about a sale? Sold items can be taken back in exchange for the amount you sold them for, as long you haven't yet closed the NPC's inventory screen. This does not hold true for returning bought items, which must be sold back at their standard sell rate of one-fifth the purchase price.

All NPC vendors buy and sell at the same price. Some item prices can be decreased by equipping a Discount Card, which is a rare drop from Pirate Invasions.

Town NPCs
Listed in the order in which they are generally likely to be acquired.

Pre-Hardmode

 * *Sells additional items during Halloween, Christmas, and during the Blood Moon Event.

Hardmode

 * *Sells additional items during Halloween

Other NPC's
The following NPC's are not considered town NPC's because they do not move into houses.

Achievements
No Hobo is the achievement you earn when you successfully make your first NPC house and an NPC moves into it ( only).

Real Estate Agent is the achievement you earn when all NPCs (excluding the Traveling Merchant, Skeleton Merchant, Old Man, and Santa Claus) are living in your world ( only).

All in the Family is the achievement you earn when all NPCs (excluding the Traveling Merchant, Old Man, and Santa Claus) have moved into your world ( only).

History
PNJ Неигровые персонажи