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Goblin Tinkerer
Goblin TinkererOld-gen console version and Nintendo 3DS version
Map Icon Goblin Tinkerer
Map Icon
Classic mode icon Classic
Expert mode icon Expert
Master mode icon Master
Statistics
Type
Environment
AI TypePassive AI
Damage152226 (Spiky Ball) [1]
Max Life250
Defense15
KB Resist50%

The Goblin Tinkerer is an NPC that sells several unique items, as well as providing the Reforge function. He can be acquired after a Goblin Army has been defeated, spawning randomly in open areas in the Cavern layer (Underground layer in the Don't Dig Up and Everything seeds.) He will appear to be bound at first, and like the Mechanic, Wizard, Golfer, Tavernkeep, Angler, and Stylist, talking to him in this state will free him. He will then respawn as long as a vacant House is available.

The Goblin Tinkerer's reforge option allows the player to randomize the Modifier for a weapon or accessory, which can make the item better or worse than it was originally. Reforges cost one-third of the item's current value, which can also be affected by its current modifier. The reforge cost is also affected by the Goblin Tinkerer's Happiness, and can be decreased by equipping a Discount Card or Greedy Ring.[2]

The modifiers of items used in crafting have no effect on the crafted item's modifier. Any modifier given to the newly crafted item will be completely random.

On the PC version PC version, Console version Console version, Mobile version Mobile version, Old Chinese version Old Chinese version, tModLoader version tModLoader version, and tModLoader 1 tModLoader 1.3-Legacy version when threatened by enemies, the Goblin Tinkerer will defend himself by throwing Spiky Balls, which behave like those thrown by the player and deal 15 / 22 / 26 damage at the start of the game, and (on the PC version PC version, Console version Console version, Mobile version Mobile version, and tModLoader version tModLoader version) as players progress he will gain various stat increases.[1]

The Goblin Tinkerer prefers to be in the Cavern layer or with the Mechanic.

The Bound Goblin is one of the few entities that can be detected by the Lifeform Analyzer or its upgrades.

Items sold[]

Note: All item prices can be decreased by equipping a Discount Card or Greedy Ring. On the PC version PC version, Console version Console version, Mobile version Mobile version, and tModLoader version tModLoader version, prices can also be higher or lower based on the NPC's happiness level.
Inventory
Item Cost Availability

Rocket BootsRocket Boots 5 Always available.
RulerRuler 10
1
Always available.
Tinkerer's WorkshopTinkerer's Workshop 10 Always available.
Grappling HookGrappling Hook 2 Always available.
ToolbeltToolbelt 10 Always available.
Spiky BallSpiky Ball 80 Always available.
RubblemakerRubblemaker 25 When the Wall of Flesh has been defeated.
Any PylonAny Pylon 10 When in a specific biome and is happy enough.

Living preferences []

BiomeNeighbor
Lovesn/a
Dislikes
Hatesn/a

For more information, see NPC happiness.

Shimmered form []

Goblin Tinkerer (Shimmered) Map Icon Goblin Tinkerer (Shimmered)
Shimmered Goblin Tinkerer and his Map Icon.

When submerged in Shimmer, the Goblin Tinkerer will transform into his Shimmered form. This has no impact on gameplay or dialogue and is only a visual change. He can be returned to his classic look by submerging him in Shimmer again.


Names[]

The Goblin Tinkerer may have any of the following names:

  • Arback
  • Dalek
  • Darz
  • Durnok
  • Fahd
  • Fjell
  • Gnudar
  • Grodax
  • Knogs
  • Knub
  • Mobart
  • Mrunok
  • Negurk
  • Nort
  • Nuxatk
  • Ragz
  • Sarx
  • Smador
  • Stazen
  • Stezom
  • Tgerd
  • Tkanus
  • Trogem
  • Xanos
  • Xon

Tips[]

  • Before the Goblin Tinkerer has been rescued, the Bound Goblin periodically spawns near the player as they travel the Cavern layer, despawning if they get too far away. Therefore, spending hours clearing the map and searching every tunnel is unnecessary.
  • Consuming a Hunter Potion will cause the Bound Goblin to light up, making him easier to find.
  • While the Bound Goblin can be found in any open area underground, bound NPCs may be easier for players to find in the Dungeon, as it is an expansive and easily navigated underground space. NPCs can also be found in the Jungle Temple.
  • As a cost saving measure, it is beneficial to make the Goblin Tinkerer as happy as possible, so his Reforges cost less.
  • Avoid reforging items that will be combined at the Tinkerer's Workshop because any modifiers are lost in the combining.
  • When practical, bring two of the item to be reforged: Reforge one until the modifier is decent, then swap and reforge the other until the modifier is better. That way, if you run out of money, you aren't stuck with a bad modifier.

Quotes[]

Interaction quotes[]

  • When Mechanic is present:

    • "Hey...what's <name of Mechanic> up to? Have you...have you talked to her, by chance?"

    When Stylist is present:

    • "I tried to visit <name of Stylist> one time. She just looked at me and said 'nope.'"

    When rescued

    • "Thank you for freeing me, human. I was tied up and left here by the other goblins. You could say that we didn't get along very well."

    When homeless:

    • "I can't believe they tied me up and left me here just for pointing out that they weren't going east!"
    • "Now that I'm an outcast, can I throw away the spiked balls? My pockets hurt."
    • "Looking for a gadgets expert? I'm your goblin!"
    • "Thanks for your help. Now, I have to finish pacing around aimlessly here. I'm sure we'll meet again."
    • "I thought you'd be taller."

    During the day:

    • "Goblins are surprisingly easy to anger. In fact, they could start a war over cloth!"
    • "To be honest, most goblins aren't exactly rocket scientists. Well, some are."
    • "Do you know why we all carry around these spiked balls? Because I don't."
    • "I just finished my newest creation! This version doesn't explode violently if you breathe on it too hard."
    • "Goblin thieves aren't very good at their job. They can't even steal from an unlocked chest!"

    At night:

    • "Hey, does your hat need a motor? I think I have a motor that would fit exactly in that hat."
    • "Yo, I heard you like rockets and running boots, so I put some rockets in your running boots." (see Trivia below)
    • "Silence is golden. Duct tape is silver."
    • "YES, gold is stronger than iron. What are they teaching these humans nowadays?"
    • "You know, that mining helmet-flipper combination was a much better idea on paper."

    During a Party:

    • "Goblin parties are a lot like humans. They both have games like "Pin the Blame on the Human" er... I don't play that game at my parties."

    When Tier 1 of the Old One's Army has been defeated:

    • "You know, these Etherian Goblins are nothing like my people. Really rowdy bunch. Not that my people are much better..."

    During a Windy Day:

    • "This weather is the reason why I wear goggles! I can't have dirt and sand blowing in my eyes."
    • "Now would be a great time to tinker a pinwheel accessory!"

    During Rain :

    • "All this rainfall makes it hard to see. I should tinker my goggles with a pair of windshield wipers."
    • "Humans are a lot taller than goblins. When it floods, we are always in big trouble!"

    During a Thunderstorm:

    • "I'm working on an invention that will harness the energy being released around us!"
    • "Most goblins hate thunderstorms. Probably because they carry so many spiky balls."

    When in a Graveyard:

    • "I'm working on a Photon Sack. It's an invention to trap all the ghasts lurking around outside!"
    • "The constant moaning and ear-piercing screeching noises are distracting me from my work!"
  • Happiness quotes []

  • When homeless:

    • "Goblins don't normally need nice homes, but I'm not like most goblins."

    When neutral:

    • "Feelings are currently nominal."

    When far from home:

    • "I want to work on my new invention, but my house is way over there!"

    When in a sparse area:

    • "Perfect, the lack of annoying neighbors adequately meet my needs."

    When overcrowded:

    • "There appears to be an unlikeable amount of humans gathering around me, hm?"
    • "This crowding triggers bad memories of goblin war camps, I really hate it."

    When in the Caverns:

    • "Ahh, the Underground is a nice, quiet place to construct more gadgets. Major like-age!"

    When in the Jungle:

    • "I don't like the Jungle, it is filled with loud, annoying pests that get in the way of my work!"

    When in an Evil biome or the Dungeon:

    • "I hate the Corruption/Crimson/Dungeon, I cannot put merge these trinkets into one piece if I'm fighting to keep myself that way!" [sic]

    When near the Mechanic:

    • "<name of Mechanic> makes my cardiac core function improperly, it appears I love how that feels!"

    When near the Dye Trader:

    • "<name of Dye Trader> understands how fun it is to mix things together, I can respect that!"

    When near the Clothier:

    • I detect eerie vibes from <name of Clothier>, as if they contain dark secrets. I don't like the feeling."

    When near the Stylist:

    • I really hate how <name of Stylist> humiliated me, all because male goblins cannot grow real hair!"

    When near the Princess:

    • "<name of Princess> likes my inventions, and says all friendly goblins are welcome!"
  • Trivia[]

    • He is the only goblin who has round ears. Also, his glasses do not rest on top of his ears.
    • As evidenced by some of his quotes, the Goblin Tinkerer has a crush on the Mechanic, and, referenced by some of her quotes, she has a crush on him too.
      • This is also proven by his happiness quote, "<Name of Mechanic> makes my cardiac core function improperly, it appears I love how that feels!"
      • It is possible that his hate of the Clothier stems from the fact that the Mechanic and Clothier hate each other (see Mechanic and Clothier living preferences).
    • The Goblin Tinkerer and the Mechanic can be seen together in the Terrarian Gothic painting.
    • The quote, "Yo, I heard you like rockets and running boots, so I put some rockets in your running boots." is a reference to the Xzibit "Yo Dawg" meme. It is also a reference to how the Tinkerer's Workshop can combine Rocket Boots with running boots (Hermes Boots, Flurry Boots, Dunerider Boots, or Sailfish Boots).
    • His quote, "I'm working on a Photon Sack. It's an invention to trap all the ghasts lurking around outside!" is likely a reference to the movie Ghostbusters, as in the movie the protagonists wield Proton Packs to trap ghosts.
    • One of his names, "Dalek", is a reference to the British show Doctor Who. The Daleks are an antagonistic race famed for their advances in technology and desire to exterminate all "inferior" beings.
    • One of his names, "Gnudar", is possibly a reference to Futurama, as there is an alien known by the name Nudar featured as an antagonist in one of the movies.
    • The quote "YES, gold is stronger than iron. What are they teaching these humans nowadays?" is a reference to the fact that gold is stronger than iron in Terraria, though iron is more durable in real life.
    • Unlike other goblins, the Goblin Tinkerer doesn't drop his weapon (Spiky Balls) if he dies. Ironically, he is also the only goblin to actually use Spiky Balls as a weapon.
    • The quote, "Goblins are surprisingly easy to anger. In fact, they could start a war over cloth!" is a reference to the Goblin Battle Standard, one of the ways you can summon the Goblin Army event.

    The BestiaryBestiary entry for the Goblin Tinkerer: "Exiled from the rest of goblinkind for being an intelligent pacifist, the Tinkerer sells tools for combining accessories into stronger versions."

    History[]

    • Desktop 1.3.5: Fixed Goblin Tinkerer being slightly smaller than intended.

    References[]

    1. 1.0 1.1 Information taken from the PC version PC 1.4.0.5 source code, method AI_007_TownEntities() in Terraria.NPC.cs. There may be inaccuracies, as the current PC version PC version is 1.4.4.9.
    2. Information taken from the PC version PC 1.4.0.5 source code, method DrawInventory() in Terraria.Main.cs (under if (InReforgeMenu)) There may be inaccuracies, as the current PC version PC version is 1.4.4.9.
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