Is the Tax Collector Immune to Lava in Terraria?
The short, direct answer is: No, the Tax Collector is not immune to lava in Terraria. Despite his origins in the Underworld and his association with fire, the Tax Collector is just as vulnerable to environmental hazards, including lava, as any other town NPC. While it might seem logical that an NPC spawned from a tormented soul in the fiery depths would be resistant to lava, that isn’t the case within the game mechanics. He will take damage and perish if submerged in lava, just like other NPCs. This makes his potential for survival in the Underworld without a player’s protection very limited.
Understanding the Tax Collector’s Mechanics
To fully understand why the Tax Collector isn’t immune to lava, it’s important to review his unique mechanics within the game. Unlike most NPCs who spawn readily once certain conditions are met, the Tax Collector requires a more specific and involved process to obtain.
How to Acquire the Tax Collector
The process of obtaining the Tax Collector starts in the Underworld. Players must locate a Tortured Soul, a rare enemy that spawns within the fiery depths. This enemy isn’t initially a hostile combatant and appears as a sad, floating spirit. To transform this soul into the Tax Collector, the player needs to use Purification Powder. This action immediately turns the Tortured Soul into the Tax Collector, an NPC that can then move into a vacant house within the player’s town.
The Tax Collector’s Role and Function
Once established in a home, the Tax Collector functions differently from other NPCs. He doesn’t sell items or provide services directly to the player. Instead, he “taxes” the other NPCs in town. Every in-game hour (one real-world minute), he collects 50 copper coins from each housed NPC, up to a maximum of 10 gold coins. This provides a steady, albeit small, passive income for the player. However, he won’t start collecting taxes until he has a suitable house in the surface world.
Why No Lava Immunity?
Despite the Underworld connection, the Tax Collector is still bound by the same rules and game mechanics as all other town NPCs. There is no special coded exception for him granting lava immunity. This is consistent across the board in Terraria; NPCs, even those that appear to have elemental ties (such as the Witch Doctor who lives in the jungle) are not immune to hazards. The only immunity town NPCs have is against normal enemy attacks, meaning that they are generally safe unless you lead enemies to them or you intentionally attack them with a player-made method.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
To delve further into the Tax Collector and related game mechanics, here are some commonly asked questions:
1. How does the Tax Collector collect money?
The Tax Collector automatically collects money from all other housed NPCs every in-game hour (one real-world minute). He gathers 50 copper from each, up to a maximum of 10 gold. The collected money can be obtained simply by interacting with him.
2. What happens if the Tax Collector dies?
Like all NPCs, the Tax Collector will respawn if he dies. However, like the others, a vacant room is needed, and it will take time, with the standard spawn time for NPCs. If he is killed in the Underworld before being converted, he can only respawn once there is a free home.
3. Does the Tortured Soul respawn?
Yes, the Tortured Soul will respawn in the Underworld after a certain amount of time, usually after a couple of game days. This ensures that players can always obtain the Tax Collector if they wish. This is especially useful if the Tax Collector dies and you have a spare home for him and wish to acquire him again.
4. What happens if there are no vacant homes for the Tax Collector?
If there are no vacant homes, the Tax Collector will remain in the Underworld after his transformation from the Tortured Soul. He will not move into a designated space until a room becomes available.
5. Can you kill NPCs in Terraria?
Yes, while town NPCs are generally safe from enemy attacks, players can kill them. Rotten Eggs are player-wielded weapons that can damage friendly NPCs. Additionally, special items like the Clothier Voodoo Doll and Guide Voodoo Doll can also result in deaths of specific NPCs. Be careful though, since killing an NPC often reduces the happiness of nearby NPCs which affects the prices they sell items for.
6. How do you purify a Tortured Soul?
You can transform the Tortured Soul into the Tax Collector by using Purification Powder on it. Once the powder is used, the soul will immediately change to the Tax Collector.
7. What are the best items to sell for profit?
Generally, Diamonds and Amber are the most valuable gems to sell directly. Each will net you 30 silver coins when sold to a merchant. However, the highest value item is the Companion Cube sold by the Traveling Merchant, which is a very rare item.
8. Who does the Tax Collector dislike?
The Tax Collector is disliked by nearly every NPC he likes or loves, with the exception of the Princess. He’s a rather unpopular member of the community, which is probably due to his taxing nature, but also makes for an interesting dynamic.
9. What does Santa Claus sell in Terraria?
Santa Claus sells Christmas vanity items and Christmas lights. He arrives during the Christmas season after the Frost Legion has been defeated, though it is possible to make him spawn for a single in-game day by completing the Frost Moon event at any time of year.
10. How do you obtain the Cyborg in Terraria?
The Cyborg NPC will appear after Plantera has been defeated in the current world and if there is a vacant house available. He sells several “high-tech” items, notably rocket ammunition.
11. What is the Bunny License for?
The Bunny License is purchased from the Zoologist after completing 45% of the Bestiary and allows for a town bunny to move into your town.
12. What is the Piggy and what does it do?
Unlike most critters, the Piggy has a much higher health stat and drops a large amount of gold coins, which can be beneficial to obtain very early in a playthrough.
13. What is the Flymeal and what does it do?
The Flymeal is a broadsword that can hit friendly NPCs, crafted with gold or platinum bars and stinkbugs.
14. What is the rarest enemy in Terraria?
The Nymph is considered one of the rarest enemies due to its passive behavior, often remaining unseen in dark areas without making sounds.
15. What does the Steampunker sell?
The Steampunker sells a variety of steam-fueled machinery and gadgets with a unique, endearing accent.
Conclusion
The Tax Collector, while originating in the fiery Underworld, is not immune to lava and will perish like any other NPC. His vulnerability to such hazards emphasizes that even characters associated with certain elemental themes are not beyond the environmental dangers within Terraria. Understanding his acquisition and function within the game adds to the richness of gameplay and strategy within the world. This also teaches the player to take extra care to ensure that each town NPC is safe and has suitable living conditions.