Why Can’t I Buy a Pylon in Terraria? A Comprehensive Guide
So, you’re trying to build the ultimate Terraria transportation network, but you’re hitting a wall: your NPCs just won’t sell you a pylon. This can be incredibly frustrating, especially when you’re trying to optimize your world for efficient travel. There are several reasons why this might be happening. The core issue is typically tied to NPC happiness, biome requirements, or the presence of other NPCs. Remember, happiness only matters while purchasing a pylon. Once purchased and placed, the NPCs that enable its use are no longer affected by this particular calculation. Let’s break down the most common culprits and how to fix them.
Understanding the Pylon Purchase Predicament
The main reasons why an NPC won’t sell you a pylon are:
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Insufficient Happiness: This is the BIG one. NPCs have preferences for biomes, neighbors, and crowding. An unhappy NPC won’t sell you a pylon. They need a sale modifier of 90% or better.
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Incorrect Biome: Each pylon is tied to a specific biome (Forest, Desert, Snow, Jungle, Ocean, Cavern, Hallow, and Underground Desert). The NPC needs to be in the correct biome to offer its corresponding pylon for sale.
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Missing Neighbors: Pylons require at least two housed NPCs nearby to function after being placed, but one of the selling NPC needs to be happy enough.
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Shop Inventory Full: In rare cases, an NPC’s shop might be full, preventing them from offering the pylon. This is particularly relevant for the Tavernkeep after defeating Golem.
Let’s delve into each of these issues in more detail.
Happiness is Key
NPC happiness is a complex, yet crucial, aspect of Terraria’s NPC system. NPCs have favorite biomes and neighbors. They dislike crowding and certain biomes. Let’s consider each factor that impacts NPC happiness:
- Biome Preference: Each NPC has a preferred biome. Housing an NPC in their preferred biome significantly increases their happiness.
- Neighbor Preference: NPCs like or dislike certain other NPCs. Housing preferred NPCs near each other boosts their happiness.
- Crowding: NPCs dislike being crowded. Give them space! Too many NPCs in a small area will decrease their happiness.
- World Evil: NPCs dislike living near the Crimson or Corruption biomes.
To maximize happiness, consult the Terraria wiki for individual NPC preferences. Experiment with housing arrangements until you achieve a sale modifier of 90% or better. Remember that NPC relationships are not always symmetrical, but only one vendor needs to be happy enough to sell the pylon. The NPC they like (who helps make them happy) does not even need to be a vendor.
Biome Alignment
Each pylon corresponds to a specific biome. The NPC must be located in that biome to offer the pylon for sale. For example:
- Forest Pylon: Sold by a happy NPC in the Forest biome.
- Desert Pylon: Sold by a happy NPC in the Desert biome.
- Snow Pylon: Sold by a happy NPC in the Snow biome.
- Jungle Pylon: Sold by a happy NPC in the Jungle biome.
- Ocean Pylon: Sold by a happy NPC in the Ocean biome.
- Cavern Pylon: Sold by a happy NPC in the Cavern layer.
- Hallow Pylon: Sold by a happy NPC in the Hallow biome.
- Underground Desert Pylon: Sold by a happy NPC in the Underground Desert biome.
Make sure you are in the correct biome before trying to purchase the pylon.
Neighborly Needs
Although the happiness of the NPCs who live near the pylon does not matter after purchasing and placing the pylon, to purchase the pylon, the selling NPC needs to be sufficiently happy and the player must be in the correct biome.
Shop Space
This is less common but can occur. The Tavernkeep, for example, might have a full inventory after defeating Golem, preventing him from selling pylons. Ensure the NPC has space in their shop to offer the pylon.
Pylon Types
There are several types of pylons:
- Forest Pylon
- Desert Pylon
- Snow Pylon
- Jungle Pylon
- Ocean Pylon
- Cavern Pylon
- Hallow Pylon
- Underground Desert Pylon
- Universal Pylon
Universal Pylon
The Universal Pylon is a special case. It’s obtained by completing 100% of the Bestiary and is sold by the Zoologist for 1 Platinum Coin. Only one Universal Pylon can be placed in a world. Unlike other pylons, it doesn’t require nearby NPCs to function and can be placed anywhere. This pylon becomes available in Hardmode, after defeating the Moon Lord.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some common questions and answers related to pylon purchasing and usage:
1. Can I have multiple of the same pylon?
No, only one of each type of pylon may be placed in a world.
2. How many pylons can I have in total?
While Terraria has nine pylons (eight biome specific and the Universal Pylon), and you can only place one of each type, you can only have one of each pylon placed. Thus, you can place a total of nine pylons.
3. Do town slimes count as NPCs for pylon requirements?
Yes, Town Slimes count as NPCs for pylon requirements and reduce enemy spawn rate. They do not affect NPC happiness.
4. Does happiness matter after placing a pylon?
No, happiness is irrelevant after a pylon has been purchased and placed. Only during the purchase does the NPC happiness need to be at a point where it will sell you the pylon.
5. What happens if all my NPCs die?
If all your NPCs die, the Universal Pylon will still function. Standard pylons will cease to function until at least two NPCs are housed nearby.
6. Can I use a pylon in an evil biome (Corruption or Crimson)?
No, you cannot purchase the pylons from NPCs when the NPC is housed within the Corruption or Crimson biome. However, the Universal Pylon can be placed and used anywhere, regardless of biome.
7. How do I make my NPCs happy?
Happiness is positively affected by biome preference, neighbor preference, and a lack of crowding. Consult the Terraria wiki for individual NPC preferences.
8. Are pylons a Hardmode item?
Not all pylons are Hardmode items. However, the Universal Pylon is a Hardmode, post-Moon Lord item.
9. Can the Tavernkeep sell pylons?
Yes, the Tavernkeep can sell pylons, but only if he has available space in his shop. His shop may be full after defeating Golem.
10. What do the different NPCs sell?
Each NPC sells a variety of different items. For example, the Cyborg sells rocket ammunition. The Steampunker sells steam-fueled machinery and gadgets. The Terraria wiki is the best resource for individual NPC inventories.
11. What is “No Pylon Restrictions” in Terraria?
“No Pylon Restrictions” is a mod or gameplay variant that removes all prerequisites for using and placing pylons. No NPC requirements, no more worries if all your NPCs die! No biome requirements, place any pylon in any biome!
12. How do I get the Party Girl?
Once you have fourteen NPCs (eight on mobile and console versions), there is a 2.5% chance the Party Girl will spawn every morning and evening. The Old Man, Traveling Merchant, and Skeleton Merchant do not count toward this goal.
13. Which NPC does the Angler like?
The Angler is liked by the Golfer and the Pirate. He is also liked by the Princess, but she doesn’t count.
14. Do Calamity NPCs sell pylons?
Yes, Calamity NPCs can sell pylons if they are happy enough and in their specific biome. There are currently 4 pylons available in the Calamity Mod.
15. Why won’t my NPC sell a pylon?
The vendor NPC must be happy, with a sale modifier of 90% or better. Remember that NPC relationships are not always symmetrical, but only one vendor needs to be happy enough to sell the pylon. The NPC they like (who helps make them happy) does not even need to be a vendor.
Conclusion
Purchasing pylons in Terraria requires understanding and managing NPC happiness, biome requirements, and a few other factors. By addressing these elements, you can build an efficient transportation network and make your Terraria world a more convenient place to explore. Good luck, and may your pylon network be ever functional!
To further your knowledge of game-based learning and design, consider exploring resources from the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/. This can help improve your understanding of game mechanics.