Terraria Guide

Terraria NPC’s: Pre-Hardmode

Which town NPCs can you get in Terraria before Hardmode? Meet the Guide, the Merchant and others, and the goods and services each one offers.

CEO and founder, GTXGaming

  • Updated
  • Published
  • 7 min read
18,108
playing Terraria on Steam now as of
32,421
peak in the last 24 h (our Steam samples every 15 min) to
29 Oct 2026
Latest official news: Terraria State of the Game - October 2026 Steam
48
Terraria servers running at GTX as of
£5.99/mo
per month for a Terraria server, 21 locations
On this pagePre-Hardmode Town NPCs
  1. Pre-Hardmode Town NPCs
  2. Other NPC's
  3. Town Pets in terraria

Pre-Hardmode Town NPCs

The NPCs in Terraria are super helpful little characters that can set up shop in your town! They offer all kinds of useful goods and services to aid you on your adventure. Building a town with friends? Our Terraria server hosting keeps your world online 24/7 so they can drop in any time.

The Guide

guide terrariaOne of the first Terraria NPC you'll meet is the Guide. This friendly fellow provides crafting recipes and helps you figure out what items can be made from the materials you've collected. His knowledge is invaluable when you're just starting out!

The Merchant

Merchant terrariaOnce you’ve built a house for him, the Merchant will move in and open a shop where you can buy and sell all sorts of useful items like torches, ropes, arrows and potions. He’s a great resource for restocking your essential supplies.

The Nurse

Nurse terrariaThe Nurse is essential for healing your wounds after a difficult battle. For a small fee, she'll restore your health and cure any status ailments you may have. Her prices rise as you progress through the game, but she's still well worth keeping around.

The Demolitionist

Demolitionist terrariaThe Demolitionist hooks you up with explosives and dynamite to blow stuff up. He throws grenades at enemies attacking your town, and his stats go up as you defeat bosses, so this pyromaniac becomes more dangerous over time.

Dye Trader

Dye Trader terrariaDealing in vibrant colors, the Dye Trader allows players to modify their appearance. With an array of dyes, he brings personalization to characters, enhancing their visual appeal and style.

Angler

Angler terrariaA young fisherman, found asleep on an Ocean beach or in the water until you wake him and give him a home. Offering daily fishing quests, he challenges players to catch specific fish in various biomes. Completion rewards range from rare accessories to powerful weapons, making him a key Terraria NPC for anglers seeking valuable loot in the game.

Zoologist

Zoologist terrariaAn avid animal enthusiast, moves in once at least 10% of your Bestiary is filled. With a unique selection of critter-related items for sale, she caters to players' curiosity about the game's fauna. Her presence adds a touch of wildlife fascination, offering both useful and whimsical items for players to enjoy.

Dryad

Dryad terrariaAs a guardian of nature, the Dryad provides insights into corruption or hallow levels. Offering items to combat corruption, she aids players in preserving their surroundings and maintaining the balance of Terraria's world.

Painter

Painter terrariaWith an eye for aesthetics, the Painter sells paint and tools for world customization. His offerings allow creative expression, adding a personal touch to Terraria's landscapes and structures.

Golfer

Golfer terrariaA sports enthusiast, is found trapped in the Underground Desert and moves in once you free him. Specializing in golf-themed items, he offers players the chance to engage in a golf minigame. As a light-hearted addition, the Golfer brings a recreational element to Terraria, providing a unique and entertaining diversion for players.

Arms Dealer

Arms Dealer terrariaThis guy sells you guns and ammo to blast your foes to bits. Once he has moved in, he fights back with his guns when enemies attack your town, and his firepower grows as you beat bosses, so keep defeating baddies to turn this Terraria NPC into a beast!

Tavernkeep

Tavernkeep terrariaThe Tavernkeep gives you access to the Dungeon Defenders crossover content. Once you've beaten the Eater of Worlds or Brain of Cthulhu, you can find him unconscious in the world; wake him up and give him a house. He sells sentry weapons and armour for the Old One's Army event, and the sentries only work outside the event once you have completed it.

Stylist

Stylist terrariaArmed with hair styling tools, the Stylist changes players' hairstyles and colors. Allowing for personalization and expression, her services become a sought-after feature in Terraria, letting players tailor their characters to their preferences in this pixelated world.

Goblin Tinkerer

Goblin Tinkerer terrariaAfter defeating the Goblin Army, the Tinkerer reforges accessories and weapons. Optimizing gear for challenging encounters, he plays a pivotal role in enhancing the effectiveness of players in the later stages of Terraria.

Witch Doctor

Witch Doctor terrariaOnce the Queen Bee has been defeated, the Witch Doctor will move in and sell jungle-themed items such as the Blowgun and the Imbuing Station.

Clothier

Clothier terrariaDefeating Skeletron in the Dungeon will cause the Clothier NPC to spawn. Provide this sartorially savvy chap a home in your village and he’ll sell you a variety of vanity outfits and clothing to make you the most fashionable hero in Terraria!

Mechanic

Mechanic terrariaEncountered within the Dungeon, specifically in the Cavern layer or below, the Mechanic emerges after defeating Skeletron. Initially appearing as the stationary Bound Mechanic, players can liberate her by engaging in conversation. Upon release, she respawns when provided with a vacant house, persisting through potential subsequent demise.

Party Girl

Party Girl terrariaThis cheerful NPC throws epic bashes, but she’s pretty picky about where she sets up shop. You’ll need to have at least 20 other town NPCs (town pets count too) already in your world and a spare house for her to throw her dance parties in. Once the Party Girl arrives, she’ll sell you festive items to decorate your place and really get the good times rolling.

Other NPC's

These Terraria NPC's won't live with the player or move into other houses. They spawn randomly and they will go away after some time.

Traveling Merchant

Traveling Merchant TerrariaThe Traveling Merchant, a unique NPC vendor, spontaneously visits the player's town for a single day, bringing with him a randomized inventory of 4 to 10 different items. To summon him, ensure at least 2 other NPCs are present, the Guide counts as one but the Old Man and Skeleton Merchant do not. He won't appear during specific events such as Solar Eclipses, Goblin Army, Frost Legion, Pirate Invasion, and Martian Madness, or when the chat is open.

The Traveling Merchant requires no dedicated house; instead, he wanders near NPCs and town pets.

Old Man

Old Man terrariaThe Old Man, stationed at the Dungeon's entrance, exists to summon Skeletron. When approached at night, he lets the player "Curse", triggering the Skeletron fight. During the day, he advises players to return at night, and although he deems those with 300 maximum health or 10 defense or less as unworthy, he still permits them to summon Skeletron.

Upon Skeletron's defeat, the Old Man is liberated from his curse and transforms into the Clothier, provided there is a vacant house.

Skeleton Merchant

Skeleton Merchant terrariaThe Skeleton Merchant, a unique NPC vendor, appears randomly in the Cavern layer. Unlike Town NPCs, he despawns off-screen, although enemies won't spawn near him. His stock refreshes daily at dawn (4:30 AM), and he doesn't need to respawn for this change. Most items in his inventory vary based on the current moon phase.

To fend off non-skeletal enemies, the Skeleton Merchant throws Bones, ignoring bosses and most other skeletons.

Town Pets in terraria

The cheerful town pets in Terraria are the perfect furry friends to brighten your day! Once the Zoologist has moved in, you can adopt an adorable pet.

For a small fee of 5 gold coins, the Zoologist will happily provide you with a pet licence to give a loving cat, dog or bunny a home (the cat licence is always on sale, while the dog and bunny licences unlock at 25% and 45% Bestiary completion). These pets arrive at dawn the day after you use the licence, ready to spread joy around your town.

Town pets don't fight or defend your town, so give them a safe home. If one is killed it simply leaves and returns a few days later, and you can pet them for a bit of fun.

Town Cats

Town Cat terrariaThe Cat doesn't contribute to the "crowded" limit for NPCs, so it doesn't impact NPC happiness. However, it functions as a standard town NPC for the Pylon network. There are six Cat breeds, and one is randomly selected upon its arrival.

Town Dogs

Town Dog terrariaEngaging with the Dog is as simple as using the Interact button, just like any other town NPC. Once engaged, it presents a "Pet" option. Choosing this option positions the player directly in front of the Dog and showcases an adorable animation of them petting the Dog.

Town Bunnies

Town Bunny terrariaThe delightful Bunny doesn't factor into the NPCs' "crowded" limit, keeping their happiness unaffected. It plays a crucial role as a regular town NPC in the Pylon network. Embrace the variety, as one of six charming Bunny breeds is chosen at random upon its arrival.

Keep playing: more Terraria guides