NPCs in Storage Hunters: Open World are more than just background characters. They provide quests, sell items, run auctions, and offer guidance that can significantly accelerate your progression and earnings. From Billy's starter quests in the Junkyard to the Auctioneer who runs the bidding boards, every NPC serves a purpose that smart players leverage for maximum profit. This All NPCs Guide covers every character you will encounter across the game's four areas, including their locations, quest chains, and the rewards they offer.
How NPCs Work in Storage Hunters: Open World
NPCs in Storage Hunters: Open World fall into several functional categories:
| NPC Type | Function | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Quest Givers | Offer tasks that reward cash, XP, and accessories | Billy, Sal, Ted, Shipyard NPC |
| Auctioneers | Run the auction boards in each area | Area-specific auctioneers |
| Shop Keepers | Sell items, accessories, and upgrades | Area-specific shop keepers |
| Guide NPCs | Provide tips and game mechanic explanations | Mansion Guide NPC |
| Special NPCs | Handle unique transactions like mutation item trades | Diamond Necklace trader |
Interacting with NPCs is free and often rewards you with cash or items. You should always check for available NPC interactions when entering a new area or between auction cycles.
All NPCs by Area
Junkyard NPCs
| NPC | Type | Location | Key Rewards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Billy | Quest Giver | Near Junkyard entrance | Goggles, Keychain, 1,100 cash |
| Auctioneer | Auction Runner | Junkyard auction board | Runs all Junkyard auctions |
| Shop Keeper | Vendor | Junkyard shop | Sunglasses (500 cash), basic items |
Shipyard NPCs
| NPC | Type | Location | Key Rewards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sal | Quest Giver | Near Shipyard auction board | Cowboy Hat, 2,500 cash |
| Shop Keeper | Vendor | Shipyard shop | Watch (2000 cash), mid-tier items |
Mansion NPCs
| NPC | Type | Location | Key Rewards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ted | Quest Giver | Mansion grounds | Monocle, 7,100 cash |
| Guide NPC | Helper | Mansion interior | Game tips, mechanic explanations |
| Shop Keeper | Vendor | Mansion shop | Premium items, vehicle upgrades |
Secret Area NPCs
| NPC | Type | Location | Key Rewards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Endgame Quest NPC | Quest Giver | Secret Area auction board | Neon Glasses, Cape progression |
| Special Trader | Unique | Hidden location | Diamond Necklace (trade Secret item) |
| Shop Keeper | Vendor | Secret Area shop | Endgame items |
Detailed NPC Profiles
Billy (Junkyard Quest Giver)
Billy is the first NPC every player interacts with. He stands near the Junkyard entrance and offers beginner-friendly quests that teach the core gameplay loop while rewarding cash and accessories.
Billy's Quest Chain:
| Quest | Objective | Reward |
|---|---|---|
| Welcome to the Junkyard | Talk to Billy | 50 cash |
| First Auction | Win your first auction | 100 cash |
| Haul It | Haul items to your shop | 100 cash + Goggles |
| Sell It | Sell items at your shop | 150 cash |
| Weight Management | Fill vehicle to 80% capacity | 200 cash |
| Junkyard Veteran | Complete all previous quests | 500 cash + Keychain |
Total rewards: 1,100 cash + Goggles + Keychain
Billy's quests are the fastest way to build your starting bankroll. Always complete them before grinding Junkyard Container auctions. See our Beginners Guide for a complete early-game walkthrough.
Sal (Shipyard Quest Giver)
Sal is the mid-game quest NPC in the Shipyard. His quest chain builds on what you learned from Billy and offers substantially better rewards.
Sal's Quest Chain:
| Quest | Objective | Reward |
|---|---|---|
| Welcome to the Shipyard | Talk to Sal | 100 cash |
| Shipyard Scavenger | Find a specific item type | 200 cash |
| Mutation Hunter | Find Silver or better mutation | 300 cash |
| Heavy Hauler | Haul items worth 1000+ cash | 400 cash |
| Shipyard Shark | Win 5 Shipyard auctions | 500 cash + Cowboy Hat |
| Sal's Favorite | Complete all previous quests | 1000 cash |
Total rewards: 2,500 cash + Cowboy Hat
Sal's quests require more gameplay knowledge than Billy's but reward more than double the cash. The Cowboy Hat is a unique accessory only available through this quest chain. For tips on completing Sal's quests efficiently, see our Shipyard Area Guide.
Ted (Mansion Quest Giver)
Ted is the advanced quest NPC in the Mansion. His quest chain is the most rewarding in the game but also the most challenging.
Ted's Quest Chain:
| Quest | Objective | Reward |
|---|---|---|
| Welcome to the Mansion | Talk to Ted | 200 cash |
| Rare Find | Find Gold or better mutation | 500 cash |
| High Roller | Win a Barn Garage auction | 800 cash |
| Weight Champion | Haul heavy items | 600 cash |
| Mansion Master | Complete all previous quests | Monocle + 2000 cash |
| Ted's Challenge | Sell items worth 10,000 cash | 3000 cash |
Total rewards: 7,100 cash + Monocle
Ted's quests are designed for experienced players who have reached the Mansion area. The rewards reflect the advanced difficulty, with 7,100 total cash and the Monocle accessory. For Mansion strategies, see our Mansion Area Guide.
Auctioneer (Auction Runner)
The Auctioneer is present at every auction board across all areas. While not a traditional quest NPC, the Auctioneer is essential to the core gameplay loop. They manage the bidding process, announce winning bids, and release container contents to the winner.
Auctioneer Functions:
- Manages auction timer and bid increments
- Announces when a new container is up for bidding
- Determines the winning bidder when the timer expires
- Grants container access to the winner
For auction strategies, see our Auction Tips and Bidding Strategy Guide and our Auctioneer NPC Guide.
Shop Keeper (Vendor)
Each area has a Shop Keeper NPC who sells items, accessories, and vehicle upgrades. The inventory improves as you progress through areas.
Shop Inventories by Area:
| Area | Notable Items | Prices |
|---|---|---|
| Junkyard | Sunglasses, basic supplies | 500 cash (Sunglasses) |
| Shipyard | Watch, mid-tier vehicle upgrades | 2,000 cash (Watch) |
| Mansion | Premium items, vehicle upgrades | Higher prices |
| Secret Area | Endgame items, exclusive upgrades | Highest prices |
For a detailed breakdown of the Shop Keeper's role, see our Shop Keeper NPC Guide.
Guide NPC (Helper)
The Guide NPC appears in the Mansion area and provides helpful explanations of advanced game mechanics. This NPC does not offer quests but serves as an in-game tutorial for concepts like mutation stacking, container evaluation, and endgame strategies.
Topics Covered by the Guide NPC:
- How mutations stack and combine
- Container tier differences and expected values
- Weight management tips for advanced items
- Endgame progression advice
- Selling optimization strategies
For a complete guide to the Guide NPC, see our Guide NPC Guide.
Special Trader (Diamond Necklace)
The Special Trader is a hidden NPC in the Secret Area who accepts a Secret mutation item in exchange for the Diamond Necklace accessory. This is the only way to obtain the Diamond Necklace, making this NPC critical for accessory collectors.
Trade Details:
- Required: One Secret mutation item (50x multiplier)
- Received: Diamond Necklace accessory (Legendary)
- Location: Hidden area in the Secret Area
- One-time trade: Yes, one necklace per Secret item
For more on this trade and whether it is worth making, see our Golden Crown Accessory Guide and Secret Mutation Guide.
Quest NPC Comparison
| NPC | Area | Total Cash | Accessories | Difficulty | Quest Count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Billy | Junkyard | 1,100 | Goggles, Keychain | Beginner | 6 |
| Sal | Shipyard | 2,500 | Cowboy Hat | Intermediate | 6 |
| Ted | Mansion | 7,100 | Monocle | Advanced | 6 |
| Endgame NPC | Secret Area | High | Neon Glasses | Endgame | 5+ |
The quest rewards scale significantly with area progression. Completing all quest chains across the game earns over 15,000 cash plus multiple unique accessories.
NPC Quest Strategy
Optimal Quest Order
- Complete Billy's quests immediately - These teach the basics and provide essential starter cash
- Move to Sal's quests as soon as you unlock the Shipyard - The Cowboy Hat and 2,500 cash are significant mid-game boosts
- Begin Ted's quests upon reaching the Mansion - The 7,100 cash and Monocle accelerate late-game progression
- Complete the endgame quest chain in the Secret Area - The Neon Glasses are the final quest reward accessory
Quest Tips
- Always check for available quests before starting auction cycles - Quests provide guaranteed rewards, unlike auctions which carry risk
- Stack quest objectives - If a quest requires winning an auction, you can progress toward that goal while earning money from regular gameplay
- Complete quests in order - Quest chains must be completed sequentially
- Do not abandon quests - Abandoning a quest may reset your progress in the chain
- Track quest progress - Keep notes on which quests you have completed and which remain
For detailed quest walkthroughs, see our Quest NPCs Guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many NPCs are in Storage Hunters: Open World? There are approximately 10-12 NPCs across all areas, including quest givers (Billy, Sal, Ted, endgame NPC), auctioneers, shop keepers, the Guide NPC, and the Special Trader.
Do NPCs reset their quests? No, once you complete an NPC's quest chain, the quests are permanently completed. You cannot redo quests for additional rewards.
Can I skip an NPC's quest chain? You can choose not to complete quests, but you will miss out on the cash and accessory rewards. There is no penalty for skipping, but it is not recommended since quest rewards are guaranteed profit.
Do NPCs move between areas? No, each NPC is fixed to their specific area. Billy is always in the Junkyard, Sal is always in the Shipyard, and Ted is always in the Mansion.
Which NPC gives the best rewards? Ted in the Mansion gives the best rewards at 7,100 total cash plus the Monocle accessory. However, his quests are the most challenging and require Mansion area access.
Can I talk to NPCs in areas I have not unlocked yet? No, you cannot access NPCs in locked areas. You must unlock each area by reaching the required net worth before interacting with its NPCs.
Related Guides
- Auctioneer NPC Guide - Deep dive on the Auctioneer
- Shop Keeper NPC Guide - Deep dive on the Shop Keeper
- Guide NPC Guide - Deep dive on the Guide/Helper NPC
- Quest NPCs Guide - All quest-giving NPCs
- All Areas Guide - Area unlock information
- All Accessories Guide - Accessory rewards from NPC quests