Wandering Tinker
[Tinker’s Hovel]
Wandering Merchant Guide

This guide will cover the wandering merchant, Wandering Tinker in Diablo 3, providing information on how to locate the npc. These characters are usually found randomly in locations outside of each act’s towns and can offer convenient services and wares during your journeys through the wilds.

Where to find Tinker’s Hovel in the Fields of Misery

This merchant is found in a house named Tinker’s Hovel, which is an uncommon spawning location in the area of the Fields of Misery. You will first pass through this area during the quest The Broken Blade, but can just as easily travel back to this zone via its waypoint when picking up a quest later in Act I.

This is one of the wandering merchants you must find for the Market Research achievement.

The first step in locating Tinker’s Hovel, and something that makes this find a little convenient, is to take note of its only possible spawn point, which is a little piece of land that sticks out, like a peninsula but not into water, called the Sheltered Cottage. This little piece of land doesn’t really move much, seemingly always sitting on the northern side of the map, west of the main road that runs through the zone.

The Sheltered Cottage itself can spawn in a few different ways, one being pretty much barren save for a body which triggers a leaper attack when searched, the door to the cottage blocked off and inaccessible. Another possible spawn is a Goatman who bashes out of the door, leaving you to find a house full of slaughtered townsfolk. If you are at the right spawn, you will see a bag labeled Tinker’s Possessions, which contains a journal “Wandering Tinker’s Diary” for the achievement A Quick Study, and the door to Tinker’s Hovel will be open and glowing without any bodies lying about outside.

“Stay away! There’s nothing in here of use to you!”
“These are dark times, my friend. I thought for a moment you were one of those dreadful goatmen. Since you’re not, would you like to buy something?”

– Wandering Tinker

Head inside the cottage to meet the Wandering Tinker and browse her wares. She seems to sell Wizard and Witch Doctor specific weapons, a wide selection of armors (sometimes a rare), potions, dyes and offers to repair your equipment as well. Like all other of the wandering merchants, make sure to utilize her services which come at a significant discount versus town vendors.