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is a sim , clearly modeled on that doesn’t seem like a complex title, nor does it look like a that could hold a ‘s attention for hundreds of hours. However, this created by the incredible is capable of offering a lengthy campaign for any that takes on the role of ‘s resident farmer.
Plus, this offers as much challenge as players are willing to seek out. ‘s could easily play this rather happily and see a lot of what this has to offer without ever visiting anywhere but your farmstead and the main town area. However, while that is an option, you would miss out on so many amazing features of this beautiful indie adventure.
When you first begin this , there isn’t a tutorial as such, there isn’t a guidebook, and there isn’t a supportive side-kick that holds your hand as you complete the ‘s beginning tasks. From the beginning, you are on your own and have to run your business as best you can, learning the tricks of the trade as you go.
Sure, there are clues, books, dialogue entries, and other aspects of this that teach the naturally about the world and serve to fill in the blanks.
However, there is no guarantee that you will come across these when you need them, and before you know it, you’ve planted in the heart of Summer and effectively bankrupted yourself in a matter of moments. No one wants that, and this is why we have put together a .
This guide is aimed at those who have just picked up the and are still learning exactly where everything is and how things work.
In this guide, we aim to give you some key that we wish we knew in our first run, explain some of the key mechanics that you’ll need to get to grips within the initial stages, we will highlight some excellent things you can do which are paramount for success as you progress and we will highlight the major pitfalls of the common Stardew beginner that you’ll want to avoid. So without further delay, here is our !
Before You Even Begin
Consider Your Layout
Before you even jump into your first day on the , you’ll need to consider which you want to have. You see, some farms come with their own perks and pitfalls to offer more challenging runs or fun that force players to focus on very specific areas of the to make a profit. Here is a quick list of the farms you can choose from:
Â
This is the simplest option where you inherit a large, untouched patch of land, which is perfect for growing huge amounts of crops and raising livestock.
Riverland Â
This has significantly less farmable land than the but has rivers running through the land and making it a that allows for easy access to and also makes it a viable option to make use of lots of items.
Forest
This offers a secluded in the woods where the land is slightly cut down in favor of ponds and areas where stumps of hardwood grow and regenerate on your . This also produces forage commonly found in secret wood.
The offers a more mountainous terrain with levels. The land is cut down significantly in favor of a fishable river, and the also has its own mini-quarry.
Â
This is the same as the in terms of structure, but at night, monsters commonly found in the mines will spawn on the .
Four Corners
This is a setup commonly used in co-ops. This is the same as the standard setup, except there is a wall in the shape of a plus sign which separates each section of land-providing a natural divider for co-op players.
Beach
Then lastly, the beach offers a that is coastal, meaning the has easy access to sea from their front door. The also produces beach forage. However, sprinklers do not work on this type.
Important Settings
Then secondly, you may want to take a look at some of the settings before you hop into the action. Here are some of the things you will want to consider:
Complete in one year guarantee
There is the option for players to ensure that when they begin a run, the first year will offer the opportunity for the to complete all the bundles within the within one year.
Remixed Bundles/rewards
Players can stick with the usual bundles, rewards, and mining rewards. Or they can opt-in for the remixed options to keep things feeling fresh and add a little more challenge and unpredictability to their new run.
Profit Margins
If you want even more challenge, you can drop your profit margins to 75%, 50%, or even as low as 25%.
Your First Day
Okay, so you have decided to head to in search of a new life. Well, it’s the crack of dawn, and you know what that means. It’s time to get to work. Now, this is by no means a definitive on how to play the first day. However, this is how I go about it and what I deem to be an efficient and manageable first day for beginners. Check it out:
Plant Your Parsnips
In your house, there is a little gift that contains . This little bundle is your ticket to making your first decent sum of cash. So you will want to head outside. Grab your hoe, till the soil, and then plant those in the dirt. Then simply water those with your watering can, and just like that, you are on your way to growing your first crops.
Go To Pierre’s
You’ll also notice that you have 500g in your account right from the start of the . We bet that money is burning a hole in your pocket, so you should head to Pierre’s shop in the town. It opens at 9 am, so by the time you plant and water your crops, he should be open.
Once inside, head to the counter and choose some seeds to buy. We would recommend you buy seeds, Potato seeds, and Cauliflower seeds, as you will need at least one , Potato, Cauliflower, and Parsnip to complete your first bundle.
Go Dumpster Diving
After that, you’ll already be in the heart of town, so you might as well check everyone’s trash to see if they have thrown away anything good. You know what they say. One man’s trash is another farmer’s treasure. There are eight trash cans in total to rummage through. Just a word of warning, though. Try not to do this in the eye line of anyone. No one takes too kindly to someone looking through their garbage.
Be Sociable
After you have successfully fulfilled your role as a trash inspector, you should try and talk to as many people in the town as you can. There are twenty-eight people to meet in total but don’t overstretch yourself. Just spend a little while checking off a few names from the ‘get to know you’ list.
Clean Up the
After you have taken the time to meet some of the townsfolk, you should head back to the and use any leftover to make the , or at least a patch of the , look spiffy. That means cutting down trees, mining stones, clearing grass, and ultimately, creating a space where you can create a .
Forage For Goodies
Then lastly, when you have run out of , we would suggest that you take a little walk south, past Marnie’s House, Past the Wizard’s Tower, down to Hat Mouse’s abandoned shack, over to the sewers, and then back up to your again. On the way, you might find some useful forage that can be used for the bundles, as a way to make some petty cash, or as an source for the days to come.
Events In The First Week
Now that you have made it through your first day in , we should go over the events that are going to happen during the rest of your first week. These events will open up new activities and tasks for you to complete, so it’s best to get familiar now so that you can get started right away. Here is a quick for the first week’s events below:
Obtaining a Rod
On your second day on the , you will be invited by letter to come to the beach by Willy. He says that he has a gift for you and boy, it is an important one. If you travel through the center of town and then south, you’ll find the beach, the cut scene will trigger, and you’ll get your first rod.
With this tool, you will be able to catch which, for the first few days at least, is the best way to make money. Plus, by eating , algae, or seaweed, you can keep your high and basically all day. So head down to the beach at your earliest convenience.
The Opening of the Mines
You’ll have to wait a full five days before you are granted access to the mines. You will hear a rumble at the end of the fourth day and upon waking up and checking your mail. You will be informed the blockage near the mine’s entrance is gone.
If you head up to the mines, Marion will meet you and give you your first ever sword. Allowing you to enter the mines, battle your way through the levels and uncover the treasures that lie within.
So long as it is not raining on the fifth day of Spring, you will also gain access to the . To make this happen, you will have to travel towards the town that day and enter via the entrance closest to the Bus Stop.
This will trigger a cut scene with , and when this finishes, the will have access to the from there on out. It is also worth noting that players should enter the same day and interact with the first bundle. If you do not access this, you will not be contacted by the wizard and will not learn how to understand the Junimos.
Getting Your Cat/Dog
This one is dependent if you manage to earn 1000g in one week. However, if you do, you will be greeted by Marnie the next day, and she will offer you the chance to adopt a new pet. This is either a cat or a dog based on the preference you chose before the began. It’s not exactly -changing stuff but be sure to fill their water bowl and pet them every day if you want to light a torch on your Grandpa’s shrine.
Guaranteed Rainy Day
Then lastly, while this isn’t a stand-out moment by any means, it is a scripted one, and it will almost certainly bring a smile to your face.
You see, rainy days mean you do not need to water your crops, which means that you can head out and do new and interesting things with your day instead. Plus, when it’s raining, you catch better quality find and that can only be caught in rainy weather conditions. So this is a day for casting out a line.
Making Money Early
While money isn’t everything, it sure does make progression in the world of a hell of a lot easier. However, from the outset, the is presented with loads of money-making options, which can make it a little overwhelming when trying to build your money-making strategy.
Well, worry and stress no more. Here is a quick rundown of the best money-making options to focus on early on.
Crops
Crops will provide a healthy source of income for the entire . However, concerning the especially, crops are what will help you increase your wealth drastically. Crops provide huge profits, and the more you plant and maintain, the more you will make when it comes time to harvest. However, unless you can automate this, it can take up a lot of your time and daily , so be aware of this.
Mixed Seeds
Seeds can be expensive in , and in the , you will be limited to just a handful until you boost your funds. However, with the help of your trusty scythe, you can gather mixed seeds that will grow into a random from the season you are currently working through.
This is a great way to bolster your plantation and make more money to spend on more seeds later on. You can find these by cutting up grass, and seeing as your is a mess, to begin with, there is plenty to work with.
Foraging
While foraging is not the best earner in terms of time spent to profit ratio. However, the good thing about foraging is that it doesn’t cost you any , meaning that you can do it at the end of the day. Or, if you plan your route carefully between other activities, you can forage as you go. Either way, this can be a good backup plan to make some cash.
Up until the fifth day, when you can start heading down the mines, represents the best way to earn cash daily. You can eat the you catch to keep pretty much indefinitely; the you catch are relatively well valued for a farmer starting and will allow you to buy more seeds or complete quests. Plus, you may get lucky and find some additional treasure when you , which can take an average run and elevate it to new heights.
Mining
Mining is an important part of the experience, adding combat and dungeon crawling to this title. However, if you can brave the creatures that lie within, you can get your hands on some great resources that can help you make new profit-making machines, or you might get your hands on a that can be sold for a huge premium.
We admit the profit of these trips to the mines and dependent on the luck you have on your side at the start of every day. However, if the stars align when you switch on the TV, you could have a very profitable day.
Quests
Then lastly, you have quests. These are randomized jobs you can find on the bulletin board in town, along with some guaranteed jobs which players will receive in the mail.
The will often be sent on tasks to find items and will receive double the usual value for getting them for a member of the community. Again, it’s not the best way to make cash, but if you can marry this with some of the other methods above, it can help increase your cash flow.
Understanding Other Core Mechanics
Outside of the core mechanics and skills that the learns within the , there are some other things that you should know that will help you progress through the . Check these out:
Socializing
In this , talking to the townsfolk and forming relationships is key to success in so many areas of .
Through talking to those around the town and giving gifts, you can learn more about the lives of the townspeople; you can earn hearts with these people, usually leading to perks like being able to access their rooms and being gifted and items.
Plus, if you ever want to start a family, you will need to grow your relationship with a romantic interest within the town. Or Krobus if you want to go for the asexual option. This is how a lot of the narrative within is delivered to the , so if you want to access the story of this , get to know the people.
Crafting
While making money is important, saving any and any resources you gather can sometimes be the better option.
You see, the offers a crafting menu and that allows you to create unique machines, items, rings, and other useful things that will make your daily processes easier, allow you to automate your , and in some cases, even alter your product to add further value. So, in short, be sure to check your crafting menu and mark out the items you want to make.
The Television
New players may think that the big TV in your house is just a superficial little cosmetic fixture. However, you may be surprised to know that television has a couple of functions that can help you structure your day and broaden your horizons.
The TV allows you to check your luck for the day, which means you can assess the best way to use your time. For example, good luck days are great for delving deep into the mines. In contrast, low luck days can be days for admin, gift-giving, foraging, , and other activities that aren’t as heavily affected by luck.
Then the TV also has a cooking channel which allows you to learn a series of . It’s best to keep monitoring this daily as, if you want to learn all the recipes, it will take you three years, and you don’t want to rely on re-runs.
The Community Center
The community center is a very important part of the and will dominate a lot of your strategy, planning, and spending for the initial year(s) of this . This is an area of the where you can give items to the community and complete bundles.
In doing so, you will get rewards, and when you complete the various room’s respective bundles, you will unlock new aspects of the community that you can use to your benefit. Things like the Greenhouse, the Bus Service, and the Quarry are just some of the things you can access.
The Travelling Merchant
On the topic of the , we should also inform you that the Travelling Merchant is here to help you complete that task. This is a merchant that comes to the area near the Secret Forest once a week and offers a variety of random items usually priced at a premium.
These items can be very useful to fill the gaps in your bundles, and occasionally, you can get an item that will boost your progress. So be sure to check in with this merchant every week.
Top Tips We Wish We Knew On Day One
Now onto a section that I only wish that I had access to when I started playing this all of those years ago. These are a selection of invaluable details and that will make your first run at this feel like a walk in the park. Here we go:
Chests Are The Best!
I cannot tell you how incredibly helpful chests are in this . For the cost of fifty wood pieces, you can create a storage container that can hold 36 items and can be placed anywhere in the . This allows you to color code and organizes your items. So if you want to keep your crops separate from your bundle items, or your display items separate from your artisan goods, a chest is the way to go.
A Spring in Your Step
This is a minor tip but one that will allow you to get more done in your first week. If you head south towards the sewers, just before you reach the decline to the sewer pipe, you’ll find a collection of Spring Onions. If you wait until the day after it rains (day three), you’ll find even more, so patients can pay off here. The benefit of these forage items is that you can get a nice batch of which will allow you to get more done in your day, or you can sell them for some petty cash if you prefer, up to you.
Giants Crops are a Thing
A thing that you will want to get in the habit of is planting crops in squares of 3×3. This is because, with certain crops, you have the chance of growing a . A , along with being very satisfying and aesthetic, offers more crops per harvest and all those crops tend to be of a higher quality rating overall.
Just for a point of reference, here are all the crops that can grow to be giant crops:
- Cauliflower
- Melon
- Pumpkin
Man and Machine
One thing that you have to remember when setting up your , is that machines offer automation, free up your time and often add value to your items. For example, a simple can make jams from fruit and pickle vegetables, allowing you to get more from a simple harvest.
Or, can be very helpful too. allow you to create Ale and Coffee, which is incidentally of the best long-term crops to grow. So be sure to peruse the crafting menu and pick some machines that suit your playstyle and the that you want to create.
Keep One of Everything
If you are a regular gaming kleptomaniac, then this tip is probably rather redundant. However, for the rest of you, we would urge you to keep one of every item you collect. This is for a couple of reasons. One is that, especially when playing with remixed or random bundles, you never know what items will prove pivotal to your success, so it’s best to keep at least one of everything you encounter.
Then secondly, as there are daily missions that pop up in the town square requesting items at random, keeping them could secure you a double value payout. So patience can sometimes pay off.
You can Buy your Calendar
This is one that evaded my knowledge for such a long time. For years, I would play through seasons of this , walking into town every day to check birthdays and scan for upcoming events. However, it turns out that if the is shopping at Robin’s, they can buy a calendar to hang in their home, which means that you can plan your day accordingly without the need to take a trip into town.
The Beach Bridge
There are a lot of things in this that will take a lot of time to accomplish. However, there is a structural addition that players can make to the map as early as the first day if they grind towards it. If you gather up 300 pieces of wood, you will be able to fix up the broken bridge, which grants you access to the shallow pools. Here you can get specific beach forage, and this can be sold for a decent profit, so the earlier you do this, the better.
Strawberries Are On The Way
I cannot stress to you enough how important Strawberries are, even in your first year. These are quite easily the most profitable , and across the entire , only a few crops produced from a Rare and an are better than strawberries.
These produce Sweet Gem Berries and for those wondering. These are sold at the event that happens about halfway through Spring. So you may only get two yields from these seeds, but even this provides a hefty profit for those that invest. So what we are saying here is to save some cash and buy as many as you can at the .
Make Friends With Marnie
This one is, again, a minor detail, but it can be quite helpful if you like to complete quests promptly. Minor spoilers here, Marnie and Major Lewis are having a secret relationship, and at some point, will ask you to retrieve a very sensitive piece of kit for him, His lucky undies.
You’ll find these in Marnie’s bedroom, but you cannot enter any character’s bedroom unless you have a two-heart relationship with them. So if you start being nice to Marnie from day one, when the quest rolls around, you’ll be able to just waltz in and grab his drawers. Also, as a side note, you can do some crazy stuff with them if you choose to. We would suggest displaying them in the Display if you want a good laugh.
Early Bird, Gets the Worm
Do you ever notice worms wiggling in the dirt when you are walking around the town? Well, here’s a quick newsflash for you, they are trying to point you toward something in the ground worth having. This could be clay or coal, which are valuable resources, or it might be something even more precious, like an ancient artifact that you can donate to the museum. So don’t just walk past those worms. Grab your hoe and dig up some buried treasure.
An Afternoon Nap
Again, this is another detail that I failed to notice until years after I began playing this . In the , you will find that you burn through your supply rapidly, making the activities available to you limited as the day progresses. However, if you hop into bed but don’t end the day, time will continue to roll on, but you will gradually gain more . This can offer a second wind and allow you to get so much more done than without a quick nap.
Sell
When you complete seasonal bundles for the Crafts Room of the community center, you’ll be rewarded with a handful of . These grow forage items that correspond with the particular season they apply to. However, in the , and without foraging perks that you will only gain by racking up Forging XP, these items don’t sell for that much.
So when you take into account that the time spent tending these crops and the relatively low payout, it’s much more beneficial to just sell these as soon as you get them. At least until you boost your to at least level five.
Make Use of Enhancers
Just like in the real world, you have to ensure that you treat the soil right, making sure that it is fertile and will produce the best crops. So you’ll need to consider using to up the overall quality of your produce.
Or you can use other products like water retaining soil to avoid watering as often, or speed-gro to make your crops grow a few days earlier, sometimes allowing for an additional yield. What we are saying here, is that consideration as small as a can go a long way.
Things To Avoid
Then just as there are things we wish gamers would have told us to do on our first-ever , there are also things we wish we didn’t do. Here are some common errors that can be super frustrating:
Always Check Your Seasonal Crops
The modern gamer is usually one that acts fast and worries about the consequences later. Tutorials are just there to slow you down, and wordy descriptions and long text boxes are seen as optional. So with that in mind, it can be easy to assume that all seeds can be planted in all seasons.
Well, that would be very wrong indeed. You see, if you plant a out of season, it will never grow, you can’t retrieve the , and essentially, you just threw money down the drain. So be sure to check the description before you go sowing seeds.
Keep Your Resources
In the , it can be very tempting to sell off the resources you find on your -things like wood, stone, fiber, clay, and coal. However, while they will offer up some petty cash that will allow you to buy seeds and other items, all of these resources have better uses which offer more value.
For example, stone and wood can be used for chests, pathways, signs, are essential for building structures, and are vital for building your first machines. Whereas fiber, coal, and clay are essential for machines like Furnaces, Tappers, and items like scarecrows, just to name a few. So hold onto your resources, as they will serve you well later down the line.
Gift Thoughtfully
In the , players don’t have a lot of items that are all that valuable, which means that when you head into town to greet the townspeople, you’ll probably have nothing which would serve as a great gift. At best, you might have some forage items on hand, but these provide limited returns in terms of building relationships. So it can be tempting to offer gifts of just about anything because it’s the thought that counts, right? Well, no, this isn’t Animal Crossing.
The townspeople won’t be happy with a piece of stone, they won’t provide gifts in return, and most of the time, this decision will harm your relationship with these characters. So if you don’t have something that would be a good gift for someone, don’t give them anything at all.
Don’t Invest In Fruit Trees
If you have been to Pierre’s, you may have noticed that he sells saplings in his inventory. This allows the to grow their very own fruit trees. This can be very helpful when it comes to completing specific bundles. However, we would urge you to hold off on buying these until you get your greenhouse. The reason is that the greenhouse doesn’t abide by the normal seasons, so you can get fruit daily when the tree is fully grown.
Plus, if you choose fruit bats in the cave, then the chances are that you will be able to get the fruit you need for the community center through this feature.
Going To The
Okay, so hear us out. We get that for some, the is a fun event where you can set some fun items and take part in a cool ceremony. However, this is one of the most pointless things you can spend your time on in the first season.
You see, unless you have four hearts with any potential romantic interest, you will be turned down by everyone at the . leaving you to dance on your own. If it wasn’t so happy, pixellated, and vibrant throughout, this one would sting a lot more, but it still cuts deep.
Not to mention, events like this and along with others that offer little to no in- benefits can be better to avoid in favor of mining or tending to your . For you see, if you attend, when you return home it will be 10 pm and just like that, your day is effectively over. So use your time wisely.
Long Term Goals to Consider
Then lastly, we want to highlight some common long-term goals that beginner players can aim for. Here are a few down below:
Reach The Bottom of the Mines
If the reaches the bottom of the mines, they will have access to some very useful resources in the lower levels; they will get their hands on several rewards which get periodically awarded to you every 10-20 floors or so. Plus, when you reach the very bottom, you will get the skull key, which allows you access to the Skull Cavern in the . So be sure to work your way down the deepest depths of the mines.
Catch Every
While catching your first sardine can be a wonderful feeling, it isn’t much of a challenge. However, if you want to be a master angler and catch some , you’ll have a huge challenge on your hands. There are that only turn up in secret locations; there are that can only be obtained in certain weather conditions and during certain seasons.
Plus, some fish are considered legendary and will test your mastery of the minigame to the limit. is meant to be relaxing, but if you want to be the best, you’ll have to go all out.
Harvest and Sell Every Item
If you are going to be a master farmer, you will need to know how to grow just about anything. This means you’ll need to grow a wide variety of items; you’ll have to raise and care for livestock; you’ll have to find the rarest of seeds within the to grow premium crops. Plus, some crops only become available when you complete your first year, so this is a task that you’ll have to plan out and complete over the long haul.
Befriend Everyone
The saying goes that you can’t please everyone. However, in , you can, and you should be, a friend to all. Through talking to everyone and giving them their favorite in- items on a bi-weekly basis, you can gradually improve your relationship with all the townspeople. This will allow you to get new gifts, recipes and you will also be able to see all the incredible stories within the .
Then if you want to start a family, you’ll need to find a bachelor or bachelorette to marry. So that means consistent gift giving. In short, it’s nice to be nice.
Heading to
is a new addition to that offers a new type of in a more tropical region. It also offers up a new dungeon to explore, new enemies, new items, the ability to forge items and weapons and it also offers up rare seeds that can be grown year-round on the island, or grown in the Summer in .
This is the natural next step after you are familiar with the and offers so many new features for fans. It’s the next best thing after for console players and keeps long-time fans engaged. However, you will need to fix up Willie’s boat to get there, so stock up on Iridium.
FAQs
Question: Who Are The Romantic Options In Stardew Valley?
Answer: In Stardew Valley, the player has the opportunity to form relationships with the townspeople and become a genuine part of the community. However, there are a variety of male and female characters on the roster that allow players to form romantic relationships within the game, get married, move in together, and eventually start a family. This is an awesome feature, but it isn’t immediately clear to the player what characters are romantically available. I know personally that as the game began, I had marked out Robin as a potential suiter, but Demetrius had gotten there first. So to save you time and any embarrassment, here are all the romantic options available:
Male
• Alex
• Elliot
• Harvey
• Sam
• Shane
Female
• Abigail
• Haley
• Leah
• Maru
• Penny
Question: What Happens In Stardew Valley’s Opening Cut Scene?
Answer: Just in case you opted to skip the opening scene, allow us to fill you in. The scene opens in a Joja Corporation office. Here you see a variety of interesting characters, including a skeleton that doesn’t fill you with hope regarding your career prospects. Your character looks deflated, bored, and ready for a change. The scene then swaps to one where your grandfather is lying in his bed; he is clearly ill. On his deathbed, he left you a note which left you the details of his farm. He offers you a way to leave the rat race in Zuzu City and take on a new farming adventure. The next scene shows you traveling on the bus, next stop Pelican Town!
Question: Who Is The Most Likable Stardew Valley Character?
Answer: There is no way that I can answer this without being subjective. The people within this town have their own stories, likes and dislikes, daily routines, and each of them is unique in the best way possible. They all have their quirks and their flaws, but overall, each is a lovable and pleasant character deep down. If you want my full opinion, perhaps check out my related post on every Stardew character ranked. However, if you want a sneak peek at my number one entry, I have a huge soft spot for Linus. He is a saint, he can do no wrong, and if you tell me anything otherwise, well, we don’t have anything further to discuss.
Question: What Platforms is Stardew Valley Available for?
Answer: Stardew Valley is available on the PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC, IOS, and Android.
Start As You Mean To Go On!
As you can see from the information above, even in the first few hours of Stardew Valley, there are so many things that a player has to consider, and it’s almost always guaranteed that you will never have the same run as you have had before.
This game offers a surprising amount of complex and subtle mechanics, which make the game so addictive and so replayable. It can be confusing at first, but we hope that this guide serves you well. When you make millions tending to your crops and make your Grandpa proud, and Eric Barone proud, remember who helped you along the way!