Developed by TheConcernedApe, Stardew Valley quickly became a mainstream favourite thanks to its gameplay as a charming, deceptively complex farming simulator. Taking over your grandpa’s run-down farm, you have to find your way around to become the ultimate farmer. With your trusty tools and a positive attitude, as you till the soil, battle beasties, and mingle with the townsfolk, you gradually transform the overgrown plot into your dream farm. To help you get there, we’d like to share with you five helpful tips that will give you a running start to building the perfect farm.
1. Optimize Crop Placement with Sprinklers and Scarecrows
When it comes to making a profit, farm management is absolutely vital for success in Stardrew Valley. The placement of crops, sprinklers, and scarecrows can significantly affect both your harvest yield and efficiency. A sprinkler’s water radius and a scarecrow’s protective zone are important things to consider and master early on. You’ll thank us later!
For instance, a Quality Sprinkler waters exactly eight tiles surrounding it every morning. Similarly, a scarecrow effectively protects a radius of eight tiles from pesky crows. Setting up your farm in a grid system that optimizes this coverage can save you a lot of time and energy. We don’t want any of your crops drying out or getting eaten! By utilizing this tip, you’ll be surprised by how much extra time you’ll get every day, leaving you free to explore the mines or cozy up with your favourite townsfolk.
Image by Screamenteagle from Pixabay
2. Mine Smart, Not Hard
With dozens of rocks on each floor in the mines, mining can certainly be an arduous task. Not only does your energy deplete quickly with each hit, but the darkness can also be unforgiving. With monsters hidden at every turn, for some players, mining is their least favourite thing to do. That’s why it’s important to learn where the resources you want are!
Different levels of the mines all correspond to different concentrations of valuable resources. For example, Iron is most abundant between levels 40 and 80 while Gold shines brightest between 80 and 120. Additionally, the rocks on these specific levels have a higher chance of dropping the respective ores. So why run around wasting time and energy when you can just easily hop down to the floor you want and immediately mine the resource you want? Just remember to carry plenty of food to keep you prepared for a day full of mining.
3. Preserve Your Products
Crops are your bread and butter in Stardew Valley, but did you know that artisan goods can also significantly boost your income? Always remember to save some of your crops to transform them into high-profiting items. Turn your tomatoes into ketchup or your berries into jam with Preserves Jars and Kegs. Another great alternative is to take your wheat and grapes and turn them into beer and wine. You’ll be shocked by how much gold you’ll rake in! Be patient though because the process can take several days to complete. You’ll quickly realize it was all worth your time when you see how much gold you make at the end of the day.
Image by Michal Jarmoluk from Pixabay
4. Livin’ La Vida Forage
While it may seem like such a boring, mundane task, never underestimate the power of foraging. The valley is chock-full of hidden goodies just waiting to be discovered - and sold. From berries in the bushes to shells on the shorelines, foraging can pad your pockets with extra gold and can sometimes even double as handy food items. Moreover, many foraged items are required for the Community Center Bundles which are needed to progress the story. These bundles, once completed, will also reward you with valuable items and upgrades that will help boost your farm.
Image by PublicDomainPictures from Pixabay
5. Friendship Pays Off
In Stardew Valley, making friends isn’t just a pastime, it’s a strategy that can provide you with a lot of benefits. Building relationships with the townsfolk can result in some fantastic rewards including recipes, gifts, and even help on the farm. Plus, it makes the game world feel all the more alive and fun. Each villager has specific likes and dislikes, so if you can remember to give Caroline a Summer Spangle or Alex a complete breakfast, your efforts will be rewarded handsomely. And hey, if you max out the hearts with a specific person, you might even be able to marry them.
Image by Robert Owen-Wahl from Pixabay
With so many things to do in Stardew Valley, these tips and tricks will definitely help you find your footing as you start out in the beautiful game world. With patience, time, and a keen understanding of the game’s mechanics, you’ll have your dream farm in no time. Happy farming!
