Tips for Beginners in Stardew Valley: Basics of Farming, Romance, Upgrades, and More.
We have gathered the best tips and tricks for beginner players of Stardew Valley, covering the best crops, artisan goods, upgrades for the community center, and other important aspects.
Stardew Valley, created by Eric Barone, known as ConcernedApe, has established itself as a monumental success since its release in 2016. This game, inspired by the famous Harvest Moon series, allows you to take control of your late grandfather’s farm in the quaint town of Pelican. Throughout the game, players can start a family with one of the town’s bachelors or bachelorettes, revitalize the community center, and transform a modest farm into a lucrative business. The amount of content is so expansive that one can spend hundreds of hours in the game without exploring everything, especially with the recent update 1.6.
For those just starting out, it can be challenging to know where to begin, so here are some tips and tricks for cultivating a successful life and farm in Pelican Town.
Crop Farming
Farming is inevitably your main source of income. To start planting, you must till the soil with a hoe, plant the seed, and then water the plant with a watering can. It's vital to water your crops daily to prevent them from wilting. When it rains, your plants will be watered automatically, saving you energy for other activities. Eventually, you’ll be able to craft sprinklers that will make this task easier, so build some as soon as possible.
The most profitable crops are:
- Spring: Strawberry, Potato, Cauliflower, Green Bean
- Summer: Melon, Hops, Blueberry, Starfruit
- Fall: Artichoke, Cranberry, Pumpkin, Yam
Remember that not all crops grow year-round; some only grow in certain seasons. It's essential to plan if you are going to plant crops towards the end of a season, as if they do not mature in time, they will wilt, and you'll lose the money you invested.
Animal Care
Having animals on your farm is another excellent way to generate income, as they provide materials and products. You can start with a coop if you choose that type of farm, or you'll need to save up to build one. The coop can house chickens, ducks, and rabbits, while the barn can accommodate cows, goats, pigs, sheep, and even ostriches.
After building your coop, visit Marnie to purchase your animals. Just like plants, it’s crucial to keep your animals happy to obtain quality products. Make sure to pet them, let them graze on sunny days, and feed them hay, which you can store in a silo.
Artisan Products
Organize ways to create artisan products on your farm. Producing goods such as wine, beer, and pickles can significantly increase your profits. Use machines like the cheese press to make cheese or the mayonnaise machine to produce mayonnaise. You can also opt for a mushroom cave instead of a bat cave to get dried mushrooms and receive a free dehydrator.
Gifts and Romance
In Stardew Valley, interacting with the characters is key to forming relationships. Some of them are romanceable, and you can gift them presents, which will help strengthen those bonds. Once you accumulate eight hearts, you’ll need to give them a bouquet to unlock additional hearts and, eventually, a mermaid pendant to get married.
Mining and Combat
Your adventure will also take you to the depths of the mines, where you need to gather ores, gems, and combat creatures. As you go deeper, you'll find more valuable resources, such as gold and diamonds. Prepare a bag with an axe, a weapon, and some food before entering the mines, and remember to upgrade your combat skills.
Community Center
Once unlocked, the Community Center allows you to contribute to different bundles that unlock valuable rewards. You can choose to revitalize the building or turn it into a JojaMart store, with the first option being recommended to improve the town.
Multiplayer
Lastly, if you want to enjoy the game with friends, Stardew Valley allows for cooperative play with up to seven players, although this feature is not available in the mobile version. The multiplayer option can be found in the main menu, and you can create a new game from there.
Modding
PC players have the option to customize their experience with mods. These can change or expand the game in various ways, and you’ll need SMAPI to install them. Once downloaded, you can access a variety of mods that enhance gameplay.
