Stardew Valley: A Comprehensive Guide to Friendship
Forging strong bonds with Pelican Town's residents is crucial in Stardew Valley. Whether aiming for friendship or romance, cultivating relationships unlocks unique events and rewards. This guide details how to maximize friendship levels.
Updated January 4, 2025, to reflect the 1.6 update. While the core friendship system remains unchanged, 1.6 additions are highlighted.
The Heart System
Access the in-game menu's heart tab to view your relationship status with each NPC. Each heart represents a friendship level achieved by accumulating 250 friendship points. Reaching heart milestones triggers special events, mailed recipes, and unique dialogue options.
Boosting Friendship
To accelerate friendship growth, acquire the "Friendship 101" book. This book, obtainable as a Prize Machine reward (9th prize) or from the traveling Bookseller (Year 3, 9% chance), provides a permanent 10% friendship point bonus. Note: This bonus only applies to friendship increases, not decreases.
Friendship Point Breakdown
Numerous actions impact friendship points:
Daily Interactions
- Talking: +20 points (or +10 if the NPC is busy). Ignoring an NPC results in a -2 point penalty per day (-10 if you've gifted them a bouquet, -20 for your spouse).
- Bulletin Board Deliveries: +150 points with the recipient.
Gifting
- Loved Gifts: +80 points
- Liked Gifts: +45 points
- Neutral Gifts: +20 points
- Disliked Gifts: -20 points
- Hated Gifts: -40 points
Gifts given on the Feast of the Winter Star receive a 5x point multiplier, while birthday gifts receive an 8x multiplier. Choose wisely!
Stardrop Tea
This universally loved beverage grants +250 points (+750 on birthdays/Winter Star). Obtain it via the Prize Machine, Golden Fishing Chests, the Helper's Bundle, or from the Raccoon.
Movie Nights
Invite NPCs to the movie theater with a Movie Ticket (1000g). Movie and concession choices impact points (loved movie: +200, liked movie: +100, loved concession: +50, etc.).
Conversations
Dialogue choices during conversations and Heart Events significantly impact friendship (up to +200 or -200 points). Observe the NPC's personality to predict their preferences.
Festivals and Events
- Flower Dance: Dancing with an NPC (4 hearts or higher) grants +250 points.
- Luau: Contributing to the community soup yields varying points based on the ingredient's quality.
- Community Center: Completing the Bulletin Board bundles rewards +500 points with each non-dateable villager.
Mastering these strategies ensures a thriving social life in Stardew Valley, unlocking the full potential of this charming farming simulator.
