Stardew Valley: A Comprehensive Guide to Friendship
Forging strong relationships is key to thriving in Stardew Valley. Integrating into Pelican Town's close-knit community involves kindness and generosity towards your neighbors, whether you're aiming for friendship or romance. While conversing and gifting are known methods, understanding the nuances of the friendship system is crucial for maximizing your relationships. This guide details how to achieve peak friendship levels with each villager.
Updated January 4, 2025, by Demaris Oxman: The 1.6 update has reignited interest in Stardew Valley. While the friendship system remains largely unchanged, new additions in 1.6 are highlighted here.
The Heart System
Access your relationship status with each NPC via the in-game menu's heart tab. This displays friendship levels (hearts) earned. Reaching heart milestones unlocks special events, mailed recipes, and unique dialogue. However, the heart display doesn't fully illustrate friendship point accumulation.
Understanding Friendship Points
A single heart increase requires 250 friendship points. Most interactions—talking, gifting, etc.—impact friendship levels. Positive actions earn points, while neglect or negative actions decrease them.
Accelerating Friendship Growth
The "Friendship 101" book provides a permanent 10% friendship point boost. Obtain it as the ninth Prize Machine prize (Mayor's Mansion) or (9% chance) from the Year 3 Bookseller. The cost is 20,000g. Note: this bonus only applies to friendship increases, not decreases.
Friendship Point Values for Interactions
Various interactions influence friendship points:
Daily Interactions
- Talking: +20 points (or +10 if the character is busy). Daily interaction prevents friendship decay (-2 points per day).
- Bulletin Board Deliveries: +150 points with the recipient.
- Ignoring a character: -2 points per day (-10 with a bouquet, -20 for a spouse).
Gifting
- Loved Gifts: +80 points
- Liked Gifts: +45 points
- Neutral Gifts: +20 points
- Disliked Gifts: -20 points
- Hated Gifts: -40 points
Birthday and Feast of the Winter Star gifts multiply point values (x8 and x5 respectively). Be mindful of gift preferences on these special days.
Stardrop Tea
Stardrop Tea (+250 points, or one heart; tripled on birthdays/Winter Star) is a universally loved gift, even beyond usual gift limits. Sources include the Prize Machine, Golden Fishing Chests, the Helper's Bundle (remixed Community Center), and high-level raccoon requests.
Movie Nights
Movie tickets (1000g) allow inviting NPCs to the cinema. Movie and concession choices affect friendship points:
- Loved Movie: +200 points
- Liked Movie: +100 points
- Disliked Movie: 0 points
- Loved Concession: +50 points
- Liked Concession: +25 points
- Disliked Concession: 0 points
Conversations and Dialogue
Dialogue choices can significantly impact friendship (+10 to +50 points or a decrease). Heart Events offer similar opportunities (+/- 200 points). Observe the NPC's personality to gauge preferred responses.
Festivals and Events
- Flower Dance (4+ hearts): +1 heart
- Luau: Soup contributions affect friendship (+120 to -100 points).
- Community Center Bulletin Board Completion: +500 points (2 hearts) with each non-dateable villager.
This comprehensive guide empowers you to cultivate thriving relationships in Stardew Valley. Remember to consider individual villager preferences and utilize the various interaction methods strategically to build the strongest bonds possible.
