Stardew Valley for Dummies
Hello everyone! 👋🏻
I’ve seen a LOT of people here who love Stardew Valley with all their heart but I’ve also come across people who bought the game but couldn’t quite get into it. Stardew Valley’s lack of a proper tutorial can make it difficult to get started if you haven’t played any farming sims before so I’m making this guide to help new players not feel super overwhelmed. 🙂
PS: I’ve literally played this game with almost everybody I know: my friends, my 7-year-old, and even my technologically impaired mother (it’s her favourite game now). So, trust me when I say Stardew Valley is for everyone.
Let’s get started :)
#1 . Take it easy🌿
I think the main reason why so many people love this game is because it can be as simple or as complicated as you want to make it. There is no “Game Over” in Stardew Valley. There are very few negative consequences in the game, and you can never do any irreparable damage. So, for your first run, try to get a feel for the valley without worrying about doing things *right*. Plus, it always helps to remember that you aren’t legally or morally bound to your first save file!
#2 . Know your UI & Settings⚙️
The menu will be your best friend in Stardew Valley - literally. It shows you a lot of things including your farm overview, current inventory, skills, relationships, the map (including a live tracker showing you where you are), and this is also where you will craft stuff. Stardew Valley also has a pretty neat feature where if you hover over items in your inventory, you can read a brief description of what it is or what it can do. You need to use your tools to gather resources: the axe can cut down trees/logs for wood, the pickaxe can break stones for… well, stones, etc.
Also, in the settings menu, make sure to turn on “Auto Run”, and “Always Show Tool Hit Location” to make your life easier. Another helpful setting to look at is the option to show “Zoom Buttons”. By default, the game starts at 100% zoom but I have found it easier to navigate when I am at 75%! I would also highly recommend just scrolling through the settings and looking at the controls.
#3 . Stamina, Time and Passing Out🛏️
The top right corner will show you the current time, day, season, and weather. Days in Stardew Valley start at 6am and end at 2am or when you decide to turn in for bed in your farmhouse. If you haven’t gone to sleep for the night BY 2am, then you will just pass out wherever you are. This is probably the most important thing to keep your eye on. If you pass out/can’t make it to bed, there is a chance that you will lose stuff from your inventory which is not good. Until you become familiar with the map, I would suggest you start making your way back to the farm by 9pm!
Another important thing to keep in mind is your stamina. In Stardew Valley, using every tool EXCEPT the scythe, will deplete your stamina. Once your stamina hits 0, you will pass out at your current location which is, once again, something you want to avoid. You can recover stamina either by eating food (more on that in the next part) or by going to bed/ending the day. If you run out of stamina by, say 10am, go foraging or talk to the townsfolk before ending the day!
#4 . Interact with the world👆🏻
When you hover over any item on your screen, you’ll know you can interact with it if the cursor icon turns into a hand. Stay on the lookout for when your cursor gets a + sign next to it - this means that the item you are hovering on is forageable (i.e. you can pick it up as long as you have space in your inventory and then you can choose to eat it, sell it, or gift it to a villager)!
#5 . Other small tips💫
> Start with the basic farm! It has the largest uninterrupted space, and a very simple layout so you won’t get lost.
> You will get 15 parsnip seeds as soon as you start and it is best to plant them right away! To plant crops, you need to clear some land on your farm, hoe it, scatter the seeds, and water them daily until they are ready to be picked.
> Talk to the townsfolk! Making friends is a great way to get gifts and food. They all have their own schedules, likes, and dislikes.
> Remember to check the TV channels every day! The Weather Channel will tell you the forecast for the next day, which can be very useful when you’re starting because if it is raining, then you don’t have to spend stamina watering your crops. The Fortune Teller tells you your daily fortune, Livin’ off the Land gives important game tips, and Queen of Sauce teaches you cooking recipes.
> Keep an eye on your mailbox! It’s located to the right of your house. This is where you will get invitations/reminders for town events, gifts from your neighbours, and some of their requests!
> You can either sell stuff directly to Pierre at his store or you can drop it in the shipping bin.
> Try to keep one of each item that you get because you might need them at short notice for a quest. You can store items in a chest which can be crafted from the crafting menu using 50 wood!
If you have any questions, feel free to drop them in the comments and I will do my best to help! I hope this is helpful! Happy farming!❤️
#gamer #cozygaming #stardewvalley #gameguide #GameRecommendation
Hello fellow farmers! I totally get how daunting Stardew Valley can feel when you're just starting out. It's a huge world with so much to learn, and sometimes the basic UI and settings can be confusing. I remember spending ages trying to figure out the best way to organize my inventory or where to find my skills screen! Based on my own journey and what I've seen new players struggle with, I wanted to dive a bit deeper into some of the game's core mechanics and settings that really make a difference. First off, let's talk about those crucial menus. The original guide touched on them, but there's so much more to explore. Your inventory isn't just a place to hold items; it's your lifeline! Learning to quickly manage your tools, like switching between your Scythe and your pickaxe, is key. I found that organizing my hotbar (the bottom row of your inventory) with frequently used items made farming and foraging so much smoother. Don't be afraid to use chests (craftable with 50 wood!) to store excess items – it's a game-changer for keeping your inventory tidy and saving valuable space. Then there's the skills screen. This is where you track your progress in farming, mining, foraging, fishing, and combat. Each level unlocks new crafting recipes and perks. I always prioritized farming and mining early on because higher levels meant better tools and more efficient resource gathering. For instance, at farming level 5, you get to choose a profession, which can significantly boost your income or crop yield. Don't forget that stardrops can permanently increase your maximum energy, which is incredibly useful for those long days on the farm! Regarding settings, beyond the 'Auto Run' and 'Always Show Tool Hit Location' (which are absolute musts!), I highly recommend looking at the 'Zoom Buttons' option. While the game defaults to 100% zoom, I personally prefer 75% or even 50% sometimes to get a better overview of my farm layout, especially when planning new crop fields or placing buildings. Another setting that often gets overlooked is the 'Profit Margin' when starting a new game. This can make the game significantly harder or easier, so choose wisely based on your experience level. I started with the default, but if you're looking for a tougher challenge, you can always lower it! For tool upgrades, I remember being so excited when I finally had enough copper bars and money to upgrade my pickaxe at Clint the Blacksmith. Upgrading your tools, like your copper axe, significantly reduces the energy cost and time it takes to clear land or mine. It's an investment that pays off quickly, allowing you to be much more efficient. Don't hesitate to visit Clint regularly once you start finding ores! Lastly, let's touch on farm layouts. The standard farm is great for beginners due to its expansive open space. However, as you get more experienced, you might consider other options. I've seen friends create amazing 'couple farm layouts' on the Forest Farm or Riverland Farm for co-op play, and the Mountain Farm layout is fantastic for early mining access. While you can't change your farm type after starting, it's fun to think about for a future save file! Exploring all these little details, from managing specific UI elements to tweaking settings, truly enhances the Stardew Valley experience. Happy farming, everyone! Let me know if you discover any other hidden gems in the settings!
