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 showing kindness and generosity to your neighbors. Whether your goal is friendship or romance, building bonds is essential.

While most players understand the basics of befriending villagers—talking, gifting, and choosing dialogue options—the nuances of the friendship system can be complex. Not all actions are equal; some significantly boost relationships more than others. This guide details how to maximize your friendships in Stardew Valley.

Updated January 4, 2025, by Demaris Oxman: The 1.6 update has reignited many players' love for this charming farming sim, attracting both returning and new players. While the friendship point system remains largely unchanged, 1.6 introduced additions that impact befriending the valley's inhabitants.

The Heart System

Your relationship with each NPC is tracked via the heart system (accessible in the game menu). Each heart represents a friendship level. Reaching certain heart levels unlocks special events, mailed recipes, and unique dialogue options. However, the heart display doesn't fully reveal the mechanics of friendship gain.

One Heart's Worth

Gaining one heart requires accumulating 250 friendship points. Most interactions—talking, gifting, etc.—impact friendship. Positive actions earn points, while ignoring villagers or performing negative actions decrease friendship.

Accelerated Friendship

To boost friendship gains, acquire the "Friendship 101" book. Found as the ninth Prize Machine prize (Mayor's Mansion) or occasionally from the Bookseller (Year 3, 9% chance), it costs 20,000g. Reading it grants a permanent 10% bonus to friendship point gains from positive interactions. Note: This bonus doesn't affect friendship loss.

Friendship Point Values

Various interactions influence friendship points.

Daily Interactions

• Talking: +20 points (or +10 if the villager is busy). Daily conversation prevents friendship decay. A checkmark in the Social menu indicates daily interaction.
• Bulletin Board Deliveries: +150 points with the recipient.
• Ignoring Villagers: -2 points per day (-10 with a bouquet given, -20 for a spouse).

Gifting

Villagers have individual preferences:

• 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 earn 5x points; birthday gifts earn 8x points. This multiplier applies to negative points as well.

Stardrop Tea

Stardrop Tea () is a universally loved gift granting +250 points (+750 on birthdays/Winter Star). It can be obtained from the Prize Machine, Golden Fishing Chests, the Helper's Bundle (remixed Community Center), or from the raccoon for completing requests.

Movie Theater

Invite villagers to the movies using a Movie Ticket (1000g). Friendship points vary based on movie and concession choices.

Conversations and Dialogue

Dialogue choices impact friendship. Positive responses can earn +10 to +50 points, while negative responses decrease friendship. Heart Events offer similar opportunities for significant friendship gains or losses.

Festivals and Events

• Flower Dance: Dancing with a villager (4+ hearts) grants +250 points.
• Luau: Contributing to the soup affects friendship with all villagers.
• Community Center: Completing the Bulletin Board bundles awards +500 points with each non-dateable villager.

By understanding these mechanics, you can cultivate strong relationships and fully enjoy the social aspects of Stardew Valley.