Stardew Valley: How to Play – Beginner Basics Guide

Stardew Valley: A Comprehensive Beginner’s Guide to the Basics

For new farmers, slowly figuring out Stardew Valley on your own can be a bit challenging. Knowing some essential tips upfront can make your start much smoother. First, the Farm Map: you can choose from seven different farm layouts, each offering unique advantages and favoring specific skills. For details, see the breakdown of beginner basics below.

Core Philosophy: Don’t Overthink It. First Survive, Then Thrive.

There’s no time limit in Year 1 and no real “failure.” Relax and follow the rhythm of Survival → Stability → Growth.

Part 1: Day One (Spring 1)

Main Goal: Learn the controls and complete basic setup.

• Check Your Mail: Look in the mailbox to receive 15 Parsnip Seeds from Mayor Lewis.

• Clear & Plant:

  • Use your Scythe to clear a small area near your farmhouse of weeds and fiber (don’t clear everything—Energy is precious early on).

  • Use the Axe and Pickaxe to clear about a 5×3 plot of tillable soil.

  • Open your inventory, select the seeds, and click on the tilled soil to plant. Don’t forget to water them!

• Explore & Socialize:

  • Head out in the afternoon. Your main task is to meet the neighbors. Right-click to talk to every NPC you see.

  • Make a point to visit Pierre’s General Store south of the town square to meet Pierre.

• Manage Your Energy:

  • Watering crops and walking consume the green Energy bar at the top right.

  • If you have leftover Energy on Day 1, go to the beach to forage for shells or chop a few trees (aim for about 50 Wood).

• CRUCIAL: Go to bed before 2:00 AM! Passing out will cost you money.

Part 2: The First-Week Core Loop (Spring 2-5)

Establish your early-game daily income cycle.

• Morning (High Energy):

  • Water your crops. Take care of your Parsnips (they mature in 4 days).

  • Expand your farm. Use your first earnings to buy Potato Seeds from Pierre’s. They are profitable and have a chance to yield multiple potatoes per plant.

• Afternoon (Low Energy):

  • Primary Task: FISHING.

  • Why? It’s the most reliable and profitable early-game income source.

  • Where? Recommended: the mountain lake (northeast on the map). Fish here are more valuable and easier to catch.

  • How? Keep the green bar over the fish icon. Practice makes perfect—it gets easier as your Fishing skill levels up.

• Other Activities:

  • Chop trees to gather Wood. Make at least one Chest (recipe: 50 Wood) to store items on your farm.

  • Go mining. On rainy days or when you have energy, head to the Mines northeast of your farm (opens on Spring 5). Goal: gather Copper Ore to prepare for tool upgrades.

Key Day Tip – Spring 5:
Check the Weather Forecast on TV. If it forecasts rain for Spring 6, water your crops and immediately take your Watering Can to Clint the Blacksmith for an upgrade. You won’t need it on the rainy day, and the upgrade time (2 days) is perfectly utilized.

Part 3: The First Major Investment (Spring 13)

The Egg Festival: This is key to your spring wealth.

• You MUST attend! The festival runs from 9 AM to 2 PM. Entering Pelican Town from your farm triggers it.

• Goal: Find Pierre’s stall at the festival and spend all your money on Strawberry Seeds.

• Why? Strawberries produce fruit every 4 days after the first harvest and keep producing until spring ends. Even planting them on the 13th allows for 2-3 harvests, yielding far more profit than any other spring crop.

Part 4: Eight Essential Survival Rules for Beginners

1. Your Calendar and TV Are Your Guides:

   • The Calendar outside the Mayor’s house shows birthdays and festivals.

   • Watch TV at home every day! “Weather Forecast” plans your tomorrow. “Fortune Teller” influences your luck. “Living Off the Land” offers tips. “The Queen of Sauce” (and reruns on Sunday) teaches cooking recipes.

2. Energy Management is Everything:

   • Don’t completely drain your Energy early on. Save some in case you need to eat to recover from an event at night (e.g., attacked by monsters).

   • Foraged Spring Onions, Dandelions, Leeks are decent free food early on.

3. The Community Center is the Hidden Main Story:

   • After Day 1, enter the Abandoned Community Center (northeast of the town square) to trigger a cutscene.

   • Click the glowing scroll to unlock the “Bundle” system. Completing bundles grants fantastic rewards and progresses the story. This is the more engaging core path compared to the Joja Mart route.

4. Don’t Sell Everything:

   • Keep at least 1-2 of each item in a chest, especially crops, forageables, and minerals. Many are needed for Community Center bundles or quests.

   • It’s generally safe to sell fish, but check if any expensive ones are loved gifts for specific NPCs.

5. Time Your Tool Upgrades Wisely:

   • Upgrading takes 2 days, and you can’t use the tool during that time.

   • Upgrade your Watering Can the day before rain is forecast.

   • Upgrade your Pickaxe or Axe when the weather is bad or you don’t have immediate need for them.

6. Spend Money Strategically:

   • Early on, don’t waste gold on food at the Saloon or decorations. Prioritize spending on seeds and tool upgrades.

7. Birthday Gifts Are the Social Shortcut:

   • Giving an NPC a “Loved” gift on their birthday grants 8x the normal friendship points! This is the fastest way to build relationships.

8. There’s No “Wrong” Way to Play:

   • The charm of Stardew Valley is its freedom. If you don’t feel like fishing today and want to mine or chat with NPCs instead, that’s perfectly fine! The most important thing is to enjoy the game at your own pace.

Simplified Opening Roadmap

• Week 1: Plant Parsnips → Earn money for Potatoes → Fish diligently every afternoon.

• Week 2: Grow more Potatoes/Fish → Attend the Egg Festival → Go ALL-IN on Strawberry Seeds.

• Week 3 Onward: Care for Strawberries, reinvest profits to expand, start exploring the Mines, and work on early Community Center bundles.

Remember, the goal of Year 1 is to get familiar with the world, establish a stable income source, and, above all, enjoy the process. May you find your own peace and happiness in this valley