Building strong relationships in Stardew Valley is key to thriving in Pelican Town. Becoming friends, and even romantically involved, with the villagers unlocks unique events, gifts, and dialogue. While chatting and gifting are fundamental, understanding the nuances of the friendship system is crucial for maximizing your social success.
Many players know that talking and gifting influence friendship, but the impact varies greatly. This guide details how to effectively raise your relationship levels with each NPC.
Updated January 4, 2025, by Demaris Oxman: Stardew Valley's 1.6 update has re-energized the farming sim community. While the core friendship mechanics remain, some additions in 1.6 are worth noting for players aiming for maximum friendship.
The Heart Scale
Access your relationship status with each NPC via the in-game menu's heart tab. This shows your friendship level (hearts) with each villager. Higher heart levels unlock special events, mailed recipes, and unique dialogue options. However, the heart scale only tells part of the story.
What Is One Heart?
Each heart represents 250 friendship points. Almost every interaction – talking, gifting, etc. – affects your friendship score. Positive actions earn points, while ignoring or negatively interacting with villagers decreases your friendship.
Boosting Friendship Gain
To accelerate friendship building, acquire the "Friendship 101" book. This book, obtainable as the ninth Prize Machine prize (Mayor's Mansion) or occasionally from the Bookseller (Year 3, 9% chance), provides a permanent 10% boost to friendship gains for 20,000g. This bonus only applies to friendship increases, not decreases.
Point Values for Interactions
Numerous actions impact friendship points. Here's a breakdown:
Everyday Interactions
- Talking: +20 points (or +10 if the villager is busy). Daily conversation prevents friendship decay.
- Bulletin Board Deliveries: +150 points with the recipient.
- Ignoring Villagers: -2 points per day (-10 if you've gifted a bouquet, -20 for your spouse).
Giving Gifts
- 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 are worth 5x points, and birthday gifts are 8x! Consider this when choosing gifts for special occasions.
Stardrop Tea
This universally loved gift grants +250 points (+750 on birthdays and the Feast of the Winter Star). It can be obtained from the Prize Machine, Golden Fishing Chests, the Helper's Bundle, or from the raccoon for completing requests.
The Movie Theater
Invite villagers to the movies! Movie Ticket + chosen movie/concessions impact friendship:
- 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 & Dialogue
Dialogue choices during conversations and Heart Events significantly impact friendship (+10 to +200 points or negative values). Choose wisely!
Festivals & Events
- Flower Dance: Dancing with an NPC (4 hearts or higher) grants +250 points.
- Luau: Soup contributions affect friendship (+120 to -100 points).
- Community Center (Bulletin Board Completion): +500 points with each non-dateable villager.
