Stardew Valley: How The Friendship Point System Works

Stardew Valley: A Comprehensive Guide to Friendship

Forging strong friendships is key to thriving in the charming world of Stardew Valley. As a newcomer to Pelican Town, building relationships with your neighbors through kindness and generosity is essential, whether you're aiming for platonic bonds or romance. While chatting and gifting are well-known methods, understanding the nuances of the friendship system is crucial for maximizing your relationships. This guide delves into the mechanics of friendship, providing insights into maximizing your connections with the villagers.

Updated January 4, 2025, by Demaris Oxman: The 1.6 update has breathed new life into Stardew Valley, attracting both returning and new players. While the core friendship system remains largely unchanged, several additions in 1.6 warrant attention for those seeking to cultivate friendships across the valley.

The Heart System

Access your relationship status with each NPC by opening the Menu and selecting the heart tab. This displays each NPC and their corresponding heart levels (friendship levels). Reaching heart milestones unlocks special events, mailed recipes, and unique dialogue options. However, the heart display is only part of the friendship equation.

Understanding Friendship Points

Each heart represents 250 friendship points. Nearly every interaction—talking, gifting, etc.—affects your friendship score. Positive actions earn points, while ignoring or negatively interacting with an NPC decreases your friendship level.

Accelerating Friendship Growth

To significantly boost your friendship gains, acquire the "Friendship 101" book. This book, obtainable as the ninth prize from the Prize Machine in the Mayor's Mansion (or with a 9% chance from the Bookseller starting Year 3 for 20,000g), grants a permanent 10% increase to all friendship-building interactions. Note that this bonus doesn't affect friendship loss.

Point Values for Interactions

Numerous interactions influence friendship points:

Daily Interactions

• Talking: +20 points (or +10 if the NPC 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 NPCs: -2 points per day (-10 if a bouquet was given, -20 for a spouse).

Gifting

Gift preferences vary.

• 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 the points, and birthday gifts are worth 8x. Be mindful of this multiplier when gifting on 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 (Community Center), or from the raccoon for completing requests.

Movie Theater

Inviting an NPC to the movies (using a Movie Ticket and concessions) offers substantial friendship gains:

• 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 significantly impact friendship. Positive responses can yield +10 to +50 points, while negative ones can decrease your friendship level. Heart Events offer even greater potential gains or losses (+/- 200 points).

Festivals and Events

• Flower Dance: (4+ hearts) Dancing grants +250 points.
• Luau: Contributing to the community soup impacts friendship:
  • Best Soup: +120 points
  • Good Soup: +60 points
  • Neutral/No Item/Lewis' Shorts: 0 points
  • Bad Soup: -50 points
  • Worst Soup: -100 points
• Community Center: Completing the Bulletin Board bundles awards +500 points with each non-dateable villager.

By mastering these strategies, you can cultivate meaningful relationships and unlock the full potential of your Stardew Valley experience.