Stardew Valley is a beloved farming simulation game that invites players into a serene world filled with endless opportunities. With its charming graphics and engaging gameplay, players can cultivate a farm, explore the local town, and interact with the townsfolk. However, if you’re new to the game, figuring out what to prioritize on your very first day can be both exciting and overwhelming. In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through the essential steps you need to take on your first day in Stardew Valley to ensure a successful start to your farming journey.
Your Arrival: A Fresh Start
As you begin your adventure in Stardew Valley, your character arrives in Pelican Town after inheriting a farm from your grandfather. The nostalgia for rural life overtakes you, and the game sets you free to explore. However, before you start planting crops and raising animals, there are critical first-day activities to maximize your potential.
1. Understand Your Farm Layout
Upon entering your farm, take a moment to explore the layout. This initial exploration helps you become acquainted with your surroundings. Observe where your farmhouse is situated, the different fields of land available for planting, and any resources that might be immediately accessible.
Farm Features to Note
- The Farmhouse: Your starting home, where you can rest and store items.
- The Fields: Areas where you can plant crops. Note the spaces available for new crops.
- Resources: Look for forageable items like wild plants, stones, and branches that can be collected for crafting and building.
2. Gather Basic Resources
As soon as you complete your farm tour, it’s essential to gather basic resources. This resource-gathering sets the foundation for your farm’s success.
Essential Resources
- Wood: Use your axe to chop down trees and break branches on the ground.
- Stone: Use your pickaxe to break rocks on your farm.
- Foraged Items: Search for wild vegetables, fruits, and flowers. These can be sold or consumed for energy.
Tip: Collecting these resources will help you build essential tools, craft items, and prepare for future farming tasks.
3. Plant Your Crops
After you’ve gathered some resources, it’s time to get your hands dirty! As part of your starting resources, you’ll receive some basic seeds. For your first day, parsnip seeds are typically given to you, which are simple to grow and perfect for beginning farmers.
How to Plant Seeds
To plant your seeds effectively, follow these steps:
- Tilling the Soil: Use your hoe to prepare the land. Each seed requires a tilled square to grow.
- Planting: Select the seeds from your inventory and click on the tilled soil to plant them.
- Watering: Use your watering can to water your newly planted seeds. Be mindful to water them daily to ensure proper growth.
Growth Time: Parsnip seeds take 4 days to mature, so make sure you will be watering them every day to get the best harvest.
4. Explore the Town and Meet the Locals
Once you’ve planted your first batch of crops, it’s time to head to Pelican Town. Meeting the townsfolk gives you a sense of community and can lead to future friendships, quests, and romantic relationships.
Key Locations to Check Out
- The Store: Visit Pierre’s General Store to shop for more seeds and supplies.
- The Blacksmith: Get to know Clint the Blacksmith, who can upgrade tools and process ores.
- The Tavern: Stop by the Saloon to meet locals and learn more about the town’s social life.
Building Relationships
Forming relationships with townspeople can result in bonuses such as recipes and gifts. Talk to them, give gifts, and complete their quests to strengthen these connections.
5. Plan Your First Crafting Projects
With some resources gathered and new relationships budding, it’s time to consider crafting. Understanding the crafting system in Stardew Valley can enhance your farming experience significantly.
Essential Early Crafting Items
- Crafting Table: A necessity to create various tools and items.
- Furnace: Used to smelt ores for tool upgrades.
- Scarecrow: Essential for protecting your crops from pesky crows.
Investing time in crafting will give you the upper hand on your farm in the long run.
6. Manage Your Energy Wisely
Stardew Valley uses an energy system that can dictate how much you can accomplish each day. Be mindful of your energy levels, especially on your first day.
How to Regain Energy
- Foraged Food: Collect fruits and vegetables that can provide a quick boost.
- Cooking: As you advance, you can learn recipes that restore energy.
- Resting: Head back to your farmhouse to replenish energy overnight.
Tip: Avoid exhausting your energy on the first day since you will need it for further exploration and activities throughout the week.
7. Set Goals for the Week
After immersing yourself in the first day, take some time to think about your long-term goals. Setting objectives can streamline your efforts and keep your focus sharp.
Types of Goals to Consider
- Farming Goals: Plan which crops you want to grow and their respective planting seasons.
- Crafting Goals: Work towards crafting essential tools and items for your farm’s development.
- Social Goals: Choose specific townsfolk to build relationships with.
Remember, the foundation you build on your first day will set the tone for your entire farming experience!
8. Enjoy the Journey
One of the essential aspects of Stardew Valley is the journey. Enjoy the slow and serene progression of game time. Each season brings new opportunities, crops, and events that enrich your gameplay experience.
What to Look Forward To
Throughout your game, you will encounter numerous activities to keep you engaged:
- Seasonal Festivals: Participate in town events that foster community spirit.
- Fishing and Mining: Expand your horizons beyond farming and delve into other expansive gameplay features.
- Animal Husbandry: As your farm grows, consider raising animals for new products.
In Stardew Valley, there’s always something new to discover!
Conclusion: A New Chapter Awaits
Your first day in Stardew Valley is just the beginning of an enriching experience where the possibilities are endless. By following these essential steps—understanding your farm, gathering resources, planting crops, exploring the town, and setting goals—you can ensure a successful onset of your farming journey.
As you embark on this adventure, remember to take your time, enjoy the beautiful landscapes, interact with the delightful townsfolk, and watch your farm flourish. The world of Stardew Valley awaits—happy farming!
What should I do first when starting Stardew Valley?
To kick off your first day in Stardew Valley, it’s best to familiarize yourself with the basic controls and your surroundings. Begin by clearing some space on your farm by chopping down trees and breaking rocks. This will help you gather valuable resources like wood and stone, which are essential for crafting and building structures later on. Don’t forget to check your in-game mailbox for any new messages or reminders.
Once you’ve cleared a bit of land, take some time to explore your farm and its boundaries. Get used to the layout, find the nearest resources, and locate your crop plots. Collect wild forage like berries or herbs as they can be useful for crafting and cooking. This exploration will give you a general sense of your new environment and help you make a plan for your farming strategy as you progress.
What crops should I plant on the first day?
On your first day, you start with some basic resources, including a few seeds that you might have received in your inventory or through your mailbox. The best choice for your initial crops is to plant parsnips, as they grow quickly and can be harvested within 4 days. This will allow you to earn some money soon, which is crucial for expanding your farm and purchasing additional seeds from Pierre’s shop.
Make sure to check the Calendar and Seasonal Crop guide to avoid wasting seeds on out-of-season crops. You can also consider planting a mix of other short-season crops available for purchase at the store. Remember to water your crops daily since they require it to grow. Developing a consistent routine for watering and caring for your plants will set you up for success in the long run.
How can I earn money quickly in Stardew Valley?
Earning money on your first day is crucial for setting a strong foundation in Stardew Valley. One of the most straightforward methods is to focus on farming, especially by planting and harvesting crops, as mentioned before. Besides growing parsnips, collecting foraged items, such as wild herbs, seasonal fruits, and mushrooms, can provide quick cash. Foraging not only offers a decent sum of money but also helps increase your Foraging skill.
Another effective way to earn extra cash early is through fishing. Although you do need to craft a fishing rod, once you do, you can catch various fish that can be sold for a good profit. Additionally, foraging and fishing are excellent ways to get to know the environment and make connections with various characters in Pelican Town. Diversifying your income sources will help you build your fortune more quickly.
How do I manage my energy and health on the first day?
In Stardew Valley, managing your energy is vital as you can only perform a limited number of actions each day. Your energy is depleted by performing tasks such as chopping wood, mining, and watering crops. Be aware of how much energy you have left; if you run out, your character will become exhausted. This can affect your productivity and lead you to spend the night in bed early, which isn’t the most efficient strategy.
To restore energy, you can consume food items, which can be foraged, crafted, or purchased. On your first day, if you find any foraged food like berries or mushrooms, be sure to eat them to recharge your energy. Additionally, cooking meals later in the game will provide a more significant energy boost. Keeping an eye on your energy levels and planning activities accordingly will maximize your productivity and help you make the most of each day.
What should I know about relationships in Stardew Valley?
Building relationships in Stardew Valley is an integral part of the game that can yield valuable rewards. On your first day, while the primary focus is on settling into your farm, don’t overlook the importance of interacting with the townspeople. Introduce yourself to the different villagers and engage in conversations. This will help you start building rapport and can lead to friendships that unlock new quests, recipes, and benefits.
Consider gifting items that the villagers like or love, as this will significantly increase your friendship points. Keep an eye on their specific likes and dislikes; gifting them something they appreciate can help raise your relationship level. Engaging in festivals and community events as they occur will also foster connection and strengthen your ties with the inhabitants of Pelican Town.
How do I unlock new farm buildings and upgrades?
Unlocking new buildings and upgrades involves both gathering materials and spending money earned from crops, foraging, and fishing. Once you’ve made some money, head to Robin’s shop at the Carpenter’s Shop in Pelican Town. She can help you build various structures such as barns, coops, and silos to enhance your farm’s productivity. Each structure requires different materials, so make sure you gather enough wood, stone, and other items.
Additionally, as you progress and complete certain tasks, new options for upgrades and buildings will become available. For instance, leveling up your skills in farming, fishing, or mining can unlock crafting recipes for more advanced buildings and improvements. Always be on the lookout for opportunities to expand your farm’s capabilities, as each addition provides new gameplay possibilities and boosts your farming efficiency.
Can I save my progress at any time?
In Stardew Valley, saving your game is easy and occurs automatically. The game saves your progress at the end of each day, meaning you don’t have to worry about manual saving during gameplay. However, you can speed up the process by heading to bed at any time, and this will ensure that all your actions for the day are stored safely. This is especially useful if you need to take a break or exit the game.
It’s essential to plan your in-game time wisely, as time moves quickly, and you want to make sure all tasks you intend to complete in a day are done before going to bed. If you want to explore or interact with your surroundings without rushing, consider doing some quick tasks, then checking back to ensure you’ve allocated enough time to finish your day properly.
How do I find resources like ores and wood?
Finding resources such as ores and wood is crucial for crafting and building in Stardew Valley. To gather wood, all you need to do is use your axe on trees, stumps, or fallen branches spread across your farm and in the surrounding forested areas. Be mindful of maintaining a balance of trees on your farm, as they provide shade and atmosphere, while also being a valuable source of wood.
For ores, you’ll need to explore caves, which become accessible shortly after starting the game. You can find various ores, including copper and iron, by mining the rocks within the caves. Bring a pickaxe along and be prepared to encounter monsters. Mining can consume a lot of your energy, so it’s wise to plan your mining trips carefully and restock your energy with food items.