Stardew Surprises! A Guide to the Friendship System

This guide delves into the intricacies of friendship building in Stardew Valley, a crucial aspect for integrating into Pelican Town's community. While casual conversation and gifting are key, understanding the point system is vital for maximizing friendship gains, whether aiming for camaraderie or romance.

The Heart System:

The in-game heart meter (accessed via the menu) displays friendship levels with each NPC. Each heart represents 250 friendship points. Positive interactions increase points, while negative ones decrease them.

Boosting Friendship Gains:

The "Friendship 101" book (available from the Prize Machine or the Bookseller in Year 3) provides a permanent 10% boost to friendship point gains.

Interaction Point Values:

• Daily Conversations: +20 points (or +10 if the NPC is busy). Ignoring an NPC results in a -2 point penalty daily (-10 if a bouquet was given, -20 for a spouse).
• Bulletin Board Deliveries: +150 points with the recipient.
• Gifting:
  • Loved Gifts: +80 points
  • Liked Gifts: +45 points
  • Neutral Gifts: +20 points
  • Disliked Gifts: -20 points
  • Hated Gifts: -40 points
  • Winter Star Festival Gifts: 5x points
  • Birthday Gifts: 8x points
• Stardrop Tea: +250 points (one heart) – tripled for birthdays and the Winter Star Festival. Can be given regardless of usual gift limits.
• Movie Theater: Inviting an NPC to the movies offers variable points based on movie and snack choices. Loved movie: +200, Liked movie: +100, Loved snack: +50, Liked snack: +25.
• Conversations & Dialogue: Dialogue choices can yield +10 to +50 points or result in point deductions. Heart events offer even larger point swings (up to ±200).
• Flower Dance: Dancing with an NPC (4+ hearts) grants +250 points (one heart).
• Luau: Contributing to the community soup yields variable points based on the soup's quality.
• Community Center (Bulletin Board Bundles): Completing all Bulletin Board bundles awards +500 points (two hearts) with each non-datable villager.

This comprehensive guide empowers players to cultivate meaningful relationships in Stardew Valley, maximizing their chances of forging strong bonds with the town's residents. Remember that thoughtful interactions and well-chosen gifts are the cornerstones of a thriving social life in Pelican Town.