Stardew Valley: How The Friendship Point System Works

Stardew Valley: A Comprehensive Guide to Building Relationships

Forging friendships is key to thriving in the charming town of Pelican Town. This guide delves into the mechanics of building relationships in Stardew Valley, helping you maximize your friendships and romances.

Updated January 4, 2025, to reflect the 1.6 update. While the core friendship system remains unchanged, new additions are highlighted.

The Heart System

Access your relationship status with each NPC via the in-game menu's heart tab. This shows friendship levels (hearts) earned. Reaching heart milestones unlocks special events, mail, and dialogue options. However, the heart display only partially reflects friendship gains.

Understanding Friendship Points

Each heart represents 250 friendship points. Most interactions—talking, gifting—affect friendship. Positive actions earn points; neglect or negative actions decrease them.

Boosting Friendship Gains

The "Friendship 101" book provides a permanent 10% boost to friendship point gains from all positive interactions. It's obtainable from the Prize Machine (9th prize) or, with a 9% chance, from the traveling Bookseller (Year 3 onwards). The cost is 20,000g. Note: This book doesn't affect friendship losses.

Point Values for Interactions

Daily Interactions:

• Talking: +20 (or +10 if the NPC is busy). Ignoring an NPC results in a friendship decrease (-2 points/day, or -10 if you've given them a bouquet, or -20 for your spouse).
• Bulletin Board Deliveries: +150 with the recipient.

Gifting:

• Loved Gifts: +80 points
• Liked Gifts: +45 points
• Neutral Gifts: +20 points
• Disliked Gifts: -20 points
• Hated Gifts: -40 points

Birthday and Feast of the Winter Star gifts multiply point values (x8 and x5 respectively). Be mindful of gift choices on these special occasions!

Stardrop Tea: This universally loved gift grants +250 points (+750 on birthdays/Winter Star). It can be obtained from the Prize Machine, Golden Fishing Chests, the Helper's Bundle, or occasionally from the raccoon.

Movie Theater: Inviting an NPC to the movies (requires a Movie Ticket) offers friendship boosts based on movie and snack choices. Loved movies: +200; liked movies: +100; loved snacks: +50; liked snacks: +25.

Conversations and Dialogue: Careful dialogue choices during conversations and Heart Events can significantly impact friendship (+10 to +200 points, or negative values for poor choices).

Festivals and Events

• Flower Dance: Dancing with an NPC (4 hearts or more) grants +250 points.
• Luau: Contributing to the community soup yields varying results based on the item's quality.
• Community Center Bulletin Board: Completing all bundles awards +500 points with each non-dateable villager.

This comprehensive guide will help you navigate the intricacies of Stardew Valley's relationship system and build strong bonds with the residents of Pelican Town.