Stardew Valley: How To Befriend Willy

This guide is part of a larger Stardew Valley resource: Stardew Valley: A Complete Guide and Walkthrough

Willy, the seasoned fisherman with a kind heart, is one of the first friendly faces you'll meet in Stardew Valley. He provides your initial fishing rod, imparts fishing wisdom, and is always stocked with supplies.

Building a friendship with Willy is straightforward and offers unexpected rewards. Take a break from farming, join Willy at the docks, and show your appreciation with a thoughtful gift. He particularly values rare aquatic treasures!

Updated January 4, 2025, by Demaris Oxman: Willy, though a bit eccentric, is remarkably easy to befriend due to his extensive list of favorite gifts, expanded with the 1.6 update. Many new books, focusing on fishing, are now considered Loved or Liked gifts. This updated guide reflects the latest version.

Gift Guide

Friendship in Stardew Valley thrives on generosity. Find Willy at his shop (most weekdays), fishing on Saturdays, or at the Stardrop Saloon/beach/river in the evenings to give him a gift.

Remember, Willy's birthday is Summer 24. Gifts given on this day provide an 8x friendship boost.

Loved Gifts (+80 Friendship)

These top-tier gifts significantly increase friendship. Some, like rare fish, require effort, but pumpkins and mead are readily accessible. Willy also appreciates books about fishing and valuable crafting materials.

• Fish: Catfish, Octopus, Sea Cucumber, Sturgeon
• Books: Jewels Of The Sea, The Art O' Crabbing
• Mead (Honey in a Keg)
• Gold Bar (Gold Ore in Furnace)
• Iridium Bar (Iridium Ore in Furnace)
• Diamond (Mines)
• Pumpkin (Fall Crop)
• All universally loved gifts

Liked Gifts (+45 Friendship)

These are excellent alternatives if Loved gifts are scarce. Willy enjoys most seafood dishes; cook your catch and share the bounty!

• Cooked fish dishes (excluding Dish O' the Sea, Sashimi, Maki Roll – neutral)
• Fish: Lingcod, Tiger Trout
• Quartz
• Bait And Bobber

Disliked & Hated Gifts

Avoid these to prevent friendship loss. Hated gifts are worse than disliked, but it's best to steer clear of all the following:

• Foraged goods
• Non-seafood cooked dishes
• Life Elixir
• Universally disliked gifts (except fish – neutral, excluding Liked/Loved fish)
• Universally hated gifts

Quests

Willy occasionally posts requests on the "Help Wanted" board outside Pierre's, offering gold and 150 friendship points for completing them. He also sends two letters with fishing challenges:

• Catch A Squid: (Winter 2, Year 1) Rewards gold and 1 friendship heart.
• Catch A Lingcod: (Winter 13, Year 2) Rewards more gold and another friendship heart.

Friendship Perks

Willy is a surprisingly talented cook, sharing four fishing-buff recipes as your friendship grows:

• Chowder (3 hearts): +1 fishing buff
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