Stardew Valley: How The Friendship Point System Works

This Stardew Valley guide explains how to maximize friendship with villagers. Building relationships is crucial for progressing in the game, unlocking events, and potentially finding romance. While conversation and gifting are key, understanding the point system is vital.

The Heart System:

The in-game heart meter shows your relationship 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.

Point Values for Interactions:

• Talking: +20 points (or +10 if the NPC is busy). Ignoring an NPC results in a friendship decrease (-2 points daily, or -10 if you've given them a bouquet, or -20 for your 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
  • Birthday Gifts: 8x normal points
  • Feast of the Winter Star Gifts: 5x normal points

Special Gifts:

Stardrop Tea grants +250 points (+750 on birthdays/Winter Star). It's obtainable from the Prize Machine, Golden Chests, Helper's Bundle, or Raccoons.

Movie Theater:

Taking an NPC to the movies offers significant friendship boosts based on movie and snack choices.

Conversations and Dialogue:

Dialogue choices can significantly impact friendship, with positive responses offering +10 to +50 points, while negative ones can decrease points. Heart Events offer even larger potential gains or losses.

Festivals and Events:

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

By strategically utilizing these methods, players can effectively cultivate friendships and unlock the full potential of Stardew Valley's social interactions.