Stardew Valley: How The Friendship Point System Works

This guide explores friendship in Stardew Valley, detailing how to maximize relationships with villagers. Building friendships is crucial for integrating into Pelican Town, whether aiming for companionship or romance.

The Heart Scale

The in-game heart menu tracks friendship levels with each NPC. Reaching heart milestones unlocks special events, mailed recipes, and unique dialogue. However, the heart scale only partially reflects friendship gains.

Friendship Points

A single heart requires 250 friendship points. Interactions like conversations and gift-giving influence this score. Positive actions earn points; neglect or negative actions decrease them.

Boosting Friendship

The "Friendship 101" book, obtainable from the Prize Machine (9th prize) or the Bookseller (Year 3, 9% chance), provides a permanent 10% friendship point boost.

Interaction Point Values

Daily Interactions:

• Talking: +20 (or +10 if the NPC is busy). Failing to talk results in a friendship decrease (-2, -10 with a bouquet, -20 for spouse).
• Bulletin Board Deliveries: +150 with the recipient.

Gift Giving:

Gift preferences vary:

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

Feast of the Winter Star gifts multiply points by 5x; birthday gifts by 8x.

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 from the raccoon.

Movie Theater:

Movie dates offer significant friendship boosts. Movie and concession choices affect the outcome:

• Loved Movie: +200
• Liked Movie: +100
• Disliked Movie: 0
• Loved Concession: +50
• Liked Concession: +25
• Disliked Concession: 0

Conversations & Dialogue:

Dialogue choices impact friendship. Positive responses earn +10 to +50 points; negative ones decrease it. Heart Events offer similar opportunities with potentially larger point swings.

Festivals & Events

• Flower Dance: Dancing grants +250 points (4 hearts minimum).
• Luau: Soup contributions affect friendship (best:+120, good:+60, neutral:0, bad:-50, worst:-100).
• Community Center (Bulletin Board): Completing all bundles awards +500 points with each non-dateable villager.

This comprehensive guide equips players to cultivate strong relationships and unlock the full potential of Stardew Valley's social interactions.