Tool upgrade sequence and downtime
Blacksmith upgrades improve tools in ascending material order and take two days, leaving the tool unavailable during that interval. Plan around the work it supports.
Understand this choice All 167 games
© ConcernedApe · Game artwork Tool progression Tool upgrade Tool upgrade Tool upgrade Tool upgrade Equipment progression Skill choice Progression timing Skill progression Late progression Fishing equipment Skill effect
Simulation · EQUIPMENT & PROGRESSION
Stardew Valley
Item catalog · GuidesBrowse items and consumables. Find recorded stats, effects and requirements for individual entries, and use the categories and search to explore your options.
50 item & ability references12 guidesConcernedApePC edition · Feb 26, 2016
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Equipment & progression guides
Choose a topic to see how it works, where it helps and what to consider.
Hoe area upgrades
Upgraded Hoes can till multiple tiles when powered up, expanding from a short line to a larger area as the tool tier rises.
Understand this choiceWatering Can capacity and coverage
Watering Can tiers increase capacity and powered coverage, helping with larger crop blocks while changing how much water each refill serves.
Understand this choicePickaxe progression for mining
Pickaxe tiers reduce the hits needed for some rocks and nodes and unlock access to certain obstacles and mining targets.
Understand this choiceAxe progression and hardwood access
Axe tiers reduce the hits needed for tree work and unlock Large Stumps or Large Logs, expanding the wood and Hardwood tasks available.
Understand this choiceFishing Rod progression
Rod upgrades unlock bait and tackle use, while the Training Rod is described as easier to use but limited to common fish.
Understand this choiceFarming professions
Farming profession choices can favor crop sales, animal-product sales, animal care, incubation, wool, or artisan goods, depending on the branch selected.
Understand this choiceWhen profession and recipe benefits begin
A skill level increases immediately, but new recipes and profession benefits become available after the overnight level-up popup and the following morning.
Understand this choiceFarming skill growth
Harvesting crops and caring for animals raise Farming, improving Hoe and Watering Can proficiency and increasing the chance of quality crops.
Understand this choiceMastery after maxing skills
Reaching maximum level in all five skills opens the Mastery Cave, where extra experience can unlock skill masteries and their specialized rewards.
Understand this choiceAdvanced Iridium Rod
Fishing Mastery unlocks the Advanced Iridium Rod, which can use bait and attach two bobbers for a more configurable fishing setup.
Understand this choiceSkill levels and tool energy
Relevant skill levels reduce energy costs for associated tools, while upgrading axes, pickaxes, and hoes improves task efficiency without changing their per-use cost.
Understand this choiceReferences & guide scope
Selected systems and editions described by the linked references.
Edition and mechanic limits
- The Skills history lists updates through version 1.6.9. The Tools passage lists specific history notes, but does not establish the version of all mechanics described here.