Stardew Valley players will quickly realize that, while their tools are unbreakable, their character only has limited energy and a limited amount of time to use them each day. This combination of gameplay features tasks players who are just starting out to ration their objectives and use their energy wisely in Stardew Valley.
Getting a handle on using energy wisely and making the most out of each day can be a daunting task for new Stardew Valley players, especially when they are still getting to know the game's crops, people, and features. For those looking to master conserving energy and using time wisely, this guide is here to help.
How does Energy Work in Stardew Valley?
At the start of each day, players awake with a certain amount of energy to use. Fortunately, basic movement and the use of tools such as scythes, weapons, and even panning in Stardew Valley don't subtract from this pool. When the game begins, players have a pool of 270 energy to work with, and this can be increased both temporarily through certain meals and permanently through Stardrops. There are seven Stardrops in the game, each capable of adding 34 points to this total, maxing out at 508 energy.
These actions do not use energy:
- Swinging a scythe
- Using a weapon (swords, slingshots, hammers, clubs, daggers)
- Walking
- Harvesting crops, forageables, and other items
- Panning
- Milking cows
- Shearing sheep
- Riding a horse
- Placing sprinklers, machines, and other items
- Eating most food
These actions do consume energy:
- Using a watering can
- Using a pickaxe
- Using an axe
- Using a hoe
- Casting a fishing rod
- Pushing a chest to move it
- Eating Sap, Void Mayonnaise, Pufferfish, Holly, a Sea Cucumber, a Scorpion Carp, or a Red Mushroom
Clearing the farm, planting crops, or exploring the mines will each individually cost players the vast majority of their daily energy at first. Fortunately, players can permanently improve their endurance by increasing their skill level (and therefore decreasing the energy cost of tools).
To supplement this, players can purchase or create some of Stardew Valley's best meals to replenish their energy. Some better options include the Fruit Salad (263 energy, 118 health), the Pink Cake (250 energy, 112 health), as well as the Red Plate, Lobster Bisque, and Complete Breakfast, each of which temporarily add 50 points to the energy bar.
Unfortunately, players need to invest in upgrading their farmhouse for the first time in order to open up the ability to cook their own meals. Recipes are unlocked through improving relationships with NPCs as well as by checking the TV program 'Queen of Sauce' daily. Aside from meals, players can also visit the spa in Stardew Valley and rest in the water to slowly recover some energy.
How does Exhaustion in Stardew Valley work?
The player experiences exhaustion when they use up all of their energy in a day. The moment the energy bar reaches 0, an X bubble will appear above the player's head, as well as a message mentioning 'over-exertion.' The player's movement will slow dramatically, and fishing becomes impossible. Though the other tools in Stardew Valley can be used, this will push a player's energy bar into the negative range. If they reach -15 energy, the player will pass out, and that day will end.
Energy can be restored despite a player being exhausted, but the exhaustion tag will stick to the player the next day and will result in a 50 percent reduction in the energy that sleeping would typically recover. There are two ways to remove this impact: consuming the Muscle Remedy players can get from Harvey's Clinic or kissing a player's spouse in Stardew Valley for the first time that day.
How does Time work in Stardew Valley?
Stardew Valley features a 20-hour in-game day cycle that starts at 6am and ends at 2am. The player will always wake up at 6am but can decide when they would like to go to sleep for the night. While players can stay up until 2am, the energy they recover from sleeping is hindered after 12am. Time passes at a rate of .7 real-life seconds per in-game minute and will only stop when the player is viewing a cutscene, has a dialogue or menu open, or during animations such as reeling in a fish.
On top of the daily clock, Stardew Valley features four seasons with their own unique crops and events that each last 28 days. The numerous NPCs that populate the game each have their own routines that change depending on the day and season. The shops across Pelican Town and the Calico Desert also have their own schedule of which players should be aware. Managing time is therefore crucial for those players looking to track down certain NPCs or creatures for quests.
Stardew Valley is available now on mobile devices, PC, PS4, Switch, and Xbox One.