This Stardew Valley guide explains how to maximize friendship with villagers. Building relationships is crucial for integrating into Pelican Town, whether aiming for friendship or romance. While talking, gifting, and dialogue choices influence friendship, their impact varies.
The Heart Scale:
The in-game heart scale (accessed via the menu) shows friendship levels with each NPC. Reaching certain heart levels unlocks events, mail, and dialogue options. However, the scale doesn't fully illustrate how friendship points are earned.
Friendship Points:
250 friendship points equal one heart. Interactions (talking, gifting) affect points. Positive actions earn points; ignoring or negative actions decrease them.
Boosting Friendship Gain:
The "Friendship 101" book (obtained from the Prize Machine or the Bookseller in Year 3) permanently increases friendship gains by 10%.
Interaction Point Values:
- Talking: +20 (or +10 if the NPC is busy). Not talking results in a -2 (or -10 with a bouquet given, or -20 for a spouse) daily decrease.
- Bulletin Board Deliveries: +150 with the recipient.
- Loved Gifts: +80 points
- Liked Gifts: +45 points
- Neutral Gifts: +20 points
- Disliked Gifts: -20 points
- Hated Gifts: -40 points
Gifts given on the Feast of the Winter Star are worth 5x points; birthday gifts are worth 8x.
Stardrop Tea:
Gifting 
Stardrop Tea grants +250 points (one heart), tripled on birthdays and the Feast of the Winter Star. It can be obtained from the Prize Machine, Golden Fishing Chests, the Helper's Bundle, or from the raccoon.
The Movie Theater:
Inviting an NPC to the movies using a 
Movie Ticket (+200/+100/0 points for movie choice) and concessions (+50/+25/0 points) impacts friendship.
Dialogue choices during conversations and Heart Events significantly impact friendship (+10 to +50 points or more, or decreases).
Festivals & Events:
- Flower Dance: Dancing grants +250 points (one heart) at 4+ hearts.
- Luau: Soup contributions affect friendship (+120/+60/0/-50/-100 points).
- Community Center (Bulletin Board Bundles): Completing all yields +500 points (two hearts) with each non-dateable villager.
This comprehensive guide provides strategies for maximizing friendship levels in Stardew Valley. Remember that consistent positive interactions are key to building strong relationships with your neighbors.
