Believe it or not, you need to bring more than just a pickaxe and the will to survive when you decide to traverse the mines inStardew Valley. They can be difficult to traverse, so being well-prepared can mean the difference between a successful run and ending up at Harvey’s clinic.
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While you don’t want to pack your whole fridge and every sword you own, there are definitely a few items that stand out as especially helpful. So, whether you’re looking for that elusive Prismatic Shard, or simply hoping to slay some slimes, these items will help you succeed deep down in the mines. Let’s get swinging.
8A Strong Sword For A Mighty Player
Your sword will be your best friend in the mines. There are over50 weapon typesin the game, so figuring out which is best can be a challenge. When you reach level 40 in the mines and haven’t yet lucked into something like the Forest Sword or the Wooden Club, you might want to think about the Wooden Mallet at theAdventurer’s Guild. It swings remarkably quickly, hits fairly hard, and has a quick right-click that says “get away from me”.
For more seasoned players, your best bet is theLava Katana, found in the Adventurer’s Guild after unlocking floor 120. With an extremely high damage output, you’ll be slicing your way through the levels.
7Luck-For-Days Spicy Eel
If you’re headed for the mines, you’re going to want extra luck. Numerousaspects of miningare impacted by luck, like Geode drop rates and the likelihood of finding ladders. While there are many different food items in Stardew Valley that increase luck, you should bringSpicy Eel.
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The dish grants both a speed and luck bonus, in addition to offering a hefty health and energy buff. While you can cook Spicy Eel in your farmhouse kitchen, the easiest way to obtain it is through the Desert Trader for one Ruby or dropped by a serpent in the Skull Cavern.
6The Best Pickaxe You Can Muster
Not to be overshadowed by the brazen sword, the pickaxe is a clear must-bring. Its primary use is mainly for breaking stones, and you canupgrade itat the Blacksmith for a price. Each upgrade reduces the number of hits a stone takes before it breaks, so it’s well worth it.
But what’s the best pickaxe? The iridium pickaxe is the highest upgrade, but it comes ata hefty cost. So if you can, it is recommended to have at least a steel pickaxe, so you can make your mine run well worth the time.
5Not Just For Farming, A Hoe
The mines are a great place toartifact huntfor Gunther’s barren museum. Hitting the untilled soil on the levels can produce a variety of fun goodies, from strange dolls to cave carrots. Upgrading your hoe can maximize the amount of soil you may till at once, so be sure to make a trip to the Blacksmith before you venture to the mines.
Want a pro tip? Level 95 has a large tilling spot right near the elevator. You’re bound to find a bountiful of artifacts and items when tilling here. Just beware of the Lava Bats and Metal Heads.
4Coffee For A Speedy Run
You’ll be surprised by how much speed can affect a mine run. While mining, you’re running against the clock. If you want to make it as far down the mine as possible before that 2am stopping time, you’ll need to bringCoffee.
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When consumed, it provides plus one speed for one minute and 23 seconds, which is about two in-game hours. The drink’s benefit stacks with any food effects.Coffee may be preparedby putting five coffee beans inside a keg, or it can be bought with 300 gold at the Stardrop Saloon.
3Boots Are Not Just For Fashion
You can’t go all-in with just a sword in the mines, at least not very deep. To shield yourself from attacks and debuffs, you’ll need the greatest footwear.
There are plenty of options to choose from, but if you need some guidance, it’s recommended to try and obtain Genie Shoes. These purple beauties provide more dependable protection than many of their counterparts and are relatively easy to obtain.
2Taking The Easy Way… Staircases
The staircase is an immediate ladder that leads down one level — sounds simple right? Bringing a few dozen stacks can make your run-through quick and efficient. You’ll be able to descend rapidly without worrying about those pesky serpents or slimes.
They’re quite easy to obtain, too. The Desert Trader will trade staircases for one Jade each on Sundays, or it can be crafted with 99 stone.
1Rings, Pretty And Powerful
Rings in Stardew Valley can offer buffs that you can’t otherwise obtain. While your slaying monsters and harvesting ore, you’ll want some of these special abilities.
There aremany combinations and ringsto choose from, but if you’re looking for a quick recommendation, you can’t go wrong with the Iridium Ring and the Lucky Ring. The Iridium Ring glows, attracts items, and increases attack damage by a pretty stellar ten percent. Pairing it with the Lucky Ring, which grants you a permanent plus one luck increase, makes you an unstoppable force in the mines.
