Rain Totems Unleashed: Control the Skies and Supercharge Your Stardew Valley Farm
Need rain for your crops, fishing, or to propose to your favorite villager? Rain Totems in Stardew Valley let you summon storms on demand. This guide covers everything from acquiring your first totem to mastering advanced weather manipulation in the 1.6 update. Jump straight to crafting instructions or keep reading for the complete breakdown of this game-changing item.
Getting Your First Rain Totem
Weather in Stardew Valley typically follows random patterns, but Rain Totems give you direct control, letting you summon rain for the following day. Before you can start manipulating the weather, you’ll need to get your hands on this powerful item.
Unlocking the Recipe: Reaching Foraging Level 9
The primary way to obtain Rain Totems is by crafting them yourself, but first, you’ll need to unlock the recipe by reaching Foraging Level 9. This is no small feat, especially for new players, but there are several effective strategies to level up your foraging skills quickly:
Fast Foraging XP Strategies:
Tree Chopping: Each tree gives you 12 XP when cut down, plus 1 additional XP for removing the stump. Target the forest south of your farm for a dense tree population.
Large Stumps and Logs: These grant 25 XP each when removed, making them excellent XP sources. The Secret Woods is packed with these high-value targets, but you’ll need at least a Copper Axe for stumps and a Steel Axe for logs.
Wild Seed Farming: Crafting and harvesting Seasonal Wild Seeds provides efficient XP. Each harvested item grants 7 XP, and you can create a self-sustaining cycle by turning harvested items back into seed packs.
Daily Forage Runs: Establish a daily route through Cindersap Forest, the Mountain area, and the Beach to collect all available forage items. Each one provides 7 XP.
Once you reach Foraging Level 9, the Rain Totem recipe will automatically be added to your crafting menu. Check your crafting tab to confirm it’s there – you’ll find it listed alongside other special items like Warp Totems.
Alternative Acquisition Methods
Don’t want to wait until Foraging Level 9? There are other ways to get your hands on Rain Totems:
1. Skull Cavern Treasure Rooms
The Skull Cavern in the Calico Desert occasionally spawns treasure rooms containing valuable items, including Rain Totems. You can find 1-3 Rain Totems in these rooms, though the drop chance is relatively low. According to the Stardew Valley Wiki, Rain Totems have the same chance of appearing as Mega Bombs and Red Cowboy Hats, but some players report finding the latter items more frequently.
To maximize your chances:
Bring plenty of bombs to quickly search multiple floors
Use staircases to skip floors when necessary
Focus on reaching floors 51+ for better loot tables
Bring good luck foods like Lucky Lunch or Spicy Eel
As one Reddit user mentioned: “I got a rain totem from a treasure floor on my last skull cavern run so it is possible. The wiki says the treasure chests have the same chance for rain totems as mega bombs and red cowboy hats but I seem to get the latter two things way more often than rain totems. Probably just normal variation due to randomness though.”
2. Museum Rewards
Some players have reported receiving Rain Totems as rewards from the Museum after donating artifacts. While this isn’t documented in the official wiki, community reports suggest it’s possible:
“I just got two as a reward from the museum. I think from the hand bone? Although it might have been the reward for completing the skeleton, that was the last one i needed.”
3. Item Spawning (for PC Players Only)
If you’re playing on PC and are comfortable with game modifications, you can use the item spawning technique by naming an animal “” at Marnie’s Ranch. The item ID for Rain Totem is 681, and this naming trick will cause the item to appear in your inventory. Note that this is considered a cheat and will disable achievements for that save file.
Required Materials and Where to Find Them
Once you have the recipe, you’ll need specific materials to craft Rain Totems. Each Rain Totem requires:
1 Hardwood
1 Truffle Oil
5 Pine Tar
Let’s break down how to obtain each ingredient:
Hardwood Acquisition:
Hardwood is a premium wood resource that doesn’t drop from regular trees. Here’s how to get it:
Secret Woods: The most reliable source, with 6-8 large stumps that respawn daily, each yielding 2 Hardwood.
Large Stumps on Farm: Some farm layouts (especially Forest Farm) have large stumps that respawn after 5-7 days.
Mahogany Trees: These special trees can be grown from Mahogany Seeds (found in stumps or dropped by slimes in the Secret Woods) and yield Hardwood when chopped down.
Lumberjack Profession: If you choose the Lumberjack profession at Foraging Level 10, all trees will have a chance to drop Hardwood.
Truffle Oil Production:
Truffle Oil requires a two-step process:
Get Truffles: Purchase a pig from Marnie’s Ranch (16,000g). Once mature, pigs will forage for truffles outside on non-rainy days.
Process Truffles: Craft an Oil Maker (50 Slime + 20 Hardwood + 1 Gold Bar) and place a Truffle in it to produce Truffle Oil after approximately 6 hours.
Alternative in early game: You may occasionally find Truffle Oil at the Traveling Cart for 1,600g, though this is unreliable.
Pine Tar Collection:
Pine Tar requires a sustainable setup:
Craft Tappers: Each Tapper requires 40 Wood and 2 Copper Bars.
Install on Pine Trees: Place Tappers specifically on Pine Trees (the pointy, coniferous trees).
Collect Pine Tar: Each Tapper produces Pine Tar every 7-8 days. Since you need 5 per Rain Totem, having multiple Tappers running simultaneously is essential.
Material Planning Tip: Setting up 5 or more Pine Tappers early in your farm development will ensure a steady supply of Pine Tar for crafting Rain Totems when needed.
Crafting Your Rain Totem
Once you’ve gathered all necessary materials and reached Foraging Level 9, you’re ready to craft your Rain Totems.
Step-by-Step Crafting Guide
Open Your Crafting Menu: Press the crafting button (varies by platform) to open your crafting interface.
Navigate to the Rain Totem Recipe: Scroll through your available recipes until you find the Rain Totem. It’s typically grouped with other magical items and totems.
Verify Materials: Ensure you have all required materials in your inventory:
1 Hardwood
1 Truffle Oil
5 Pine Tar
Craft the Item: Select the Rain Totem recipe and click “Craft.” The materials will be consumed, and a Rain Totem will be added to your inventory.
Craft in Batches: If you plan to use Rain Totems regularly, consider crafting multiple at once to save time.
The crafting process is instantaneous, and the Rain Totem will appear as a decorative wooden pole with blue feathers in your inventory. Each Rain Totem has a sell price of 20g, though selling them is generally not recommended given their utility and the effort required to craft them.
Material Conservation Tips
Rain Totems require valuable resources that can be time-consuming to gather. Here are some strategies to make the most of your materials:
Hardwood Efficiency:
Daily Secret Woods Runs: Make visiting the Secret Woods part of your daily routine to maximize Hardwood collection.
Harvester Profession: If you choose the Forester profession at Foraging Level 5, you’ll get 25% more wood when chopping trees. Upgrading to Harvester at level 10 increases Hardwood drops by 50%.
Forest Farm Layout: If starting a new game, the Forest Farm layout provides renewable Hardwood sources right on your farm.
Mahogany Tree Farm: Dedicate a section of your farm to growing Mahogany Trees from seeds. These can be harvested for Hardwood and replanted for a renewable source.
Truffle Oil Optimization:
Pig Happiness: Maintain maximum pig happiness by petting them daily and ensuring they have access to grass. Happy animals produce more items.
Gatherer Profession: The Gatherer profession (Foraging Level 5) occasionally yields double harvest items, which applies to truffles foraged by pigs.
Multiple Oil Makers: Craft several Oil Makers to process multiple Truffles simultaneously, reducing waiting time.
Botanist Profession: The Botanist profession guarantees iridium-quality foraged items, including truffles, which sell for more if you need quick cash instead of Truffle Oil.
Pine Tar Strategies:
Dedicated Tapper Forest: Plant and grow a small forest of Pine Trees specifically for tapping. Space them efficiently (2 spaces apart) to maximize land use.
Tapper Rotation System: Label your Tappers with signs or colored flooring to track when each was placed, creating a staggered harvesting schedule.
Forest Farm Advantage: The Forest Farm layout has more naturally spawning trees, giving you more options for placing Tappers without having to plant trees yourself.
Heavy Tappers: Once you progress further in the game, craft Heavy Tappers (available at Foraging Level 8) to speed up Pine Tar production by 25%.
Resource Trading Strategy:
If you’re struggling with a particular material, consider leveraging Stardew Valley’s economy:
Grow high-value crops or ancient fruit wine to generate income
Use profits to buy animals or resources from Marnie or Robin
Trade with other players in multiplayer mode for needed materials
Remember, every Rain Totem requires a significant investment of materials with limited alternative uses, so craft them only when necessary for your farming or fishing strategies.
Using Rain Totems Effectively
Now that you have your Rain Totem crafted, it’s time to learn how to use it properly and understand its effects on gameplay.
Basic Usage Instructions
Using a Rain Totem is straightforward:
Select the Rain Totem in your inventory hotbar.
Right-click (PC/Mac), press the action button (console), or tap (mobile) to activate the totem.
Watch the animation as the totem is consumed and emits a blue light.
Check the TV for the next day’s weather forecast to confirm the totem worked correctly.
Once activated, the Rain Totem is consumed, and the weather for the following day will be set to rainy. The effect is immediate, but the actual rain won’t begin until the next game day.
Important note: The location where you activate the Rain Totem matters. As one guide states: “The weather in Pelican Town and Ginger Island can be different, and the weather will only be changed in the region where the Rain Totem is activated.” This means you need to use the totem in Pelican Town to affect the mainland weather or on Ginger Island to affect the island’s weather.
Timing Considerations
Strategic timing is crucial for maximizing the benefits of your Rain Totems:
Day Before Use:
The Rain Totem affects the weather of the following day, so plan your usage accordingly. For example:
If you want rain on Wednesday, use the totem on Tuesday.
If you need rain for a specific seasonal crop, check your calendar to avoid festival days.
Weather Forecast Checking:
Always check the weather forecast on your TV before using a Rain Totem to avoid wasting resources:
If the forecast already predicts rain, save your totem for another day.
If a lightning storm is predicted and you want regular rain instead, a Rain Totem can override this (in versions prior to 1.6).
Season Transitioning:
Special considerations apply when using Rain Totems at the end of seasons:
As one Reddit user advised: “What you need to do is use a rain totem on the 28th so that it rains on the 1st (and check the weather forecast to see if the totem worked - use another if it didn’t)… You’ll still have to clear the weeds, grass and detritus that appeared overnight, but any tiles you till on the 1st will get watered.”
However, note that the official wiki states: “A Rain Totem will not force the weather to be rainy on festival days or on the 1st day of a season.” The community seems divided on whether this works, so test it in your game to be sure.
Chain Rain Days:
To maintain consecutive rainy days:
Use a Rain Totem on Day 1
Check the forecast for Day 3
If not raining, use another Rain Totem on Day 2
Repeat as needed
This strategy is particularly useful during crop growth phases or when trying to catch specific fish.
Seasonal Effects
Rain Totems interact differently with each season in Stardew Valley:
Spring:
Rain Totems work as expected, producing normal rainfall.
Strategic use can save you from watering during the early game when you likely don’t have extensive sprinkler systems.
Spring rain helps with strawberry growth after the Egg Festival.
Summer:
Summer rain is especially valuable for water-intensive crops like blueberries and melons.
In Summer, rain totems can help avoid crop wilting due to the hot weather.
With the 1.6 update, Summer now features special green rain events (more on this in a later section).
Fall:
Fall rain totems work normally and are particularly useful for cranberry growth.
Using rain totems in Fall can help prepare for winter by freeing up time to gather resources.
Winter:
Winter presents a special case for Rain Totems. According to the Stardew Valley Wiki, “If a Rain Totem is used during Winter on the day before a snowy day, it will cause it to rain and snow simultaneously the following day.”
This creates a unique visual effect and can be used to obtain the Mermaid Pendant from the Old Mariner (who only appears on rainy days) during Winter.
As one Reddit user confirmed: “Yes! You can use the rain totem. I don’t think it ever rains in winter it will only snow. Make sure you have 10 hearts when you do it though!”
Remember that crops don’t grow in Winter (except for Winter Seeds), so Rain Totems during this season are primarily useful for fishing and special events rather than farming.
Strategic Applications of Rain Totems
Rain Totems offer numerous strategic advantages that extend beyond simple convenience. Let’s explore how to leverage them for maximum benefit in different aspects of gameplay.
Farming Benefits and Crop Planning
The most obvious benefit of Rain Totems is automated watering of your crops, but their strategic value goes much deeper:
Early Game Water Conservation:
In the early stages of the game, before you have access to quality sprinklers, watering large crop fields can consume most of your energy bar. A single Rain Totem can:
Save approximately 2-4 energy points per crop tile watered
Free up your entire day for mining, fishing, or socializing
Allow you to plant larger fields than you could manually water
Crop Transition Strategy:
When transitioning between crop cycles or seasons, Rain Totems provide exceptional value:
Harvest your mature crops on a sunny day
Till and plant new seeds
Use a Rain Totem for next-day watering
Repeat the process to rapidly cycle through crops
This strategy is particularly effective when transitioning from spring to summer crops, allowing you to maximize growing days.
Energy-Intensive Activity Planning:
Plan Rain Totem days around energy-intensive activities:
Schedule deep mining runs on rainy days
Plan fishing marathons when you don’t need to water
Arrange foraging expeditions to distant map areas
Fertilizer Application:
Rain doesn’t wash away applied fertilizer, making rainy days perfect for:
Applying quality fertilizer to newly planted crops
Using speed-gro on seasonal crops with limited growing windows
Placing deluxe fertilizer on high-value crop plots
Crop Layout Strategy:
For farms without full sprinkler coverage, Rain Totems can supplement your irrigation:
Install sprinklers in permanent crop areas
Use Rain Totems to water temporary or seasonal crop sections
Maintain “rain-dependent” sections for crops with short growing seasons
As one player noted: “I can’t be arsed to water my 400 tiles by hand. Sprinklers obviously don’t work on a newly hoed soil.” Rain Totems solve this problem elegantly.
Fishing Advantages
Rain creates unique fishing opportunities that can be strategically exploited with Rain Totems:
Rain-Exclusive Fish:
Several valuable fish only appear during rainy weather:
Walleye: Available in rivers, lakes, and forest ponds during Fall and Winter rain
Red Snapper: Found in the ocean during Summer and Fall rain
Catfish: Available in rivers during Spring and Fall rain (particularly valuable early game)
Sturgeon: While catchable anytime, has increased spawn rates during rain
Using Rain Totems specifically to target these fish can be highly profitable and helps complete the Community Center fish tank bundles.
Legendary Fish Conditions:
Some legendary fish have specific rain requirements:
The Legend: Only appears in the mountain lake when raining during Spring
Mutant Carp: Not rain-dependent but easier to focus on fishing during rainy days
Community Center Completion Strategy:
As one player shared their experience: “So I’m at the very end of year one but I forgot to catch a walleye for the community center. It’s is my very last item and I’m trying to run skull caverns to get [a Rain Totem], but to no avail. I cannot craft one in time.”
This highlights the importance of Rain Totems for time-sensitive fish collection. Plan ahead by crafting a few Rain Totems before Winter if you’re aiming for a Year 1 Community Center completion.
Trash Checking Alternative:
If you’re desperate for specific fish and can’t get a Rain Totem, there’s an alternative: “Otherwise, hope for a walleye from the trash or the traveling cart. The Stardew Predictor can tell you when a walleye will appear in the trash.”
Special Events and Requirements
Rain Totems enable access to several special events and requirements throughout the game:
Marriage Proposal Requirements:
To propose marriage in Stardew Valley, you need a Mermaid Pendant, which is only sold by the Old Mariner on rainy days. Rain Totems ensure you can propose when ready:
Reach 10 hearts with your romantic interest
Upgrade your house at least once
Use a Rain Totem the day before you want to propose
Visit the Old Mariner at the eastern side of the beach during the rainy day
As one player shared: “I am really close to marriage but winter is in three days. You can only get the amulet when its raining. Does this work? Thanks in advance!” The community confirmed that Rain Totems do work for this purpose, even in winter.
Special Quests and Events:
Certain quests and events require rain to trigger or complete:
Some NPC special events only occur during rainy days
Certain help wanted board quests may involve rain-only fish
The frog-finding quest benefits from consistent rain
Mood and Atmosphere:
Some players simply enjoy the atmospheric qualities of rain:
The soothing sound effects
Different NPC behaviors and locations
Unique dialogues from villagers
Special visual effects in different farm areas
Rain Totems allow you to craft these experiences at will, enhancing the immersive qualities of Stardew Valley’s weather system.
Rain Totem Mechanics and Limitations
Understanding the precise mechanics and limitations of Rain Totems is crucial for using them effectively without wasting resources.
Festival Days and Season Transitions
Rain Totems have specific limitations regarding special days in the Stardew Valley calendar:
Festival Day Restriction:
Rain Totems cannot override the weather on festival days. As stated in the official wiki: “A Rain Totem will not force the weather to be rainy on festival days.” This means:
Using a Rain Totem the day before a festival will consume the totem but not produce rain
The totem’s effect is essentially wasted
Always check your calendar before using a Rain Totem
Season Transition Complexities:
The first day of each season (Spring 1, Summer 1, Fall 1, Winter 1) presents special cases:
According to the wiki, Rain Totems cannot force rain on the first day of a season. However, some players have found workarounds:
“What you need to do is use a rain totem on the 28th so that it rains on the 1st (and check the weather forecast to see if the totem worked - use another if it didn’t)… You’ll still have to clear the weeds, grass and detritus that appeared overnight, but any tiles you till on the 1st will get watered.”
An alternative approach for maintaining tilled soil through season transitions:
“One trick you can consider though, is leaving cheap crops like parsnips or wheat in your fields on the 28th. That way, your ground stays tilled and the sprinklers still run on the morning of the 1st. Just scythe away your wilted ‘cover crops’ and you’re good to go.”
Multi-Day Event Interaction:
Some events in Stardew Valley span multiple days, such as the Night Market or Desert Festival (added in 1.6). Rain Totems may have inconsistent effects during these periods, so test them carefully during your gameplay.
Interaction with Thunderstorms
The relationship between Rain Totems and thunderstorms has evolved across different versions of Stardew Valley:
Pre-1.6 Behavior:
Before the 1.6 update, Rain Totems had a particular interaction with storms:
“Using a Rain Totem never has a chance to cause a storm unless used on a stormy day (which will make the next day stormy as well). Otherwise will only cause rain.”
This meant players could “chain” thunderstorms by using Rain Totems on already stormy days, effectively creating consecutive storm days to farm battery packs from lightning rods.
Post-1.6 Changes:
The 1.6 update modified this behavior, as noted in the patch notes: “Fixed a bug where using a Rain Totem on a stormy day would turn the next day’s weather to stormy instead of rainy; storms could be chained in this way to obtain large numbers of Battery Packs.”
Now, Rain Totems produce only regular rain regardless of current weather conditions. As a forum post explained: “The 1.6+ patch removed the ability of the player to chain together so many lightning storm days in a row by using Rain Totems.”
Guaranteed Storm Days:
Despite these changes, there are still predictable storm opportunities:
“There are always two guaranteed storms every year - Summer 13 and Summer 26. If you use your rain totem on one of these days, the next day will be stormy too.”
This information may be outdated post-1.6, so verify in your current game version.
Regional Weather Effects
With the introduction of Ginger Island in update 1.5, weather systems became more complex in Stardew Valley:
Separate Weather Systems:
Pelican Town (the main valley) and Ginger Island maintain independent weather patterns:
“The weather in Pelican Town and Ginger Island can be different, and the weather will only be changed in the region where the Rain Totem is activated.”
This means:
Using a Rain Totem on your farm affects only the mainland weather
Using a Rain Totem on Ginger Island affects only the island’s weather
You need to plan totem usage based on where you’ll be spending your game day
Strategic Region Targeting:
This separation allows for advanced weather manipulation strategies:
Maintain sunny weather on the island for crop growth while creating rain on the mainland for fishing
Create rain on the island to water crops there while keeping the mainland sunny for mining or socializing
Optimize weather conditions in each region based on your planned activities
World Map Weather Visualization:
The 1.6 update added enhanced mapping features that help visualize weather effects: “The world map now shows your actual position within the world in real-time (instead of showing you at a fixed point for each location).”
While this doesn’t directly show weather patterns, it helps with navigating between regions during different weather conditions.
Advanced Weather Manipulation
For veteran players, Stardew Valley’s weather system offers sophisticated manipulation possibilities beyond basic Rain Totem usage.
New Weather Events in 1.6
The 1.6 update introduced several new weather-related features and events:
Environmental Events:
The patch notes mention “A new environmental ‘event’ in summer,” which refers to the green rain phenomenon. This special weather event adds variety to the summer season and provides unique gameplay opportunities.
Waterfalls and Visual Improvements:
The update includes “Visual improvements around the valley” including:
Added waterfalls
More holiday decorations in winter
More pathstones to various maps
These changes enhance the visual impact of different weather conditions, making rainy days more atmospherically rich.
Weather-Related Dialogue:
The 1.6 update added “many new NPC dialogues” including “dynamic dialogues which react to things that happened.” This likely includes new weather-related dialogue, enhancing immersion during rainy days created by Rain Totems.
Green Rain and Its Benefits
One of the most significant additions in the 1.6 update is the green rain event:
Event Description:
Green rain is a special summer weather event that occurs once per season. During green rain:
The sky takes on a greenish tint
NPCs exhibit special dialogue and behavior
Unique resources become available
The TV becomes temporarily unusable
Resource Benefits:
The green rain event spawns special resources that players can collect:
“But it’s just giant fiddle heads fern trees. It’s a nice to get thing if you aren’t upgrading your Axe. Might need some for a bundle. But otherwise it’s not that big of a deal. You won’t miss much. All the moss is scythe harvestable and there is a LOT of it in the forest.”
Players report significant resource gains:
“I did get 238 fiber, so I was pretty hyped about that.”
“Last time I got like 600 wood from those trees, which was really nice.”
“The amount of fiddlehead fern I got sold for like 5000-6000 gold which isn’t an insignificant amount of money.”
“My brother and sister were ready for this event. We got 500~ fibre and almost 400 moss. I went from one worm bin to 7 deluxe worm bins.”
Interaction with Rain Totems:
An interesting question raised by players is whether Rain Totems can influence or extend the green rain event. One player asked: “I have not tried a rain totem to see if it continues to special rain like you can do with storms.”
While definitive information is lacking, it appears that green rain is a scripted event that cannot be manipulated with Rain Totems. However, players reported green rain appearing after using Rain Totems in series:
“So, I managed to snag rain totems from skull cavern, and decided to chain them with thunderstorm in Summer. Everything is normal until the 3rd days. Instead of thunderstorm, I get green rain instead.”
To which another player responded: “Green rain is supposed to happen once per summer, according to the patch notes. It’s okay, your totems didn’t destroy the ecosystem.”
Ginger Island Weather Control
Ginger Island, introduced in update 1.5, offers unique weather manipulation opportunities:
Independent Weather System:
As previously mentioned, Ginger Island has its own weather system independent from the mainland. This means:
Rain Totems used on the island only affect island weather
Rain Totems used on the mainland only affect mainland weather
You can optimize weather conditions in both regions simultaneously
Island Farming Strategy:
With proper planning, you can maintain ideal weather conditions for island-specific crops:
Use Rain Totems on the island to water crops during dry spells
Maintain sunny weather on days you plan to harvest or plant
Coordinate island visits with mainland weather patterns
World Map Enhancement:
The 1.6 update added a “world map for Ginger Island, visible when visiting the island,” making it easier to navigate the island during different weather conditions.
Rain Totem Changes in Update 1.6
The 1.6 update introduced significant changes to how Rain Totems function in Stardew Valley.
Patch Notes and Gameplay Impact
The official 1.6 changelog includes a specific fix related to Rain Totems:
“Fixed a bug where using a Rain Totem on a stormy day would turn the next day’s weather to stormy instead of rainy; storms could be chained in this way to obtain large numbers of Battery Packs.”
This change has substantial gameplay implications:
Battery Pack Farming Limitation:
Prior to 1.6, many players used the “storm chaining” technique to generate large numbers of battery packs:
Wait for a natural thunderstorm
Place numerous lightning rods around the farm
Use a Rain Totem to extend the storm to the next day
Collect batteries and repeat
This strategy was particularly effective during Summer, when thunderstorms are more common. Post-1.6, this method no longer works, requiring players to adapt their battery acquisition strategies.
Weather Predictability Reduction:
The change reduces players’ ability to manipulate weather patterns over extended periods. While Rain Totems still guarantee rain, the inability to chain specific weather types makes long-term weather planning more challenging.
Balance Restoration:
From a game design perspective, the change restores balance to the weather system. The developers likely intended storms to be relatively rare events, making battery packs a limited resource that players must manage carefully.
Community Reactions and Strategies
The Stardew Valley community has developed new strategies and expressed various opinions about the 1.6 Rain Totem changes:
Alternative Weather Control Suggestions:
Some players have suggested new totem types to replace the lost functionality:
"What if the following Totems existed in the game:
Sun Totem - Works like a Rain Totem except that it will ensure a bright sunny day tomorrow if the forecast had called for rain.
Thunder Totem - Ensures a lightning storm the next day."
Battery Acquisition Alternatives:
With storm chaining no longer viable, players have pivoted to alternative battery sources:
Crafting and placing more lightning rods to maximize collection during natural storms
Exploring the Skull Cavern, where battery packs can occasionally be found from destroyed rocks
Waiting for traveling merchants to occasionally sell battery packs
Using Battery Pack dropped by certain monsters (Dust Sprites have a small chance)
Philosophical Acceptance:
Some players view the change positively from a game balance perspective:
“Rain Totems are a waste of resources. Just check the TV for the weather forecast and plan ahead. If it’s gonna rain tomorrow, save your totem ingredients for something better.”
This perspective embraces the intended challenge of resource management in Stardew Valley rather than seeking to exploit mechanics.
Advanced Tips and Tricks
Beyond the basic mechanics, there are several advanced techniques to maximize the effectiveness of Rain Totems in your Stardew Valley gameplay:
Hybrid Irrigation Systems
Rather than relying entirely on Rain Totems or sprinklers, develop a hybrid approach:
Install sprinklers for your main, permanent crop areas
Use Rain Totems strategically for temporary or seasonal plantings
Maintain a “rain-dependent” section for crops that you only grow occasionally
This approach optimizes both your resource usage and farm layout.
Calendar Syncing
Synchronize your Rain Totem usage with other in-game calendars:
Plan rain days around birthdays of NPCs who prefer indoor visits
Avoid using Rain Totems the day before you want to harvest honey (as bees don’t work in rain)
Schedule rain around mining days (since cave environments aren’t affected by weather)
Multi-Purpose Rain Days
Maximize the utility of rain days by grouping compatible activities:
Focus on cave exploration and mining
Visit indoor shops and complete NPC relationship building
Reorganize farm layouts and structures
Craft items and process artisan goods
Winter Wedding Planning
If planning a winter wedding, use this Rain Totem strategy:
Reach 10 hearts with your intended spouse
Use a Rain Totem during winter
Purchase the Mermaid Pendant from the Old Mariner during the rainy winter day
Propose to your beloved
This creates the unique visual effect of rain and snow falling simultaneously while allowing you to proceed with marriage plans without waiting for spring.
Weather Prediction Tracking
Develop a system for tracking weather patterns:
Record daily weather in a notebook or spreadsheet
Look for patterns specific to your save file
Identify optimal days for Rain Totem usage based on historical patterns
While weather has random elements, certain patterns do emerge over time.
Community Center Strategy
Rain Totems play a critical role in completing the Community Center bundles, particularly for weather-dependent items:
Fish Tank Bundle Strategy
For the fish tank bundle, several fish require rain:
Using Rain Totems at the appropriate seasons ensures you can complete these bundles without waiting for random rainy days.
Year 1 Completion Strategy
If attempting to complete the Community Center in Year 1:
Prioritize reaching Foraging Level 9 by Fall
Craft multiple Rain Totems before Winter
Use Rain Totems strategically in late Fall and during Winter to catch remaining fish
Check the Traveling Cart every Friday and Sunday for bundle items you’re missing
As one player shared their challenge: “So I’m at the very end of year one but I forgot to catch a walleye for the community center. It’s is my very last item and I’m trying to run skull caverns to get [a rain totem].”
Red Algae Room Bundle
If aiming for perfect completion, remember that some special bundles may have rain-dependent items. Having Rain Totems on hand ensures you won’t be delayed by weather RNG.
Fishing Mastery with Rain Totems
For players focusing on mastering fishing, Rain Totems are invaluable tools:
Legendary Fish Hunting
Legendary fish have specific weather requirements:
The Legend: Spring, Rainy weather, Mountain Lake
Crimsonfish: Summer, Any weather, Ocean (east pier)
Angler: Fall, Any weather, North of JojaMart
Glacierfish: Winter, Any weather, Cindersap Forest (south)
Mutant Carp: Any season/weather, Sewers
Rain Totems are essential for catching The Legend, which requires rainy weather during spring.
Rainy Day Fish Checklist
Develop a checklist of rain-only fish to target efficiently:
Walleye
Red Snapper
Catfish
Albacore (more common in rain)
When you use a Rain Totem, focus on catching these species before they become unavailable again.
Optimal Fishing Locations During Rain
Different fishing spots yield better results during rain:
Mountain Lake: Good for Walleye and Largemouth Bass during rain
Town River: Excellent for Catfish during rainy days
Ocean: Prime for Red Snapper and occasionally Super Cucumber during rain
Forest Pond: Can yield Walleye during rainy Fall/Winter days
Plan your fishing route to maximize the efficiency of each rainy day.
Winter Farming with Rain Totems
While conventional crops won’t grow in winter, Rain Totems still have agricultural applications during the cold season:
Winter Seeds Strategy
Winter Seeds (crafted from Winter Forage Bundle or Wild Winter Seeds recipe) grow throughout winter:
Plant Winter Seeds in large batches
Use Rain Totems to water them without depleting energy
Harvest winter forage crops
Craft more Winter Seeds from harvested items
Repeat the cycle
This creates a self-sustaining winter farming operation that generates income and foraging experience.
Greenhouse Efficiency
If you have the Greenhouse, Rain Totems indirectly enhance your productivity:
Use rainy days to focus entirely on Greenhouse crop management
Reorganize Greenhouse layouts during rain
Process Greenhouse harvests into artisan goods while it rains outside
Early Spring Preparation
Use the final days of Winter with Rain Totems to prepare for Spring:
Clear your farming area of debris
Prepare soil and layout plans
Use a Rain Totem on Winter 28
Begin Spring with pre-watered soil (if the totem affects the season transition)
This gives you a head start on the growing season.
Multiplayer Rain Totem Coordination
In multiplayer farms, Rain Totems add an extra layer of strategic planning:
Shared Weather System
Remember that weather affects all players on the same farm:
Coordinate Rain Totem usage with your farmhands
Establish clear communication about weather plans
Consider designating a “weather manager” responsible for Rain Totem deployment
Specialized Role Division
Use rainy days to optimize multiplayer efficiency:
One player focuses on fishing rare rainy-day fish
Another handles cave exploration and mining
A third manages indoor crafting and processing
A fourth handles relationship building with NPCs
This division of labor maximizes the benefits of each rainy day.
Resource Pooling
Create a shared chest for weather manipulation materials:
Pool Hardwood contributions
Share Truffle Oil production duties
Assign dedicated players to maintain Pine Tar operations
This collaborative approach ensures a steady supply of Rain Totems for the farm.
Additional Totem Types and Future Possibilities
While Rain Totems are currently the only weather-manipulation items in vanilla Stardew Valley, players have suggested other potential totem types:
Community Suggestions
Forum discussions have proposed additional weather totems:
"What if the following Totems existed in the game:
Sun Totem - Works like a Rain Totem except that it will ensure a bright sunny day tomorrow if the forecast had called for rain.
Thunder Totem - Ensures a lightning storm the next day."
These suggestions reflect players’ desire for more comprehensive weather control.
Mod Alternatives
For PC players willing to use mods, several community modifications expand weather control options:
Weather totem mods that add sun and thunder totems
Weather control menu mods that allow direct selection of weather
Season-specific weather pattern mods
Always ensure mods are compatible with your current game version.
Future Update Possibilities
Given ConcernedApe’s history of incorporating player feedback into updates, it’s possible future Stardew Valley updates might include:
Additional weather totem types
Enhanced weather prediction systems
New weather-dependent events and items
More complex weather patterns and regional variations
Keep an eye on official update announcements for potential weather system enhancements.
Conclusion and Resource Conservation
Rain Totems are powerful tools in Stardew Valley that offer strategic advantages for farming, fishing, and special events. Understanding their mechanics, limitations, and optimal usage patterns will help you maximize their benefits while conserving valuable resources.
Remember these key principles:
Craft Rain Totems only when needed for specific strategic purposes
Check the TV weather forecast before using totems to avoid waste
Be aware of festival days and season transitions when planning totem usage
Consider the regional nature of weather when using totems on Ginger Island
Adapt to the 1.6 changes regarding storm chaining and battery production
With these strategies, you’ll master the art of weather manipulation in Stardew Valley, turning the random patterns of nature to your advantage as you build your farming empire.
Action Steps Recap
Reach Foraging Level 9 through tree chopping and wild seed farming, then establish a sustainable material production system for Rain Totems (Hardwood from Secret Woods, Truffle Oil from pigs, Pine Tar from tapped trees).