Welcome, fellow farmers! In this comprehensive guide, we will be discussing the best weapons for beginners in Stardew Valley, taking you through various stages of your mining journey. Keep in mind that this ranking is based on personal experience, and suggestions from seasoned players are always welcome.
Weapon Types in Stardew Valley
There are four main weapon types in Stardew Valley: swords, daggers, clubs, and slingshots. For beginners, daggers, clubs, and slingshots can be challenging to use effectively. Therefore, we recommend starting with swords for a more user-friendly experience.
5th Place: Steel Small Sword
In fifth place, I recommend the Steel Small Sword, which can be obtained from a chest on the 20th level of the mine. This is the first reliable weapon you can get after the Rusty Sword, with a damage range of 4-8, a speed bonus of +2, and a critical hit rate of 2%. For beginners, this weapon will be very helpful from levels 20 to 40.
4th Place: Forest Sword or Insect Head
In fourth place, I recommend the Forest Sword or the Insect Head. The Forest Sword can be obtained from monsters on levels 20-59 of the mine or by breaking barrels. Its damage range is 8-18, with a speed bonus of +2, a defense bonus of +1, and a critical hit rate of 2%. The Forest Sword feels good to use, and if you can obtain it early, it is highly recommended. However, if you cannot obtain it, you can use the Insect Head as a substitute. The Insect Head is a reward for killing 125 cave bugs (bugs, flies, grubs, etc.) in the Adventurer’s Guild. Its damage range is 10-20, with a speed bonus of +2, a base critical hit rate of 4%, and an additional critical hit rate effect of +2. Although this weapon does not feel as good to use, its damage output is still considerable, and it can hold up until level 50 in the mines.
Mid-Game Weapons: Transitioning to Better Gear
As you progress through the game, you’ll need more powerful weapons to tackle tougher challenges. Here are our recommendations for mid-game weapons.
3rd Place: Neptune’s Glaive or Bone Sword
In third place, we have the Neptune’s Glaive or Bone Sword. Neptune’s Glaive can be obtained after reaching Fishing level 2 through treasure chests while fishing. Its damage range is 18-35, with a defense bonus of +2, a weight bonus of +2, but a speed penalty of -1. Using Neptune’s Glaive before getting the Obsidian Edge is fine, so if you can obtain it, you’ll be in great shape.
However, if you cannot obtain Neptune’s Glaive, you can consider using the Bone Sword. The Bone Sword feels very good to use and can be considered a mini miracle weapon. Its damage range is 20-30, with a speed bonus of +4, and a weight bonus of +2. It has a very fast attack speed, making it enjoyable to use against low-defense monsters.
Later on, when combined with the Obsidian Edge, it’s a monster-slaying machine. There are two ways to obtain the Bone Sword: 1) there’s a 4% chance of it dropping from skeletons on levels 71-79 of the mine, or 2) you can purchase it from the Adventurer’s Guild after reaching level 75 in the mine. However, it costs 6,000 gold at the Adventurer’s Guild, so it’s recommended to try and farm it from skeletons instead.
2nd Place: Obsidian Edge
In second place, we have the Obsidian Edge, which can be obtained from a chest on level 90 of the mine. Its damage range is 30-45, with a critical hit power bonus of +10, but a speed penalty of -1. The Obsidian Edge is nearly flawless, except for the speed reduction, and is the best equipment you can reliably obtain in the mine. Some players even skip the Galaxy Sword or Lava Katana and go straight to using the Obsidian Edge and bombs in the desert mine, which is quite impressive. Naturally, in first place, we have the Galaxy Sword or Lava Katana.
Top Tier Weapons: Preparing for the Desert Mine
These two weapons are essential for beginners to obtain before entering the desert mine.
1st Place: Galaxy Sword or Lava Katana
These two weapons are essential for beginners to obtain before entering the desert mine. Of course, if you are an experienced player with good skills or excellent mining techniques, you can disregard the Galaxy Sword. It is considered one of the strongest weapons before the Infinity Blade, with a damage range of 60-80 and a speed bonus of +2. However, obtaining the Galaxy Sword is somewhat luck-based, as it requires a Prismatic Shard, which can be quite difficult to find before entering the desert mine. It is generally recommended to look for Prismatic Shards after unlocking the quarry. If you come across a mysterious gem node, break it quickly for a 25% chance to obtain a Prismatic Shard.
If you can’t obtain the Galaxy Sword, consider using the Lava Katana. The Lava Katana can be purchased from the Adventurer’s Guild for 25,000 gold after reaching level 120 of the mine. Its damage range is 55-64, with a defense bonus of +3, a critical hit power bonus of +25, and a weight bonus of +3. However, the Lava Katana is somewhat controversial, as many experienced players think it’s a waste of money that could be better spent elsewhere. In my opinion, if beginner players find mining difficult and are not confident in their abilities, they should consider purchasing the Lava Katana. After all, entering the desert mine without a high-damage weapon can be quite intimidating for new players.
Conclusion
This beginner’s weapon guide for Stardew Valley should help you make informed choices as you progress through the game. Remember that the weapons mentioned here are suggestions based on personal experience, and there might be other options that work better for you. As you gain experience and refine your skills, you’ll be able to explore different weapon combinations and strategies to conquer the mines of Stardew Valley.
Happy mining, and may the odds be ever in your favor!