The Ultimate Guide to Combat in Stardew Valley

We're finally there, the final skill in Stardew Valley!
Combat is a very complicated skill. There's so many aspects to it that other skills have nothing like. There's multiple stats, instead of one tool you have dozens of weapons, and instead of energy, it involves health!
Hopefully by the end of this, you have a good idea of what the skill is all about!
Sections:
0:00 - Intro
1:07 - A Wide Overview
3:28 - Stats
6:46 - Weapon Types
7:50 - Weapons Floors 1-40
11:00 - Weapons Floors 40-80
12:55 - Weapons Floors 80+
14:45 - Skull Cavern Weapons
16:10 - Post-Game Weapons
18:55 - Rings
23:47 - Boots
25:09 - Level Up Rewards
_____________________
Here's the lofi Stardew Valley music I use a lot:
djcutman.bandcamp.com/album/s...
🕹️ Stream Archives: / @salstreams5829
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🐦 Twitter - / salmence100

[@salmence100]

There was a lot to cover, so I inevitably missed some things: - The Dark Sword is dropped from Haunted Skulls, and is the only weapon with a vampirism effect. It's a bit weaker than the obsidian edge, but it can be really useful if you get lucky enough to find it early in Haunted floors of the mines. - the Thorns ring deals damage back equal to what you sould've taken at 0 defense, unless it's less than 10 damage, where it's then lower than what you would take. Please enjoy the video despite their absense!

[@amycoppers2460]

Hey, you still forgot about one of the rings being the Phoenix Ring which when you reach 0 hp will restore your health to half of your max health once a day. It can be found in Volcano Dungeon chests.

[@avatarninjacat]

Also the Space Boots you get in a chest in the normal mines. Floor 110 I think.

[@LawrenceGaming006]

I tried to get the lucky ring but I couldn't get it.😔

[@averylaggyboi1557]

Hey can you please make these into a playlist?

[@antoniorichburg8517]

You also didn’t mention the vampire sword I hate that I sold it to the adventures guild

[@beanslinger2]

Thank you Salamence for showing us the art of setting up 6 dragon dances.

[@azzix4586]

NOBODY GIVE HIM A MEGA STONE I'VE DEALT WITH ENOUGH AERIALATE FOR A LIFE TIME

[@SullySadface]

Meanwhile us gen 2 boomers be like:

[@IMeanMachine101]

what the heck is a dragon dance?

[@rambam791]

@@SullySadface WHAAABBAAAFFEEET, WABBA WABBA

[@owenlowe3038]

​@@IMeanMachine101 pokemon reference, salamence uses dragon dance to max out speed and attack to sweep the match, Glad to help

[@cartoonkelly7924]

This Last Airbender opening is absolutely inspired it makes me smile every time. Not sure if I’ve mentioned that yet.

[@SimuLord]

Worth noting, Roots Platter is a loved gift for Penny. No sense wasting perfectly valuable emeralds on her when you can make a loved gift out of low-tier items.

[@slwrabbits]

Wow, I didn't realize she likes emeralds. I've been giving her diamonds! 😅

[@windflier1684]

Just plant poppy

[@3173_Delta]

I've been giving her melons lmao

[@victory8928]

Just give her poppies and or melons

[@i_am_ergo]

Great guide! A few things you should've probably mentioned besides the stuff in the pinned comment. 1. Since you mentioned the Nausea debuff, you should've probably added that it prevents you from eating any foods and drinks EXCEPT ginger and ginger ale, which so happen to remove the debuff. Most people knows this, but for completeness' sake, it was worth mentioning. 2. Since it's a guide to combat, it was worth talking about the process of combat itself as well as its quirks. For example, not all enemies have infinite aggro range. Ghosts do, but serpents don't. Another one is that your attack range isn't equal on all sides - since the attack originates in the top half of the character entity, you can reach farther up than down. That's why you want to position yourself below the enemies whenever possible. But otherwise, yeah, very complete and informative. Thanks!

[@slwrabbits]

Had zero idea about #2, thank you for the info!

[@Kennylotl]

@@slwrabbits thankfully it was just fixed in 1.6!

[@frodoan]

The second wasn't :(​@@Kennylotl

[@mybrainbroke5279]

salmence is the uncle iroh of the stardew community, always giving everyone amazing advice and kind words

[@Amelia-on9xg2nt9p]

Always happy to see another Sal video! Would you consider making an “Ultimate Guide to Multiplayer”? I realize it would be more difficult as research would inherently require someone else to help, but I feel there’s a big gap in content there. I’m in my first serious multiplayer save and am continuing to be surprised

[@leotheliongames]

That would be awesome! There’s a lot to cover, from marriage, multiple constructions at robin’s, sync mining, etc

[@redpandaplush5980]

There are a lot of weird interactions with multiplayer, not all of them very consistent. So yeah... I'm just glad I knew how to pause when I started mine lol

[@rebekahanne80]

I need this, having so much more trouble in the skull caverns because time doesn’t pause when you eat

[@blep1271]

i would think farming irridium would be much harder since time doesnt pause when using staircases in the skull caverns in multiplayer

[@Jacob-qr8pl]

Fishing becomes VERY time-consuming

[@flamingturnip]

I found the iridium needle and immediately felt like I was straight up exploding my enemies. I thought it was hilarious and now I love it.

[@slwrabbits]

Any thoughts on what to forge it with for best results? I can't seem to make a good build for daggers.

[@flamingturnip]

@@slwrabbits I chose to enchant mine until I got artful, so I can use the special attack more often. And then I forged to increase crit power and crit chance and also increase damage I believe. I think that's jade, aquamarine, and ruby or amethyst but I can't remember. Edit: I meant crit chance, not crit strength.

[@KitsukiiPlays]

Isn’t it weird that you can’t ship a sword or ring but bombs are ok?

[@B.Cypher]

Don’t worry… it’s just a pipe bomb……and small nuke

[@survivordave]

QOL idea for 1.6. Make weapons, rings, and boots shippable. It's so annoying to have to schlep everything to the Adventurers' Guild. Also, where's that iridium-infused mace Clint brags about making when you talk to him on Spirit's Eve?

[@slwrabbits]

I did not know that you can ship bombs. I suppose that tracks, because they can be sent via the Stardew Valley postal system.

[@Shazibee]

​@@survivordaveI honestly just pitch all my combat stuff bc I cannot be asked. Shop's open at a bad time and the money is negligible.

[@chartypeplays2396]

Also Kent can send you one in the mail. XD

[@HelloMxMath]

Some important notes: Slimes aren't the only monsters that drop the special items, they are just the only ones where it is easy to see when they are special. This also missed most of the remixed weapons (probably because they are harder to get). My personal favs are the femur -because I like bones but also it is a club- and the ossified blade -which probably isn't as good as the obsidian edge you could get instead but it looks amazing. Also bone sword is a personal fav. I end up using it more than obsidian edge if I get one from skeletons cause I just love the speed.

[@slwrabbits]

I got three bone swords in one coal-hunting trip to the mines. Love that sword.

[@klutterkicker]

Something interesting I noticed while playing: When you use a weapon's special attack, it triggers a cooldown for all weapons of that type (sword, dagger, club) but not for weapons of the other type. If you want to, you can swap weapons and use one special attack after another.

[@AstorEzequiel]

24:00 I'm sure that someone already pointed it out, but you get the Leather Boots as a reward in Floor 10 And the Space Boots as another reward in Floor 110 Edit: 24:18 BUH- IT'S EVEN RIGHT THERE XD

[@salmence100]

Well rip lol

[@skyblue05]

don't we get tundra boots? not the combat ones? Edit: i just checked. you get tundra on floor 50, unless you have remixed rewards which then you could possibly get combat boots.

[@canihaveyourdog]

Are those other Stardew KZbinrs in the intro? I'm just now noticing this after watching your guide videos so many times. Invaluable series. Packed with easy to understand explanations, and also your voice is soothing. Thank you for your hard work

[@thesmartblonde95]

They are! I'm pretty confident 4 of them are Charlie Barley, Seanie Dew, Wickedy, and Leapalot. I'm not 100% sure about who's doing mining. The character looks a bit like Haboo, but I'm not sure he has a standard look he goes with often, but he's my best guess unless anyone else knows better?

[@salmence100]

The last one is Floydson, who at the time I made this intro, primarily did Stardew content

[@stonkman9630]

There is actually a pretty obscure ring you missed that can be found in the Volcano Dungeons: The Phoenix ring. This ring doesn't do anything on its own, but when you "Die" it will revive you with 50% of your HP. This can only work once an in game day. It is found in Volcano Dungeon Rare Chests. Otherwise, great video! :)

[@TheSniped117]

This ring is great for people who aren't great at combat.

[@lienesauserde7419]

Then why is it in one of the hardest combat places

[@RAthulK]

Me who wore topaz ring to floor 120: MY LIFE IS A LIE

[@TheKittyDrago]

Thank you for these guides, they have dramatically improved my experience playing Stardew. If you are looking for ideas, have you considered a guide for Co-Op?

[@salmence100]

That's a good idea! I might work on something like that.

[@thijsvons2510]

I would love for you to do a MARGO playthrough. The combat and other things are expanded in an amazing way!

[@zaineoakley5555]

I’m currently in my 1st MARGO play though and I love how you get weapons but the early monster are to strong by default

[@thijsvons2510]

@@zaineoakley5555 Is is quite the challenge. May I ask what weapon you prefer?

[@zaineoakley5555]

@@thijsvons2510 clubs right now I’m using the Galaxy hammer but I’m not that far into the game yet

[@glowcloudwheatproducts495]

​@@zaineoakley5555personally, I found the reason combat was harder early on was the change to how defense worked. I reverted the change on my playthrough

[@zaineoakley5555]

@@glowcloudwheatproducts495for me the monsters has twice the health attack and defendce for I made the slider 100% as it was at 200% by default

[@Sin_Lord]

AAAAHH I've been so excited for this one!!! I love the combat, all the drops and rewards and the challenge! I'm so happy this vid is finally here!!

[@camwyn256]

Thank you for these guides. They've really helped me get back into the game after years away. And for getting ready to do a foraging only challenge run

[@egg6932]

This is what I needed, since I needed to find the best weapons. Great guide!

[@sarahmeza7448]

FINALLY THANK YOU 🎉 This is the guide I have needed most and been waiting for ❤

[@fuzyfuzfuz2]

Love the Elden Ring reference in the beginning 😂 ❤ thanks for always putting out great, entertaining, and VERY helpful content!!! SO excited for 1.6 update!

[@LanEXHikari]

Hey, thanks for finally delivering on combat, Salmence! I didn't realise it was that much, keep up the good work ✌🏼

[@Maqya]

Eyyy I’ve been waiting for this! Super excited!

[@sakurasky1753]

This is exactly what I've been needing! Thank you!

[@84SuperBeast]

I've had incredible luck in my current playthrough. The first time going into the skull cavern I got a lucky ring and within like 5 pannings I got a lucky ring on ginger island. I was blown away. Also in almost 1200 hours of early to mid game play I've gotten the neptune sword 2 times and 1 of them I accidentally threw in the water 🥲

[@bluetheblue4179]

Your guides saved me when I started playing Stardew. Thank you!!

[@susannebaum219]

I know most of this but I love these videos anyway cause I like listening to you explain things

[@damnthisisabadname]

I remember watching the other parts months ago, already done with the game but I'll watch this when I inevitably get back into it

[@marissaho2576]

I’m new to stardew and found everything very frustrating and overwhelming! After finding your videos turns out I’ve been making a lot of mistakes 😂 going to finish out my first year so I get the hang of the basics but then I’m going to start new. Thank you for all of your help!

[@gloriclyoko]

Wow this series is a greater refresher for someone who just returns hyped for 1.6 update!

[@xxleoproxx7495]

Good Video, because I’ve wanted to honor this video and so that the algorithm is better, I haven’t skipped, even though I knew the most (except for specific details like when you can get some weapons)

[@justragnar8667]

Loving the Kirby and the Rainbow Paintbrush/Curse soundtrack in the background. Also informational and taught me a lot and was really useful

[@salmence100]

It's one of my favorite soundtracks, I love using it!

[@TinyTows]

Finally!! I really appreciate these guides!

[@nan.bells108]

I enjoyed this series so much!

[@bSVT397]

That intro gives me goosebump, best intro by far 🎉

[@rebeccalynn3980]

this was very helpful, thank you sm

[@lindahenstra9448]

Literally cracking up at every single description of the weapons. I didn’t know weapons could be so controversial 😂😂😂 “It’s… definitely there” 😂😂 Love this one 🙌🏼👏🏻

[@TheMalinator1]

As a newbie Stardew Valley player I find these videos so helpful! 🙂

[@LeafyCarrots]

I love the start lmaoo, tysm for this

[@umaieirian]

The intro is top tier🤣❤️ I’m here for it

[@etheplant]

oh man i loved that broken trident, got me through the entire mines

[@supernal_4545]

The intro was EPIC. 🔥🔥🔥

[@tundratitan7]

Thank you so much! Combat is always the worst for me. This is very helpful!

[@12345.......]

I put off watching any tips videos until now (80 hours in) and learned much. I never dealt much with adventure guild, until realizing my sword (obsidian) was comparatively weak. After hitting up the quarry, waiting for 2pm, I found the prismatic shard. What a jump in damage now. Thank you

[@Teachermook]

Are those.... Skull Lamps? *sweeeeeeet.*

[@salmence100]

Yes! If you keep buying the brazier recipes from Robin, it'll be one of the last few you you lock

[@Teachermook]

@@salmence100 nice. Whelp, now I know how I can really build the farmhouse in my game on switch. I'm literally making a shrine to the downfall of Joja corperation. 😈

[@slwrabbits]

​@@Teachermookniiiiiice

[@Heimea523]

I got lucky to get iridium band while fishing in my first year. I just got this game and am loving it. Your videos are a help too. I'm glad I watched videos before getting too far. I would have given my dino egg to Gunther instead of incubating it.

[@mergirl2468]

Just that intro alone is worth a subscribe! Made me laugh!

[@TheAllanmeadows]

Infinity gavel with acrobat and artful is chef's kiss good.

[@moonwolfv671]

It was cool hearing the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon music in the background.

[@tye2077]

this was my favorite intro of all time

[@LavatarOrigin]

Loved putting this series on to fall asleep. Pretty sure it subconsciously got my sweetheart into Stardew Valley though.

[@LawrenceGaming006]

I love the intro when your voice is calm with the music.😅

[@Magmanarius]

there will never be a day that I don't leap in joy to see that sal has released a new video

[@ingvildt8311]

Your intro is so good.

[@bigp169]

Playing the Goron City music while talking about the forge > brilliant

[@nathanielstaggs6645]

I don't usually comment before finishing a vid, but I needed to like and sub just for the intro. Thanks for the laugh!

[@kerrykent9325]

I love this series!!

[@mymthegreyful]

wow...gosh all friday !! THIS is super helpful. I'm 160mumble hours in and have gotten to the bottom of the basic mines only to get the reward of ; a key to more difficult mines. thank you for showing me that i should have been using the weapon i just earned on each successive level down. Maybe i can get that " 10 " sometime soon. YOUR reward is new subscriber.

[@lordkeo4805]

Here's the combat we've been waiting for!

[@avatarninjacat]

YES!!!! I clicked SO FAST when I got the notification. THIS IS THE BEST SERIES!!!

[@starshapedwings3582]

Oh shoot!! I forgot that you hadn't done the combat video yet! Exciting 😄

[@dreadfulman5191]

Would love to see a more in depth video on the forging aspect, like best weapon buffs or ring combinations for different purposes

[@salmence100]

I have good news: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pGO6YmevjraqoaM

[@kenai3732]

love the avatar reference, great video

[@eliandervalderen5849]

I remember finding Wicked Chris in a treasure chest while I was fishing for the Crimson fish

[@Niijeri]

Omggggg!! Thank you because I just got a Prismatic Shard and didn’t know what to do with it!!! Now I DO!!!

[@slwrabbits]

oh, you lucky soul!

[@sobblegaming350]

Overall this was a very informative guide that really shows how in depth the combat system is despite its simplicity

[@michalratajczak6955]

we love slamence and his guides

[@FloeAnimations]

This is gonna be very useful cause I absolutely suck at combat

[@eliabeck689]

Dude, the Avatar opening is *FANTASTIC!!!!*

[@cinnamonspice9692]

That intro will never get old to me 🌟

[@hannahgokie4423]

The Gerudo music in the background is great lol

[@JohnFortner-vk4us]

I really didn’t expect to watch a video explaining the mechanics of combat in Stardew but leave wanting to play Legend of Zelda

[@raivrztmushmp]

You should have talked about the slingshots and what ano you put deals around of damage, but the video itself is incredible

[@DaisyPeach]

saw this show up in my feed and ran here so quick

[@CreatureFiend94]

Dude I love your intro

[@SirenPandaSabo]

I only just realised Wickedy is the Foraging part of the Intro XD Also Seanie and Leapalot lol

[@RAthulK]

There is a mistake Space boots is also obtained in the mines level 110. Its a pretty good boots. You also get tundra shoes in the mines

[@chaosstripe9446]

I shouldn't have to say this, but just in case: a lot of these can and do go out the window with certain mods. In particular, MARGO has a big overhaul for all things combat. Of particular note is it's defense rework, where instead of being flat damage reduction, it is percentile reduction. This makes it more useful longer but weaker in the early game.

[@LeafyCarrots]

i just realized the 5 elements of strawdew valley had different youtubers, oh om g it's so cuet tho, your character is the main character, able to wield all of them :o

[@KabobHope]

I never knew you could sell your weapons at the Adv Guild. Thanks.

[@robincormier9935]

Space boots are also guaranteed from level 110 of the mines. If you have a huge stack of good food (like gold star cheese as example) then the Atk dmg upgrade talents are objectively better, you basically have infinite HP with a stack of 999 gold star cheese on you.

[@slwrabbits]

I found a wicked kris relatively early in one game, and ended up using it until I got the galaxy sword. For some reason I had not picked up a comparable sword or club, and so this little dagger was straight up murdering everything I hit in one shot. Plus, it looks cool.

[@StandAloneSoul]

Welp, time to rewatch the series ^^

[@Alex-hongry]

Bro sounded tired and glad to be done with this one lol. Like the last homework assignment that he knew was huge and had coming for a while 😂

[@cellorosemusic12]

That opening was boss!!

[@Freedom-yv8gv]

Ayo, I thought this series was over What a lovely day to be mistaken

[@abbilocke736]

Fair warning to anyone greedy like me, wearing two burglar rings will not compound their effects 😅

[@smedgert1812]

Funny enough it stacks with hot java and lucky ring So the optimal luck set is burglar/lucky + java/lucky for max drop profit

[@eddeh0772]

After playing Roots of Pacha, I’m really not excited to get back into combat when I start my 1.6 farm. I was definitely more comfortable with the light puzzling and maze mechanics over any of the combat in Stardew. But if I must, then this is helpful, cheers!

[@TheDale883]

ope, on my current playthrough, I was lucky enough to get an iridium band from a treasure chest while fishing. It certainly was a pleasant surprise, especially in year 1.

[@jakemiller8228]

Thank you

[@dummy_vicc2976]

fun fact! You can get the iridium band in fishing chests, which i found out in the first couple months of playing stardew during summer year one of a playthrough

[@winterrose7094]

My first time playing. And the jump in difficulty from the Iron Levels to the Gold Levels in the Mines are kicking my rear

[@louloudaki_]

i love the slammer so much

[@YourPalRal]

From the small bit I've played, combat in the mines was probably what I spent the most time doing.

[@lazypaladin]

To all of those who transformed the Infinity Edge to look like a Rusty Sword. _Still funny, no matter the Patch. Keep it up._

[@callmealx]

Sal, you're fucking rad.

[@justlisa1599]

it's funny, i was looking for a guide about how to get better at combat in stardew because i was so bad at it! that was a couple years ago. that was how i found the wonderful world of stardew content creators! there sure wasn't anything as good as this back then! thank you so much for all your amazing information. i would still ask: how do you get better at combat? i mean as a skill, it's still baffling. i usually just stand there with a sword and take the agro and hope i live. i'm better at that than i was. (i have never been able to get the club thing to work and i just got an iridium needle, but fail to see how that's better either). it's about the mechanics. i've never liked games where you kill things, so i've always avoided them. it seems that most people don't have that problem, so everyone skips over the finer details. Thanks! : )

[@slwrabbits]

If you're having trouble, I suggest stacking defense. This can significantly reduce the damage you take, which means you have more opportunity to heal before dying. Also, choose a weapon type based on your personal play style. Although I can't use the club special attack glitch, I still prefer club weapons over swords because the special attack is still a wide area of effect attack that can inflict damage in all directions. In my case, this overcomes the difficulty I have in facing the correct direction when trying to fight off enemies. If you don't have this particular handicap, swords and daggers may win out over clubs due to their greater speed. And finally, if you just don't like combat, don't feel obligated to max the skill. This is Stardew Valley and there is no correct way to play the game. Some days my farmer just gets up and spends all her time petting bunnies, and doesn't do a single productive thing all day.

[@ElladanKenet]

One of my favorite weapons, that I think you overlooked, is the rapier. It's technically unobtainable in the base game, but it can be spawned with cheats. It IS however a drop in Stardew Expanded, and it can appear in the Train area and the Junimo Woods. It's a lv 6 sword, pretty fast, slightly better crit chance, and if you can get it early, it's one of the best weapons you can possibly use until you get the Obsidian Edge. But fair, since it's a thing from mods. I try my best to avoid buying the lava katana, if I can. But sometimes it takes forever to find a prismatic shard, so, it's nice having it available at least.

[@orlandovv12]

That intro is 10/10