Stardew Valley: How To Befriend Willy

This guide delves into befriending Willy, the amiable fisherman in Stardew Valley. Willy, depicted here: , is a key early contact, providing a fishing rod and essential supplies. Building a strong relationship with him offers significant advantages.

Forging a friendship with Willy is straightforward, requiring players to engage with him at his shop (weekdays), his fishing spots (Saturdays), or the Stardrop Saloon (evenings). Generosity is key. Remember his birthday, Summer 24th, when gifts have an eightfold effect on friendship levels.

Gift Guide

Willy's affections are best earned through thoughtful gifts.

Loved Gifts (+80 friendship points): These top-tier gifts significantly boost your friendship.

• High-value fish: Catfish , Octopus , Sea Cucumber , Sturgeon
• Fishing-themed books: Jewels Of The Sea , The Art O' Crabbing
• Mead (made with Honey in a Keg)
• Gold Bar (from Gold Ore in a Furnace)
• Iridium Bar (from Iridium Ore in a Furnace)
• Diamond (found in the Mines)
• Pumpkin (grown in Fall)
• All universally loved gifts.

Liked Gifts (+45 friendship points): These are excellent alternatives if acquiring loved gifts proves difficult.

• Most fish-based cooked dishes (excluding Dish O' the Sea, Sashimi, and Maki Roll – Willy is neutral towards these).
• Lingcod and Tiger Trout
• Quartz
• Bait And Bobber

Disliked and Hated Gifts: Avoid these to prevent friendship loss. Hated gifts are significantly worse than disliked ones.

• Foraged goods
• Non-fish-based cooked dishes
• Life Elixir
• Universally disliked gifts (except fish; Willy is neutral towards most fish, except those listed above).
• Universally hated gifts

Quests and Rewards

Willy occasionally posts requests on the bulletin board outside Pierre's shop, offering gold and friendship points upon completion. He also sends two letters challenging you to catch specific fish (Squid on Winter 2, Year 1; Lingcod on Winter 13, Year 2), rewarding you with gold and friendship.

Friendship Perks

Reaching higher friendship levels unlocks four unique recipes from Willy, each providing fishing buffs: Chowder (+1 fishing), Escargot (+2 fishing), Fish Stew (+3 fishing), and Lobster Bisque (+3 fishing, +30 max energy).