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If you’ve updated Stardew Valley to version 1.6, then you’re probably wondering what Mastery Points are and how they work. To save you the headache, we’ve detailed this new system, how to earn points, and how to exchange your earnings for rewards.
This week, PC gamers received a new patch for Stardew Valley. The 1.6 update is truly massive, bringing a wide variety of improvements to the game, from long-awaited bug fixes to exciting new content, like Jellies and Mystery Boxes. Among the game’s new features is the Mastery system, which works in terms of Mastery Points. Naturally, this system affects your maxed skills. So, how exactly do points work? How are they earned and redeemed? Here’s everything you need to know about Stardew Valley’s new Mastery system, from its function to earning points and spending them.
- Create the farm of your dreams: build your farm from the ground up on 1 of 5 map layouts suited to your play style!
- mmaster your branching skills: raise animals, grow crops, start an orchard and build useful machines!
- become a part of the local community: get to know all 30+ residents of Pelican town!
- customize your farmer: there are hundreds of character customization options to choose from!
- settle down and start a family: share life on the farm with 1 of 12 characters you can date and marry, and even have children with!.explore vast, mysterious caves! Encounter dangerous monsters and valuable treasures!.spend a relaxing afternoon at one of the local fishing spots: the waters are teeming with seasonal varieties of delicious fish. Craft bait, bobbers, and crab pots to help you in your journey toward catching every fish and becoming a local Legend!.
What Are Mastery Points in Stardew Valley 1.6?
The Mastery system was recently introduced to Stardew Valley with the release of the 1.6 update. To say this patch was huge is an understatement, as a long list of new features have been added to the game. This includes Mastery Points, which you can now rack up by maximizing your existing skills.
Needless to say, it’s not something you can get done overnight. Rather, you’ll need to put in quite a bit of work on your playthrough to hit the tenth rank. After that, you’ll need to head to a specific location to redeem your points.
How to Get Mastery Points in Stardew Valley
In order to begin collecting Mastery Points in Stardew Valley, you’ll first need to max your skills. This means reaching Rank 10 for skills like Fishing, Farming, Mining, Foraging, and Combat. Once you manage to reach the highest rank, you’ll start to earn Mastery Points with the EXP you get from practicing a skill. You’ll see this EXP added to the Mastery bar on your character page. Max out all five skills, and you can redeem your points.
This is done in the secret room in Cindersap Forest. For reference, you’ll find this location underneath Leah’s Cottage, marked by a door inside a hill. To be clear, this location is totally accessible before you max out all five skills. In fact, you’ll just need to reach Rank 10 in one to find the door. However, it’s not until you maximize all five skills that you can actually redeem the Mastery Points you’ve earned.
Mastery Rewards
With your Mastery Points saved up, you can redeem them in exchange for various rewards associated with each skill you’ve mastered. Here’s a look at what’s on offer.
Farming
- Iridium Scythe: Can be used to harvest any crop.
- Statue of Blessings: Each day, you’ll be given a unique blessing by touching the statue.
- You can now get Golden Animal Crackers, which permanently double an animal’s produce with the exception of pigs.
Foraging
- Mystic Tree Seed: These seeds can be planted to grow special trees.
- Treasure Totem: Use on diggable terrain to summon treasure spots.
- You can now find Golden Mystery Boxes, which contain even better contents than their standard counterparts.
Fishing
- Advanced Iridium Rod: Can be used to catch fish with up to two bobbers at once.
- Challenge Bait: A perfect catch yields double the fish. However, the number is reduced each time a fish escapes.
- You can now find Golden Fishing Chests.
Combat
- Anvil: Can be used to re-forge trinkets and randomize their stats. This costs three Iridium bars per use.
- Mini-Forge: You can now use a Dwarvish forge at home.
- Unlocks a new equipment spot for trinkets, which can be found while exploring. These grant special powers.
Mining
- Statue of the Dwarf King: Allows you to choose from two mining powers each day.
- Heavy Furnace: Requiring 25 ore and three coal per use, it’s more efficient than a standard furnace.
- Rocks that bear gems now bear twice the standard amount.
For more on Stardew Valley’s latest patch, check out these guides from our team: