Can You Accidentally Throw Away Your Tools in Stardew Valley?
The short answer is no, you cannot permanently throw away your essential tools in Stardew Valley. If you attempt to place a tool like your axe, pickaxe, hoe, or watering can into a trash can, it will immediately bounce back into your inventory. The game prevents you from losing these critical items through disposal. However, this doesn’t mean you’re entirely immune to tool-related mishaps. While you can’t trash them, there are other ways your tools might temporarily disappear, or even regress in quality, leading to panic among players. Let’s explore the nuances of tool management in Stardew Valley and how the game ensures you’re never truly without the tools you need.
What Happens if You “Lose” Your Tools?
While you can’t simply throw away your tools, you might find yourself without them for various reasons. Here’s how the game handles these situations:
Passing Out in the Mines
One of the most common ways players find themselves without their tools is by passing out in the mines due to low health. When this happens, you may lose some inventory items, including weapons and tools (excluding the Galaxy Sword). Crucially, the game prevents you from permanently losing the essential tools. If you lose a basic tool like the Scythe, Axe, Pickaxe, or Watering Can, a basic version of the tool will be waiting for you the next day. You may find it beside your bed, in the refrigerator (if you have a kitchen), or in the Lost and Found box at the Mayor’s Manor.
Upgrading Tools
Another scenario where you’ll be without your tools is during the upgrade process at the Blacksmith. When you take your tool to Clint for an upgrade, he will keep it for two days. This means you will spend one full day without it. While this isn’t losing your tool, it does temporarily remove it from your grasp. Be sure to plan your tasks accordingly to avoid disruption to your farm operations.
Temporary Absence
In the rare case of encountering a bug where your tools might seemingly vanish, the game typically has systems in place to return them. In such situations, check your house, the refrigerator, and the Lost and Found box first. If you truly cannot find it, it is recommended to restart the game.
What About Upgraded Tools?
This is where it can get a bit frustrating! If you lose an upgraded tool such as a Copper Pickaxe, you will receive the basic version instead. This means if you lost an iridium pickaxe you will get back the basic pickaxe and have to pay all the same materials, and the time it takes to upgrade it all over again. This is really important to remember. The game may be casual but it will definitely punish you for losing your tools, so it is important to try and avoid it.
The Lost and Found Box: Your Safety Net
Stardew Valley provides the Lost and Found box as a failsafe. This box is located in the Mayor’s Manor. Any essential items that you might have lost through inventory drops or other means will be placed in this box the day after it was lost. To access it, simply go to the Mayor’s Manor and interact with the box.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions regarding tool loss and recovery in Stardew Valley:
1. Can I sell my tools?
No, you cannot sell your essential tools like the axe, pickaxe, hoe, or watering can. These are permanent fixtures of your inventory and cannot be sold through shipping boxes or to any vendor. However, old weapons can be sold at the Adventurer’s Guild.
2. What happens if I lose my sword?
If you lose your sword, you can buy a new one at the Adventurer’s Guild (if the guild is open). You can also find swords through fishing or within the mines, although going into the mines without a sword is risky!
3. How long does it take to upgrade a tool?
Upgrading a tool at the Blacksmith takes two days. You will need to leave your tool with Clint, and it will be ready for collection on the second morning after dropping it off.
4. What should I do if I lose my pickaxe?
If you believe you have truly lost your pickaxe, the game should mail you a basic version of it the next day. Before assuming it is lost, check all possible storage locations in your house and the Lost and Found box.
5. Can you sell old weapons?
Yes, you can sell old weapons at the Adventurer’s Guild. This is the only place you can get rid of unwanted weapons. However, they will be sold for half the price that they are bought.
6. Can I lose my relationship in Stardew Valley?
Yes, you can end a relationship in Stardew Valley by giving a “Wilted Bouquet” to your current partner. You create a wilted bouquet by putting a regular bouquet and a piece of coal in a furnace.
7. Can tools be lost in the mines?
Yes, tools can be lost in the mines if you pass out from low health. However, the game will provide you with the basic version of essential tools the next day.
8. Should I hoard items in Stardew Valley?
Whether you hoard or not depends on your playstyle. It’s generally a good idea to keep resource items like wood, stone, and sap until you need them. However, selling off excess crops and other processed goods can be very profitable.
9. Should I chop down tree stumps?
Yes, you should always chop down tree stumps because they prevent new trees from growing and will not grow into trees themselves.
10. Can I destroy buildings?
Yes, you can destroy buildings by going to Robin the Carpenter and selecting the “destroy building” option.
11. Is the iridium pickaxe worth it?
The iridium pickaxe is very good, allowing you to break tougher rocks with fewer hits and mine quickly and easily.
12. Does a copper pickaxe break 2×2 rocks?
Yes, an upgraded Copper Pickaxe can break 2×2 stones, which will help you to mine more effectively.
13. What happens if I pass out in the mines?
If you pass out in the mines from low health, you lose 10% of your gold and may lose items, except for the Galaxy Sword. If you pass out at 2am, you lose 10% of your gold but do not lose any items.
14. How many years does it take to finish Stardew Valley?
There is no real ending to Stardew Valley. Some players can achieve all the game’s objectives within about 40 in-game years, but you can continue playing indefinitely.
15. How do you get the Infinity Blade?
The Infinity Blade is created by combining the Galaxy Sword with 3 Galaxy Souls at the Forge.
Conclusion
While Stardew Valley presents numerous challenges, losing your essential tools permanently isn’t one of them. You might find yourself without them temporarily through various means, but the game provides a safety net to ensure you can always get back to farming, mining, and crafting. Just be careful in the mines and keep a close eye on your inventory!