Can It Rain in Fall Stardew Valley? A Comprehensive Guide
Fast answer first. Then use the tabs or video for more detail.
- Watch the video explanation below for a faster overview.
- Game mechanics may change with updates or patches.
- Use this block to get the short answer without scrolling the whole page.
- Read the FAQ section if the article has one.
- Use the table of contents to jump straight to the detailed section you need.
- Watch the video first, then skim the article for specifics.
Yes, it absolutely can rain in Fall in Stardew Valley! While it might not be as frequent as in Spring or Summer, rainfall is a definite possibility during the autumnal season. However, it’s important to understand that, much like real-life weather, the rain in Stardew Valley is not entirely predictable and is based on a randomized system. This means that you might experience several rainy days in a row, or you could have an entire Fall season with barely a drop. Unlike some other seasons, fall doesn’t have guaranteed rainy days, except on the first year.
Understanding Rainfall Mechanics in Stardew Valley
The weather in Stardew Valley is determined by a combination of factors, including programmed events and random chance. While some days, like specific festival days or the first three days of Spring in the first year, have pre-determined weather conditions, most days are subject to a probability algorithm.
Fall Rain Probability
The chance of rainfall in Fall is similar to that of Spring, with one minor exception for your first year on the farm. Generally, the game uses a system of 15 to determine your chances of rainfall, meaning, a certain percentage is rolled to determine if it rains. Fall, like spring, has the same chances except fall in year 1 can be stormy, so its actually a flat 13.725% chance of rain on non-festival days.
How The Game Decides if it Will Rain
The game calculates whether or not it will rain based on those odds. These calculations occur every night as the day changes in game and determines what the weather will be like for the next day. While we cannot influence this system directly without utilizing in-game items, it is important to know this system is present when discussing rainfall chances.
Storms in Fall
It’s important to distinguish between a simple rainy day and a stormy day. Stardew Valley can experience storms where lightning can strike your farm, potentially destroying crops, fences, and even the player in a 3×3 area. Although not guaranteed like certain Summer storms, there is a random chance for storms on any day of Spring, Summer, and Fall besides the guaranteed ones. This means you might have a stormy fall day, so remember to put your lightning rods out.
How to Increase Your Chances of Rain
While you can’t directly control the weather, there is a way to increase your chances of rainfall if you need it. The Rain Totem is a valuable tool in the game. This crafted item will set the weather for the following day to rain. However, note that the Rain Totem will not work if the next day is a festival or the first day of a season.
Obtaining the Rain Totem
The recipe for the Rain Totem becomes available when you reach Foraging Level 9. Once you have the recipe, you’ll need the following materials to craft one:
- 1 Hardwood
- 1 Truffle Oil
- 5 Pine Tar
You can also occasionally find Rain Totems in treasure rooms within the Skull Cavern.
Why is Rain Important in Stardew Valley?
Rain is not just a cosmetic effect; it plays several crucial roles within the game.
Automating Crop Watering
Rain automatically waters any crops planted outdoors. This is particularly useful for new players or for managing large farms as you do not need to go and water every crop you have planted. On rainy days, you can focus on other aspects of the game without worry about your crops drying up.
The Old Mariner
The Old Mariner only appears on rainy days, and only after the player has reached 10 hearts with a marriage candidate, making it necessary to get a rainy day. He sells the Mermaid Pendant, which is needed to propose marriage. In Winter, the Old Mariner will not appear unless a Rain Totem is used.
Special Forage Items
Rainy days can also affect what forage items are available on the map, so it can be worth going out and searching the town on a rainy day. Some forage items have a tendency to appear more often on rainy days and some items are only able to be found during rainy days.
15 Frequently Asked Questions about Rain in Stardew Valley
To further enhance your knowledge about rain and weather in Stardew Valley, here are 15 frequently asked questions:
1. Can it rain on the first day of a season?
No, it cannot rain on the first day of the season except for Spring day 3 of the first year, which is programmed to always rain. The game has a set condition for this to be the case.
2. Can it rain during Winter?
Naturally, it will never rain during Winter. The only way to get rain in Winter is to use a Rain Totem.
3. Does rain water indoor crops?
No, rain does not water crops grown indoors in areas like the Greenhouse or in Garden Pots. These crops will still need to be watered manually regardless of the weather.
4. Do I need to water my crops when it rains?
No, crops planted outdoors do not need to be watered on rainy days, saving you time and energy. This also applies for crops that have been watered with sprinklers for the day.
5. What happens if it storms?
During storms, lightning can strike your farm and destroy tiles. Be sure to have lightning rods placed around your farm to generate battery packs from the lightning instead.
6. Are certain days guaranteed to be rainy in fall?
No, unlike Summer, where specific days are programmed to be stormy, there are no guaranteed rainy or stormy days during Fall, except on the first year where there is a higher chance of storms, and rain. The weather is randomly generated with the previously explained chances.
7. Can it rain on your wedding day?
No, your wedding day is always sunny, and the game does not include rain in the programmed day. It’s a scripted event, and weather is not considered.
8. What does rain do for my animals?
Rain impacts your animals by preventing them from leaving the coop or barn for that day. They will not go outside during rain or snow. This also means that they will not be able to eat grass.
9. What is the benefit of rain when foraging?
Some forageable items tend to be more common during rainy days, so it’s beneficial to explore the map when it rains. Some items, like certain fish, can only be found in the rain.
10. Can I get struck by lightning?
Yes, you can get struck by lightning. It is a rare occurrence, but it can happen during storms and can deal damage to you and the surrounding tiles.
11. How many lightning rods should I have?
It is generally recommended to have at least 35 lightning rods to be sure your farm is protected from storm damage. The benefits to getting more beyond 50 become very low.
12. Can I use lightning rods off of my farm?
Yes, you can place them off the farm, however, they will not collect battery packs if placed off of the farm. The rods also don’t stop lightning from hitting items, if they are not placed directly next to the rod.
13. How rare is the thunder egg?
A Thunder Egg has an approximately 1/32 shot of appearing in a Geode and is much rarer to find in Omni Geodes.
14. Can I get the Mermaid Pendant in Winter?
Yes, you can get the mermaid pendant in the winter, however, you will need to use a Rain Totem to ensure the Old Mariner spawns. Note that he will not spawn during the Night Market festival, even if it is raining.
15. What crops are most profitable in fall?
The Sweet Gem Berry is considered the most profitable crop for the fall season, along with cranberries and pumpkins.
Conclusion
While the chances of rain in Fall might be lower than Spring or Summer, it’s certainly a part of the Stardew Valley experience. Understanding the mechanics of rainfall, its importance, and the ways to influence it using tools like the Rain Totem can greatly enhance your gameplay. Remember to stay vigilant during stormy days, and take advantage of the benefits rain can provide on your farm! Enjoy your fall days in the valley!