Unlocking Grandpa’s Secrets: The Diamond-Shaped Slot in Stardew Valley
The diamond-shaped slot you’ve discovered in Grandpa’s Shrine in Stardew Valley is your key to a second chance. It’s a receptacle specifically designed to hold a Diamond, and placing one inside allows you to re-evaluate your farm and potentially earn a better score, leading to greater rewards. It’s more than just a decorative feature; it’s a mechanic that allows for course correction and ensures you can achieve the coveted Statue of Perfection, even if your initial farm setup wasn’t quite up to par.
Understanding Grandpa’s Evaluation and the Diamond’s Role
The core mechanic behind the diamond-shaped slot is directly tied to Grandpa’s evaluation of your farm. At the start of year three, Grandpa’s ghost appears to assess your progress based on several factors:
- Total Earnings: A significant indicator of your farm’s success.
- Skill Levels: Your proficiency in farming, foraging, mining, fishing, and combat.
- Friendship Levels: Your relationships with the villagers and your pet.
- Community Center Completion: Completing bundles is a major achievement.
- House Upgrades: Fully upgrading your farmhouse shows dedication to your farm.
- Marriage and Children: Settling down and starting a family also contribute.
Based on these criteria, you’ll earn points. A total of 12 points or more is required to light all four candles around Grandpa’s Shrine, granting you the Statue of Perfection, a valuable item that produces 2-8 Iridium Ore per day.
If you don’t achieve this on your first evaluation, don’t despair! That’s where the diamond-shaped slot comes in. By placing a Diamond into the slot, you trigger a re-evaluation. Grandpa’s ghost will visit you the following night and reassess your farm. This offers you another opportunity to meet the 12-point threshold and claim your Statue of Perfection. There’s a chance that, after the re-evaluation, he will also say that he was a bit too harsh on you.
Preparing for Re-Evaluation
Before inserting that Diamond, take the time to improve any areas where you think you’re lacking. Focus on:
- Increasing Earnings: Plant high-value crops, process them into artisan goods, and sell them strategically.
- Maxing Out Skills: Dedicate time to each of the five skills to reach level 10.
- Building Friendships: Talk to villagers daily, give them gifts they love, and complete quests for them.
- Completing Community Center Bundles: Prioritize bundles that offer valuable rewards.
- Upgrading Your House: Invest in upgrades that improve your living space.
By addressing these areas, you’ll increase your chances of a positive re-evaluation.
Exploiting the Diamond-Shaped Slot for Continuous Iridium
While the primary purpose of the diamond-shaped slot is to trigger a re-evaluation, some players have explored strategies for continuous re-evaluations. There is not much point to doing this though because you can only have one Statue of Perfection. While it’s technically possible to place another diamond in the shrine, it will not result in an additional statue, nor will you get more Iridium.
Is It Worth It?
The Diamond is a valuable gem, but the Statue of Perfection is far more valuable in the long run. The consistent supply of Iridium Ore allows you to craft powerful tools, sprinklers, and other essential items. Therefore, using a Diamond to secure the Statue of Perfection is a worthwhile investment.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions about the diamond-shaped slot and Grandpa’s Shrine:
What happens if I don’t get all four candles lit during the initial evaluation?
If you don’t get all four candles lit, you won’t receive the Statue of Perfection immediately. However, you can still achieve this later by placing a Diamond in the diamond-shaped slot to trigger a re-evaluation.
How often can I re-evaluate my farm using the diamond-shaped slot?
You can re-evaluate your farm as many times as you want, provided you have a Diamond each time. There is not much point to doing so, though.
Does friendship with my pet contribute to Grandpa’s evaluation?
Yes, friendship with your pet contributes to your overall score. Make sure to pet your animal every day!
What are some of the best ways to earn points for Grandpa’s evaluation?
Some of the best ways to earn points include maximizing your total earnings, achieving high skill levels, building strong relationships with villagers, completing Community Center bundles, and fully upgrading your house.
Is there a way to see my current score for Grandpa’s evaluation?
Unfortunately, there’s no in-game way to see your exact score. You’ll have to rely on analyzing the criteria and estimating your progress.
What happens if I get all four candles lit during the initial evaluation?
If you get all four candles lit during the initial evaluation, you’ll immediately receive the Statue of Perfection.
Can I lose the Statue of Perfection if I don’t maintain a good farm?
No, once you receive the Statue of Perfection, you won’t lose it, regardless of any subsequent changes to your farm.
How rare is the Diamond in Stardew Valley?
Diamonds are relatively rare and are typically found in the mines at level 50 or greater. They can also be obtained from Gem Nodes, Fishing Treasure Chests, and by panning.
Is it better to sell Diamonds or use them for re-evaluation?
Using a Diamond for re-evaluation is generally better, as the Statue of Perfection provides a consistent source of Iridium Ore, which is far more valuable in the long run.
What other rare items can I find in Stardew Valley?
Other rare items in Stardew Valley include the Prismatic Shard, Living Hat, and Tea Set.
What do I do if the re-evaluation dialogue does not come up the next day?
If the re-evaluation does not come up, try loading your game and repeating the process again. Also, make sure you sleep throughout the night. In some cases, Grandpa might only come on the first day of the following season.
Is Stardew Valley Educational?
Yes, Stardew Valley can be educational as players learn resource management, planning, and the importance of community. To explore the educational aspects of games further, consider visiting the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.
What does the Statue of True Perfection do?
The Statue of True Perfection is another statue that can be obtained by reaching 100% perfection. It produces one Prismatic Shard once per day.
How do I get to Grandpa’s Shed?
You can get to Grandpa’s Shed by heading across the bridge to the greenhouse, and then heading north through the hidden path through the trees.
How do I find out who my secret Santa is?
Your secret Santa will send you a letter the week before the festival, and another letter either the day before, or the day of the festival. On the day of the festival, talk to everyone and the game will ask you if you want to give a present when you talk to the correct person.