What Should I Give Gunther? A Comprehensive Guide to Stardew Valley Donations

The question of what to donate to Gunther in Stardew Valley is a crucial one for any aspiring completionist or shrewd farmer. The museum, curated by the enigmatic Gunther, isn’t just a dusty old building; it’s a gateway to valuable rewards, crucial recipes, and ultimately, a Stardrop, marking significant progress in the game. So, what should you give Gunther? The simple answer is: donate one of every unique artifact and mineral you find. But understanding the nuances behind this is key to maximizing your benefits. Prioritizing certain items, knowing when to donate, and understanding the implications of your choices will significantly impact your Stardew Valley experience.

The Importance of Donations

Why Donate at All?

Donating to the museum unlocks a cascade of benefits. Firstly, it fulfills a significant part of the game’s progression and introduces you to the lore of Stardew Valley. Secondly, and more practically, Gunther rewards you for reaching donation milestones. These rewards range from valuable seeds, like those for Ancient Fruit, to tools like the Sewer Key and even the coveted Stardrop for completing the entire collection. Furthermore, donating specific items, like the Ancient Seed, will unlock recipes and other useful items. The museum is a central hub that rewards the inquisitive and the generous player.

Donation Priorities

While you should eventually donate one of everything, it’s important to prioritize in the early game. Consider donating these items first:

• Ancient Seed: This is paramount. Donating this artifact unlocks the ability to craft more seeds and allows you to grow Ancient Fruit, arguably the most valuable crop in the game.
• Dwarf Scrolls: These unlock the Dwarvish Translation Guide, vital for understanding the dwarves in the mines and unlocking further content.
• Any Unique Minerals and Artifacts: Early donations help you reach donation milestones quickly, accelerating your rewards. Look for the note in your inventory which says, “Gunther can tell you more about this if you donate it to the museum.” This indicates it’s a unique item that can be donated.
• Dinosaur Egg: While it might be tempting to donate your first one, resist the urge and use it to incubate a dinosaur. It will lay more eggs, one of which can be donated to Gunther later to complete your collection.

Avoiding Common Donation Mistakes

The First Dinosaur Egg

As mentioned above, avoid donating your first Dinosaur Egg immediately. Instead, use the incubator in a Big or Deluxe Coop to hatch it. This will give you a dinosaur that will produce more eggs. You can then donate one of the produced eggs to the museum. This approach both completes your museum and lets you have a source of dinosaur eggs.

Hoarding vs. Donating

It’s tempting to hoard everything, but with artifacts and minerals, early donations are better. They propel your progress and provide valuable returns. Remember, you only need to donate one of each unique artifact. Multiple copies are useless for museum purposes. Save them to sell or utilize in crafting.

Selling Instead of Donating

While selling items provides immediate profit, missing out on the rewards from museum donations is a poor long-term strategy. Prioritize donating over selling when you encounter a unique artifact or mineral. The immediate monetary gain will not be as beneficial as the long-term advantages received from the museum.

Gunther’s Rewards and Friendships

Unlocking Gunther’s Room

As you donate items, you will progress towards a friendship with Gunther. After donating 60 items to the museum, you gain the ability to enter Gunther’s room which is located behind the museum counter. This adds a charming detail to the museum experience, giving you a look into his personal space.

Reaping the Rewards

The major benefit of donating is the stream of rewards you unlock. From seeds that can transform your farm’s economy, to essential tools like the sewer key, to that final stardrop, Gunther rewards your contribution to the museum consistently. Keep in mind that rewards are unlocked based on the number of unique donations, not the type of item you donate.

FAQ: Stardew Valley Museum and Donations

1. How many items can I donate to the museum?

There are a total of 95 unique items that can be donated to the museum. This includes artifacts and minerals.

2. What does Gunther do outside of museum hours?

Gunther stays within the museum during its open hours from 8 am to 6 pm. He does not leave the building.

3. What is the point of donating Dwarf Scrolls?

Donating all four Dwarf Scrolls will give you the Dwarvish Translation Guide, which allows you to communicate with dwarves in the mines and unlock additional content.

4. Should I donate the Prismatic Shard?

While Prismatic Shards can be donated to the museum, they are also valuable for many other things, such as crafting the Galaxy Sword or donating to the Desert Trader. Only donate it if you are not using it for these purposes.

5. What does Secret Note 20 give me?

Secret Note 20 leads you to a truck driver who, if you give him a Rabbit’s Foot, will grant you a Special Charm that permanently increases your luck.

6. Is it better to sell or donate a diamond?

Initially, it is better to donate a diamond. Once you have access to the Crystalarium, you can duplicate them infinitely. Donate the first one from the Crystalarium and sell the rest for profit.

7. What happens if I donate an Ancient Seed?

Donating an Ancient Seed gives you a pack of plantable Ancient Seeds and the recipe to craft more from future Ancient Seed Artifacts.

8. Should I keep resources like wood and stone?

Yes! It’s recommended to keep resource items like wood, stone, and sap rather than sell them. You’ll need them for crafting, building, and farm maintenance.

9. Is it better to age wine or cheese?

Generally, it’s better to age cheese rather than wine, unless you are focusing on Starfruit or Ancient Fruit wine, which gain more value from aging.

10. What happens when I reach 100% completion?

Reaching 100% completion will unlock extra end-game content, allowing you to pursue other objectives and achievements.

11. What should I do with excess Ancient Fruit?

Ancient Fruit is one of the most valuable crops in the game. It can be gifted, sold for profit, or used to make wine.

12. How rare is the Ancient Seed?

The Ancient Seed is an artifact and can be found while digging up Artifact Spots, inside fishing treasure chests, or artifact troves and is a rare drop from specific insects.

13. Should I clear my entire farm?

Clearing your entire farm is unnecessary and can even be detrimental. Leaving some trees on unused parts of your farm ensures a renewable resource for wood and seeds.

14. What happens if I incubate a Dinosaur Egg?

Incubating a Dinosaur Egg will hatch a dinosaur, which will then lay more eggs that can be used for further hatching and donation.

15. How important is completing the museum?

Completing the museum is vital for unlocking a Stardrop as well as various rewards which greatly benefit the player. It also contributes significantly to overall game progression.

In conclusion, donating to Gunther’s museum isn’t just about filling shelves; it’s about unlocking the true potential of your Stardew Valley farm. By prioritizing key donations, avoiding common mistakes, and understanding the rewards system, you can navigate the museum and its treasures effectively.