Skills
There are five skills you can level up in as a farmer in Stardew Valley. They are farming, mining, foraging, fishing and combat. Each skill has ten levels of proficiency. The fastest way to level up is by practicing tasks related to that skill. If you want to level up combat then go out and fight some monsters. If you want to level up farming then start planting and watering crops.
Farming
Farming is one of the main parts of the game and the reason why so many people love Stardew Valley. Looking after your crops is something you’ll be doing each day. This involves clearing the land, tilling the soil, planting crops, watering and harvesting. As you do these things you’ll level up your farming skill over time although you only gain experience for harvesting crop. As you do you’ll become more proficient and be able to craft new things.
Farming Proficiencies
Level 1: Craft fertilizer, Craft Scarecrow, +1 Hoe Proficiency, +1 Watering Can Proficiency.
Level 2: Craft Sprinkler, Craft Stone Fence, Craft Mayonnaise Machine, +1 Hoe Proficiency, +1 Watering Can Proficiency.
Level 3: Cook Farmer’s Lunch, Craft Speed Gro, Craft Bee House, +1 Hoe Proficiency, +1 Watering Can Proficiency.
Level 4: Craft Basic Retaining Soil, Craft Iron Fence, Craft Preserves Jar, +1 Hoe Proficiency, +1 Watering Can Proficiency.
Level 5: At level 5 you get to choose a profession, either a Tiller or a Rancher. If you become a Tiller you will receive an extra 10% for your crops. If you become a Rancher you’ll receive an extra 10% for animal products.
Level 6: Craft Cheese Press, Craft Quality Sprinkler, Craft Hardwood Fence, +1 Hoe Proficiency, +1 Watering Can Proficiency.
Level 7: Craft Loom, Craft Quality Retaining Soil, +1 Hoe Proficiency, +1 Watering Can Proficiency.
Level 8: Craft Keg, Craft Deluxe Speed-Gro, Craft Oil Maker, +1 Hoe Proficiency, +1 Watering Can Proficiency.
Level 9: Craft Quality Fertilizer, Craft Iridium Sprinkler, Craft Seed Maker, +1 Hoe Proficiency, +1 Watering Can Proficiency.
Level 10: At level 10 you can further specialize your profession. If you are a Tiller you can become an Artisan (Atrisanal Goods are worth 50% more) or an Agriculturalist (Crops will grow 10% faster). If you are a Rancher you can become a Coopmaster (Cuts incubation time in half and befriend coop animals quicker) or a Shepherd (Sheep produce wool faster and you can befriend barn animals quicker).
Mining
Mining is also an integral part of Stardew Valley and allows you to gather the resources you need to craft many items. The main activity that will level you up is breaking rocks and ores with your pickaxe.
Mining Proficiencies
Level 1: Craft Cherry Bomb, +1 Pickaxe Proficiency.
Level 2: Craft Staircase, +1 Pickaxe Proficiency.
Level 3: Cook Miner’s Treat, +1 Pickaxe Proficiency.
Level 4: Transmute (Fe), +1 Pickaxe Proficiency.
Level 5: At level 5 you get to choose a profession, either a Geologist or a Miner. A Geologist has the chance to find Gems in pairs and a Miner will recieve +1 Ore per vein.
Level 6: Craft Bomb, +1 Pickaxe Proficiency.
Level 7: Transmute (Au), +1 Pickaxe Proficiency.
Level 8: Craft Mega Bomb, +1 Pickaxe Proficiency.
Level 9: Craft Crystalarium, +1 Pickaxe Proficiency.
Level 10: Further specialize in your profession. If you are a Geologist you can become a Gemologist for +20% to the value of Gems or an Excavator which doubles the amount of Geodes found. If you are a Miner you can become a Blacksmith which makes the Bars worth 25% more or a Prospector which doubles the amount of Coal found.
Foraging
Foraging is all about going into the wilderness and collecting items. Chopping down trees will help level up this skill. You’ll gain extra recipes as you level up and at level 5 be able to pick a profession.
Foraging Proficiencies
Level 1: Craft Field Snack, Craft Wild Seeds (Spring), Trees may drop seeds, +1 Axe Efficiency.
Level 2: Cook Survival Burger, +1 Axe Efficiency.
Level 3: Craft Tapper, +1 Axe Efficiency.
Level 4: Craft Wild Seeds (Summer), Craft Charcoal Kiln, +1 Wild Berry Harvesting, +1 Axe Efficiency.
Level 5: Pick a profession. Either a Forester which makes the wood worth 50% more or a Gatherer which gives you a chance to double the amount of your harvested items.
Level 6: Craft Warp Totem: Beach, Craft Wild Seeds (Fall), +1 Axe Efficiency.
Level 7: Craft Wild Seeds (Winter), Craft Warp Totem: Mountains, +1 Axe Efficiency.
Level 8: Craft Warp Totem: Farm, +1 Wild Berry Harvesting, +1 Axe Efficiency.
Level 9: Craft Rain Totem, +1 Axe Efficiency.
Level 10: Specialize your profession. The Forester can become a Lumberjack (Normal trees can drop hardwood) or a Tapper (Syrup is worth 25% more). The Gatherer can become a Botanist (Foraged items are always gold quality) or a Tracker (Reveals the location of foragable items).
Fishing
Practice fishing and you will gain experience, eventually leveling up and become more proficient. Here’s the skills and recipes you can gain through fishing.
Fishing Proficiencies
Level 1: +1 Fishing Rod Proficiency.
Level 2: Craft Bait, +1 Fishing Rod Proficiency.
Level 3: Craft Crab Pot, Cook Dish O’ The Sea, +1 Fishing Rod Proficiency.
Level 4: Craft Recycling Machine, +1 Fishing Rod Proficiency.
Level 5: Choose a profession (Trapper or Fisher). The Trapper reduces the number of resources required to craft Crab Pots and the Fisher increases the value of Fish by 25%.
Level 6: Craft Spinner, Craft Trap Bobber, +1 Fishing Rod Proficiency.
Level 7: Craft Cork Bobber, Craft Treasure Hunter, +1 Fishing Rod Proficiency.
Level 8: Craft Worm Bin, Craft Barbed Hook, Craft Dressed Spinner, +1 Fishing Rod Proficiency.
Level 9: Craft Magnet, +1 Fishing Rod Proficiency.
Level 10: Further specialize your profession. The Trapper can become an Angler (Fish worth 50% more) or a Pirate (Chance to find treasure is doubled). The Fisher can become a Luremaster (Crab Pots don’t need to be baited) or a Mariner (Crab Pots never catch trash).
Combat
Combat is all about killing monsters. Leveling up your combat skill will increase your health points and give you new crafting recipes.
Combat Proficiencies
Level 1: Craft Sturdy Ring, +5 HP.
Level 2: Craft Life Elixir, +5 HP.
Level 3: Cook Roots Platter, +5 HP.
Level 4: Craft Warrior Ring, +5 HP.
Level 5: Choose a profession. The Fighter deals 10% more damage and has an extra 15 HP. The Scout has an increased Critical Strike of 50%.
Level 6: Craft Slime Egg Press, Craft Oil of Garlic, +5 HP.
Level 7: Craft Ring of Yoba, +5 HP.
Level 8: Craft Slime Incubator, Craft Explosive Ammo, +5 HP.
Level 9: Craft Iridium Band, +5 HP.
Level 10: Specialize your profession. The Fighter can become a Brute (Damage increased an extra 15%) or a Defender (HP increased by 25). The Scout can become an Acrobat (For reduced cool down on special moves by half) or a Desperado (Critical hits are now deadly).
