There’s a lot to love about Stardew Valley. From the daily rhythms of planting and harvesting to the joy of discovering little corners of Pelican Town, it’s one of those games that always seems to welcome you back, no matter how long you’ve been away. Every time I load up a new save, I get that cozy rush of starting fresh: the empty farm plot, the small cabin, and the endless possibilities for what the next few seasons might hold.
But there’s one thing that consistently trips up new and returning players alike: the Introductions quest. It sounds simple, to meet everyone in town, but Stardew Valley doesn’t make this as straightforward as it seems. Everyone in Pelican Town has their own routines, their own favorite hangouts that vary by season, and their own tendency to disappear just when you think you know where they’ll be. I can’t count how many times I’ve gotten stuck at 21/28 villagers met mark, wandering around like a lost farmer trying to find the NPCs that somehow elude me.
After spending 113 hours with the game (and probably way too many of those hours dedicated to chasing people around), I finally decided to do what I should’ve done much earlier: treat this challenge like another one of Stardew Valley‘s puzzles. It took some trial and error, a lot of note-taking, and a couple of resets, but I’ve landed on a strategy that lets you meet nearly every villager on your very first day. Think of it like speedrunning the social scene in Pelican Town.
Now, I have to be transparent: it’s impossible to meet absolutely everyone on day one. Willy and the Wizard in Stardew Valley are off the table. They’re simply not available on the first day, no matter what. But this route will cover absolutely everyone else if you keep an eye on the clock and move with purpose. And while it might sound a little intense, it’s surprisingly satisfying. It’s like running a perfectly timed relay, except instead of sprinting between batons, you’re sprinting between people who may or may not want to talk to you.
The benefit here is enormous. By wrapping up Introductions early, you free yourself from that lingering to-do list that can drag on for literal weeks. It also sets you up socially right away, in case you want to romance a Stardew Valley NPC early. Sure, you don’t have to meet everyone immediately, but if you’re anything like me, you’ll appreciate the freedom of knowing you’ve checked this box before your farm has even gotten off the ground.
There’s something satisfying about starting your save with a clean slate. Instead of leaving Introductions half-finished for weeks while you scramble to bump into the right person, you can lock it down early and focus on everything else the game has to offer. For me, that means I get to spend the next few days actually playing the way I want, rather than anxiously hunting down where Stardew Valley NPCs are on the map like they owe me rent.
Here’s a guide on how to do it:
|
Time |
What to Do |
|---|---|
|
6:00 am – 10:30 am |
You’ll start the day meeting Lewis and Robin during the intro cutscene. After they leave, you’ve got a few hours to farm and lay out your dream farm. At 10:30 sharp, head south toward Marnie’s Ranch. It’s go time. |
|
11:00 am |
Be at Leah’s door by 11:00. By 11:10, loop back to meet Jas near Marnie’s. At 11:30, head east into town and say hi to Hayley outside her home. Penny should be under a tree near Jodi’s, and you’ll spot Sam in the town square. |
|
12:00 pm |
It’s time for a big sweep. Enter Pierre’s to meet Marnie, Abigail, and Pierre (go behind the counter to say hi, as a transaction near the cash register won’t count). At 12:10, meet Harvey as he exits the clinic. Alex will be outside his house, and George should be inside by the kitchen table. Wrap up with Elliot south at the beach outside his cabin. |
|
1:00 pm |
Swing by Clint’s shop. At 1:30, head to JojaMart to meet Pam and Shane. Shane will ignore you if he’s working, but it counts. |
|
2:00 pm – 3:30 pm |
You only need to catch Maru at 2:30 northwest of the bridge. After that, go back to the square to meet Evelyn (gardening near the Saloon), then Jodi, Caroline, and Vincent nearby. |
|
4:00 pm – 5:30 pm |
Pop into the Stardrop Saloon to meet Gus and Emily. Between 4:30 and 5:30, keep an eye out for any NPCs wandering around town that you missed. |
|
6:00 pm – 7:00 pm |
It’s the final lap. Head north into the mountains to meet Demetrius and Linus. Say hi to Robin again for good measure, and intercept Sebastian at his front door around 7:00 pm. |
The Caveats and Second Chances
Of course, nothing in Stardew Valley is ever completely predictable. And with Stardew Valley‘s 1.7 update, this strategy might change. But until that day comes, you’ll have to stay flexible, keep an eye on the clock, and remain vigilant in case of slip-ups. Even for a self-imposed challenge, the game gives you opportunities to recover. For example:
But the biggest caveat, again, is that you simply cannot meet Willy or the Wizard on day one. Willy doesn’t arrive until day two, and the Wizard’s tower stays locked until later. For me, though, that almost adds to the fun. It’s a reminder that no matter how much you try to optimize, Stardew Valley will always nudge you back toward patience.
February 26, 2016
E for Everyone (Fantasy Violence, Mild Blood, Mild Language, Simulated Gambling, Use of Alcohol and Tobacco)
ConcernedApe
ConcernedApe
