Stardew Valley: How To Befriend Willy

This guide is part of a larger Stardew Valley resource: Stardew Valley: A Complete Guide and Walkthrough

Willy, a seasoned fisherman with a kind heart, is one of the first villagers you'll meet in Stardew Valley. He provides your starting fishing rod, imparts fishing wisdom, and is always stocked with supplies.

Building a friendship with Willy is straightforward and offers valuable rewards. Strengthening relationships is key in Stardew Valley, so take a break from farming, chat with Willy at the docks, and show your appreciation with thoughtful gifts. He particularly values rare aquatic finds!

Updated January 4, 2025, by Demaris Oxman: Willy's a unique character, and his extensive list of favored gifts makes him easy to befriend. The 1.6 update expanded this list, adding several fishing-themed books. This guide covers befriending Willy in the latest game version.

Gift Guide

Friendship in Stardew Valley blossoms through generosity. Give Willy gifts at his shop (most weekdays), or find him fishing on Saturdays or evenings at the Stardrop Saloon, beach, or river.

Remember, Willy's birthday is Summer 24th. Gifts given on this day provide an 8x friendship boost.

Highly Favored Gifts (+80 Friendship)

These gifts are Willy's favorites, each increasing friendship by 80 points. Some, like certain fish, are challenging to obtain, but pumpkins and mead are readily accessible. He also appreciates books about fishing and valuable crafting materials.

• Fish: , , ,
• Books: ,
• (Honey in a Keg)
• (Gold Ore in a Furnace)
• (Iridium Ore in a Furnace)
• (Found in Mines)
• (Grown in Fall)
• All universally loved gifts

Liked Gifts (+45 Friendship)

If highly favored gifts are scarce, these are excellent alternatives. Willy enjoys most seafood dishes; prepare your catch for a culinary friendship boost. Each increases friendship by 45 points.

• Cooked fish dishes (excluding Dish O' the Sea, Sashimi, and Maki Roll – neutral towards these).
• Fish: ,
• 
• 

Disliked & Hated Gifts

Avoid these gifts to prevent friendship loss. Hated gifts are worse than disliked, so steer clear of them entirely.

• Foraged goods
• Cooked dishes without fish
• Life Elixir
• All universally disliked gifts (except fish; Willy is neutral towards fish not listed above).
• All universally hated gifts

Quests

Willy sometimes posts requests on the "Help Wanted" board outside Pierre's, offering gold and 150 friendship points for completing them. He also sends two letters with fishing challenges:

• Catch a Squid: (Winter 2, Year 1) Rewards gold and 1 friendship heart.
• Catch a Lingcod: (Winter 13, Year 2) Rewards more gold and another friendship heart.

Friendship Perks

Willy shares four fishing-buff recipes as your friendship grows:

• (+1 Fishing): 3 Hearts
• (+2 Fishing): 5 Hearts
• (+3 Fishing): 7 Hearts
• (+3 Fishing, +30 Max Energy): 9 Hearts