Stardew Valley Challenge: No Starter Tool Run

Wow, it’s been a hot moment since I’ve posted anything on this site. The years start coming, and they don’t stop coming…

During the pandemic I like many people became absolutely addicted to Stardew Valley. In the past few years I’ve played through the game multiple times and have reached perfection twice once a solo run (with the river farm… worst decision of my life) and once co-op. With all the talk about the 1.7 update on the horizon I decided to pick up the game again… but to play it a little differently this time.

The No Starter Tool Run:

• No use of the axe, the pickaxe, the watering can, scythe and the starter hoe
• You are able to use the fishing rod, the golden scythe, and the pan
• Try to achieve perfection.

On top of those three guidelines I decided that I would attempt to complete the Community Center instead of going to the Joja Mart route. This way I don’t spend all my time grinding fishing to slowly make money to buy everything. Also the Joja route always makes me queasy.

Day One

I decided to go with the Meadow Farm, partly because I’ve never used it before but mostly because you start the game with two chickens. Any extra income is going to be super helpful.

Right off the bat having all the tools in my inventory bothers me. I want to ditch them in a chest but I don’t have any wood, or means to collect it. There’s not much I can do for now except wander around and talk to as many people as I can find and pick up as many foragables that can fit in my tiny inventory.

It feels so weird going to bed on day one without planting anything, and having an almost full health bar… but what can you do. At least tomorrow Willy will be back and I can get a fishing rod.

Day Two

The day starts with wandering around town to pick up any more foragables. Once the Community Center is unlocked i can slam the spring foragables into the bundle… to gather seeds that I can’t use yet.

I then wander over to Willy to get the fishing rod. It’s time to start fishing to try and build up a little more money. The plan is to get enough money to purchase wood from Robin so I’ll be able to ditch all the dead weight in my inventory.

And not get too frustrated by all the dead ends:

Day Three

With a chest at home, I finally have more inventory space for fish. I miss my hoe, all these dig spots are frustrating.

Day Four

The mines are my favourite part of Stardew Valley, but without my pickaxe they’re currently annoying… but thank you Marlon for the sword! I can finally clear some of the grass on my farm.

I desperately need some bombs. With the mines open I can now add a stop to my daily route, if I’m lucky a crab will spawn and drop of cherry bomb. With a cherry bomb I should be able to clear a little space on my farm to plant something. One can dream.

Day Five

Community Center custscene!

Day Six

Fishing continues to be my main source of income and a way to pass the time until the Community Center opens. This is going to be the fasted I’ve ever reached mastery in fishing.

Day 10

But Alexandra, didn’t you have all the foragables in your chest since Day Two? Or did you accidentally sell all your dandelions and have to spend four days searching for a new one? Why yes, yes I did. Well at least this also gave me time to catch fish that will probably be in the Fish Bundles? And purchase a single sprinkler from the Travelling Cart.

Final Roundup

Without the use of my tools the game has turned into a giant puzzle. I have some ideas on how I’m going to proceed, but this is going to take a while. In the best case scenario I would have the greenhouse before winter, but given the fact that I haven’t been able to plant anything yet this is probably an unreasonable goal.

My best case scenario is that the Travelling Cart keeps having random items for sale that will be required to complete the Community Center. I just need to focus on building relationships and fishing… even if my soul just yearns for the mines.

Tune in next time to see where this adventure takes me. Will I get to plant something? Will I see past floor one of the mines? Will I max out fishing before the end of the summer?

Bye!

Alexandra

Alexandra is always looking for the next book she can devour. She has a love hate relationship with teen fiction specifically when it comes to fantasy, post apocalyptic and failed shakespeare adaptations.