Discover the Key to Unlocking Willy's Friendship in Stardew Valley

This guide delves into befriending Willy, the amiable fisherman in Stardew Valley. He's a key early contact, providing a fishing rod and essential supplies. Building a friendship with Willy offers significant advantages.

Updated January 4, 2025, by Demaris Oxman: Willy, a quirky but friendly NPC, is easily befriended due to his extensive list of favored gifts, expanded with the 1.6 update. Many new books related to fishing are now considered Loved or Liked gifts.

Gift Guide

Gift-giving is paramount in Stardew Valley. Find Willy at his shop (weekdays), fishing (Saturdays), or at the Stardrop Saloon/beach/river (evenings). His birthday is Summer 24; gifts then have an 8x friendship boost.

Loved Gifts (+80 Friendship)

These top-tier gifts significantly boost friendship. Some, like rare fish, are challenging to obtain, but pumpkins and mead are readily accessible. Willy also appreciates fishing-related books and valuable crafting materials.

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

Liked Gifts (+45 Friendship)

These are viable alternatives if Loved gifts are scarce. Willy enjoys most seafood dishes; cook your catch and share the bounty.

• Fish-based cooked dishes (excluding Dish O' the Sea, Sashimi, Maki Roll – neutral)
• Fish: ,
• 
• 

Disliked & Hated Gifts

Avoid these to prevent friendship loss. Hated gifts are worse than disliked, but generally steer clear of:

• Foraged goods
• Non-fish-based cooked dishes
• Life Elixir
• Universally disliked gifts (except fish; Willy is neutral towards most fish, except those listed above)
• Universally hated gifts

Quests

Willy posts requests on the Help Wanted board. Completing these earns gold and 150 friendship points. 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:

• (3 hearts): +1 fishing buff.
• (5 hearts): +2 fishing buff.
• (7 hearts): +3 fishing buff.
• (9 hearts): +3 fishing buff, +30 max energy.