Summary
While relationships inStardew Valleynormally max out at eight hearts, the game’s dating mechanicsallow players to get to know their favorite eligible bachelors and bachelorettes on a deeper level by unlocking new heart events after entering a relationship.
In particular, a character’s 10-heart event is unique because it shows what they want in their relationship with the farmer as their boyfriend or girlfriend. They could desire to take the lead, grow together, or simply share their interests to enjoy each other’s company. However, no matter how they navigate the relationship’s next steps, the small details in each 10-heart event make them touching, even as some of them dig deeper than others.
Updated July 13, 2025 by Alexandra O’Leary:Heart events are a huge reason for players to invest time and effort into building their relationships with the folks of Pelican Town. These endearing and charming cutscenes take place after certain relationship milestones, and when it comes to the bachelors and bachelorettes of the Valley, these clips can make or break a romantic moment.
They provide insight into the various personalities that are single and ready for love and give players a chance to take fate into their own hands. Heart events with romantic interests usually give players dialogue and action options, which allow them to either make the right or wrong choice. This will heavily impact the amount of friendship points earned or lost and can set players back months. Ultimately, they’re an important part of building genuine and exciting romances with the singletons of Pelican Town, and they bring players even closer to their potential spouse in a moment of true affection.
Krobus is a bonus choice for those who don’t want a romantic roommate!
How To Reach 10 Hearts Quickly
First, players will want to understand how hearts work. All romanceableStardew Valleycharacters have ten hearts each, which signals how strong their relationship is with the farmer. Each heart is worth 250 friendship points, which means players need to put in a lot of work if they want to reach a ten-heart event. The last two hearts will be grayed out until players declare their romantic interests by gifting the character a bouquet, which will then open up the possibility of marriage. Non-romanceable NPCs also have ten hearts, but their heart events don’t take place consistently like the bachelors and bachelorettes.
There are several ways to increase a player’s hearts with villagers. Various interactions and experiences will impact how they view the farmer, but there are a few consistent things that will help when building those important relationships. One of the easiest things to do is speak to everyone whenever the player sees them. Every time players speak to an NPC, they’ll earn +20 friendship points (unless they’re interrupting them mid-activity). In the beginning, it can feel impossible to build friendships with everyone, but just speaking to villagers as often as possible will build a strong foundation for a blossoming love.
One of the other main ways to earn friendship points quickly is by giving gifts. Every villager has a list of items they are neutral to, and others that they like and love. Finding these gifts is fundamental to any relationship since they provide extra friendship points. A neutral gift provides +20 FP, a liked gift provides +45 FP, and a loved gift provides +80 FP. The best tactic is to secure a loved gift in advance of the villager’s birthday - giving a loved gift to an NPC on their birthday will give them a whopping +640 (x8) friendship points.
Another good way to build friendships is to complete tasks on the notice board for the player’s respective love interest. This can be a less reliable way to collect hearts since different villagers post quests every day, but the right one will add +150 friendship points - which is over half a heart. Using these tactics, players will reach those ten heart events in no time.
14Krobus
They Were Roommates!
Krobusis the exception to a lot of rules inStardew Valley, and heart events are no different. This quirky little shadow person is easy to overlook, thanks to his quiet living space in the sewers. But realStardewfans know that Krobus deserves as much love as everyone else in Pelican town, and while he’s not the most traditional choice - there’s room for players to become great friends with him.
Krobus doesn’t actually have a ten-heart event, since he’s not exactly romanceable. Despite this, players can reach fourteen hearts with him, and unlock a special event, namely because Krobus is the only character in the game that can become the player’s platonic roommate. Once players have met Krobus and started the progress towards a great friendship, giving him the Void Ghost Pendant will invite him to move in with the player. The Void Ghost Pendant can either be dropped by monsters in Skull Cavern (in the Desert), or bought from the Desert Trader’s rotating stock. This cannot happen if the player is already married since Krobus is a bonus roommate availableinsteadof a partner.
This means the player will hug Krobus instead of kissing him, there’s no wedding - or jealousy if the player flirts with other villagers - and while he’ll help raise any pre-existing children, Krobus and the player cannot adopt any more children (on account of Krobus' existence being a huge secret). When the player reaches fourteen hearts with Krobus, an event will trigger on the beach, where he takes a ride on a sea monster and has the time of his life.
13Group
Loads Of Drama, But Negative Overall
Four group events can be triggered after a player reaches 10 hearts with all the bachelors and bachelorettes inStardew Valley. Romancing the girls leads to a scene in Haley and Emily’s house where they confront the player, and dating the boys ends in a confrontation around the pool table in Gus’ saloon. If the farmer is holding a rabbit’s foot during these scenes, they are replaced by lighthearted moments that allowthe player’s haremto continue undetected.
No matter which version a player unlocks, the results make it clear that their actions will have consequences. However, the confrontation scenes are particularly impactful since some characters admit they thought they had a meaningful future with the farmer. It’s also a great scenario for players who love a bit of drama and intensity.
12Penny
Not Very Characterful
Pennymeets the farmer at the pools inside the bathhouse at night to declare her feelings. She is rather direct in asking if she knows why she called them there but doesn’t let the players’ answers sway her unless they reject her after her confession.
Penny’s scene is pleasant, but it reveals very little aboutthe town’s teacheraside from that she enjoys swimming. Players can joke that she invited them to the pool to see their swimsuits, but she seems annoyed by the implication before expressing heartfelt emotions.
11Maru
Lovely Symbolism, But Slightly Drawn Out
Maru’s 10-heart scene picks up from her eight-heart event, where she asks the farmer to help her with her most complex project. She welcomes her partner into the basement, revealing a robot meant to care for her family when she moves out. WhenDemetriusshows up, the robot declares it has become self-aware and wants to explore space.
Afterher robot becomes sentient,Marutakes it outside and sets it free, allowing a sweet moment between Maru and the player. Maru asks the player what they think of the whole scenario, and if the player wants to improve their relationship, they should tell her that they find her inventions impressive. This little scene is a sign of Maru growing up and forming her own life separate from her parents. Just like the robot, Maru has ventured out into a new world - hopefully alongside the player - and has to focus on herself instead of worrying about her parents.
10Haley
Easy To Mess Up
In Haley’s scene, she welcomes the farmer into her new dark roomfor developing photography, asking what they would like to do together there. The player can choose to help decorate, leave, or kiss her, but the farmer has to make the first move.
WatchingHaleylean into her hobby more since her eight-heart event is rewarding, and encouraging the farmer to kiss her is a fitting yet unique addition to the scene. However, some might find it underwhelming compared to her previous heart scene. Also, there are a few different ways to mess up this scene - particularly since Haley is so picky. There’s one good dialogue option, and choosing to kiss her is the only scenario that doesn’t leave Haley annoyed.
9Alex
Old Fashioned, But Sweet
For Alex’s 10-heart event, he invites the farmer out to a romantic dinner at the Stardrop Saloon. He reserves a private room, asks Gus to play the violin, and picks out the evening’s meal. After a moment, he explains his feelings, allowing the player to reciprocate or deny their connection.
Alex’s date might seem very traditional. However, it fits any advice he may have received from his grandparents about dating. Given Alex’s relationship with his parents, it is reassuring to see how he values his loved ones and wants to impress them.
8Sam
Steamy, But Slightly Unromantic
After meeting outside,Samsneaks the farmer through his window to confess thatmusic isn’t his only love. However, Jodi hears the commotion and checks on Sam, prompting him to hide the player in his bed to manage the situation. Once the farmer is alone with Sam, they can stay in bed or stand, but lying down leads to a memorable, romantic night together.
Jodi’s lighthearted interruption shows Sam’s age and inexperience, but given his passion for music, his confession is genuine and shows another, more attentive side to his carefree lifestyle.
7Shane
Lets You Leave Town And See A Soft Side Of Shane
Unlike many other marriage candidates, Shane doesn’t use a letter to ask the farmer to join him at a gridball game in Zuzu City. He shows up in person and waits at the bus stop. During the match, Shane and the farmershare a few beersand kisses, and afterward,Shaneremarks that it was a good game because they were together.
While Shane’s event doesn’t directly relate to his previous heart events, it shows progress. He enjoys the game because he has started managing his depression and can finally reveal how clever and direct he wants to be with the farmer. He’s appreciative of the player’s patience with him and proves that a little understanding goes a long way.
6Emily
Surprising Interaction, But Steamy
Emilyinvites the farmer for a night together in the secret woods after reaching 10 hearts with her. By the fire, the two snuggle until they realize there’s a bear near the campsite. Both rush into the tent, leaving one of the sleeping bags outside. The next day, Emily thanks the farmer, and the bear, for a great night.
Emily’s event might not be what players would expect fromthe local fashion expert. However, the implications of the one-bed trope work well, especially since Emily will recall the sweet nothings whispered to each other that night if the group confrontation scene is triggered.
5Abigail
Comical And True To Character
Havingpracticed her swordsmanship,Abigailenters the mines to go on an adventure. However, as she is about to descend, the farmer enters, and a cloud of bats startles her. The player can choose to comfort or criticize her as she cries in fear, but since that moment of vulnerability encourages her to declare her feelings readily, she admits them either way.
Abigail’s scene fits her character well, especially since some of her favorite things are quartz and amethyst. But perhaps the most romantic thing about this event is that, afterward, Abigail can be found in the mines on rainy days - mainly because the player has encouraged her to be confident and brave. Once married,Abigailwill often give players meals and cherry bombs to help them in the mines, further solidifying her adventurous nature.
