Stardew Valley update 1.6.4: Highlights, changes, and more

Alexandra W

Alexandra W

Buffs, balances, and updates!

Stardew Valley creator ConcernedApe dropped update 1.6.4 for Stardew Valley on PC. This patch adds some small changes to the already massive 1.6 update. Here are the highlights!

If you’re on console or mobile, we unfortunately still don’t know when these updates will drop.

New content in Stardew Valley update 1.6.4

This new update isn’t full of new content, since 1.6 already dropped a ton of fantastic content earlier this year in March. However, it does include some nice new additions to either add variety to your gameplay or tweak your farming experience.

Update 1.6.4 has upgraded the mines in a few different ways (Image via SharkyGames on YouTube)
Update 1.6.4 has upgraded the mines in a few different ways (Image via SharkyGames on YouTube)

ConcernedApe has added 20 new layouts for both the mines and the volcano mines respectively. There is also now “a special cutscene after you’ve helped your new neighbors grow their family to the max.” This patch upgraded the raccoon shop as well, as it now has trades for mystery boxes and special golden mystery boxes. Patch 1.6.4 has also added four new fairy styles for Stardew Valley’s fairy girlies.

This update also hooks fishing fans with the new fish frenzies — whatever those are — and eight additional “non-fish items” that you can place in your fish tanks.

Small gameplay additions include the shaving enchantment causing “tree-specifc drops.” These are fiddlehead ferns and red mushrooms. Meanwhile, mahogany drops hardwood. You can now also pour vinegar on your trees to prevent them from growing moss.

Balancing changes

Here are some of the best balance changes in Stardew Valley’s 1.6.4 update.

  • New mini-shipping bin is added as an expensive Qi gem shop purchase.
  • Skull Cave treasure chests will now have more variety and improvements, which hopefully means better loot chances.
  • Wild seed spots are rarer now, but will produce more seeds.
  • Iridium Golem’s chance to drop iridium is doubled.
  • The volcano entry level monsters are randomized every day.
  • Treasure totems no longer work indoors, which stops players from wasting them.
  • Descending into the mine will make you invulnerable for one second. Thank god.
  • Farming experience contributes to mastery experience at a 50% rate.
  • Red snapper has been removed from the winter fishing quest pool while sardines have been removed from the summer quest pool.
  • Golden mystery boxes now have a small change to give an auto petter for your animals.
  • Mine barrels and coal carts refresh at the start of every new year.

Among these changes are various localization, translation, and bug fixes that you can read about in the full patch notes. Stardew Valley has experienced a massive increase in players, according to Steam Charts, since update 1.6 dropped.

Stardew Valley has spiked in popularity following the 1.6 update (Image via steamcharts.com)
Stardew Valley has spiked in popularity following the 1.6 update (Image via steamcharts.com)

It seems that ConcernedApe is going to continue to gift us incredible new and free content because that’s just the kind of guy he is.

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