Stardew Valley is ConcernedApe's farming simulation RPG where you inherit your grandfather's farm and build a life in a small rural town. Behind its cozy pixel art exterior lies an incredibly deep game with farming optimization, mine diving, fishing, relationships with 12 romanceable characters, and multiple endgame goals. The 1.6 update added a new farm type, festivals, and extensive new content. With over 30 million copies sold, it's the definitive modern farming sim.
Your choice of equipment defines your damage output and playstyle. This guide ranks every major option, explains what makes each one strong, and tells you which builds they pair best with.
Equipment Rankings
| Equipment | Tier | Best For | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Galaxy Sword | S | All builds — primary combat weapon | The best pre-endgame sword, obtained by bringing a Prismatic Shard to the three pillars in the Calico Desert. |
| Infinity Blade | A | Miner — endgame Skull Cavern | The ultimate weapon, upgraded from Galaxy Sword using Galaxy Souls (from Qi challenges) and Cinder Shards. |
| Lava Katana | A | All builds — pre-Galaxy Sword | A 55-64 damage sword purchased from the Adventurer's Guild for 25,000g. |
| Obsidian Edge | B | Early-mid game combat | A 30-45 damage sword found in the Mines (Floor 90+ reward). |
| Iridium Needle | B | Crit-focused builds | A dagger with 20-35 damage but extremely fast attack speed and +100 crit chance. |
S-Tier: Galaxy Sword
The best pre-endgame sword, obtained by bringing a Prismatic Shard to the three pillars in the Calico Desert. 60-80 damage with fast swing speed. Outclasses every other weapon until the Infinity Blade.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | S |
| Best For | All builds — primary combat weapon |
| Key Mechanic | seasonal crops |
| Recommended Build | Farmer |
How to get it: Available from mid-game onward. See our walkthrough for the exact progression point.
Best builds using Galaxy Sword: Pairs naturally with Farmer thanks to stat scaling synergies.
A-Tier: Infinity Blade
The ultimate weapon, upgraded from Galaxy Sword using Galaxy Souls (from Qi challenges) and Cinder Shards. 80-100 damage. The best weapon in the game for Skull Cavern deep runs and endgame combat.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Best For | Miner — endgame Skull Cavern |
| Key Mechanic | relationship building |
| Recommended Build | Rancher |
How to get it: Accessible in the early-to-mid game. Check our maps guide for the location.
Best builds using Infinity Blade: Pairs naturally with Rancher thanks to stat scaling synergies.
A-Tier: Lava Katana
A 55-64 damage sword purchased from the Adventurer's Guild for 25,000g. The best weapon available before obtaining a Prismatic Shard. Fire damage adds a burning DOT. Good transitional weapon.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Best For | All builds — pre-Galaxy Sword |
| Key Mechanic | mine combat |
| Recommended Build | Miner |
How to get it: Accessible in the early-to-mid game. Check our maps guide for the location.
Best builds using Lava Katana: Pairs naturally with Miner thanks to stat scaling synergies.
B-Tier: Obsidian Edge
A 30-45 damage sword found in the Mines (Floor 90+ reward). Free and decent for mid-game. The critical hit rate is decent. Replaced quickly once you reach deeper Mines or get the Lava Katana.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | B |
| Best For | Early-mid game combat |
| Key Mechanic | fishing |
| Recommended Build | Fisher |
How to get it: Found in later areas. Our walkthrough covers when you can access this.
Best builds using Obsidian Edge: Pairs naturally with Fisher thanks to stat scaling synergies.
B-Tier: Iridium Needle
A dagger with 20-35 damage but extremely fast attack speed and +100 crit chance. Combined with the Scout and Desperado profession, crits happen constantly. Unique playstyle compared to swords. Crafted with Iridium Bars.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | B |
| Best For | Crit-focused builds |
| Key Mechanic | community center bundles |
| Recommended Build | Artisan |
How to get it: Found in later areas. Our walkthrough covers when you can access this.
Best builds using Iridium Needle: Pairs naturally with Artisan thanks to stat scaling synergies.
Equipment Progression Path
The order you should acquire equipment as you progress:
- Starting gear → Enough to clear Pelican Town
- Infinity Blade → Your first real upgrade, available early
- Lava Katana → Mid-game upgrade with good scaling
- Galaxy Sword → Best-in-slot, aim for this by late game
- Upgrade to max → The power spike from max upgrades is enormous
Equipment Tips
- Always upgrade your primary equipment before diversifying — one strong option beats three mediocre ones.
- Match your equipment to your build's stat priorities for maximum scaling.
- Plant Parsnips on Day 1 Spring for fast money and Farming XP. Then buy Strawberry Seeds at the Egg Festival (Day 13) and plant them for Spring profit.
- Check our tier list for how equipment rankings affect overall build effectiveness.
More Stardew Valley Guides
- Stardew Valley Stardew Valley Overview
- Stardew Valley Best Builds
- Stardew Valley Tier List
- Stardew Valley Walkthrough
- Stardew Valley Beginner's Guide
- Stardew Valley Tips & Tricks
- Stardew Valley Combat Guide
- Stardew Valley Boss Guide
- Stardew Valley Maps & Locations
- Stardew Valley Crafting Guide
- Stardew Valley Classes & Characters
Similar Games
If you enjoy Stardew Valley, check out these related guides:
- Satisfactory Weapons Guide — simulation game with similar mechanics
- The Sims 4 Weapons Guide — simulation game with similar mechanics
- Schedule I Weapons Guide — simulation game with similar mechanics
