Highlights
- Stardew Valley offers a variety of rewarding speedrun options, including reaching level 11,000 in the challenging Skull Cavern.
- Albino_Chipmunk recently achieved a jaw-dropping depth of 11,187 floors in the Skull Cavern, breaking their previous record.
- The achievement was detailed in a step-by-step process, highlighting key strategies such as farming jade and using pause buffering for strategic planning.
While best known for its relaxing gameplay, Stardew Valley offers a variety of speedrun options and feats, including the incredible accomplishment of one player passing level 11,000 in the Skull Cavern. Mining in Stardew Valley is often a challenging necessity, and those who grind out speedrun strats to reach the depths are frequently rewarded and applauded.
Since its launch back in 2016, Stardew Valley has cemented itself as a staple of the life-sim genre. The intuitive gameplay encompasses crafting, farming, fishing, and mining, and players have found that the usually calming mechanics provide a number of fun opportunities for speedrunning.
Accomplished Stardew speedrunner Albino_Chipmunk recently shared their latest personal record for deepest level reached in the Stardew Valley Skull Cavern. Unlike the mines in the mountain north of Robin's cabin, the Skull Cavern is found in Calico Desert and is a much more challenging mining experience. Players cannot use elevators to save their progress, thus any run through the Skull Cavern must be done in one go. Albino_Chipmunk had previously achieved a jaw-dropping depth of 10,000 floors, but they recently managed to break that former record and make it down to floor 11,187.
This astounding feat was detailed in an intricate step-by-step process, highlighting key strategies for other potential speedrunners to follow. The largest amount of prep work goes into the farming of jade, which can be exchanged with the Desert Trader every Sunday for staircases. Explosive ammo fired from the slingshot quickly breaks surrounding rocks and ore veins, revealing mine shafts and opening space for staircase placement. To maximize movement speed and mining skill, clothing and food buffs should be used. Of all the speedrun notes, pause buffering is highlighted as the absolute necessity. Rapidly pausing to strategize between character movement, slingshot use, and staircase placement is what Albino_Chipmunk notes as the make-or-break skill needed to replicate this run.
Community members responded to the breathtaking achievement with genuine awe and resounding applause. Many commented on the seemingly unachievable feat and complimented Albino_Chipmunk's continued dedication to Stardew speedrunning. While other incredible feats in Stardew Valley have earned renown from the fan base, this player in particular is among the most recognized and respected for their extended contributions to the Stardew community.
The Stardew Valley fan base remains one of the most active and supportive in community spaces. Achievements of Stardew Valley players are frequently shared with others, as the community continues to support and encourage one another while they enjoy the iconic game.
Stardew Valley is available now on Android, iOS, PC, PS4, Switch, and Xbox One.
