Those players getting acquainted with the mines and caverns of Stardew Valley will quickly discover how dangerous these areas can be. Aside from the wildlife and monsters, there is also the threat of running out of time and getting stuck in the mines overnight. This pressure becomes even more heightened when players tackle Stardew Valley's Skull Cavern.
In this area, the challenge is heightened even further, and the need to descend rapidly becomes even more important. This is where the game's staircases come into play. For those players looking to learn more about staircases in Stardew Valley, this guide is here to help.
Where to Get Staircases in Stardew Valley?
These items are quite valuable for those players looking to get themselves to the lowest levels of the game's mines, and, fortunately, they can be crafted early on. Players unlock the recipe for staircases once they reach Mining Level 2 in Stardew Valley. The recipe calls for 99 stone to craft a single staircase, a significant investment for most play styles.
There is a quest later on in Stardew Valley that asks players to reach level 100 in the Skull Cavern, and this basically requires players to descend using staircases. In order to craft a sufficient amount of staircases, players are going to need to harvest a ton of stone, and this can be done by focusing on the boulders in the game's mines. On top of this, players can purchase stone from Robin but should do so before it jumps in price after the first year.
Aside from crafting, players can also trade for a staircase with the Desert Trader in exchange for a single Jade.
How Best to Use Staircases in Stardew Valley?
While the mines in the northeast of Stardew Valley are a useful location to use staircases, these items are absolutely necessary for those players looking to head deep down into the Skull Cavern. Because players don't unlock elevators here, each run requires a start from level one, and the treasures available at deeper levels get progressively better.
After players have crafted enough staircases to get to a depth they are looking for, the strategy should be to enter the cavern, place a staircase, descend, and repeat. This requires players completely ignore what they see on every level and focus strictly on descending, but it can lead to incredible feats in Stardew Valley. It is important to note, however, that these staircases can't be placed on brickwork patterns or tillable areas.
Stardew Valley is currently available for Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, and Xbox One.