In Stardew Valley, the axe is one of the essential tools you’ll use throughout your farming journey. From clearing land to gathering wood, the axe plays a crucial role in your farm’s development. Upgrading your axe can significantly improve your efficiency and open up new areas to explore. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about upgrading your axe in the mobile version of Stardew Valley.
Contents
- 1 Why Upgrade Your Axe?
- 2 Axe Upgrade Levels
- 3 Materials Needed for Upgrades
- 4 How to Obtain Upgrade Materials
- 5 The Upgrade Process
- 6 Copper Axe Upgrade
- 7 Steel Axe Upgrade
- 8 Gold Axe Upgrade
- 9 Iridium Axe Upgrade
- 10 Benefits of Each Upgrade
- 11 Best Times to Upgrade Your Axe
- 12 Axe Upgrades and Energy Usage
- 13 Axe Upgrades and Foraging
- 14 Axe vs. Other Tools
- 15 Tips for Efficient Axe Usage
- 16 Common Mistakes to Avoid
- 17 Frequently Asked Questions
Why Upgrade Your Axe?
Upgrading your axe offers several benefits:
- Increased efficiency: Higher-level axes can chop trees and stumps faster.
- Access to new areas: Some areas of the game are only accessible with upgraded axes.
- Energy conservation: Upgraded axes use less energy per swing.
- New capabilities: Each upgrade level allows you to break stronger objects.
Axe Upgrade Levels
In Stardew Valley, there are five levels of axe:
- Basic Axe (starting tool)
- Copper Axe
- Steel Axe
- Gold Axe
- Iridium Axe
Each upgrade increases the axe’s power and efficiency.
Materials Needed for Upgrades
To upgrade your axe, you’ll need the following materials:
- Copper Axe: 5 Copper Bars
- Steel Axe: 5 Iron Bars
- Gold Axe: 5 Gold Bars
- Iridium Axe: 5 Iridium Bars
You’ll also need gold for each upgrade:
- Copper Axe: 2,000g
- Steel Axe: 5,000g
- Gold Axe: 10,000g
- Iridium Axe: 25,000g
How to Obtain Upgrade Materials
Copper Bars
- Mine copper ore in the mines (levels 1-39)
- Smelt copper ore in a furnace
Iron Bars
- Mine iron ore in the mines (levels 40-79)
- Smelt iron ore in a furnace
Gold Bars
- Mine gold ore in the mines (levels 80+)
- Smelt gold ore in a furnace
Iridium Bars
- Find iridium ore in Skull Cavern or rarely in meteor sites
- Smelt iridium ore in a furnace
Remember, you’ll need coal to smelt ores into bars. Coal can be found while mining or made by putting wood in a charcoal kiln.
The Upgrade Process
To upgrade your axe:
- Gather the required materials and gold
- Go to the Blacksmith’s shop in town
- Interact with Clint, the blacksmith
- Choose the “Upgrade Tools” option
- Select your axe from the menu
- Confirm the upgrade
The upgrade process takes two days to complete. You won’t be able to use your axe during this time, so plan accordingly!
Copper Axe Upgrade
The Copper Axe is your first upgrade. It allows you to:
- Chop down large stumps
- Break large logs
To get the Copper Axe:
- Collect 5 Copper Bars
- Save 2,000g
- Visit Clint at the Blacksmith’s shop
- Choose “Upgrade Tools” and select your axe
Steel Axe Upgrade
The Steel Axe is a significant improvement. It enables you to:
- Chop down large stumps faster
- Break large logs more efficiently
To upgrade to the Steel Axe:
- Gather 5 Iron Bars
- Save 5,000g
- Visit Clint at the Blacksmith’s shop
- Choose “Upgrade Tools” and select your Copper Axe
Gold Axe Upgrade
The Gold Axe is a powerful tool that allows you to:
- Chop down any tree in just a few swings
- Break hardwood stumps in the Secret Woods
To get the Gold Axe:
- Collect 5 Gold Bars
- Save 10,000g
- Visit Clint at the Blacksmith’s shop
- Choose “Upgrade Tools” and select your Steel Axe
Iridium Axe Upgrade
The Iridium Axe is the ultimate axe upgrade. It lets you:
- Chop down any tree almost instantly
- Break hardwood stumps with ease
To upgrade to the Iridium Axe:
- Gather 5 Iridium Bars
- Save 25,000g
- Visit Clint at the Blacksmith’s shop
- Choose “Upgrade Tools” and select your Gold Axe
Benefits of Each Upgrade
Each axe upgrade provides specific benefits:
- Copper Axe:
- Can chop large stumps and logs
- Slightly faster than basic axe
- Steel Axe:
- Chops trees and stumps faster
- Uses less energy per swing
- Gold Axe:
- Chops trees very quickly
- Can break hardwood stumps
- Significantly reduced energy usage
- Iridium Axe:
- Chops trees almost instantly
- Breaks hardwood stumps easily
- Minimal energy usage
Best Times to Upgrade Your Axe
Consider upgrading your axe:
- Early Spring: To clear your farm efficiently
- Before unlocking new areas: Like the Secret Woods
- When you have excess materials and gold
- During Winter: When you have more free time
Axe Upgrades and Energy Usage
Upgraded axes use less energy per swing:
- Basic Axe: 4 energy per swing
- Copper Axe: 3 energy per swing
- Steel Axe: 2 energy per swing
- Gold Axe: 1 energy per swing
- Iridium Axe: 0.5 energy per swing
This reduction in energy usage allows you to work longer and accomplish more each day.
Axe Upgrades and Foraging
An upgraded axe can help with foraging:
- Clear paths to forageable items more quickly
- Access hard-to-reach areas with forage items
- Chop hardwood (with Gold or Iridium Axe) for crafting and quests
Axe vs. Other Tools
While upgrading all tools is important, the axe should be a priority because:
- It’s crucial for clearing your farm
- It’s needed to access certain areas (like the Secret Woods)
- It’s used frequently for gathering wood, an essential resource
However, balance axe upgrades with other tool upgrades based on your immediate needs and playstyle.
Tips for Efficient Axe Usage
- Plan your tree cutting: Group trees together for efficient chopping
- Use rain days for woodcutting: You won’t need to water crops
- Eat food to replenish energy when chopping a lot of wood
- Consider the Forester and Lumberjack professions for wood-related bonuses
- Use tree fertilizer to grow trees faster for wood farming
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Upgrading too early: Ensure you have enough resources for other essential items
- Forgetting to retrieve your axe: Always pick up your axe after the upgrade is complete
- Upgrading right before you need it: Remember, upgrades take two days
- Neglecting other tools: While the axe is important, don’t forget about your other tools
- Wasting energy: Don’t use your axe on objects it can’t cut, like large stumps with a basic axe
Frequently Asked Questions
To conclude this guide, here are some frequently asked questions about upgrading the axe in Stardew Valley:
Q: Can I cancel an axe upgrade once it’s started?
A: No, once you’ve started an upgrade, you can’t cancel it.
Q: Will I lose my axe enchantments when I upgrade it?
A: No, enchantments remain on your axe even after upgrading.
Q: Can I upgrade my axe multiple levels at once?
A: No, you need to upgrade your axe one level at a time.
Q: Is the Iridium Axe necessary to complete the game?
A: While not strictly necessary, the Iridium Axe makes many tasks much easier and more efficient.
Q: Can I use someone else’s upgraded axe on multiplayer?
A: Yes, in multiplayer games, you can use tools left on the ground by other players.
Axe Level | Materials Needed | Cost | Main Benefits |
---|---|---|---|
Copper | 5 Copper Bars | 2,000g | Can chop large stumps and logs |
Steel | 5 Iron Bars | 5,000g | Faster chopping, less energy use |
Gold | 5 Gold Bars | 10,000g | Can break hardwood stumps, very fast |
Iridium | 5 Iridium Bars | 25,000g | Fastest chopping, minimal energy use |
By following this guide, you’ll be well-equipped to upgrade your axe efficiently in Stardew Valley mobile, enhancing your farming and exploration capabilities. Remember, while upgrading your axe is important, it’s just one aspect of the diverse and engaging world of Stardew Valley. Happy farming!
Alma J. Lillard is a passionate writer and gaming enthusiast who brings her deep love for Stardew Valley to every piece she creates. As a contributor to StardewUpdate.Today, Alma covers the latest updates, tips, and in-depth guides for players looking to enhance their Stardew Valley experience.
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