Optimize your display for the Stardew Valley Fair! Select items to calculate your total points and see visual breakdowns.
Select Your Items
Choose up to 9 items for your grange display. Points are based on item quality and category diversity.
Your Grange Display
Points Breakdown
Category Distribution
Grange Display Tips
Maximize Points
- Use iridium quality items when possible
- Include items from different categories
- High-value items like diamonds and ancient fruit work well
- Aim for at least 6 different categories for bonus points
Winning Strategies
- 90+ points usually guarantees 1st place
- Include one high-value fish and one artisan good
- Don’t forget about foraged items and minerals
- Animal products with high quality are excellent choices
Mastering the Stardew Valley Grange Display
The Stardew Valley Fair is one of the most anticipated events in Pelican Town, occurring every fall on the 16th. Among its many attractions, the Grange Display contest stands out as a key competition where farmers showcase their best items to impress the townsfolk and win valuable prizes.
This comprehensive guide will delve deep into the mechanics of the Grange Display scoring system, providing you with the knowledge needed to consistently achieve a perfect score and claim the top prize.
Understanding the Grange Display
The Grange Display is a 3x3 grid where players can place up to 9 items. Mayor Lewis judges these displays based on a point system that considers item quality, variety, and value. Understanding this scoring system is crucial to maximizing your points.
Basic Rules
- You can place up to 9 items in the display
- Items must be from different categories to maximize variety points
- Higher quality items (silver, gold, iridium) earn more points
- Higher base value items contribute more to your score
- Pierre offers a 25% bonus if all items are from his store
Scoring Categories
The scoring system evaluates items based on:
- Base value of the item
- Quality multiplier (normal, silver, gold, iridium)
- Category diversity
- Pierre's bonus (if applicable)
Winning Thresholds
Different score ranges yield different rewards:
- 90+ points: First place (1000 Star Tokens)
- 75-89 points: Second place (500 Star Tokens)
- 60-74 points: Third place (200 Star Tokens)
- Below 60: Participation prize (50 Star Tokens)
The Grange Display Scoring Formula
Understanding the exact formula used to calculate your Grange Display score is essential for optimization. The system might seem complex at first, but it follows a logical pattern.
Point Calculation Formula
Total Points = (Base Points + Variety Bonus) × Pierre's Bonus
Base Points Calculation
For each item in your display:
Item Points = Item Base Value × Quality Multiplier
| Quality | Multiplier |
|---|---|
| Normal | 1x |
| Silver | 1.2x |
| Gold | 1.4x |
| Iridium | 1.6x |
Variety Bonus
You receive bonus points for including items from different categories:
Variety Bonus = 5 points per unique category (up to 6 categories)
Pierre's Bonus
If all items in your display are available for purchase at Pierre's General Store:
Pierre's Bonus = 1.25x multiplier
Example Calculation
Let's calculate the score for a display with 9 items from 6 different categories, all gold quality:
- Base item values total: 5000g
- Gold quality multiplier: 1.4x → 5000 × 1.4 = 7000 points
- Variety bonus: 6 categories × 5 points = 30 points
- Total before Pierre's bonus: 7000 + 30 = 7030 points
- If all items from Pierre's: 7030 × 1.25 = 8787.5 points (rounded to 88)
Visualizing the Scoring System
To better understand how different factors affect your final score, let's examine some visual representations of the scoring system.
Quality Multiplier Impact
Category Variety Bonus
Pierre's Bonus vs Non-Pierre's Items
Optimal Grange Display Strategies
Now that we understand the scoring system, let's explore strategies to maximize your points efficiently.
Category Selection Strategy
Since you receive bonus points for including items from different categories (up to 6), it's crucial to diversify your display. The game recognizes the following categories:
Animal Products
- Milk (cow, goat)
- Eggs (chicken, duck)
- Wool
- Truffle
Artisan Goods
- Cheese
- Mayonnaise
- Cloth
- Wine
Fish
- All fish types
- Crab pot items
Foraging
- Wild berries
- Mushrooms
- Flowers
Fruits & Vegetables
- All crops
- Fruit from trees
Minerals & Artifacts
- Gems
- Geode minerals
- Artifacts
Aim to include items from at least 6 different categories to maximize your variety bonus. Even if some categories contain lower-value items, the 5-point bonus per category often makes up for it.
Quality vs Quantity
While having 9 items is ideal, sometimes you might not have enough high-quality items to fill all slots. In such cases, consider this strategy:
High-Quality Focus
Prioritize items with gold or iridium quality. Even if you can't fill all 9 slots, the quality multiplier might yield more points than filling slots with normal-quality items.
Best for: Players with access to high-quality artisan goods or iridium-level animal products.
Category Diversity Focus
Fill all 9 slots with items from different categories, even if some are normal quality. The variety bonus can compensate for lower individual item values.
Best for: Early-game players or those lacking high-quality items.
Pierre's Bonus Strategy
The 25% bonus from Pierre is significant but requires careful planning. Consider these factors when deciding whether to pursue this bonus:
| Strategy | Pros | Cons | When to Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pierre's Bonus | 25% multiplier on total score | Limits item selection to Pierre's inventory | When you have high-value Pierre items |
| Non-Pierre's Items | Access to higher-value items like ancient fruit wine | Miss out on 25% bonus | When you have exceptional non-Pierre items |
To determine which approach is better for your situation, calculate both scenarios using the formula provided earlier in this guide.
Advanced Grange Display Techniques
For players looking to optimize their display beyond the basics, these advanced techniques can help squeeze out every possible point.
Item Value Optimization
Not all high-value items are created equal when it comes to the Grange Display. Consider these factors:
Artisan Goods Advantage
Artisan goods often provide the best value for their space because:
- They have high base values
- They can achieve high quality levels
- They count as a separate category
Examples: Ancient Fruit Wine, Goat Cheese, Truffle Oil
Iridium vs Gold Quality
While iridium quality provides the highest multiplier, the difference from gold is only 0.2x. Sometimes, using a higher-base-value gold item might yield more points than a lower-value iridium item.
Example: Gold-quality Ancient Fruit Wine (1650g × 1.4 = 2310 points) vs Iridium-quality Melon (550g × 1.6 = 880 points)
Seasonal Planning
Since the Fair occurs in Fall, planning your farm activities throughout the year can ensure you have optimal items ready.
| Season | Preparation Activities | Target Items |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Plant ancient fruit, start artisan production | Ancient Fruit, Strawberry Wine |
| Summer | Continue ancient fruit, plant starfruit | Starfruit Wine, Melons |
| Fall | Harvest remaining crops, process artisan goods | Pumpkins, Cranberries |
| Year-Round | Animal products, mining, fishing | Truffle Oil, Iridium Bars, Legend Fish |
Multi-Year Optimization
For players in subsequent years, these strategies can help achieve consistently perfect scores:
Ancient Fruit Empire
Establishing a greenhouse full of ancient fruit plants provides a steady supply of high-value fruit that can be turned into wine. This creates a reliable source of top-tier Grange Display items.
Time to establish: 1-2 years
Pig Farming for Truffles
Pigs produce truffles, which can be turned into truffle oil. This provides both a high-value item and counts toward the animal products category.
Time to establish: 1 year (with deluxe barn)
Common Grange Display Mistakes to Avoid
Even experienced players can make errors when preparing their Grange Display. Be mindful of these common pitfalls:
Overvaluing Iridium Quality
While iridium quality provides the highest multiplier, a high-value gold item might be better than a low-value iridium item. Always calculate the actual points rather than assuming iridium is always best.
Ignoring Category Diversity
Filling your display with multiple items from the same category misses out on the variety bonus. Always aim for at least 6 different categories.
Forgetting Pierre's Bonus
If you have items that qualify for Pierre's bonus, forgetting to use them can cost you significant points. Check if your items are available at Pierre's before finalizing your display.
Using Low-Value Items
Some players fill empty slots with whatever they have available. It's often better to leave a slot empty than to use a very low-value item that contributes little to your score.
Conclusion
Mastering the Grange Display in Stardew Valley requires understanding the scoring system, strategic planning, and careful item selection. By applying the principles outlined in this guide, you can consistently achieve high scores and maximize your Star Token rewards.
Remember these key takeaways:
- Prioritize high-value items with good quality multipliers
- Aim for at least 6 different categories to maximize variety bonus
- Consider whether Pierre's bonus is worth the item restrictions
- Plan your farm activities throughout the year to have optimal items ready
- Avoid common mistakes like overvaluing iridium quality or ignoring category diversity
With practice and careful planning, you'll be able to create winning Grange Displays year after year, impressing Mayor Lewis and the entire Pelican Town community.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum score needed to win first place?
You need at least 90 points to secure first place in the Grange Display competition. This earns you 1000 Star Tokens, the top prize available.
Can I use the same item multiple times in my display?
Yes, you can use multiple copies of the same item, but this will not help your category diversity. Since items of the same type belong to the same category, you'll miss out on variety bonus points. It's generally better to include different items from different categories.
Do cooked dishes count as a separate category?
Yes, cooked dishes form their own category separate from ingredients. However, most cooked dishes have relatively low base values compared to high-quality artisan goods, so they may not be optimal for maximizing your score.
What happens if I don't fill all 9 slots?
You can still participate with fewer than 9 items. Your score will be calculated based on the items you do include. However, since each item contributes to your base score, it's generally advantageous to fill all slots if you have suitable items.
Is it better to use high-value normal quality items or lower-value gold quality items?
This depends on the specific values. As a general rule, multiply the base value by the quality multiplier (1x for normal, 1.2x for silver, 1.4x for gold, 1.6x for iridium) to determine which gives more points. For example, a 500g normal item gives 500 points, while a 400g gold item gives 560 points (400 × 1.4), making the gold item slightly better despite its lower base value.
Can I change my display after submitting it?
No, once you've placed your items and exited the display interface, your submission is final. Make sure you're happy with your selection before leaving the display area.
What are some of the highest-value items I can include?
Some of the highest-value items include:
- Ancient Fruit Wine (iridium quality: 3300g base)
- Starfruit Wine (iridium quality: 3150g base)
- Gold Pumpkin (2500g base)
- Dinosaur Mayonnaise (800g base)
- Truffle Oil (iridium quality: 1065g base)
- Legend Fish (iridium quality: 15000g base, but counts as fish category)