The Meteorite Event in Stardew Valley is a fascinating and rare occurrence that players can trigger during the night. For newcomers, encountering a large purple rock on their farm can be quite thrilling. This event randomly selects a 3×3 area within the player’s farm to determine where the meteorite will land. However, certain conditions must be met for the event to activate: the selected area must be free of water, movable objects, buildings, and clumps of resources.
With a mere 1% chance of activation, if the prerequisites are satisfied, the meteorite will typically emerge in the lower-left 2×2 section of the designated area. An iconic sound effect signals its arrival, followed by a message prior to the shipping screen stating, “An explosion was heard in the night…”Let’s explore this intriguing aspect of the game further.
Mining Meteorites in Stardew Valley
Upon landing, the meteorite will destroy any nearby crops, pathways, or objects. This destruction can be particularly costly if it results in the loss of precious harvests. Unlike some events in the game, meteorites do not disappear on their own; players must use a pickaxe to remove them.
To successfully mine a meteorite, you will require at least a Gold Pickaxe. The number of hits needed to break it varies depending on the quality of the tool:
- Gold Pickaxe: 7 hits
- Iridium Pickaxe: 6 hits
Once mined, the meteorite can yield a treasure trove of resources, including:
- 10 Iridium Ore
- 8 Stones
- 2 Omni Geodes
- 25% chance of a Prismatic Shard
Upgrading to a Gold Pickaxe
Given that a Gold Pickaxe is essential for mining the meteorite, players must first upgrade their tool through Clint, the Blacksmith. The steps to upgrade are:
- Mining for Gold Ore: Gold Ore can be typically found at level 80 and deeper within the Mines. If you’ve unlocked the Quarry, it can be an excellent additional source.
- Processing Gold Ore: You will need a total of 25 Gold Ore to smelt into 5 Gold Bars. Each Gold Bar requires 5 Gold Ore and 1 Coal, which must be processed in a Furnace.
- Paying for the Upgrade: After acquiring the 5 Gold Bars, visit Clint at the Blacksmith and pay 10,000 gold for the upgrade, which takes two in-game days.
The Meteorite Event not only presents a unique chance to obtain valuable resources, especially Iridium Ore and Prismatic Shards, but it can also have detrimental effects by destroying high-value crops. Proper preparation, such as advancing your pickaxe and keeping your farm clear of obstacles, can help you fully benefit from this rare event.
Moreover, Prismatic Shards are not just collectibles; they can be utilized to acquire one of the best weapons in Stardew Valley: the Galaxy Sword, adding even more value to the meteorite encounter.