Every Stardew Valley Character Ranked from Worst to Best
As a passionate Stardew Valley player with over 500 hours invested across multiple farm saves, I‘ve interacted with and analyzed each of the game‘s colorful cast of characters extensively.
From the ever-optimistic Evelyn baking cookies for the whole town, to the curmudgeonly Mayor Lewis more concerned with his secret relationship than managing community affairs – Stardew Valley offers a diverse lineup of villagers with unique personalities, backstories, motivations and flaws.
After befriending, romancing and peering into the inner lives of Pelican Town‘s residents, I feel qualified to attempt the ambitious task of definitively ranking all 33 dateable and befriendable Stardew Valley characters from worst to best.
My criteria for scoring these characters included:
- Depth and complexity of characterization/backstory
- Likability and morality of character
- Quality of heart events and story arcs
- Usefulness of gifts and crafting recipes obtained by befriending
- Aesthetic appeal of spouse room décor and upgrades
While my personal preferences certainly factored into these rankings, I strived to evaluate each character as objectively as possible based on the above core criteria.
Without further ado, let the ranking commence!
33. Mayor Lewis
Kicking off our list in the bottom slot is Mayor Lewis himself – the elected leader of Pelican Town who sadly displays little leadership or ambition.
Other than maintaining his secret relationship with Marnie and tending to his personal vegetable garden, Mayor Lewis contributes little to the community. Festivals happen with or without his involvement, the town economy and infrastructure remains stagnant under his watch, and resolving pressing issues like the abandoned Community Center is ultimately left to you the player.
For being a mostly useless figurehead unlikely to ever gain my vote, Mayor Lewis earns last place on this list.
32. Pierre
The greedy owner of the local general store, Pierre is a shrewd businessman first and a family man second. He loves nothing more than counting the piles of gold generated by his monopolized business while flaunting expensive possessions like his solid gold lewis statue.
I appreciate that Pierre offers fair prices and convenient shopping to the player. However, his materialistic nature and neglect toward daughter Abigail pushes him into our second worst spot.
31. Demetrius
Demetrius means well with his boundless curiosity and enthusiasm for scientific research – but his tunnel vision for experiments leaves little time or emotional bandwidth to care for family.
As laid bare by heart events and dialogues with his brooding son Sebastian, Demetrius clearly plays favorites between children and sidelines/ridicules Sebastian‘s interests that don‘t align with his own. His unequal treatment of his stepson makes Demetrius a character I have difficulty respecting or liking.
30. Caroline
Caroline seems like a perfectly pleasant housewife on the surface, but certain implications within game dialogues suggest she hasn‘t always been faithful in her marriage to Pierre. Her secretive past relationship and potential wizard love child is eyebrow-raising enough to rank her this low.
29. Haley
The token mean, self-centered popular girl of Stardew Valley, Haley makes no attempts to hide her vanity and superficiality particularly towards your humble farmer early on.
She does grow considerably by befriending you, eventually ditching her judgmental attitude – but not enough for me to personally warm up to this blonde.
28. Clint
The town blacksmith Clint is a supremely pathetic figure constantly shooting himself in the foot when it comes to his crush on Emily. His jealousy and unwillingness to actually ask her out despite my encouragement is infuriating and makes me lose respect for this manchild.
27. Pam
Pam has faced her share of tragedy and adversity, with her drinking problems stemming from complex emotional trauma. But her abrasiveness makes sympathizing a challenge.
Seeing Pam drag her feet addressing her addiction while daughter Penny suffers the consequences keeps this character framed in a negative light for me currently. I hope to see her slowly turn things around in future game updates.
26. Marnie
Marnie is a genuinely warm, loving guardian to her niece and nephew. However, her confusing complacency in never formalizing her relationship with Mayor Lewis after all these years is vexing.
I also judge Marnie harshly for closing shop two days a week when selling hay and animals should frankly be a 24/7 business in a farming community!
25. Rasmodius
This enigmatic wizard holds immense magical power and knowledge, but prefers to spend his days alone conducting obscure experiments rather than bettering society.
Considering his integral ties helping build the community center and likely fathering townswoman Caroline‘s daughter Abigail, I expect Rasmodius to be more involved in community affairs. But alas, he keeps to himself until the player unlocks his arcane missions.
24. Emily
Free-spirited Emily has a big heart and sees the best in everyone – even gossipy penny-pincher Clint crushing on her from afar. She even selflessly cares for her sickly aunt.
Emily’s unrelentingly positive personality can come across as two-dimensional or exhausting for my tastes though. So can her obsession with pseudo-mystical ‘auras‘ and holistic medicine. I believe there’s more substance to explore with Emily beyond these tropes.
23. Alex
Former gridball jock Alex teetered close to representing a hollow athletic stereotype focused only on pumping iron and mocking fragile masculinity.
Heart events adding dimension via his PTSD-afflicted veteran father and motivation to honor his legacy did upgrade Alex slightly in my eyes. But his limited range still rockets this musclehead barely out of bottom-tier status.
22. Elliot
On paper, passionate author Elliot has qualities I should love – eloquent vocabulary, elegant Victorian era style, romantic worldview.
But his pretentiousness is overbearing, constantly waxing poetic about extravagant imagery that comes off more self-absorbed than profound after a while. I won’t deny though that Elliot appears the most outwardly dashing bachelor in Pelican Town.
21. Kent
Traumatized army veteran Kent has just returned home from combat during the game’s 2 year timeline, struggling with readjusting to civilian family life.
His PTSD-fueled arc is emotional and compelling, giving a window into the bitter realities veterans face post-service. I dock Kent only for his absence factoring into most players’ experiences.
20. George
Crotchety, bitter old George visits some heavy verbal abuse on almost every town visitor from what I’ve witnessed – and as his nurse, even poor Harvey bears the brunt of this crippled coot’s misanthropy.
Still, George revealed surprising depth for me when befriended. His softer side emerges appreciating small joys like stargazing past curfew, along with backstory on how crippling injuries created his perpetual scowl at the world. By the end, I find George more cantankerous yet lovable.
19. Sandy
Operating the desert oasis shop outside town, Sandy played a small but memorable role for me early on providing the crucial tea saplings required for my vast peach arbor empire later blooming on the farm!
Beyond this friendly vendor’s utility, Sandy’s backstory of departing the big city to make her own way running a shop out in the boonies demonstrates admirable courage and entrepreneurial spirit.
18. Gus
Portly bartender Gus keeps spirits high for the community by maintaining the Stardrop Saloon – a beloved local watering hole where everyone gathers nightly to unwind and bond over beers without fail.
I respect Gus as the reliable foundation stone keeping this tradition and communal space afloat as a service. However, he could stand to spice up his menu options and add some liveliness beyond wiping glasses quietly behind the counter!
17. Maru
Genius tinkerer Maru counterbalances her scientific aspirations with equal parts compassion thanks to taking after parents Harvey and Robin well.
As one of the younger bachelorettes though, I’d love to see more character growth from Maru exploring her identity beyond chasing Demetrius’ approval. Her mechanical prowess could also better community life if applied more ambitiously.
16. Willy
Good-humored fisherman Willy keeps mostly to himself while mastering his craft out on the open waters daily. His sailor tales regaled enthusiastically between my farm chores never fail to entertain.
Regardless, I won’t pretend pursuing old sea dog Willy’s arc held the most excitement compared to bringing other colorful personalities out of their shells. I value this salt-stained staple of Pelican Town mostly as a relaxing breathed of fresh air.
15. Vincent
Rambunctious rascal Vincent may test his mother Jodi’s patience getting up to various hijinks – but his antics kept a smile glued to my face as well!
Besides his role livening up the place, Vincent’s imagination running wild playing pretend pirate king or intrepid adventurer paints an inspirational portrait of childhood innocence.
14. Jas
Young Jas’ parents tragically passed, leaving her under caretakers Marnie and Shane’s roof. Such grief at a tender age could understandably breed resentment, yet earnest sweetness and wisdom beyond her years radiates from Jas instead.
Her flowers left as gifts frequently warmed my heart more than any adult townsperson’s overtures. Any player would be blessed watching this charming bud blossom before their eyes.
13. Dwarf
This business-savvy Forest Dwarf peddling rare goods from his mine hideaway ties into fascinating lore about the valley’s indigenous dwarves vs. invading shadow people.
The Dwarf also assists the player with recovering the magical pendant securing immunity from disabling dwarven magic – granting access to the Mysterium zone containing the island farm and unique forage crops.
12. Robin
Talented carpenter Robin built Pelican Town up from the ground physically as well as shouldering parental care for Sebastian and Maru solo before Demetrius arrived.
Robin pours no shortage of dedication into bolstering the community with her craft while juggling family, preventing this rugged builder from ranking higher only by her comparative lack of emotional vulnerability depicted thus far.
11. Harvey
The knight in shining armor – or immaculate doctor‘s coat – Harvey stayed determined restoring my energy levels with medicine and revitalizing the neglected town clinic.
Harvey’s unwavering ethics and bedside manner soothing patients conflicted by his crippling lack of self-esteem socially. But unlocking the motivations behind this dichotomy indeed proved richly rewarding.
10. Penny
Selfless teacher Penny devotes every waking moment toward nurturing the community’s youth – fulfilling her own dream vicariously denied by an unstable upbringing.
Constantly serving others prevents Penny from addressing troubles at home with alcoholic mother Pam. But Penny’s reservoir of inner strength can uplift even the Player’s lowest spirits on most despairing days.
9. Jodi
Diligent homemaker Jodi maintains the household cheerfully while raising two rambunctious sons and supporting veteran husband Kent’s difficult assimilation back from combat.
Jodi’s fortitude holding family together through turmoil underscores an iron maternal spirit able to weather any storm – with innate passion for bridging community connections as well.
8. Leah
Charming starving artist Leah left city confines behind, seeking creative inspiration and self-sustaining freedom by settling off the grid into a cottage at the valley’s more picturesque woodland fringes.
Her quest adapting beyond the creature comforts most townspeople cling to reveals Leah’s liberated wild spirit and connection to nature making her stand out glowingly from the pack.
7. Sam
Affable rocker Sam strums along locally with enthusiasm despite modest talent, simply spreading joy jamming casually rather than seeking gold record glory.
Sam’s laidback contentment jamming carefreely with pals warms hearts quicker than any amplifier dialed to 11 ever could!
6. Evelyn
Wise grandmotherly figure Evelyn ceaselessly nurtures townsfolk with open arms – whether baking cookies for children or rebutting George’s circular cynicism with sage optimism.
Representing the best of small town generational interconnectedness, Evelyn earns well-deserved status as the community heartbeat.
5. Sebastian
Brooding loner Sebastian defiantly asserted his individualism from under the shadow of Demetrius’ disapproval through artistic ambition equally vast as the valley skies framing his thoughts.
But Sebastian’s stoic mystery gives way to rich depth upon learning what vulnerability lies beneath his self-imposed isolation, and realizing isolation’s appeal shields wounds still sore within.
4. Abigail
Free-spirited Abigail fled the general store’s gilded cage against mother Caroline’s protests, finding escape through books, games and the magical mysticism craved by her lust for adventure.
Abigail’s thirst unquenched by even slaying literal monsters in the mineshaft reaches because her open mind seeks purpose and identity her static home life lacks.
3. Krobus
Endearing sewer shadow Krobus melted my farmer’s heart the moment his obsidian eyes met mine – beginning a fairytale friendship with the misunderstood ‘boogeyman’ lasting many harmonious years roomed platonically at my cottage’s spare bunk.
Krobus embodied the non-human heart as profoundly emotionally capable as any villager, his sage insights on existence deeper for the unique worldview peering from betwixt both planes mortal and shadow.
2. Shane
Tormented alcoholic Shane drowned endless pain and self-hatred through blackout drinking sprees – before rehabilitation nurtured a newfound gentle spirit as humble chicken rancher full of purpose and simple country wisdom.
Shane epitomizes the the dichotomy of darkness and light within each valley resident – his ongoing journey coming to terms with past trauma incredibly personal and universally relatable.
1. Linus
Above all neighbors resides sage hermit Linus residing self-sufficiently amongst hillside tents and foragings. He harvests prosperity not from gold or property pursuits – but tranquility watered daily seeing sacred beauty thriving gently in nature’s subtlest gifts.
Linus’ chosen outsider role embodies the truest happy ending moral seeking nothing further than wisdom and freedom to sustain.
My Final Thoughts
And there you have it – the official definitive ranking of every befriendable and romanceable villager in Stardew Valley at this moment in patch 1.5.6, thoroughly critiqued and judged to the best of my experience playing over the past 3 in-game years!
I found selecting favorites most straightforward – highlighting genuinely kind, actualized souls like Evelyn and Linus brimming with wisdom. Characters given substantial development like Shane and Abigail telling compelling stories unsurprisingly also shone brightest after gleaning their inner lives beneath superficial first impressions.
Detestable picks like Lewis alienating his partner not for secrecy’s sake but simply noncommittal indifference proved equally obvious. While controversial middle choices depended greatly on weighting factors like morality versus how amusing interactions proved even with questionable role models.
As ConcernedApe continues expanding content, I can’t wait to see new storylines further deepen current citizen’s growth beyond where their arcs presently stand – granting chances of redemption for oily Lewis types, or precipitating stumbles showing noble paragons equally flawed under enough pressure.
Either way, I remain confident Pelican Town’s beloved residents will continue maturing in ways sure to keep me invested wholeheartedly!
I’m curious to hear whether fellow farmers generally agree with these rankings based on their own subjective metrics. Please share your personal ordered list in the comments below!
