Stardew Valley Special Orders Guide: Complete Overview
The Special Orders board is a quest system introduced in Stardew Valley 1.5/1.6 that provides specific, named challenges and rewards. This comprehensive guide covers all available special orders, their rewards, and strategies for completing them efficiently.
Special Orders Overview
What are Special Orders
Special Orders are:
- Specific, named quests posted on the Special Orders board (not generic โcatch 10 fishโ type orders)
- Available after certain game progress
- Provide gold and item rewards upon completion
- Some are repeatable, some are one-time
- Each order has a unique name and specific objectives
Board Location
The Special Orders board is located:
- Outside Lewisโs house in the town center (NOT inside Pierreโs General Store)
- On the left side of Lewisโs house, near the community bulletin board area
- Visible after unlocking
- Check regularly for new orders
Unlock Requirements
When Available:
- After completing Community Center OR
- After purchasing Joja Membership
- Board appears outside Lewisโs house in the town center
- New orders appear regularly
Order Types
One-Time Orders:
- Complete once
- Never repeat
- Special rewards
- Story-related
Repeatable Orders:
- Can complete multiple times
- Appear regularly
- Ongoing income source
- Resource collection
Order Mechanics
Accepting Orders
How to Accept:
- Approach Special Orders board outside Lewisโs house
- Read available named orders
- Accept desired order
- Track progress in quest log
Order Limits
Maximum Active:
- Can accept multiple orders at once
- No strict limit
- Manage multiple quests
- Complete in any order
Order Duration
Time Limits:
- Most orders have time limits
- Typically 7 days to 2 seasons
- Check deadline carefully
- Plan completion timing
Order Rewards
Reward Types:
- Gold rewards
- Item rewards
- Friendship increases
- Special unlocks (e.g., Qi Gems)
Complete Special Orders List (1.6)
Special Orders in Stardew Valley 1.6 are specific, named quests with unique objectives. Below are the major Special Orders available in the game:
Qiโs Special Orders
These orders are given by Mr. Qi and typically reward Qi Gems.
| Order Name | Request | Reward | Time Limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Qiโs Kindness | Give 10 specific items to Mr. Qi | Qi Gems | 7 days | Items vary; check the order details for the specific items requested |
| Dangerous Mines | Reach a specific mine level | Qi Gems | 7 days | Requires descending to a deep mine level |
| The Bottom | Reach the bottom of the mines (Level 120) | Qi Gems | 7 days | One-time order; unlocks Skull Key access |
| Cryptic Note | Solve a cryptic puzzle | Qi Gems | Varies | Requires deciphering clues; unique each time |
Town Special Orders
These orders involve helping villagers or completing town-related tasks.
| Order Name | Request | Reward | Time Limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Robinโs Project | Collect wood and/or stone for Robin | Gold, friendship | 7 days | Helps Robin with construction projects |
| Pam Is Thirsty | Give Pam a specific drink | Gold, friendship | 7 days | Check the order for the specific beverage |
| Enchanted Grove | Plant specific trees | Gold | 14 days | Requires planting designated tree types |
| Biggest Catch | Catch a specific fish | Gold | 7 days | Target the specified fish species |
| Avid Collector | Collect specific items for Gunther (Museum) | Gold, friendship | 14 days | Donate or deliver specific artifacts/minerals |
| Solve The Puzzle | Unlock a specific area or solve a puzzle | Special reward | Varies | May involve Secret Notes or other mysteries |
Repeatable Special Orders
Some Special Orders can repeat, offering ongoing challenges:
| Order Name | Request | Reward | Repeatable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dangerous Mines | Reach a specific mine level | Qi Gems | Yes |
| Various gathering orders | Collect specific items | Gold | Yes |
Reward Details
Gold Rewards
Standard Rewards:
- Easy orders: 500-1,000g
- Medium orders: 1,000-2,000g
- Hard orders: 2,000-5,000g
- Special orders: Variable
Qi Gem Rewards
Qiโs Challenges:
- Qi Gems are used to purchase items from Mr. Qiโs Walnut Room
- Can buy powerful items like the Iridium Band recipe, auto-petter, and more
- Essential for endgame progression
Item Rewards
Possible Item Rewards:
- Special equipment
- Rare seeds
- Decorations
- Crafting recipes
Friendship Rewards
Friendship Increases:
- Orders involving specific villagers increase friendship with that villager
- Pam Is Thirsty increases friendship with Pam
- Robinโs Project increases friendship with Robin
- Avid Collector increases friendship with Gunther
Order Difficulty
Easy Orders
Characteristics:
- Quick completion
- Low resource requirement
- Short time limit
- 500-1,000g reward
Medium Orders
Characteristics:
- Moderate effort
- Some resource investment
- Medium time limit
- 1,000-2,000g reward
Hard Orders
Characteristics:
- Significant effort
- High resource requirement
- Longer time limit
- 2,000-5,000g reward or Qi Gems
Order Strategy Tips
Accepting Strategy
Best Practices:
- Check the board outside Lewisโs house every few days
- Accept orders that align with your current activities
- Consider time limits carefully
- Plan completion order
Overlap Strategy:
- Accept mining orders when planning a Skull Cavern run
- Accept fishing orders when doing daily fishing
- Accept farming orders during active growing seasons
- Maximize efficiency by combining orders with daily activities
Completion Strategy
Efficient Completion:
- Track progress daily
- Focus on deadline orders first
- Complete easy orders quickly
- Stack similar activities
Time Management:
- Check deadlines daily
- Prioritize urgent orders
- Donโt accept impossible orders
- Plan around seasons
Special Orders Board Schedule
Order Appearance
New Orders:
- New named orders appear periodically
- Some orders rotate
- Seasonal orders appear seasonally
- Check the board regularly
Order Rotation
Rotation:
- Some orders are one-time only
- Others repeat on a cycle
- Qiโs orders may have specific availability conditions
- Check the board every few days for new opportunities
Conclusion
The Special Orders board outside Lewisโs house provides specific, named quests and rewards throughout your Stardew Valley journey. These are not generic tasks but unique, named challenges with specific objectives and meaningful rewards.
Check the board regularly, complete orders efficiently, and use repeatable orders for consistent income. Special Orders add depth and ongoing challenges to your Stardew Valley experience, especially Mr. Qiโs challenging orders that reward valuable Qi Gems for endgame progression.