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Prismatic Shards are multi-colored gems that are not just aesthetically pleasing; they are also essential for various in-game items and activities. In Stardew Valley, the most valuable item obtained using Prismatic Shards is no doubt the Galaxy Sword, one of the best weapons you can use when venturing into the Skull Cavern.
However, Prismatic Shards have other uses as well, including completing the Missing Bundle, crafting Wedding Rings in multiplayer mode, and having the ability to “dismiss” unwanted children. Given the gem’s rarity, it’s no wonder that players often spend a lot of time hunting for them. In this guide, we’ll explore valuable tips to aid you in your quest for Prismatic Shards.
1. Fortune Teller
Every day in Stardew Valley, your character’s Luck stat will vary from day to day, influencing various aspects of your gameplay, including item drops from rocks and monsters, the appearance of treasure chests while fishing, and the likelihood of nodes appearing in the mines.
Since Prismatic Shards can be acquired through these methods, maximizing your Luck is important if you want to raise your chances of obtaining the gem. To do this, you can watch the Fortune Teller channel on TV each morning. There are six different Luck ratings, ranging from very happy to very displeased, each with its corresponding impact on your Luck stat. Keep an eye on your Luck and prioritize hunting for Prismatic Shards on days when the spirits are feeling generous.
2. Lucky Recipes
If your Luck isn’t in your favor (or even if it is), you can boost it by preparing and consuming meals with Luck buffs. Each Luck point increases the chances of luck-based events by approximately 1%.
The Lucky Lunch is the most effective choice, but there are other options if you don’t have the right ingredients or the recipe for it. These are:
- Pumpkin Soup
- Banana Pudding
- Ginger Ale
- Spicy Eel
- Fried Eel
- Shrimp Cocktail
These recipes offer a substantial +3 Luck boost for over 11 minutes, each with its own unique buffs and durations. Additionally, the rare Magic Rock Candy can provide a significant +5 Luck boost, though obtaining it may require trading a Prismatic Shard with the desert trader, and might not be worth it in the long run.
3. Other Luck Buffs
Two valuable items, the Special Charm and Lucky Ring, can further enhance your Luck stat.
- The Special Charm: earned by completing Secret Note #20 and solving its associated puzzle, permanently increases your Luck by 0.025.
- Lucky Rings: This item provides one-point Luck boosters when equipped, and can be found by breaking crates and barrels in Skull Cavern, panning, or occasionally dropped by “special” monsters, such as gold-starred slimes.
4. Treasure Lures
Fishing can be both a surprising and rewarding method when obtaining Prismatic Shards. While fishing at level six or higher, you may encounter a treasure chest randomly.
Successfully opening the chest while catching the fish awards you with various items, including a 0.012% chance of finding a Prismatic Shard. To increase your chances of finding treasure chests, consider using a Treasure Hunter lure, obtainable by reaching Fishing Level Seven and crafting it with two Gold Bars.
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5. Embrace the Pirate Profession
For those serious about treasure hunting through fishing, reaching Fishing Level Ten unlocks the Pirate Profession, doubling your chances of discovering treasure chests. You’ll need to choose the Fisher Profession at Level Five to unlock the Pirate option, but remember that you can switch Professions at the Sewers’ Statue of Uncertainty.
6. Omni Geodes
Omni Geodes are a valuable source of rare minerals and artifacts, including Prismatic Shards. These colorful geodes have a modest chance of yielding a Prismatic Shard, approximately 0.4%, but they become available only after cracking open 15 geodes.
7. Consider Rainbow Trout Fish Ponds
Fish Ponds on your farm can yield Prismatic Shards, albeit with a low 0.09% chance, when stocked with at least nine Rainbow Trout. You can catch Rainbow Trout in the River or Mountain Lake before 7 PM during summer, provided it’s a sunny day. Be patient and complete quests to expand the population of your fish ponds, eventually increasing your chances of obtaining Prismatic Shards.
8. Break Mystic Nodes
Mystic Nodes are your allies in finding Prismatic Shards, offering a 25% chance of dropping one. These nodes are found in Skull Cavern, the Mines (above level 100), and the Quarry. Clear the Quarry regularly to encourage the appearance of Mystic Nodes, increasing your chances of securing a Prismatic Shard.
9. Slay Monsters
In both the regular Mines and Skull Cavern, various monsters have a chance of dropping Prismatic Shards. Serpents and Mummies in Skull Cavern have a 0.1% drop rate, while Shadow Brutes and Shadow Shamans in Floors 81 to 119 of the Mines have a 0.05% chance.
Although the Galaxy Sword is often seen as necessary for Skull Cavern, completing the Prismatic Jelly Special Order for the Wizard unlocks the crafting recipe for Monster Musk, which doubles the number of monsters encountered for ten minutes. This can increase your chances of obtaining a Prismatic Shard. To craft Monster Musk, you’ll need 30 Slime and 30 Bat Wings.
10. Ginger Island
After completing the Community Center, you will gain access to Ginger Island, a new location where you can also find Prismatic Shards. The Volcano Dungeon is a bit hard to finish, but once you are at the island’s summit there will be a chest that contains a Prismatic Shard.
11. Iridium Nodes
Iridium Nodes, though more common than Mystic Nodes, have a chance of dropping a Prismatic Shard by 4%. As you delve deeper into Skull Cavern, the frequency of Iridium Nodes increases.
12. Unlock the Statue of True Perfection
A late-game furniture item that grants you one Prismatic Shard per day, provided you achieve 100% completion in the game. This statue offers a reliable source of Prismatic Shards once you’ve accomplished all there is to do in Stardew Valley. This is one of the most difficult ways to get the Prismatic Shard, but if you’re a completionist, this will be the best challenge for you.
13. Skull Cavern
Ultimately, the best strategy for finding Prismatic Shards is in the Skull Cavern. This location has the highest chances of obtaining Prismatic Shards, thanks to enemies with the best drop rates and the highest frequency of Iridium Nodes popping up depending on your Luck stat.
You should always prepare when exploring the Skull Cavern. To succeed, use Defense and Luck-boosting meals, craft a lot of bombs for efficiency, and bring some stone to create staircases for an easy descent. Or if you’re a daredevil, sometimes diving headfirst into the challenge is the most effective way to acquire Prismatic Shards in Stardew Valley.
Prismatic Shards are invaluable treasures in Stardew Valley, and their acquisition can significantly enhance your gameplay. By following these tips, you can increase your chances of discovering these rare gems.