The highly anticipated 1.6 update for Stardew Valley brought a wealth of new content, from new festivals to a whole new farm type. But one of the most exciting additions is the enigmatic Mystery Box. These curious little parcels, dropped from the sky by the mysterious Mr. Qi himself, contain a treasure trove of random and often incredibly valuable loot. If you’re a player eager to get your hands on these new goodies, you’re in the right place.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about Mystery Boxes, from how to unlock them to the best ways to farm them and what incredible rewards you can find inside.
Step 1: Unlocking the Mystery
Mystery Boxes won’t appear from day one. To unlock them, you need to trigger a special cutscene. This event will occur after you’ve spent 50 days in the game, or after you acquire your second Prize Ticket from the billboard in town. Once you’ve met this requirement, Mr. Qi will fly over the valley in an airplane, dropping the blue boxes from the sky. A pop-up message will then appear, confirming that “Mystery Boxes can now be found…”
This is your cue to start your treasure hunt!
Step 2: Where to Find Mystery Boxes
Once unlocked, Mystery Boxes have a chance to appear from a wide variety of sources, rewarding you for doing just about anything in the game. You’ll find them scattered around the valley, but some methods are more effective than others.
Here’s a breakdown of the most common places to find them:
- Mining: This is one of the most reliable methods. Mystery Boxes can drop from smashing rocks, breaking containers in the Mines or Skull Cavern, and even as loot from defeated monsters. The more you mine, the higher your chances of finding one.
- Fishing: Every time you reel in a treasure chest while fishing, there’s a chance it could contain a Mystery Box. Equipping a Treasure Hunter lure can significantly increase your odds.
- Foraging and Chopping Trees: As you go about your daily chores, keep an eye out for these. Chopping down a tree can sometimes yield a box, and digging up artifact spots with your hoe has a decent chance of unearthing one.
- Festivals and Events: The 1.6 update’s new festivals are fantastic sources of Mystery Boxes. You can purchase them with Calico Eggs at the Desert Festival or win them as a prize at the Trout Derby and SquidFest.
- The Bookseller: On the two days of the season that the Bookseller comes to town, you can trade a Book of Mysteries for a Mystery Box. This is a great way to guarantee one if you have a spare book.
- Raccoon Requests: After completing the first five requests from the Raccoon family, you can sometimes get Mystery Boxes as a reward for future requests.
Step 3: Opening the Boxes
Once you have a Mystery Box, you can’t just open it with your hands. It needs to be processed, much like a geode.
- Visit Clint the Blacksmith: Head over to Clint’s shop in Pelican Town. He will open the boxes for you for a small fee of 25g each. The shop is open from 9 AM to 4 PM every day except Friday (unless you’ve completed the Community Center, which changes its schedule).
- Geode Crusher: It’s important to note that you cannot use your own Geode Crusher to open Mystery Boxes. Clint is the only one who can do the job.
What’s Inside a Mystery Box?
The contents of a Mystery Box are completely random, making each one a fun and exciting surprise. The loot ranges from basic farm resources to incredibly rare and valuable items. Some of the most sought-after rewards include:
- Seeds: New seeds like carrots, summer squash, and broccoli.
- Tools & Equipment: You can find anything from a Quality Sprinkler to a Treasure Chest.
- Rare Items: The ultimate prize is the chance to find rare items like a Prismatic Shard, a Golden Pumpkin, or even a Magic Rock Candy.
- Golden Mystery Boxes: Sometimes, a regular Mystery Box will contain a rarer, golden version! These Golden Mystery Boxes are even more valuable and can contain items like Auto-Petters and the legendary Golden Animal Crackers.
The addition of Mystery Boxes is a perfect example of how ConcernedApe continues to add fun, rewarding, and Stardew Valley-appropriate content to the game. They provide a fantastic new reason to engage in all the game’s classic activities and offer a thrilling chance to find rare, valuable treasures. So get out there, grab your axe and pickaxe, and start unlocking the mystery!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get Mystery Boxes right away when I start a new game?
No, you have to wait for Mr. Qi to introduce them. This happens after you’ve spent 50 days in the game or after you’ve earned a second Prize Ticket.
Are there different kinds of Mystery Boxes?
Yes! In addition to the standard blue Mystery Box, there is a much rarer Golden Mystery Box. These contain even more valuable loot. To unlock them, you must first complete Foraging Mastery.
What’s the best way to farm for them?
A: Based on player experience, the most effective methods are mining and chopping trees. Because you do these things so often, the small chance of a drop adds up quickly. Participating in the new festivals is also a great way to guarantee getting some.
Do Luck buffs affect the drop rate of Mystery Boxes?
Yes, in most cases, they do. Your daily luck, as well as any luck buffs from food, can slightly increase your chances of finding a Mystery Box from activities like fishing, mining, and digging up artifact spots.
Can I open a Mystery Box with a Geode Crusher?
No. Unlike geodes, Mystery Boxes must be taken to Clint the Blacksmith to be processed.
