Stardew Valley tool upgrades: how to get the best tools
To get the best tools in Stardew Valley, bring your tool, gold and five metal bars to Clint at the Blacksmith in Pelican Town. Each tool upgrades in four steps, Copper, Steel, Gold and Iridium, and each upgrade takes two days, during which you cannot use that tool. Iridium tools are the best standard versions of the hoe, watering can, pickaxe and axe, and most players upgrade the pickaxe first.
Upgrade costs
| Upgrade | Gold | Bars |
|---|---|---|
| Copper | 2,000g | 5 Copper Bars |
| Steel | 5,000g | 5 Iron Bars |
| Gold | 10,000g | 5 Gold Bars |
| Iridium | 25,000g | 5 Iridium Bars |
You smelt bars in a Furnace from ore and coal. Copper and iron ore come from the Mines, gold ore from the deeper floors, and iridium mostly from Skull Cavern.
Tips for upgrading
- Upgrade the pickaxe early. A better pickaxe breaks rocks faster in the Mines, which speeds up getting ore for every other upgrade.
- Upgrade the watering can on rainy days. Rain waters your crops, so you won't miss it.
- Upgrade the axe when you need to clear large stumps and logs (Copper axe) or hardwood in the Secret Woods.
- Plan the two-day wait. Drop off a tool before a day you won't need it, and pick it up two days later.
- Get Iridium Bars from Skull Cavern, which opens after you get the Skull Key from the bottom of the Mines.
Upgraded tools also have a charged use: hold the button to affect a larger area with the hoe or watering can. Clint can still sell items and break open geodes while he works on your tool.
FAQ
Should I upgrade my axe or pickaxe first?
Most players upgrade the pickaxe first, because it speeds up mining, which supplies the bars for all other upgrades.
How do I get iridium tools?
Bring each Gold-level tool, 25,000g and five Iridium Bars to Clint.
What is the first pickaxe upgrade in Stardew Valley?
The Copper Pickaxe: bring your basic pickaxe, 2,000g and five Copper Bars to Clint. The Steel and Gold pickaxes follow, and the Iridium Pickaxe is the last tier.
Is there a prismatic pickaxe in Stardew Valley?
Not in the base game. Iridium is the highest upgrade tier. Prismatic Shards are used for things like the Galaxy Sword and, together with Cinder Shards, for enchanting tools at the Forge on Ginger Island.
What tools should I get first?
After the pickaxe, the watering can is the most useful early upgrade on a crop farm, since it saves energy and time every day.