Best Stardew Valley Bachelors

Choosing the best bachelor in Stardew Valley is no easy task. Each romantic candidate has his own unique pros and cons, making the decision largely a matter of personal preference. However, by considering gameplay data and common sense, it’s possible to rank Pelican Town’s bachelors from least favorite to most beloved. The following tier list accomplishes this by evaluating all the bachelors based on their personalities, habits, and Heart Events.

Before diving into the rankings, here’s a quick introduction to each of the Stardew Valley bachelors.

List of All Bachelors in Stardew Valley

There are six bachelors in Stardew Valley: Sebastian, Elliot, Harvey, Sam, Alex, and Shane. Technically, players could also trigger Heart Events and become roommates with Krobus. However, there is no option to marry him, so he’s cut from the list.

The current ranking of Stardew Valley’s bachelors considers three key factors:

1. Character trope: Each bachelor in Pelican Town has a persona that fits classic romance novel stereotypes. Since some romance tropes are more popular than others, characters with more desirable personas are ranked higher.
2. Character development: A bachelor’s growth throughout the dating events is a major factor in the ranking. Those who show little change before and after their Heart Events are ranked lower.
3. Character backstory: The ranking also considers how intriguing each bachelor’s story is. Characters who fail to draw the player in are ranked lower.

Updated on November 30, 2024, by Mohsen Baqery: Picking the best bachelor in Stardew Valley isn’t easy—ConcernedApe has created a cast of relatable, intriguing, and colorful characters, each appealing to different types of players. With this in mind, we’ve updated the list to explain why each bachelor made the cut and how they were ranked. While it’s impossible to create a definitive ranking (since preferences vary), this list comes as close as possible to being fair, considering the personalities and stories of Pelican Town’s bachelors.

6 Shane

Character Trope: Tragic Hero

Tragic Heroes are flawed. In the case of Shane, his flaw is an alcohol addiction, which ruins his relationships.

Shane is an aspiring film director, but his mindless job at Joja Mart leaves him feeling empty. To fill the void, Shane drinks – A lot. When the player first meets him, Shane is a depressed alcoholic who feels he has no reason to live. He’s distant and aloof and feels like the world doesn’t want him.

During his character arc, Shane talks about killing himself while passed out. It proves to be a wake-up call and he becomes intent on improving himself and contributing to the world in whatever ways he can. However, choosing to marry Shane changes his story.

The Best Aspect of Dating Shane

Shane is one of the less popular bachelors in Stardew Valley due to his troubled personality and alcohol addiction. The main incentive for pursuing his Heart Events and dating him is unlocking Blue Chickens, which requires reaching at least eight Hearts with Shane. Aside from this, dating Shane involves navigating a chaotic journey filled with tragic events.

Blue Chickens are identical to regular Chickens in every way, with the only difference being their color, which is purely an aesthetic feature.

Where To Find Shane – Route & Schedule

• Before the Community Center has been restored, Shane can typically be found at Jojamart, where he works. He won’t interact with the player while on shift. After work, usually around 5 p.m., he can be found at the Stardrop Saloon. He returns to Marnie’s Ranch at around 11 p.m. On Saturdays, he spends the afternoon in Pierre’s before heading to the Saloon for the night. On Sunday, he spends all day at home.
• After Restoring the Community Center, Shane stops working at the now-closed Jojamart, and from Monday to Friday can instead be found at Marnie’s Ranch until 5 p.m., when he heads to the Saloon.

Dating Shane and Marriage

Instead of staying on the road to recovery, Shane quits his job and doubles down on his drinking habits. He stays home, he’s mopey and rude, and despite his sweet moments, he takes considerable steps backward. Shane’s disposition after marriage shows he needs time to work on himself before making a lifelong commitment. For his sake, steer clear of Shane.

After marrying Shane, he sets up a small chicken cook on the side of the house in the spouse feature zone. Here, he can sometimes be seen tending to his little pet, and on some days he cooks Omelets, Pizzas, or Pepper Poppers for the player. Getting Shane to eight hearts, which doesn’t require dating him, also allows players to buy blue chickens at Marnie’s.

Shane’s Likes and Dislikes

How to Trigger Shane’s Heart Events

• Two Hearts: Go to the forest south of the farm anytime from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m.
• Four Hearts: Cutscene triggers upon entering Marnie’s house
• Six Hearts: Go to the forest again on a rainy day anytime from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Seven Hearts: Two-part cutscene – first, enter Marnie’s house any time when Shane is there. Then, go to Pelican Town from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Eight Hearts: Once again, go to Marnie’s any time when Shane is home.
• Ten Hearts (Dating): Talk to Shane outside the farmhouse in the morning, then go to the Bus Stop from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
• 14 Hearts (Marriage): Go to Pelican Town three times to see three different events

5 Sam

Character Trope: The Adventurer

His passion drives Sam, and he is not afraid to try new things, which makes him a perfect match for the adventurer trope.

Sam is a musician and skateboard enthusiast with a knack for irritating his mom. He likes to spend most of his time skateboarding around town, playing pool in the pub, or playing guitar in his room. Sam is generous and lovable in a goofy way. No one has ever accused Sam of being too sharp, that’s for sure.

There’s a lack of depth of character in Sam, making him a less desirable marriage candidate. However, he does have some romantic beats, too.

The Best Aspect of Dating Sam

Dating Sam is an entertaining journey, thanks to his upbeat personality and love for music. His Heart Events feel like a musical high school drama in which the protagonist falls for the most popular kid in school. Post-marriage, Sam also sets up a half-pipe on the farm to practice his skateboarding moves, adding a charming touch.

Where To Find Sam – Route & Schedule

• On Mondays and Wednesdays, throughout all seasons, Sam works part-time at Jojamart from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• In the Spring, he spends most of his free time at home practicing guitar or near the Mayor’s House.
• In the Summer, he will typically spend his free afternoons at the beach with Vincent, his younger brother, except on Saturdays when he spends all day at home, playing guitar with Sebastian.
• In the Fall, Sam spends his non-working afternoons in the Forest, near Leah’s cottage and Marnie’s Ranch, except for Friday when he goes to the Stardrop Saloon in the afternoon. He has a doctor’s appointment on Fall 11.
• In the Winter, Sam spends his free afternoons exclusively at the Stardrop Saloon.

Dating Sam and Marriage

Unfortunately, this lovable doofus has a bit of a dull character arc. His father is deployed in the military for the first year of the game, but the interesting story beats regarding that story are given to his kid brother, Vincent. Instead of using his changing family dynamic as a way to grow, Sam doesn’t really react to the stress around him.

Sneaking into his room for a date is a sweet moment, even if it gets awkward when his mom barges in. When the farmer marries Sam, he will make pancakes every so often for the player. Additionally, he sets up a half-pipe behind the house. Every so often he can be seen outside skateboarding in this area.

Sam’s Likes and Dislikes

How to Trigger Sam’s Heart Events

• Two Hearts: Go to Sam’s house when he is home
• Three Hearts: Year One only – go to the beach from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. any time except rainy days and Winter
• Four Hearts: Go to Sam’s house when he is home
• Six Hearts: On non-rainy days, go to Pelican Town anytime from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
• Eight Hearts: Sam will greet the farmer in the morning if they have seen his first Heart event
• Ten Hearts (Dating): On a sunny day, go to Pelican Town at night from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m.
• 14 Hearts (Marriage): Leave and re-enter the house during the day, four cutscenes trigger on four separate days

4 Alex

Character Trope: The Jock

Alex’s over-the-top passion for sports gives away his trope: He’s a jock.

Alex is an aspiring pro gridball player with more muscles than brains, although he does show insecurity about his lack of intelligence. It’s easy to pigeonhole Alex as a stereotype, but as the farmer gets to know him they learn that he has a big heart and is more vulnerable than first meets the eye.

Throughout his arc, Alex tells the player about his abusive father and his mother’s death. Once he feels more comfortable, he lives with his heart on his sleeve, making him a bit more endearing.

The Best Aspect of Dating Alex

Despite resembling the typical “jock” trope, Alex undergoes a relatable character development that makes him interesting to date. His Heart Events reveal more about his past, helping players understand and relate to him better. Another appealing aspect of dating Alex is his passion for sports. Players who are into athletics will likely enjoy spending time with him.

Where To Find Alex – Route & Schedule

• In the Spring, most days see Alex head outside early in the morning and stand near a tree. For the rest of the day, Alex will go in and out of his room. On Wednesdays, he heads to Haley and Emily’s house at noon and goes back home at about 6:30 p.m.
• In the Summer, Alex leaves his house very early to go to the Beach in the morning. At noon, he will leave the Beach and work at the Ice Cream Stand outside the Museum until 5 p.m. After that, he heads home for the night. Just like in the Spring, he will go to Emily and Haley’s house on Wednesdays. If it rains, he spends the day at home. He has a doctor’s appointment on the 16th.
• In the Fall, Alex follows his Spring schedule and can be found almost exclusively in or just outside his home, except on Wednesdays when he is at Emily and Haley’s for the afternoon.
• In the Winter, Alex spends most of his free time at the Spa and can be found there from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. every day (except, of course, Wednesdays). He can also be found at the Night Market.

Dating Alex and Marriage

When playing as a man, watching Alex struggle with his internalized homophobia and coming to terms with having feelings for the player showcases his strength of character. Unfortunately, there are some pretty lackluster moments during Alex’s story. His special event date is arguably one of the worst in the game, and he eventually gives up on his dream of becoming a pro gridball player once married. Afterward, it is sad to see him reminisce about what could have been.

When marrying Alex, he will sometimes make Omelets, Hashbrowns, or Pancakes for breakfast. After settling in he sets up an outdoor workout space in the space next to the house, where he can be seen lifting weights on random days.

Alex’s Likes and Dislikes

How to Trigger Alex’s Heart Events

• Two Hearts: On a Sunny day in the Summer, go to the beach
• Four Hearts: Go to Pelican Town any time from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Five Hearts: Go to Alex’s house any time while he is home
• Six Hearts: Go to Alex’s house any time whenever he is home again
• Eight Hearts: On a Sunny day in the Summer, go to the beach again
• Ten Hearts (Dating): Go to the Saloon any time from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
• 14 Hearts (Marriage): Two-part cutscene – On Year Two, on any day except Sunday, leave the house with at least 5,000 G available. Then, go to the Saloon on a Sunday.

3 Elliott

Character Trope: The Romantic Idealist

Elliot represents the classic lover archetype in epic love stories: a good-looking sentimental prince who falls for the ordinary protagonist.

Elliott is an aspiring novelist who lives in a cabin by the sea, which is just as picturesque as it sounds. Elliott is incredibly intelligent and passionate, often waxing poetic about whatever strikes his interest. He’s ambitious and chases his dreams, even if he gets discouraged now and then.

Most of Elliott’s arc is about overcoming his own self-doubt. Elliott opens up quickly to the protag, considering the farmer to be a good friend almost immediately. However, Elliott’s fatal flaw is that he’s a bit too perfect.

The Best Aspect of Dating Elliot

Dating Elliot makes the player feel like the protagonist in an epic romance tale—at least, that’s how he treats them during the Heart Events. Players seeking old-school, poetic romance in Stardew Valley will appreciate Elliot’s artistic personality. Additionally, he is one of the most good-looking bachelors, which is a definite plus.

Where To Find Elliot – Route & Schedule

In the Spring, Elliot can be found in his house, on the docks, or outside on the beach, pretty much every day of the week. On Fridays and Sundays, if players don’t have high Hearts with Leah, he will go to the Stardrop Saloon from noon to 5 p.m. to close.

In the Summer, Elliot spends most of his time in the Forest, near Leah’s Cottage and Marnie’s Ranch. On Thursdays, he can be found at Pierre’s General Store from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Just like in Spring, if players don’t have a high Hearts count with Leah, he will go to the Saloon in the evenings on Friday and Sunday.

In the Fall, Elliot spends most of his time at the Library inside the Museum, from 11 to 5 p.m. On Fridays and Sundays, he will be at the Saloon if players don’t have high Hearts with Leah, and on Thursdays, he can be found at Pierre’s from 11:30 a.m. to 5:50 p.m.

In the Winter, Elliot follows pretty much the same schedule as in Fall, except that he will attend the Night market on the 17th.

Dating Elliot and Marriage

When married, Elliott always tells the farmer how blessed he is to have them in his life. It’s sweet, but there’s a distinct lack of realism here. Elliott’s melodrama can become exhausting and grating over time when it’s not balanced out with any major character flaws. Elliott is definitely good marriage material, but only if players want to be married to a doting, idealistic writer.

At the end of his event line, he says that he appreciates the player’s encouragement so much that when he finally finishes his novel he dedicates it to the farmer. After marrying Elliot, he makes Coffee every few days for the player, which gives a small speed boost. He sets up a small reading and writing garden in the outdoor space next to the house, where he can be seen working on his novels or reading on some days.

Elliot’s Likes and Dislikes

How to Trigger Elliot’s Heart Events

• Two Hearts: Go to Elliot’s house on the beach any time when he is home
• Four Hearts: Go to the Saloon from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m.
• Six Hearts: Go to Elliot’s house any time he is home again
• Eight Hearts: Enter the Museum from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.
• Ten Hearts (Dating): On a non-rainy day, go to the beach from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• 14 Hearts (Marriage): Leave the house any time when there are no upcoming festivals for at least a week

2 Harvey

Character Trope: The Everyman

Harvey is just a regular townie with predictable and ordinary interests. He is truly the Everyman of Pelican Town.

Harvey is Stardew Valley‘s resident doctor, and he’s both intelligent and sensitive. Harvey shows himself to be quite the anxious nerd and he’s socially oblivious, but his dorkiness makes him endearing. Harvey may be a ball of nerves, but he’s incredibly kind and committed to keeping the town healthy.

Unfortunately, the first parts of Harvey’s arc are pretty boring – he’s the only town doctor, after all, which means he works a lot. His character and personality start to show over time, though.

The Best Aspect of Dating Harvey

Mature players are drawn to Harvey for a clear reason: he’s emotionally stable and trustworthy. The best part of romancing Harvey is dating a kindhearted, easygoing guy with minimal unpredictability. While younger players might find him a bit dull for this very reason, he remains a popular choice among those looking to establish a family and have kids.

Where To Find Harvey – Route & Schedule

In the Spring, Harvey works almost every day at the Clinic from about 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. At noon, he goes to the park for a few hours and then returns to the clinic. After 5:30, he usually goes back to his room. On Friday, he goes to Pierre’s at noon, and goes back to his room at 3 p.m. Harvey goes to the Museum on Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

In the Summer and Fall, Harvey follows the same schedule and can be found in the same places as in Spring.

In the Winter, Harvey follows the same schedule but will attend the Night Market after 5 p.m. on the 15th.

Dating Harvey and Marriage

Between catching him at an aerobics class and stumbling in on him playing on his airplane radio, it’s hard not to love an adorkable doctor. Additionally, Harvey displays impressive maturity. When telling the farmer about his dream to be a pilot, Harvey is at peace with the fact that that wasn’t in the cards for him. Harvey is also blessed with one of the most romantic dates in the game. In marriage, Harvey is an absolute joy to have around without being just too much like Elliot.

After marrying Harvey, he will make the player a Complete Breakfast every few days. In the space outdoors used for spouse features, he sets up a small garden, just like Elliot (though it is visually different). Similar to Elliot, he can often be seen here reading, though he can also be found more regularly at the clinic.

Harvey’s Likes and Dislikes

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How to Trigger Harvey’s Heart Events

• Two Hearts: Go to George’s house while George is home
• Four Hearts: On Tuesday, Wednesday, or Sunday, go to the Clinic while Harvey is on duty
• Six Hearts: Go to Pierre’s between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. any day
• Eight Hearts: Go to the Clinic again any time
• Ten Hearts (Dating): Go to the Spa area of the mountain from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. any day
• 14 Hearts (Marriage): Leave and re-enter the house any time Harvey is home

1 Sebastian

Character Trope: The Loner

Sebastian’s introverted and reserved persona makes him a perfect representation of the loner trope.

When first meeting Sebastian, it’s easy to misconstrue him as a misanthropic, edgy loner – but getting to know Sebastian might completely change the farmer’s perception of him. He’s a freelance computer programmer saving up so he can move away from Pelican Town because he struggles to connect with his family and other locals.

His character arc is all about the farmer and Sebastian learning to understand one another. Throughout his arc, he works hard to reexamine his goals and desires, eventually realizing that it’s his duty to create his own happiness.

The Best Aspect of Dating Sebastian

Thanks to his relatable personality and intriguing story arc, Sebastian is considered the best bachelor in Stardew Valley. The highlight of dating him is witnessing his growth into a more accepting and engaged character, evolving from his initial emo, introverted, and somewhat anti-social persona. Unlike other characters like Shane, Sebastian’s character development continues after marriage, making him a reliable partner and a good parent.

Where To Find Sebastian – Route & Schedule

In the Spring, Sebastian can typically be found in or just outside his house by the Lake, except on Friday, Saturday, and rainy days. On Friday, he goes to the Saloon from 3 to 5 p.m. On Saturday Sebastian will go to Emily and Haley’s house to play music with Sam in the morning, and the two smoke by the river afterward. He goes home at 7:30 p.m. On Rainy Days, he can either be found in the Saloon or the Beach/Pier.

In the Summer, Sebastian follows the same schedule as in Spring. If the Railroad is unlocked, he will stand by the Train Station on Thursdays from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.

In the Fall, Sebastian follows pretty much the same schedule as Spring and Summer (including the Thursday Railroad location), but instead of smoking in and around the house, he will leave most days to stand close to the Mines, north of the Lake to the right of his house.

In the Winter, Sebastian follows the same schedule as in Spring and Summer.

Dating Sebastian and Marriage

Sebastian’s self-reflective (but not somber) nature and fierce independence showcase maturity most other bachelors don’t possess. When pursuing a relationship, Sebastian is one of the few marriage candidates who keeps his job, still hangs out with his friends, and enjoys his alone time. Additionally, he speaks frankly about the relationship, showcasing an honesty that is unique to his romance. His romance is based on mutual respect and honesty, and he’s the most realistic husband in the game. Without a doubt, Sebastian is the best bachelor in Stardew Valley.

After marrying Sebastian, he makes Coffee sometimes for the player in the mornings. He sets up a display area for his motorcycle in the space outdoors, where he can be seen working on it every so often.

Sebastian’s Likes and Dislikes

How to Trigger Sebastian’s Heart Events

• Two Hearts: Go to Robin’s house and enter Sebastian’s room when he is home
• Four Hearts: Go to the mountain area any day from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Six Hearts: Enter Sebastian’s basement any time he is home again
• Eight Hearts: On a Rainy day, go to the beach between 12 p.m. and 11 p.m.
• Ten Hearts (Dating): Enter the mountain area again any day from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m.
• 14 Hearts (Marriage): Two-part cutscene – first, on a Rainy day, go to the mountain once again from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Then, leave and re-enter the house any time the next day.