Unlocking Secret Note 19 in Stardew Valley: A Comprehensive Guide

Stardew Valley, the beloved farming simulator, is packed with secrets and hidden quests that keep players engaged for hundreds of hours. One such mystery is the elusive Secret Notes, scattered throughout the game. These notes, when discovered and deciphered, often lead to unique encounters, valuable items, and a deeper understanding of the game’s lore. Among these, Secret Note 19 stands out as one of the most sought-after and, arguably, the most challenging to decipher for new players. This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step of how to obtain and understand Secret Note 19, helping you unlock its hidden reward.

What are Secret Notes in Stardew Valley?

Before we dive into Secret Note 19 specifically, let’s briefly discuss what Secret Notes are in Stardew Valley. Secret Notes are collectible items that begin appearing after the player has reached a certain point in the game. These notes are often cryptic drawings, incomplete phrases, or simply strange symbols that, when interpreted correctly, reveal locations, characters, or hidden mechanics. Finding and deciphering all Secret Notes is part of the late-game content and often requires meticulous exploration and deduction.

You’ll gain access to secret notes after reaching a heart level of two with the NPC George. You’ll get a cutscene while entering the mountains on a day that isn’t raining, in which you see a shadowy figure (which is later revealed to be Krobus) rummaging through the bushes, and it drops a magnifying glass. This allows you to then start finding the secret notes around the valley by tilling the soil, fishing, breaking barrels, and other actions.

The Importance of Secret Note 19

Secret Note 19 is particularly intriguing because it doesn’t lead to a simple item or a single location. Instead, it provides a crucial set of instructions that will take you on a multi-step journey across the entire Stardew Valley map. This journey culminates in the acquisition of a very special in-game item, making it a crucial goal for players seeking to complete the game’s content and experience everything it has to offer. Furthermore, this note’s cryptic nature often leaves players feeling lost and unsure of the next step, making this guide particularly valuable.

Decoding Secret Note 19

Secret Note 19, once found, presents a unique challenge. It doesn’t contain any text; instead, it’s a visual puzzle comprised of a series of arrows. The arrows, when followed in sequence, guide the player to specific locations on the game map. Understanding the starting point and following each arrow precisely is key to uncovering the reward.

The note shows a series of arrows pointing in the following sequence: Up, Right, Down, Right, Up, Right, Down, Left, Up, Left.

Step-by-Step Guide to Solving Secret Note 19

Here’s a detailed breakdown of each step required to decipher and follow Secret Note 19, along with tips to ensure you stay on the correct path:

Step 1: Locating the Starting Point

The starting point for the Secret Note 19 treasure hunt is not explicitly mentioned in the note. However, it’s generally accepted by the community that the starting point is located in the center of Pelican Town, near the center of the town square, next to the well. Specifically, you want to stand to the left of the well and facing up, towards the town’s center.

Tip: Make sure you have the Secret Note 19 in your inventory to track your progress, and it is advised to have a full day to complete this sequence. Also be sure to have plenty of energy.

Step 2: Following the Arrows

Once you are positioned in the starting location, follow the arrows in sequence, one step at a time, pressing the action button (usually the right mouse button or controller A button on PC) at each location.

The arrow sequence is: Up, Right, Down, Right, Up, Right, Down, Left, Up, Left.

Here is a detailed breakdown of where you need to move to in each step:

Up: Starting from the well, move one step up to the center of the town square. You should be near the paved paths leading up towards the Community Center and Pierre’s General Store. The player character should be standing on the town square pavement.

Right: Move one step to the right of the last position. This means you should move toward the path in front of Pierre’s General Store. The player should be facing right and be on the pavement.

Down: Move one step down on the pavement, toward the south of town, but still on the path in front of Pierre’s General Store. The player should be on the pavement facing south towards the river.

Right: Move one step to the right again. You should now be standing between Pierre’s General Store and the wooden fence, facing east, and on the path.

Up: Move one step up, so you’re right next to the wooden fence on the left of Pierre’s General Store. The player character should be facing north, and close to the fence.

Right: Move one step to the right. You should be standing right on top of the small dirt path leading to the bridge that takes you to the eastern side of the town, facing east, with the town’s fence on your left.

Down: Move one step down onto the town’s fence border, which is a narrow horizontal line of the fence leading towards the river. The player should be facing south, and in the middle of the horizontal part of the fence.

Left: Move one step left, so now you should be walking on the same fence border, one space west from your last position. The player should be facing west, following the fence border.

Up: Move one step up, so you’re facing north, walking into the grass next to the fence. You should be between the fence and the trees leading into the eastern part of town.

Left: Move one step left. This is the final location in the sequence. The player should now be facing west, standing behind the tree right next to the fence. You should still be standing between the fence and the tree.

Step 3: Digging for the Reward

After completing the arrow sequence and standing behind the last tree to the left of the fence, you will notice that the Secret Note 19 is marked as completed and has a tick mark on its icon. At this location you should now use your hoe to till the earth. If you have correctly followed the instructions, you’ll dig up the Strange Doll (Green). It’s a unique artifact that can be donated to the museum for a reward.

Tip: Make sure you have a hoe in your inventory before starting the Secret Note 19 sequence. You can craft one with some wood and stone in the early game.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Sometimes players encounter issues while trying to follow the Secret Note 19 instructions. Here are some common problems and their solutions:

• Starting Point Confusion: Double-check that you are indeed starting from the well in the center of the town, next to the well and are facing up (north) with the well on the right side of your character.
• Incorrect Movement: Follow each arrow one step at a time, ensuring you are facing the correct direction before taking the next step. It’s easy to get lost if you move multiple steps at once, if you do, it is easier to go back to the starting point and begin the sequence again.
• Missing Hoe: Make sure you have a hoe in your inventory before reaching the final location. You won’t be able to dig up the reward without it.
• Daylight Cycle: Make sure you start early in the day. If you have a very slow pace, you might run out of time and will need to finish the sequence on the next day.

Why is the Strange Doll (Green) Special?

The Strange Doll (Green), while it might not seem like a spectacular reward, is a valuable artifact in the game. It has several important uses:

• Museum Donation: It can be donated to the Stardew Valley Museum, contributing to your collection and yielding a reward from Gunther. Completing the museum collection is a key part of completing the game’s challenges.
• Unique Collectible: Some players also keep the Strange Doll (Green) as a unique collectable item to display at their farm or house.

Beyond Secret Note 19

Once you successfully solve Secret Note 19, the journey of the Secret Notes is far from over. There are several other notes to find, each with its unique puzzle and rewards. Solving all of the secret notes will bring you closer to experiencing all that Stardew Valley has to offer. Some of the other notable Secret Notes to look out for are: Secret Note 20, which leads to a special item, and Secret Note 24, which leads to another hidden location.

Conclusion

Unlocking Secret Note 19 in Stardew Valley is a challenging yet rewarding experience. It tests players’ exploration skills, attention to detail, and patience. By carefully following the arrow sequence and using this guide, you’ll be able to obtain the Strange Doll (Green) and add it to your museum collection. Remember, the world of Stardew Valley is full of secrets just waiting to be uncovered, so don’t be afraid to explore, experiment, and most importantly, have fun!

So, get your hoe ready, your magnifying glass out, and start your hunt for secret notes today! Happy farming!