Tools are fundamental to surviving inStardew Valley.While some tools can be upgraded by taking the right metal bars to Clint’s Blacksmithing Shop, other Tools can only be improved through replacement. Your trusty scythe is one of them. Unlike your other tools, you won’t be able to upgrade your Scythe at Clint’s shop.

To get the Golden or Iridium Scythes, you need to unlock or find them through some careful exploring of both the world and your skills. Getting theIridium Scytheis a journey, and that journey will take you to some of the latest stages of the game.

Stardew Valley: The player cuts tall grass with their Iridium Scythe.

What Is The Iridium Scythe?

Likeall tools in Stardew Valley, you canimprove your Scytheup to theIridium level.

While you are more likely to find theGolden Scythe first, you do not need to have found theGolden Scythebefore obtaining the Iridium upgrade.

Stardew Valley: The player stands inside of the Mastery Cave

Unlike other tools, however, your Scythecannot be upgradedmanually by visiting Clint’s shop. The only way toimprove your Scytheis to find either of thetwo upgraded versionsof the Scythe, theGolden Scythe or the Iridium Scythe.

The Iridium Scythe allows you toharvest all cropson your farm with its swing andincreases the amount of hayyou receive from cuttingTall Grasstonearly 100 percent.

Stardew Valley: The player stands in front of the Mastery Cave.

You cannot harvest fruits off of Fruit Trees with your Iridium Scythe and can only harvest forageables that were planted from wild seeds on your farm.

You can also use the Iridium Scythe to harvestHay from Weeds, provided that you have enchanted your Scythe with theHaymaker enchantmentat Ginger Island’sVolcano Forge. The boost in Hay harvested alsoapplies to Weeds.

Stardew Valley: An image of the player’s skills tab with full skill completion.

Requirements To Unlock The Iridium Scythe

Getting the Iridium Scythewon’tbe as simple as retrieving the Golden Scythe. Earning the Iridium Scythe is atwo-step process, and you likely won’t have access to the Scythe until you reach the game’slater stages.

The Iridium Scythe has to be earned bycompleting your Skill barsandearning full Farming Masteryat theMastery Cave.

Stardew Valley: An image of the Farming Mastery rewards list.

Where To Find The Iridium Scythe

To find the Iridium Scythe, head down to thesoutheasternquadrant ofCindersap Forest. Justabovewhere the Spring Onions grow and where you can find the Sewer Grate, there is adoor in the cliffside. This door leads to the Mastery Cave.

You need to be able to access the inside of the Mastery Cave in order to earn the Iridium Scythe.

How To Unlock And Open The Mastery Cave

Opening the Mastery Cave won’t be easy. Tounlock the doorto the Mastery Cave, you need to first reachlevel ten in all of your skills.

To check your skill level progress,open your player journaland open the icon of yourcharacter’s face. This is theSkills tab,and it will show you your progress in each skill as well as whatmilestone choicesyou have made along the way, such as whichProfessions you have chosen.

To reach level ten in each skill, practice each skillas much as possible.

For tips on how tolevel upyour five skills more quickly, see ourForaging,Fishing,Farming,Combat, andMiningguides.

Once you have reached the tenth level in all of your skills, you willreceive a messagesaying that you now have access to a new area. This is the Mastery Cave. Once this notification pops up, you canhead to the Mastery Caveand start the next stage in the process.

How To Complete Farming Mastery And Collect The Iridium Scythe

When you explore the Mastery Cave, you will find anote from Grandfathertelling you that he created the Mastery System with you in mind. This system is different from the way you improved your skills in thefirst ten levels.

Rather than earning skill points for specific skills, you are now earning skill points tofill a general Mastery Bar. The Mastery Bar hasfive milestonelevels. Upon completing a Mastery Bar milestone, you can choose tocomplete a Mastery Altarat the Mastery Cave.

You can earn yourfirstMastery Altar once you have collected10,000 experience points. If you’re aiming to earn the Iridium Scythe, you shouldchoose the Farming Mastery Altar first.

All the experienceyou earn in Stardew Valley,regardless of the skill practiced, will fill the Mastery Bar.

Once you have filled your mastery bar andselected the Farming Altar, you will immediately be rewarded with the Iridium Scythe. Completing the Farming Mastery Altar also rewards you with therecipe for the Statue of Blessingsand grants you the ability to start findingGolden Animal Crackers.