Should you choose Forester or Gatherer in Stardew Valley?

Stardew Valley has an assortment of professions for you to specialise in, but one of the most important is the decision between Forester or Gatherer - so I'm here to break down the pros and cons of both in the game.

Whether you want to focus on building your relationships with the likes of Sebastian and the other townsfolk or prefer to build up a stunning farm, there’s plenty to do, and these professions in the Foraging skill will undoubtedly help you.

Should you choose Forester or Gather in Stardew Valley?

The short and simple answer is that it doesn’t matter whether you choose Forester or Gatherer in Stardew Valley as it is entirely suited to your playstyle and can be changed later.

I for one favour the Gatherer profession early on in the game as it allows me to get my finances up to snuff. However, when it comes to upgrading your farm and getting new materials for buildings later on, the Forester will undoubtedly come in handy.

What is the Forester profession in Stardew Valley?

The Forester profession in Stardew Valley allows you to get 25% more wood after chopping down a tree, log or stump. This can come in handy if you’re looking to start upgrading buildings and spend a lot of time crafting.

Click to enlarge

As you upgrade your Foraging skill, if you choose Forester, you’ll eventually get to choose between the professions below after reaching the maximum level:

I tend to choose the Lumberjack option here, as hardwood can be a pretty scarce material.

What is the Gatherer profession in Stardew Valley?

The Gatherer profession in Stardew Valley provides you with a 20% chance of doubling harvested or foraged items. So if you’re looking to tick off your Community Centre bundles or make some cash quickly, this is the profession for you.

Click to enlarge

As the second part of the Foraging skill, like the Forester, reaching the maximum level as a Gatherer will allow you to choose between the following final professions.

I tend to choose the Botanist route here so that I can make more money from my foraged items.

That’s everything you need to get started with the Forester and Gatherer professions in Stardew Valley. If you’re on the hunt for even more guides, be sure to check out our Stardew Valley homepage where you’ll find out how to change your appearance and how to complete the Luau.