Although Stardew Valley features a character creation system with two gender options, the differences between male and female farmers are minimal, consisting of a few lines of dialogue and the pronouns used by non-playable characters (NPCs). This beloved indie farming simulator does not impose any restrictions based on gender, and players are free to pursue romantic relationships with any of the available bachelors or bachelorettes, regardless of their character’s gender.
Additionally, players have the freedom to customize their character’s hairstyle and color, making it clear that there is truly no distinction in gameplay based on gender—it’s entirely a matter of personal choice. Some players, however, might feel the need to switch genders during their playthrough, prompting them to explore how to alter their character’s gender.
Can You Change Genders in Stardew Valley?
Changing Genders is a Simple Process for a Small Fee
The differences between genders in Stardew Valley are so subtle that many players have been surprised to find they’ve been playing as a different gender than they intended. There are amusing instances where players have misgendered their characters, like when a male character they were romancing expresses unfamiliar feelings for another man. Such mix-ups are relatively inconsequential since players can marry, have children, and participate in all activities regardless of their character’s gender.
For those who wish to change their gender, there’s good news. You can switch your gender for 500 gold at the Shrine of Illusions, located in the basement of the Wizard’s Tower. This feature was introduced in Update 1.5, released in 2020. However, there are a few prerequisites to accomplish before you can make this change.
How to Change Your Gender in Stardew Valley
Become Friends with the Wizard
To change genders in Stardew Valley, players first need to build a friendship with the Wizard, who resides in the tower in Cindersap Forest. To unlock the Wizard’s Tower for visits, players can take one of the following actions:
- Read the golden scroll in the Crafts Room of the Community Center.
- Purchase a JojaMart membership.
Completing either of these tasks will grant access to the Wizard’s tower, with the Community Center option also letting players understand the Junimos’ language. After unlocking the tower, you can visit the Wizard any day between 6 AM and 11 PM, except on festival days.
Tip: To win the Wizard’s favor quickly, consider gifting him items he loves, such as the Book of Mysteries, Purple Mushroom, Solar Essence, Super Cucumber, and Void Essence.
Once players gain access to the Wizard’s tower, befriending him allows them to unlock the option to visit his basement, which houses the magical Shrine of Illusions. Here, you can modify your farmer’s appearance, colors, and even their favorite items. This is also where you can change your gender in Stardew Valley.
