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# Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the most common Cornucopia questions!
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## Getting Started
### How do I start playing?
Create a new save, customize your character, and you'll wake up on your new farm. Talk to NPCs, clear your farm, and start planting crops!
### What should I do first?
1. Clear debris from your farm
2. Plant the starter seeds you received
3. Water your crops daily
4. Explore town and meet NPCs
5. Check the mailbox for letters
### Is there a tutorial?
Yes! The game guides you through basics in the first few days. Pay attention to the letters in your mailbox.
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## Farming
### Why won't my crops grow?
- **Not watered:** Crops only grow on days they're watered
- **Wrong season:** Seeds only grow in their specific season
- **Need time:** Most crops take 8+ days to mature
### What's the NPK system?
NPK stands for Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium - soil nutrients that affect crop quality. Match your soil type to your crop type for bonuses!
### Do crops die at season change?
Yes! Harvest everything before the season ends or crops will wither.
### Can I grow crops in Winter?
Only 2 crops grow in Winter: Icy Root and Snow Pea. Stock up on food in Fall!
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## Relationships
### How do I increase hearts with NPCs?
- Talk to them twice daily (+3 hearts)
- Give them a gift once per day (+1 to +6 hearts)
- Brush their animals if they have one (+1 to +3 hearts)
### Do hearts decay over time?
No! Once you earn hearts, they stay forever.
### How do I find out NPC's favorite gifts?
Favorite items are randomized each save. You'll discover them by reaching heart level 3 and 5, or by experimenting with gifts.
### How do I start dating?
1. Reach heart level 5 with a romanceable NPC
2. Buy a Romantic Gift Box from Harold's Store
3. Give it to them and accept when they ask to date!
### Can I marry anyone regardless of gender?
Yes! Cornucopia has a gender-neutral romance system.
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## Festivals
### How many festivals are there?
13 festivals throughout the year:
- Spring: 4 festivals
- Summer: 3 festivals
- Fall: 2 festivals
- Winter: 4 festivals
### What happens if I miss a festival?
You'll have to wait until next year to attend that festival.
### How do I win the Fishing Festival?
Catch the heaviest/longest fish! Use good bait and target large species like Anglerfish.
### How do I win the Cooking Festival?
Submit a cooked dish. Higher quality dishes score better. Prepare something fancy!
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## Mining & Combat
### Where are the mines?
The Old Mines are the starting dungeon. Look for the mine entrance on the map.
### How do I unlock more dungeons?
Defeat bosses to unlock the next area:
Spider Boss → Beach Caves → Slime Area → Lava Area → Frozen Caves
### What weapon should I use?
Personal preference! Swords are balanced, heavy weapons hit hard, ranged weapons are safer. Try different types!
### How do I heal in dungeons?
Eat food! Cook dishes or bring raw ingredients that restore health.
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## Items & Inventory
### How do I get more inventory space?
Upgrade your backpack! Check shops for backpack upgrades.
### Where do I sell items?
Use the shipping bin on your farm. Items sell overnight.
### What should I keep vs sell?
**Keep:** Cooking ingredients, ores for crafting, favorite gifts for NPCs
**Sell:** Excess crops, common items, duplicates
### How do I get recipes?
- Befriend NPCs (4 recipes per NPC at levels 3, 5, 7, 9)
- Attend festivals
- Successfully cook new dishes
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## Technical
### Does the game support controllers?
Yes! Full controller support including Steam Deck. See [[Guides/Controls|Controls Guide]].
### Can I rebind controls?
Yes! All controls are rebindable in Settings > Controls.
### Does the game have multiplayer?
Multiplayer is in development. Check the [[Updates/Roadmap|Roadmap]] for updates.
### How do I save the game?
The game auto-saves when you sleep. You can also save manually through the menu.
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## Achievements
### How many achievements are there?
97 Steam achievements covering all aspects of gameplay.
### What's the hardest achievement?
"Fat Cat" (Earn $10,000,000) and "Death Itself" (Kill 1000 Enemies) are among the longest grinds.
### Are there hidden achievements?
Yes! Some achievements are hidden and require experimentation to discover.
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## Miscellaneous
### Is there a time limit?
No! Play at your own pace with no forced bedtime.
### Can I adjust game speed?
Yes! Game speed can be adjusted in settings.
### What happens if I pass out?
You'll wake up at home and may lose some items. Try to sleep before running out of energy!
### Is Penelope really vegetarian?
Yes! Don't give her meat gifts or she'll dislike them.
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## Still Have Questions?
- Check the [[Guides/Cornucopia Game Guide|Game Guide]] for comprehensive information
- Join the [Discord Community](https://discord.com/invite/cornucopia)
- Visit the [Steam Discussions](https://steamcommunity.com/app/1681600/discussions/)
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*Last updated: November 29, 2025*