My Time at Sandrock
My Time at Sandrock

Gift Giving & Preferences

Boost relationships in My Time at Sandrock by mastering gift giving. Learn each character's preferences to gain favor and unlock new content.

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Gift Giving & Preferences

Building strong relationships in Sandrock is key to unlocking unique quests, story events, and even romance. One of the most effective ways to boost your standing with the townsfolk is through thoughtful gift-giving. However, not all gifts are created equal! Understanding each character's preferences is crucial to maximizing your relationship gains.

Understanding Gift Tiers

Each gift you give will fall into one of several tiers, affecting how much relationship points (RP) you gain or lose:

  • Loves: +10-12 RP (Highly effective, seek these out!)
  • Likes: +5-7 RP (Good for consistent gains)
  • Neutral: +1-2 RP (Minimal impact, use as a last resort)
  • Dislikes: -1-2 RP (Avoid if possible)
  • Hates: -5-7 RP (Significantly damages relationships, never give these!)

You can give one gift per day to each NPC. On their birthday, giving a gift from their "Loves" or "Likes" category will yield significantly more RP, often doubling or tripling the usual amount. Always check the calendar for upcoming birthdays!

General Gift-Giving Strategies

  1. Consult the Social Tab: Once you've interacted with an NPC a few times, their "Social" tab in your menu will begin to populate with their known preferences. Pay close attention to the "Loves" and "Likes" categories.
  2. Early Game Staples: In the early stages, resources can be scarce. Consider these universally liked (or at least neutral) items:
    • Copper Bars: Easily crafted from Copper Ore found in the Eufaula Salvage Abandoned Ruins. Most characters will at least like these.
    • Iron Bars: A step up from Copper, crafted from Iron Ore in the Eufaula Salvage Abandoned Ruins (deeper levels) or Gecko Station Ruins.
    • Basic Food Items: Simple cooked dishes like Stir-fried Noodles or Meat Skewers (recipes found early on) are often liked by many.
  3. Resource Management: Don't deplete your valuable crafting materials on gifts unless it's a "Loves" item for a character you're actively pursuing. Balance gift-giving with your workshop's needs.
  4. Seasonal Foraging: Keep an eye out for seasonal plants and ingredients. Some characters have specific preferences for these. For example, Sandberries are a common early-game forage that many characters like.
  5. Commission Rewards: Sometimes, completing commissions will reward you with unique items that are "Loves" for certain NPCs. Always check your inventory after completing a job!

Finding Specific "Loves" and "Likes"

To truly optimize your gift-giving, you'll need to target specific items. Here's how to acquire some common favorites:

For Mi-an:
  • Loves:
    • Advanced Engines: Requires significant workshop upgrades and advanced materials. Focus on this later in the game.
    • Data Discs: Found by salvaging in the Eufaula Salvage Abandoned Ruins or Gecko Station Ruins. A great early-to-mid game gift.
  • Likes:
    • Copper Bars: As mentioned, a solid choice.
    • Iron Bars: Another good metallic option.
    • Simple Circuits: Crafted at an Assembly Station, requires Copper Bars and Rubber.
For Arvio:
  • Loves:
    • Fancy Glass: Crafted at a Civil Recycler from Glass. Glass can be found by breaking down relics or purchasing from the Commerce Guild Store.
    • Shiny Scraps: Found by breaking down various scrap piles in the Eufaula Salvage Abandoned Ruins.
  • Likes:
    • Bronze Bars: Crafted from Copper and Tin Ore. Tin Ore is found in the Eufaula Salvage Abandoned Ruins.
    • Small Gears: Often dropped by enemies in ruins or crafted from Copper Bars.
For Amirah:
  • Loves:
    • Flower Arrangements: Crafted at an Advanced Assembly Station. Requires various flowers, which can be grown in your workshop's planting boxes or foraged.
    • Elegant Furniture: Specific furniture pieces crafted at an Assembly Station. Check the crafting menu for items labeled "Elegant."
  • Likes:
    • Roses: Can be grown from seeds purchased at the By the Stairs store or found through foraging.
    • Silk: Obtained from Silk Cocoons, which are dropped by certain enemies or found in specific ruins.

Remember, consistency is key! Even small daily gifts can add up over time. Happy gifting, Builder!