💀 Skull Cavern

Skull Cavern is a dangerous late-game dungeon located in the Desert in Stardew Valley. Unlike the Mines, it has no bottom floor — players can descend indefinitely, with enemies, ores, and loot becoming more challenging the deeper they go. Skull Cavern is a primary source of Iridium Ore and other rare treasures, and is central to several quests from Mr. Qi.

📍 Access

• Located in the northwest corner of the Desert.
• Unlocked after obtaining the Skull Key from the bottom of the Mines (floor 120).
• Requires bus travel to the Desert (500g per trip once the Bus is repaired).

🌟 Features

• Infinite depth — no bottom floor.
• Enemies include Serpents, Mummies, Slimes, and Pepper Rex.
• Large supply of Iridium Ore, along with other valuable ores and gems.
• Treasure Rooms appear randomly and can contain rare items like Prismatic Shards, Seeds, and Weapons.
• Ladders and shafts allow players to descend — shafts drop multiple floors at once.

📜 Quests

• Qi’s Challenge: Reach level 25 in Skull Cavern for a reward.
• Skull Cavern Invasion: Late-game quest where stronger monsters appear, rewarding players with rare loot.

💡 Strategy

• Use staircases to skip dangerous or unproductive floors.
• Stock up on food that restores both health and energy — Spicy Eel and Coffee provide speed boosts.
• Bombs clear large sections quickly and reveal ladders/shafts faster.
• Equip strong weapons like the Galaxy Sword or Infinity series for survival.
• Time management is critical — plan your Desert trips early in the day.