Some rare materials and items can only be obtained by slaying some mobs in Stardew Valley. The ghosts, in particular, can drop those precious Prismatic Shards, but also a “curious substance” that the Wizard wants. Here’s how you can find Ghosts and collect these goodies.
How to Find Ghosts in Stardew Valley
There are three types of Ghosts you can come across in Stardew Valley: a Ghost, a Carbon Ghost, and a Putrid Ghost. All of them are in the same location but can perform various debuffs and attacks on you. The Putrid Ghost is the most powerful of the bunch.
You’ll have a chance at finding all ghosts in the Mines starting at levels 51 through 79. However, some powerful ghosts can also be found in the Skull Caverns. Here are all their potential locations:
| Ghost | Carbon Ghost | Putrid Ghost |
|---|---|---|
| The Mines (Floors 51-79) | The Mines (Floors 31-39) Skull Cavern (Mummy Levels) | The Mines (Floors 51-69) |
How to Get Through Mine Levels Faster
If you have yet to venture far down in the Mines, you can get through them faster by using Staircases. This way, you don’t have to break any rocks to find a ladder down to the next level; you can place your own ladders and descend much faster.
You’ll unlock the Staircase crafting recipe by reaching Mining level 2. You can do this by using your pickaxe to break open rocks, whether you’re actually in the Mines or not. Once you have the recipe, you can craft them with 99 Stone each. After you have some, select the Staircase in your quick slots and press on the floor where you’d like to place it. Then, you can descend it just like any other ladder.
How to Defeat Ghosts
The best way to defeat ghosts is to use your most high-powered weapon. This can be a sword or a club. It doesn’t matter if it’s slower. As long as you swing right as it approaches you, you can keep knocking it back before it has the chance to hit you. Since ghosts can teleport through any obstacles in their path, you’re better off staying rooted in your spot and preparing your swing as they come toward you. You can avoid taking damage at the same time as delivering damage if you can time your swings precisely.
All Potential Ghost Drops
Defeating ghosts can give you some pretty great loot, including some rare Ectoplasm. These are some other drops they can have:
- Dwarf Scroll II
- Dwarf Scroll IV
- Ghostfish
- Gold Ore
- Refined Quartz
- Solar Essence
- Ectoplasm (With “A Curious Substance” Quest)
- Diamond (When you reach the bottom of the Mines)
- Prismatic Shard (When you reach the bottom of the Mines)
How to Get Ectoplasm in Stardew Valley
Unlike other loot items that all have a chance to drop when a ghost is defeated, the Ectoplasm can only be obtained when you have a specific quest activated. That quest is called “A Curious Substance.”
You can get this quest via the Special Order Board, just below Mayor Lewis’s house in the town center. It will become available on the first day of Fall in Year One. The task requires you to bring one Ectoplasm to the Wizard within the time constraints. During this time, and this time only, you’ll be able to get Ectoplasm from slaying ghosts.
The tricky part about this challenge is, Ectoplasm only has a 9.5% chance to drop from each ghost. This means you’ll have to defeat several ghosts before you’re bound to find any. If you don’t find any on your first time through floors 51-69, head back up to the Mines entrance. Then, take the elevator back down to respawn them and try again.
Looking for more tips like this? Check out GameSkinny’s Stardew Valley hub and follow along with our guides on how to get Jellies or Moss.
