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You’ve been throwing Turnips at everyone in Selphia for three weeks, and Arthur still hasn't noticed you. It’s frustrating. Honestly, the Rune Factory 4 gift guide meta is a lot more nuanced than just "give people food." If you're playing the Special version on Switch or the original on 3DS, you probably know that friendship (FP) and love points (LP) are the lifeblood of the game. They unlock sub-events, better shop prices, and eventually, marriage. But if you’re just spamming random items, you’re wasting your gold and your time.
Most players make the mistake of thinking one gift a day is the cap. It’s not. You can actually stack bonuses by giving one "Loved" gift, one "Liked" gift, and one "Neutral" gift every single day. That's three separate boosts. If you're trying to rush someone to level 10 so they'll finally join your party or accept a confession, you need to be efficient.
The Bachelor's Club: Winning Over the Guys
The bachelors in Selphia are a picky bunch. You can’t just hand a man a rock and expect a ring.
Vishnal and Arthur
Vishnal is your classic "overly-earnest butler." He absolutely loves Curry Rice. If you’re early in the game, just give him any vegetable except a Turnip. Seriously, he hates Turnips. It’s his one quirk. On the flip side, Arthur is the prince of the town and has expensive taste. He loves Turnip Heaven and Salmon Onigiri. If you can’t make those yet, he’s happy with a regular Turnip or a pair of Glasses. Yes, he likes receiving eyewear as a gift.
Dylas and Leon
Dylas is the "tsundere" horse-man who stays at the inn. He loves Milk Porridge. It’s a bit of a pain to cook, so in the meantime, just catch some fish. He likes almost any fish or Sashimi. Just don't give him sweets; he’ll react like you’re trying to poison him. Then there's Leon. This guy is ancient and loves things that hurt. His absolute favorites are Salted Rainbow Trout and Grilled Lamp Squid. He also likes "poisonous" items like Poison Powder or even a Charm Blue flower.
Doug and Kiel
Doug is the energetic guy at the General Store. His favorites are Tempura Bowls, but since those are high-level recipes, stick to Rice or Onigiri. Note that Doug’s friendship level is locked by story progress for a long time, so don't freak out if it won't go past level 3 early on. Kiel, Forte's little brother, is a bookworm. He loves Stew and Chocolate Cake. He’s also one of the few characters who actually likes receiving Boss drops (those items you get after beating a dungeon guardian).
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The Bachelorettes: More Than Just Flowers
While many of the girls like flowers, giving a Toyherb every day is the slow route. You want the "Loves" to really move the needle.
Margaret and Forte
Margaret is the town’s musician. She loves Prelude to Love and Pineapple Juice. If you’re just starting out, she likes any fruit or flower. Just stay away from Squid; she finds them gross. Forte, the noble knight, has a secret sweet tooth. She loves Chocolate Cake and Omelet Rice. She’s also a fan of flowers and egg dishes. She plays it cool, but the cake is the fastest way to her heart.
Amber and Xiao Pai
Amber is the butterfly girl who lives at the flower shop. She loves Mixed Smoothies and Emery Flowers. She likes most juices and honey, but she hates fish. If you give her a fish, her dialogue is heartbreakingly disappointed. Xiao Pai works at the inn and is incredibly clumsy. She loves Crystal Flowers and Emery Flowers. If those are too rare, she really likes Chinese-style dishes like Gyoza or Manju.
Dolce and Clorica
Dolce is the gothic girl living with Pico. She loves Pumpkin Flan and Cake. She’s also into medicine and "soft" materials like Yarn or Quality Fur. Don't give her cold drinks; she prefers Hot Milk or Hot Chocolate. Clorica, the narcoleptic maid, loves Apple Pie and Platinum. She’s surprisingly into high-end ores. If you’re broke, just give her an Apple. She loves anything with apples in it.
The Townspeople: Why You Shouldn't Ignore Them
You might be focused on romance, but the other villagers provide some of the best perks in the game.
- Venti (Ventuswill): Our beloved Elder Dragon loves Gold Vegetables and Pancakes. If you haven't unlocked those, she’s fine with basic Vegetables or Honey.
- Volkanon: The butler loves Relax Tea. He also likes Lumber and Material Stone, which is great because you probably have thousands of those sitting in your bin.
- Bado: The lazy blacksmith loves Egg Bowls and Udon. Weirdly, he also likes Scrap Metal. If you fail at crafting, just give the junk to him.
- Porcoline: The eccentric chef loves Mushrooms and Vegetables. He’s probably the easiest person to befriend since you can find mushrooms for free in the forest every day.
- Illuminata: The detective loves Relax Tea. She also likes flowers and bread.
The Secret "5-Gift" Mechanic Nobody Talks About
Here is a pro tip that most people miss. If you give a villager five homemade items (things you actually cooked or crafted yourself), they will often give you a gift in return. This can be repeated.
For example, if you give Bado five homemade items, he might give you a high-level weapon or piece of armor. Dylas will give you rare fish. This is a fantastic way to get items you aren't high enough level to craft yet. It turns the Rune Factory 4 gift guide from a one-way street into a literal bartering system.
Fast Friendship Strategy: The Daily Routine
If you want to hit Level 10 with everyone before the end of the first year, you need a routine. First, use the Greeting Spell. It’s a tiny boost, but it hits everyone in range. Second, invite your target into your party. They gain friendship points just by walking around with you and fighting monsters.
Third, check the calendar. Giving a "Loved" gift on someone's birthday is a massive multiplier. If it’s Margaret’s birthday (Spring 21) and you give her a Prelude to Love, the FP bar will jump significantly more than it would on a normal day.
Dealing with Dislikes
It’s just as important to know what not to give.
- Dylas: Hates sweets.
- Arthur: Hates Grilled Fish.
- Vishnal: Hates Turnips (the irony).
- Amber: Hates Fish.
- Xiao Pai: Hates Tomatoes.
- Dolce: Hates Vegetables.
If you accidentally give someone a "Hated" item, it can actually decrease their friendship points. If you're unsure, "Neutral" items like Rice or most seeds are always a safe bet. They won't give a huge boost, but they won't hurt your progress either.
Raising friendship in Rune Factory 4 isn't just about the numbers; it's about unlocking the soul of the game. Once you hit high levels, the dialogue changes, the town feels more alive, and you get access to the "Newlywed Mode" and "Another Story" content in the Special edition. Start hoarding those Apples and making that Curry Rice today.
Actionable Next Steps
- Craft a Cooking Table: You cannot effectively gift-give without cooking. Even a simple "Simple Cook" tool allows you to turn fish into Sashimi or rice into Onigiri.
- Check the Birthday Calendar: Open your menu and look at the calendar. Mark down the next three birthdays and start preparing their "Loved" gifts now.
- Use the "Like" Stacking: Tomorrow, give your favorite character one Loved gift, one Liked gift, and one Neutral gift. Watch how much faster the bar moves compared to your usual routine.