The Galaxy Sword is one of the best weapons in Stardew Valley, and I consider it one of the most important early unlocks if you want to make any meaningful runs in the Skull Cavern. It’s a huge jump from any other base weapons you will find, and will easily carry you even into late game combat.
Unlike other weapons, the Galaxy Sword has a unique way of unlocking it, and even though I wouldn’t consider it difficult to unlock, it’s easy to completely miss if you’ve no concept of what to do.
You can unlock the Galaxy Sword using a Prismatic Shard in The Desert, standing in between the three pillars with it. So you’ll need to have a Prismatic Shard on you and have unlocked the bus.
What You Need to Get the Galaxy sword
A Prismatic Shard
This colourful Shard is needed to magically create a Galaxy Sword out of it.
While there are many ways to obtain a Prismatic Shard, the most reliable ways will require you to have reached the bottom of the Mines, and have the Desert unlocked. Your best chance is to head into the Skull Cavern (preferably on a high luck day) and break open Iridium Nodes. This will give you a 3.5% chance per node.
You’ll also have a small chance from killing serpents, and an even smaller chance from killing any monsters (once you’ve reached the bottom of the mines).
Still haven’t found one?
Provided you didn’t struggle too much during your Skull Cavern runs, you should have a stack of Omni Geodes you can break open. Breaking these open gives you a 0.4% chance of getting one. Might not look like much but stacked on top of the other ways and you will get a Prismatic Shard before long.
TIP
When you do finally get one, it will tell you to take it to Gunther like every other mineral and artifact. Do not do this yet. No prize from Gunther is better than getting a Galaxy Sword. In fact I would say having the Galaxy Sword makes getting more Prismatic Shards far easier.

Access to Calico Desert
In order to get your Galaxy Sword, you need to first unlock The Desert. You can do this by completing the Vault Bundle in the Community Center, or by purchasing Bus Repair from Joja if you went the evil route.
The next day the bus becomes operational and you can buy a ticket from the silver box near the bus for 500G, and Pam will drive you there.
How to Get the Galaxy Sword
Step 1: Take a Prismatic Shard to Calico Desert
You’ve gotten your Prismatic Shard and you have the desert unlocked. Now go buy a ticket, and hop on the bus to Calico desert.
Don’t forget to bring the Prismatic Shard.

Don’t worry, if Pam isn’t present you can just drive yourself
Step 2: Find the Three Pillars
Head a little north of the Desert Trader and you’ll find three pillars positioned in a way that makes it very obvious it wants something in the middle of them. It even has a ring of pebbles with a sand mound in the middle of it.
It’s hard to miss.

Here is a photo in case you really do struggle with where to stand
Step 3: Hold the Prismatic Shard Between the Pillars
With your Prismatic Shard in your hands, stand in the middle of the pillars, on top of the sand mound. Magical things will happen and your Prismatic Shard will turn into the Galaxy Sword.
Congratulations, you now have one of the strongest weapons in the game.
IMPORTANT: I feel like I need to have a disclaimer, and remind you that your Prismatic Shard will be consumed. It’s definitely worth it, but just another heads up.

This weapon will be a significant boost to your Damage at this point in the game.
Want to see exactly how it’s done?
This is a great video by ezlilyy showing you exactly how to get the Galaxy Sword in your first year.
The Galaxy Weapons
Now that you have unlocked the Galaxy sword, you have also unlocked the other Galaxy Weapons; the Galaxy Hammer and the Galaxy Dagger.
You can purchase all three weapons from the Adventurer’s Guild. While I personally don’t rate using the dagger, an argument could definitely be made for the Galaxy Hammer. You trade a bit of speed and get massive damage with an AoE special using the hammer. The Sword however has better range than the hammer, and is overall a bit easier to use.
It really is personal preference, but once you have money coming in to spend 75,000G on the hammer, I would definitely consider giving it a go.
Final Thoughts
Even though a fair bit of work goes into getting your prismatic shard and unlocking the desert, it is definitely worth it to get the Galaxy Sword.
It will help you dive deeper into the Skull Caverns to get more Prismatic Shards and other resources. It will also make light work of the Dust Sprites if you’re trying to farm coal.
Don’t be afraid to use your first Prismatic Shard on the Galaxy sword, it is definitely worth it.
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