Changes

An '''Artifact Spot''' (also known as '''worms''', '''stems''', or '''twigs''') is a tile that is guaranteed to provide an item when dug up with a [[Hoe]] (other tools do not work).

An '''Artifact Spot''' (also known as '''worms''', '''stems''', or '''twigs''') is a tile that is guaranteed to provide an item when dug up with a [[Hoe]] (other tools do not work).

A variety of location-dependent items can be obtained from artifact spots; they are a key source for [[Artifacts]] and [[Lost Books]]. They are much more common in [[Winter]], where they can also yield [[Snow Yam]]s and [[Winter Root]]s.

A variety of location-dependent items can be obtained from artifact spots; they are a key source for [[Artifacts]] and [[Lost Books]]. Artifact spots are much more common in [[Winter]], where they can also yield [[Snow Yam]]s and [[Winter Root]]s.

==Contents==

==Contents==

The possible contents of an artifact spot are controlled by the map where it is located. The specific item found in any artifact spot is fixed for a given day, even if the game is reloaded.<ref name="contents" /> However, a different item is possible the next day (assuming the artifact spot does not disappear overnight). Using a [[Hoe]] with the [[Archaeologist]] enchantment doubles the chance of finding an artifact.

The possible contents of an artifact spot are controlled by the map where it is located. The specific item found in any artifact spot is fixed for a given day, even if the game is reloaded.<ref name="contents" /> However, a different item is possible the next day (assuming the artifact spot does not disappear overnight). Using a [[Hoe]] with the [[Archaeologist]] enchantment doubles the chance of finding an artifact.

The possible items are checked in the order listed below.  The chances of items later in the list vary depending upon the details of which earlier items are possible.

The pool of potential items contained within artifact spots is checked against a list, in the order listed below.  The chances to find items later in the list vary depending upon the details of which earlier items still remain possible.

* 20-32% chance of a [[Lost Books|Lost Book]].<ref name="lost_book"/>  Not possible on the [[Farm]]. Note that once all Lost Books are found, any potential Lost Book is replaced by [[Mixed Seeds]].

* 20-32% chance of a [[Lost Books|Lost Book]].<ref name="lost_book"/>  Not possible on the [[Farm]]. Note that once all Lost Books are found, any potential Lost Book is replaced by [[Mixed Seeds]].

* Various [[Artifacts]], dependent upon location. Note, however, that some artifacts can never be found in artifact spots (namely, Dwarf Scrolls, [[Dwarvish Helm]], [[Dwarf Gadget]], [[Rare Disc]], and [[Skeletal Tail]]).

* Various [[Artifacts]], dependent upon location. Note, however, that some artifacts can never be found in artifact spots (namely, Dwarf Scrolls, [[Dwarvish Helm]], [[Dwarf Gadget]], [[Rare Disc]], and [[Skeletal Tail]]).

==Spawning==

==Spawning==

Overnight, artifact spots randomly spawn in exterior locations at a rate that is highly dependent upon the map.<ref name="day_update" /> Average spawn rates range from 0.1/day ([[Cindersap Forest]], [[Bus Stop]]) to 1/day ([[Desert]]). Other than during [[Winter]], artifact spots will only appear in tillable soil, i.e., yellow/brown tiles that can be tilled with a [[Hoe]].  In Winter, the spawn rate is higher and they can also appear in grass-type tiles (i.e., tiles that are colored green during non-winter months; this designation is not based on whether or not harvestable [[Grass]] is growing). Winter-time average spawn rates range from 0.4/day ([[Railroad]]) to 1.4/day ([[Desert]]).

Overnight, artifact spots randomly spawn in exterior locations at a rate that is highly dependent upon the map.<ref name="day_update" /> Average spawn rates range from 0.1/day ([[Cindersap Forest]], [[Bus Stop]]) to 1/day ([[Desert]]). Other than during [[Winter]], artifact spots only appear in tillable soil, i.e., yellow/brown tiles that can be tilled with a [[Hoe]].  In Winter, the artifact spawn rate is higher and they can also appear in grass-type tiles (i.e., tiles that are colored green during non-winter months; this designation is not based on whether or not harvestable [[Grass]] is growing). Winter-time average spawn rates range from 0.4/day ([[Railroad]]) to 1.4/day ([[Desert]]) for artifacts.

The primary limit on the chance of artifact spots appearing is the fraction of map tiles that are valid locations, which is why the likelihood varies significantly between maps (it's also one reason why they're more common in winter).  Existing artifact spots also limit the spawn rate, because new spots are only possible when the existing number is less than a threshold value. In general, that threshold is two; on the [[Farm]] the threshold is one. In [[Winter]], the threshold for all locations increases to five. However, spawning is calculated after possible [[#Removal|removal]] of any existing spots, so artifact spots that are left in place do not necessarily completely prevent new spawning.

The primary limit on the chance of artifact spots appearing is the fraction of map tiles that are valid locations, which is why the likelihood varies significantly between maps (it's also one reason why they're more common in winter).  Existing artifact spots also limit the spawn rate, because new spots are only possible when the existing number is less than a threshold value. In general, the threshold limiting value for spawning new artifact spots is two; on the [[Farm]] the threshold is one. In [[Winter]], the threshold for existing artifact spots for all locations increases to five; however, spawning is calculated after possible [[#Removal|removal]] of any existing spots, so artifact spots that are left in place do not necessarily completely prevent new spawning.

Artifact spots never spawn in hidden tiles behind buildings, bushes, non-removable trees, or other permanent features.  However, they can spawn in difficult-to-see locations behind removable trees (ones the player can chop down).  They never spawn in tiles where other objects are present (chests, trees, equipment, weeds, debris, etc.), or in any tilled soil (anywhere a crop is planted or could be planted).  Thus, placing equipment or planting trees in tillable soil can reduce the chance of artifact spots spawning, but only if a large fraction of the tiles is occupied.

Artifact spots never spawn in hidden tiles behind buildings, bushes, non-removable trees, or other permanent features.  However, they can spawn in difficult-to-see locations behind removable trees (ones the player can chop down).  Artifact spots also never spawn in tiles where other objects are present (chests, trees, equipment, weeds, debris, etc.), or in any tilled soil (anywhere a crop is planted or could be planted).  Thus, placing equipment or planting trees in tillable soil can reduce the chance of artifact spots spawning, but only if a large fraction of the tiles is occupied.

==Removal==

==Removal==

If the player does not dig up an artifact spot, it is likely to remain in place for multiple days.  Normally, there is a 15% chance of any spot disappearing overnight, but the chance increases at the end of a season (28%) and Sunday morning (39%).<ref name="day_update" /><ref name="removal" />  Also, all winter-time artifact spots that spawned on grass-type tiles are always removed at the end of the winter.

If the player does not dig up an artifact spot, it is likely to remain in place for multiple days.  Normally, there is a 15% chance of any artifact spot disappearing overnight, but the chance increases at the end of a season (28%) and Sunday morning (39%).<ref name="day_update" /><ref name="removal" />  Also, all winter-time artifact spots that spawned on grass-type tiles are always removed at the end of the winter.

Otherwise, artifact spots do not get destroyed.  For example, [[villager]]s and farm [[animals]] can walk through tiles containing artifact spots without damaging them or otherwise altering them.

Other that the odds of disappearance and removal, artifact spots do not get destroyed.  For example, [[villager]]s and farm [[animals]] can walk through tiles containing artifact spots without damaging them or otherwise altering them.

Digging up an artifact spot also tills the soil. Off the farm, these tilled spots always revert to standard tillable soil overnight.  On the farm, the tilled soil typically remains in place until the end of the season.  If you wish to immediately restore standard tillable soil you need to use an [[Axe]] or [[Pickaxe]] on the tile.

Digging up an artifact spot also tills the soil. Off the farm, tilled artifact spots always revert to standard tillable soil overnight.  On the farm, tilled soil typically remains in place until the end of the season.  To immediately restore standard tillable soil an [[Axe]] or [[Pickaxe]] must be used on the tile.

==Notes==

==Notes==