1. Set up a Farmhouse Normal round
Begin at the create menu. Select FARMHOUSE and check that NORMAL is selected. Choose the party size you want, then press CREATE.
Once the round is ready, keep the first goal in mind: hay is the early resource that lets you build cash for later choices. You do not need to decide on a long-term build before collecting your first batch.
2. Collect a first batch of hay
Aim at a hay pile and use the left mouse button to collect hay. Early collection can feel slow when each click gathers only a small amount. Move in short sections rather than sweeping randomly: clear one visible patch, pause to look at what the new opening reveals, then choose the next patch.
A first batch of 25 hay is a useful opening example, but it is not a fixed target. Watch your bag counter and return to sell when it reaches capacity. If you notice rainbow hay, pick it up when it is on your path; it can sell for slightly more than ordinary hay.
3. Trade hay at the cow
Bring the hay you collected to the cow and trade it for cash. In the Farmhouse layout, the cow is by the barn window and the Sell interaction is there. Use the prompt the game gives you.
An early economy example looks like this:
| Early-round item | Example value |
|---|---|
| Hay value | $0.01 each |
| Full 25-hay turn-in | $0.25 |
| First Speed purchase | $0.23 |
These values help you judge the first purchase. If your menu shows different values, use those.
4. Read the upgrade menu before spending
After the cow exchange, press Tab to view the upgrades. Treat the menu as a set of answers to the problem you are feeling in the round.
- If individual collection feels slow, compare the option that improves pickup speed.
- If each click gives too little hay, compare Grasp, which increases the amount collected at once.
- If you keep returning to sell, inspect Bag upgrades. A larger bag can reduce those trips.
- If repeated clicking is the nuisance, inspect Hold. It lets you keep collecting without constant mouse presses.
- Later, a Pitchfork can take a larger forkful and leave a dent in the pile. Treat it as a later option while you are still learning the basic loop.
Prices and available choices can change. Compare the cost with the bottleneck you are actually seeing, then return to collecting hay.
For map-specific context, see the Farmhouse chapter guide.
5. Search in small, readable sections
Return to the hay and keep checking newly exposed areas. A useful habit is to work in small blocks, stop after each block, and scan the fresh gap before moving on. This makes it easier to notice the needle and avoids repeatedly clicking the same patch.
The needle can be visible while hay is still around it. You do not have to treat a completely empty pile as the only sign that you are close. If the haystack becomes visually noisy, slow down for a moment and inspect the area you just opened before choosing another section. For more search help, see the needle-finding guide.
6. Equip the needle and take it to the farmer
When you find the needle, equip it and take it to the farmer. Follow the on-screen instruction for the handoff rather than guessing a keyboard shortcut. The farmer dialogue confirms the delivery with, “I found it. Your needle.”
If progress slows
- Bag full: return to the cow and sell the hay before collecting more.
- Cash too low: collect another small batch, sell it, then check Tab again.
- The haystack feels confusing: stop in one small area and scan the newly opened patch before moving on.
For the wider game overview, open the Search For The Needle overview.
