Critters are one of the most charming parts of Disney Dreamlight Valley. These little animals don’t just follow you around for fun—they now have their own friendship levels, too. As you level them up, you unlock rewards and build a closer bond with your adorable sidekicks.
If you’re wondering how to level up companions fast, whether you own the Storybook Veil expansion or just play the base game, here’s everything you need to know to save time and get those friendship levels maxed out.
The Fastest Way: Snippet Lures in Storybook Veil
If you’ve got the Storybook Veil DLC, the quickest method by far is using Snippet Lures. This technique is much faster than any normal gameplay activity.
See Also: Want to try crafting-heavy games? Check out Death Stranding 2 Structures for another title with complex crafting systems.
Why Snippet Lures Work So Well
- Huge XP Boosts: Catching snippets already gives good XP. But with lures, the gains are huge. Tests show you can go from level 1 to level 2 in about five seconds with lures, compared to around 60 seconds picking wheat.
- No Limit on Placement: You can place as many lures as you want, as long as you don’t hit the game’s overall item limit.
- Quick Reset: Snippet lures refill in about 10 to 15 minutes, which is faster than fruit trees or bushes regrow.
- Sustainable Resources: Lures need Storybook Magic and a few other ingredients. The good news is that snippets help refill your Storybook Magic, so the system supports itself over time. Stygian Mudskipper and Magma, plus things like gold ingots or pine cones, are needed depending on the lure type.
Lure Recipes
Here’s what you need for some basic lure traps:
- Basic Olympic Lure Trap
- 1 Magma
- 1 Stygian Mudskipper
- 500 Storybook Magic
- 5 Gold Ingots
- 10 Marble
- Basic Faerie Lure Trap
- 1 Magma
- 1 Stygian Mudskipper
- 500 Storybook Magic
- 5 Petrified Wood
- 10 Volcanic Rock
- Basic Fall Leaves Lure Trap
- 1 Magma
- 1 Stygian Mudskipper
- 500 Storybook Magic
- 5 Pine Cones
- 10 Moss
Each lure catches 3 snippets every 15 minutes. You can upgrade lures to catch more, but honestly, it’s often better to just craft more traps than to spend extra magic upgrading them.
How to Use Snippet Lures Efficiently
- Create a Lure Farm: Place lots of lures near trees, bushes, and even small wheat fields so you can keep collecting while waiting for traps to refill.
- Cycle Your Harvests: Clear your lures, take a 15–30-minute break, then come back and harvest again.
- Quick Leveling: Many players report getting companions to level 5 in just a few minutes with this method.
Fast Leveling Without the DLC
If you don’t have the Storybook Veil expansion, there are still plenty of ways to level up your companions quickly.
See Also: Dragon’s Dogma 2: Guide for Arisen, and Beginner Tips and Tricks
1. Mining
Mining is surprisingly good for XP:
- Each rock node you break gives your companion XP.
- If mining spots are close together, like in the Plaza or Meadow, companions can level up to level 2 in less than a minute.
- Companions sometimes find bonus gems while you’re mining.
2. Gardening (Wheat Farms)
Gardening is one of the easiest ways to level up companions:
- Wheat grows in only about 60 seconds, so you can plant and harvest non-stop.
- Companions earn XP every time you plant, water, or harvest.
- Don’t use Ancient Machines for gardening if you’re leveling companions. Automated actions don’t give them any XP.
- Some players build huge wheat farms with 300 plots or more. Just be ready for piles of extra wheat you might not need.
3. Hunting Wild Snippets
Even if you don’t have lures, you can look for wild snippets around the Valley. In areas where lots of snippets spawn, hunting them can be just as fast as gardening.
4. Mix Up Your Activities
- Forage fruits, which give more XP than crops.
- Switch between mining, gardening, and foraging while you wait for resources to come back.
- Staying active in multiple activities keeps your progress steady.
Everyday Ways to Earn Companion XP
Besides the big methods above, there are smaller daily things that help level up companions:
- Petting and Photos: Pet your companion or take a picture with them every day. It takes just a second and gives a nice XP bump. Petting actually gives more XP than most single actions in the game, except snippet lures.
- Clearing Obstacles: Removing things like night thorns, splinters, bones, or ice structures gives decent XP. Always make sure your companion is equipped when you’re cleaning up around the Valley.
- Everyday Tasks: Companions earn XP for lots of basic tasks:
- Harvesting crops and fruit
- Mining rocks
- Fishing
- Picking herbs
- Digging holes
- Planting, watering, and harvesting crops
- Time bending
See Also: Curious about adventure games with resource management? Check out The Alters Dialogue Choices for a new twist on decision-making gameplay.
Slower Methods
Some activities give XP, but they’re a bit slower:
- Fishing takes more time per action and gives less XP overall.
- Time bending and digging also level up companions slowly compared to mining or gardening.
That said, all activities help over time—there’s no completely “wrong” way to level your companions.
Extra Tips for Leveling Companions
- Always Equip a Companion: If your companion isn’t following you, they don’t get XP from your actions.
- Cluster Resources Together: Plant trees close together or mine in areas with lots of rocks to speed things up.
- Use Your Daily Boosts: Don’t forget to pet, take photos, and clear obstacles each day for easy XP.
- Rotate Companions: If you want to level several companions, switch them out often so everyone gains levels.
- Skip Flowers and Cooking: Companions don’t gain XP from collecting flowers or cooking meals.
How to Unlock Companions
If you’re new to companions, here’s how to unlock them:
- Find a critter wandering in the Valley.
- Feed the same critter variant any food twice. Once you’ve done that, they’ll be added to your collection.
- Go to the Wardrobe menu under “Companions” and choose which one you want to follow you.
Feeding critters their favorite food gives Dream Shards but isn’t required to unlock them.
Leveling up companions in Disney Dreamlight Valley doesn’t have to be a grind. Whether you’re using snippet lures in the DLC or just sticking to mining and gardening in the base game, there are plenty of ways to boost your critters’ friendship levels fast.
Keep your companion equipped, stay busy, and mix up your activities, and you’ll hit level five with your favorite furry friends in no time.
Related Guides You Might Like:
