So, you’ve just landed on your deserted island in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, and you’re eager to start shaping your new paradise. But wait – how do you even dig up those pesky weeds or plant that perfect tree? The humble shovel is your first essential tool, and getting your hands on it is a surprisingly important early step. Without it, your island dreams are on hold!
Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. This guide will walk you through the simple process of acquiring your very first shovel, along with how to upgrade it for even more island-enhancing power. Let’s get digging!
Unearthing the Shovel: Your First Island Essential
The journey to obtaining your first shovel in Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a rite of passage for every new island resident. It’s not just a tool; it’s your key to interacting with the very earth beneath your feet, unlocking a world of possibilities for terraforming, gardening, and uncovering hidden treasures. Let’s break down the straightforward process of getting this indispensable item.
Step 1: Arriving on Your Island and Meeting Tom Nook
Upon arriving at your new island, your initial interactions will be guided by the ever-helpful (and business-minded) Tom Nook. He’ll be your primary source of information and early-game guidance. After you’ve settled into your tent and had your first island orientation, Tom Nook will present you with a series of tasks designed to get you acquainted with island life.
One of Tom Nook’s first major objectives for you is to help him establish a more permanent presence on the island. This involves gathering resources and crafting essential items. Among these early crafting goals is the creation of your first set of tools, and the shovel is right at the top of the list.
Step 2: Gathering Materials for Your First Shovel
To craft your initial shovel, you’ll need a specific crafting material: Wood. Specifically, you’ll be looking for Softwood. Don’t worry if you don’t know where to find it; the game makes it incredibly easy for beginners.
Here’s how to get the Softwood:
- Locate Trees: Your island is dotted with various trees. You’ll see hardwood trees, cedar trees, and some fruit trees.
- Equip Your Axe: Early in the game, Tom Nook will give you a Flimsy Axe. This is your tool for gathering wood.
- Chop Trees: Approach a tree and press ‘A’ to swing your Flimsy Axe. You’ll need to chop each tree a few times to get the resources.
- Gather Softwood: As you chop, you’ll see resources pop out of the tree. Look for the distinct light brown, slightly rough logs. These are your Softwood. You’ll need 3 pieces of Softwood to craft the basic shovel.
It’s important to note that the Flimsy Axe can break after a certain number of uses. For your very first shovel, you’ll likely have enough durability left on your starting axe. If not, Tom Nook will guide you on crafting another Flimsy Axe.
Step 3: Accessing the Diy Workbench
Once you have your 3 pieces of Softwood, you’ll need a place to craft your shovel. Tom Nook will direct you to your first DIY Workbench. This workbench is usually located within your Resident Services building once it’s upgraded from a tent to a proper building. If you’re still in the tent phase, the workbench might be set up near Tom Nook himself.
Interacting with the DIY Workbench will bring up your crafting menu. Here, you’ll see all the recipes you’ve learned so far.
Step 4: Crafting Your First Shovel
With your Softwood in your inventory and your DIY Workbench at the ready, you can now craft your first shovel! (See Also: how much to shovel a driveway)
- Open the DIY Menu: Interact with the DIY Workbench and select the crafting option.
- Find the Shovel Recipe: Look for the recipe for the ‘Shovel’. It should be one of the first recipes you learn.
- Craft the Shovel: Select the Shovel recipe and confirm that you want to craft it. The workbench will consume your 3 Softwood, and voilà – you’ll have your very own Shovel!
Congratulations! You’ve successfully crafted your first shovel. Now you can start digging up those buried items, clearing out weeds, and planting your favorite flowers.
Upgrading Your Shovel: The Shovel Diy Recipe
While the basic Shovel is incredibly useful, its durability is limited. You’ll quickly find yourself wanting a more robust tool that can withstand more digging. Fortunately, the game introduces a DIY recipe for an upgraded version: the Shovel (often referred to as the ‘Sturdy Shovel’ in player communities, though the in-game name is just ‘Shovel’ when crafted from the recipe).
How to Obtain the Shovel Diy Recipe
The Shovel DIY recipe is typically acquired through a similar process to other early-game recipes: by interacting with the Nooklings and completing their tasks, or through messages from Tom Nook. However, the most common and reliable way to get the Shovel DIY recipe is through the Message Bottle found on your beach.
Here’s the breakdown:
- Check Your Beach Daily: Every day, a Message Bottle will wash ashore on your island’s beaches. These bottles contain random DIY recipes.
- Find the Bottle: Walk along your beaches and look for a small, glinting bottle nestled in the sand.
- Learn the Recipe: Once you find a Message Bottle, pick it up and open it. You’ll then have the option to ‘Learn DIY Recipe’. Select this, and the Shovel recipe will be added to your crafting repertoire if it’s the one you find.
Important Note: The recipes found in Message Bottles are randomized. You might find the Shovel recipe on your first day, or it might take a few days of checking your beaches. Be patient!
Crafting the Upgraded Shovel
Once you have the Shovel DIY recipe, you’ll need specific materials to craft it at a DIY Workbench:
- 3 x Iron Nuggets
- 1 x Wood (Softwood, Hardwood, or Wood)
Where to find Iron Nuggets:
Iron Nuggets are a bit more challenging to obtain than Softwood. They are found by striking rocks on your island. Each rock on your island can be struck up to 8 times before it breaks or stops yielding resources for the day. Here are some tips for maximizing your Iron Nugget yield:
- Hit Rocks Strategically: When you hit a rock, there’s a brief moment where dust particles fly out. If you keep hitting the rock quickly without moving, you can get more resources. To ensure you get the maximum hits, stand directly in front of the rock and dig two holes behind you. This creates a buffer, preventing you from being knocked back by the impact of the hammer, allowing you to strike the rock 8 times consecutively.
- Use a Flimsy Shovel or Flimsy Hammer: While a shovel can also be used to hit rocks, a hammer is generally more effective for resource gathering.
- Island Hopping: If you’re having trouble finding Iron Nuggets on your own island, you can use Nook Miles Tickets to visit mystery islands. These islands often have more rocks, increasing your chances of finding Iron Nuggets.
Where to find Wood:
As you’ve already learned, Wood (Softwood, Hardwood, or regular Wood) is gathered by chopping down trees with an axe. By the time you’re looking to craft the upgraded shovel, you’ll likely have access to a Stone Axe or even a Felling Axe, which are more durable than the Flimsy Axe. (See Also: how to get flimsy shovel recipe)
Benefits of the Upgraded Shovel
The upgraded Shovel boasts significantly higher durability than its flimsy predecessor. This means you can dig, plant, and unearth many more items before it breaks. This is crucial for efficient island management, especially when you start undertaking larger projects like:
- Planting Trees and Flowers: Quickly plant saplings and flower seeds.
- Digging Up Fossils: Uncover dinosaur fossils scattered across your island.
- Finding Buried Treasure: Locate the glowing spot on your island each day to dig up Bells.
- Moving Trees: Dig up trees to relocate them to more desirable spots on your island.
- Collecting Clams: Harvest Manila Clams from the beach, a key ingredient for many seafood recipes.
The Golden Shovel: The Ultimate Digging Tool
For the truly dedicated islander, there’s the legendary Golden Shovel. This isn’t just a tool; it’s a symbol of your commitment to your island paradise. The Golden Shovel is not only incredibly durable, but it also has a unique perk: if you use it to plant a bag of 10,000 Bells into a glowing spot, the resulting Money Tree will yield 30,000 Bells instead of the usual 10,000!
How to Obtain the Golden Shovel Diy Recipe
The Golden Shovel DIY recipe is unlocked through a specific achievement related to your collection of fossils:
- Complete the Fossil Collection: Your primary goal is to donate every unique fossil to the museum. This means finding all the different types of fossils and giving them to Blathers.
- Receive the DIY Recipe: Once you have donated the final unique fossil to complete the museum’s fossil exhibit, Blathers will thank you profusely and, as a reward, will give you the Golden Shovel DIY recipe.
This is a significant undertaking, as there are many different dinosaur skeletons to discover and donate.
Crafting the Golden Shovel
To craft the Golden Shovel, you will need the following materials:
- 1 x Shovel (the upgraded version)
- 1 x Gold Nugget
Where to find Gold Nuggets:
Gold Nuggets are the rarest of the ore types. They are found by striking rocks, similar to Iron Nuggets, but with a much lower drop rate. You can also find Gold Nuggets on mystery islands when using Nook Miles Tickets. Striking rocks with the strategic method mentioned earlier (using holes to prevent knockback) is crucial for maximizing your chances.
The Power of the Golden Shovel
The Golden Shovel is the pinnacle of digging tools in Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Its benefits include:
- Extreme Durability: It has an incredibly high number of uses, meaning it’s unlikely to break during your regular island activities.
- Money Tree Multiplier: As mentioned, planting 10,000 Bells with it yields a 30,000 Bell return, making it a fantastic tool for wealth accumulation.
- Prestige: It’s a clear indicator of dedication and achievement within the game.
Other Ways to Get a Shovel (early Game Alternatives)
While crafting is the primary method, there are a couple of other ways you might acquire a shovel, especially in the very early stages of your island life:
1. Receiving One From Tom Nook or Villagers
Occasionally, Tom Nook might gift you a basic Shovel if you’re struggling to find the materials or if it’s part of a specific early-game questline. Likewise, a friendly villager might also gift you a tool, including a shovel, if you build a good relationship with them. However, these are less reliable methods for obtaining your *first* shovel compared to crafting. (See Also: how to change a shovel handle)
2. Purchasing From Nook’s Cranny
Once Nook’s Cranny opens on your island, you’ll have a shop where you can buy various items, including tools. The basic Shovel and sometimes even the upgraded Shovel might appear in the shop’s inventory. This is a good alternative if you’re short on materials but have plenty of Bells. The stock at Nook’s Cranny rotates daily, so you might need to check back frequently.
3. Trading with Friends
If you play with friends who already have spare shovels or shovel DIY recipes, you can always trade with them. This is a quick and easy way to get a tool if you’re in a pinch, especially if you’re looking for a specific type of shovel.
Maintaining Your Shovels
Regardless of which shovel you’re using, proper maintenance can extend its lifespan. While the Golden Shovel is nearly indestructible, the lesser shovels will eventually break. Here are some tips:
- Crafting Replacements: Always try to keep a small stock of materials for crafting basic and upgraded shovels. This way, when one breaks, you can immediately craft a replacement without disrupting your island activities.
- Upgrading When Possible: Prioritize learning and crafting the upgraded Shovel as soon as you can. Its increased durability will save you time and resources in the long run.
- Use the Right Tool for the Job: While a shovel can hit rocks, a hammer is generally better suited for that task, preserving your shovel’s durability for digging and planting.
Common Shovel-Related Questions (people Also Ask)
Q: Can Shovels Break in Animal Crossing?
A: Yes, all shovels except the Golden Shovel have a limited number of uses and will eventually break. The Flimsy Shovel breaks the fastest, followed by the standard Shovel, and then the Golden Shovel, which has extremely high durability.
Q: How Do I Get the Diy Recipe for the Shovel?
A: The DIY recipe for the standard Shovel is often learned early in the game through Tom Nook’s guidance or by finding it in a Message Bottle on the beach. The Golden Shovel DIY recipe is obtained by completing the fossil collection in the museum.
Q: What Are Iron Nuggets Used for?
A: Iron Nuggets are a crucial crafting material used to create many tools, including the upgraded Shovel, watering cans, fishing rods, and various furniture items. They are obtained by hitting rocks on your island.
Q: Is the Golden Shovel Worth It?
A: Absolutely! The Golden Shovel’s extreme durability makes it a long-lasting tool for all your digging needs. Plus, its ability to multiply Bell trees makes it an invaluable asset for earning Bells quickly.
Q: How Many Times Can I Hit a Rock?
A: Each rock on your island can be hit a maximum of 8 times per day to yield resources. Using the hole-digging trick (digging two holes behind you) is essential to get all 8 hits without being knocked back.
Q: Can I Buy Shovels with Real Money?
A: No, Animal Crossing: New Horizons does not allow players to purchase in-game items, including shovels, with real money. All items must be obtained through gameplay, crafting, or trading with other players.
Conclusion
Acquiring a shovel in Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a foundational step for any player. From the initial Flimsy Shovel crafted from softwood to the robust upgraded Shovel requiring Iron Nuggets, and finally the prestigious Golden Shovel unlocked through fossil collection, each tool empowers you to interact more deeply with your island. Mastering the methods to obtain and utilize these tools will significantly enhance your island-building experience and your overall enjoyment of the game.
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