So, you’ve just landed on your very own deserted island in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, and the urge to dig is strong! But wait, you don’t have a shovel. How do you get that essential first tool, the flimsy shovel? Don’t worry, it’s one of the most straightforward early-game objectives, and we’re here to guide you through it.
This guide will walk you through the simple steps needed to craft your very first flimsy shovel. It’s the gateway to unearthing fossils, planting flowers, and generally interacting with your island’s environment. Let’s get digging!
Unearthing the Secrets: How to Get a Flimsy Shovel in Animal Crossing
The journey to obtaining your flimsy shovel is a rite of passage for every new island resident in Animal Crossing: New Horizons. It’s not something you can buy immediately, nor is it handed to you on a silver platter. Instead, it’s tied directly to the early progression of your island life, specifically involving the arrival and guidance of Tom Nook and his helpful DIY recipes.
The Initial Setup: Your First Days on the Island
Upon arriving on your island, your immediate tasks revolve around setting up your tent, gathering resources, and interacting with the initial set of villagers and Tom Nook. Tom Nook, ever the entrepreneur, plays a crucial role in teaching you the basics of island living. One of these basics is the art of DIY crafting. Before you can even think about a flimsy shovel, you’ll need to understand how crafting works.
Gathering Basic Materials
As soon as you’re able to explore, you’ll notice trees scattered around your island. Your trusty axe (which you’ll also craft early on) is your key to gathering Wood. Specifically, you’ll need to hit trees with your axe to obtain different types of wood. For the flimsy shovel, you’ll primarily be looking for Hardwood.
Here’s a breakdown of the wood types and how to get them:
- Wood: Obtained by hitting any tree with an axe or shovel.
- Softwood: Obtained by hitting any tree with an axe or shovel.
- Hardwood: Obtained by hitting any tree with an axe or shovel. This is the crucial one for the flimsy shovel.
You can acquire these materials by:
- Using Your Flimsy Axe: This is the first tool you’ll likely craft after your tent setup. It allows you to chop down trees and gather wood.
- Using Your Flimsy Shovel (Eventually): While you’re trying to get the shovel, you’ll be using other tools. Once you have it, you can also use it to dig up stumps for more hardwood, though this is less efficient for initial crafting.
The Key Moment: Tom Nook’s Diy Workshop
Tom Nook will eventually initiate a DIY workshop session with you. This is where the magic happens. He’ll introduce you to the concept of crafting and provide you with your very first DIY recipe. The recipe for the Flimsy Shovel is usually one of the first ones he teaches you, often after you’ve gathered some initial resources for him or completed a small task like catching a few bugs or fish. (See Also: how much to shovel a driveway)
During this workshop, Tom Nook will explain the benefits of crafting your own tools and furniture. He’ll present you with the recipe, which will then be added to your NookPhone’s DIY app. This app becomes your go-to reference for all the crafting recipes you’ve learned.
The Flimsy Shovel Recipe
The recipe for the flimsy shovel is quite simple, reflecting its early-game status:
| Item | Materials Required |
|---|---|
| Flimsy Shovel | 3 x Hardwood |
As you can see, you only need three pieces of Hardwood. This makes it incredibly accessible once you understand how to get hardwood and learn the recipe.
Crafting Your Flimsy Shovel
Once you have the recipe and the necessary materials, it’s time to craft!
Where to Craft
You have a couple of options for where to craft your flimsy shovel:
- Your Workbench: Tom Nook will usually set up a temporary crafting station for you early on, or you might find one in Resident Services. This is the most reliable place to craft items when you’re just starting.
- DIY Workbench (Later): As you progress, you’ll learn to craft your own DIY Workbench, which you can place anywhere on your island. This offers the ultimate convenience for crafting on the go.
The Crafting Process
The process is straightforward:
- Access the Workbench: Interact with a crafting workbench.
- Select the Recipe: Open your DIY app on your NookPhone. Navigate to the Flimsy Shovel recipe. If you have enough Hardwood, the ‘Craft’ option will be available.
- Craft the Item: Select ‘Craft’ and confirm. Your flimsy shovel will be created and placed in your inventory.
Congratulations! You’ve now crafted your first flimsy shovel. This humble tool will be your constant companion as you begin to shape your island paradise. (See Also: how to keep snow from sticking to your shovel)
Why the Flimsy Shovel Is Important (and What Comes Next)
The flimsy shovel, despite its name, is incredibly important in the early stages of Animal Crossing: New Horizons. It allows you to:
- Dig Up Fossils: These are crucial for donating to the museum and earning Bells.
- Plant Flowers and Trees: Essential for terraforming and beautifying your island.
- Dig Up Clumps of Weeds: Useful for clearing space and sometimes for crafting.
- Dig Up Money Trees: A special type of tree that grows Bells.
- Dig Up Special Items: Such as star fragments (at night) and buried treasures.
However, as the name implies, the flimsy shovel is not built to last. It has a limited number of uses before it breaks. This is by design! It encourages you to learn about tool durability and the need to upgrade your tools.
Upgrading Your Tools: The Path to Better Shovels
Once your flimsy shovel breaks, you’ll need to craft another. But don’t fret! Tom Nook will soon introduce you to the concept of upgrading your tools. After a few more days and some additional tasks for Nook’s company, Nook Inc., you’ll be able to purchase DIY recipes for better tools from the Nook’s Cranny shop (once it’s built).
The next step up is the Stone Shovel, which requires Iron Nuggets in addition to Hardwood. Iron Nuggets are found by hitting rocks with your axe or shovel. The Stone Shovel is significantly more durable than its flimsy predecessor.
Eventually, you’ll unlock recipes for even more durable and efficient shovels, such as the Iron Shovel and the Golden Shovel. The Golden Shovel is a permanent tool, meaning it never breaks!
Troubleshooting: What If I Can’t Find Hardwood?
If you’re struggling to find Hardwood, here are a few tips:
- Hit Every Tree: Make sure you’re hitting trees with your axe multiple times. Different trees yield different wood types.
- Check Different Tree Types: Some trees might consistently yield hardwood, while others might give you softwood or regular wood. Experiment!
- Island Hopping: If your starting island is low on hardwood trees, you can use Nook Miles Tickets to visit other mystery islands. These islands often have different tree distributions, potentially offering more hardwood.
- Patience: Sometimes, it just takes a bit of time and persistent chopping.
Common Questions About the Flimsy Shovel
Let’s address some common queries you might have: (See Also: how to get flimsy shovel recipe)
Can I Buy a Flimsy Shovel?
No, you cannot directly buy a flimsy shovel from shops in the early game. It must be crafted. Once Nook’s Cranny is established, you can buy shovel ‘DIY kits’ which allow you to craft a flimsy shovel without needing the recipe, but the initial acquisition is always through crafting.
How Many Uses Does a Flimsy Shovel Have?
A flimsy shovel has a limited number of uses, typically around 30. It’s designed to break relatively quickly to encourage progression to better tools.
What If Tom Nook Doesn’t Give Me the Recipe?
Tom Nook’s tutorial progression is generally linear. Ensure you’ve completed the initial tasks he’s set for you, such as gathering materials for him or setting up your tent. The flimsy shovel recipe is usually one of the first DIYs he imparts.
Can I Use the Flimsy Shovel to Dig Up My Own Tools?
Yes, if you accidentally bury a tool and forget where it is, you can use your flimsy shovel to dig it up. However, it’s generally best to keep your inventory organized and avoid burying tools.
getting your flimsy shovel is a fundamental early-game step. It unlocks a whole new layer of interaction with your island and is the first step towards mastering the crafting system in Animal Crossing: New Horizons.
Conclusion
Obtaining your first flimsy shovel in Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a simple yet crucial step in your island adventure. By following Tom Nook’s early guidance, gathering three pieces of Hardwood, and using a crafting workbench, you’ll have this essential tool in no time. While it won’t last forever, it’s your gateway to discovering fossils, planting flowers, and truly beginning to shape your unique island paradise. Happy digging!
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