Dreaming of a golden touch in your Animal Crossing: New Leaf town? The Gold Shovel is one of the most coveted tools in the game, offering unparalleled durability and a special sparkle to your landscaping efforts. But how exactly do you get your hands on this legendary item?
It’s not as simple as just buying it from Nook’s Cranny, unfortunately. The path to acquiring the Gold Shovel involves a bit of dedication and a specific achievement. Fear not, aspiring golden gardeners! This guide will walk you through every step, ensuring you’ll be digging up treasure and planting your dream garden in no time.
Unearthing the Secrets of the Gold Shovel
The Gold Shovel is more than just a tool; it’s a symbol of your dedication to shaping your Animal Crossing: New Leaf town into a masterpiece. Unlike its common counterparts, the Gold Shovel boasts infinite durability, meaning it will never break, no matter how much you use it. This makes it the ultimate companion for extensive landscaping projects, from terraforming your entire island to meticulously planting rows of perfect flowers.
So, how do you unlock this seemingly magical item? The key lies in achieving a specific milestone related to its predecessor: the Silver Shovel. You can’t simply stumble upon the Gold Shovel; it’s a reward for your perseverance and hard work in the game.
Step 1: Acquiring the Silver Shovel
Before you can even think about the Gold Shovel, you must first obtain the Silver Shovel. This is a significant step, and it requires you to demonstrate your commitment to the art of gardening. The requirement for the Silver Shovel is as follows:
- Dig up and bury 100 pieces of furniture.
This might sound like a lot, but it’s a manageable task if you approach it strategically. Here’s how to effectively tackle this requirement:
Strategies for Burying Furniture
1. The ‘Tree’ Method: This is by far the most popular and efficient method. You’ll need a steady supply of furniture items. You can acquire these through various means:
- Purchasing from Nook’s Cranny: Visit Nook’s Cranny daily and check the furniture section. Keep an eye out for affordable or interesting items.
- Receiving as Gifts: Villagers often send you furniture items through the mail or give them to you directly.
- Finding in the Recycling Bin: Check the recycling bin at the Re-Tail shop regularly. You might find unwanted furniture that you can use.
- Trading with Friends: If you have friends who play Animal Crossing: New Leaf, you can trade furniture items with them.
Once you have a good stock of furniture, head out to a secluded area of your town, preferably one with plenty of open ground. Dig a hole using your regular shovel, place the furniture item in the hole, and then bury it again. Repeat this process 100 times. It’s a good idea to mark the spots where you bury them if you plan to dig them up later, or if you want to avoid burying them in the same spots repeatedly.
2. The ‘Storage’ Method (Less Efficient but Possible): Some players might think about burying furniture and then immediately digging it up. While this technically counts towards burying, it’s far less efficient for the purpose of unlocking the Silver Shovel. The game’s requirement is specifically about digging up and burying, implying a cycle of the action. Burying and then immediately digging up doesn’t fulfill the spirit of the requirement for unlocking the Silver Shovel as effectively as burying 100 unique furniture items.
3. Diversifying Your Furniture: While the game doesn’t strictly require you to bury 100 *different* furniture items, it’s generally understood that the spirit of the achievement is to engage with the mechanic of acquiring and placing furniture. Burying the same item repeatedly might work, but it’s more satisfying and less likely to cause future issues if you use a variety of items. This also helps you clear out your inventory!
Important Note: You do NOT need to dig up the furniture you bury for this requirement. The act of burying it is what counts. However, if you want to clear space or retrieve valuable items, you can dig them up later.
Step 2: Purchasing the Silver Shovel
Once you’ve successfully buried 100 pieces of furniture, the Silver Shovel will become available for purchase at Nook’s Cranny. The cost of the Silver Shovel is 10,000 Bells. (See Also: how to get shovel knight spirit)
Nook’s Cranny Upgrade Tiers: It’s important to remember that Nook’s Cranny goes through several upgrades throughout the game. The Silver Shovel will only be available once Nook’s Cranny has been upgraded to its second tier. This upgrade occurs after you’ve spent a certain amount of Bells at the shop and have had it open for a specific period.
- Tier 1: The initial, smaller shop.
- Tier 2: A larger shop with more items, including the Silver Shovel.
- Tier 3: The largest shop, with the Able Sisters’ tailor shop attached.
If you don’t see the Silver Shovel available, don’t worry! Keep shopping at Nook’s Cranny and ensure you’ve met the criteria for its upgrade. Patience is key.
Step 3: Earning the Gold Shovel
Now, for the main event! Once you have the Silver Shovel in your possession, you need to use it extensively. The requirement for obtaining the Gold Shovel is as follows:
- Dig up 100 fossils with the Silver Shovel.
This is where your dedication truly shines. You’ll need to actively participate in the fossil-digging aspect of Animal Crossing: New Leaf. Here’s how to make this process as efficient as possible:
Strategies for Digging Up Fossils
1. Daily Fossil Hunt: The most straightforward approach is to dedicate time each day to hunting for fossils. Every day, your town will spawn up to four fossils. These are the tell-tale X marks on the ground. Make it a habit to walk around your town, identify these marks, and dig them up using your Silver Shovel.
2. Identifying Fossil Spots: Fossils tend to spawn in areas that are not occupied by trees, buildings, or other permanent structures. They can appear on the grass, sand, or even on the beach. Pay attention to the terrain and listen for the distinct digging sound.
3. Donating to the Museum: While not strictly required for the Gold Shovel, donating your dug-up fossils to the museum is a rewarding part of the game. It helps you complete your museum collection and provides a sense of accomplishment. You can also sell duplicates to earn extra Bells.
4. Using the Silver Shovel Exclusively: It is crucial that you use the Silver Shovel for all 100 fossil digs. If you switch back to your regular shovel or even the shovel you just bought, those digs will not count towards the Gold Shovel requirement. Keep the Silver Shovel equipped and ready for action.
5. Tracking Your Progress: There isn’t a built-in tracker for this specific requirement in the game’s menus. You’ll have to keep a mental note or a physical tally of how many fossils you’ve dug up with your Silver Shovel. Some players find it helpful to dig up one fossil, then immediately bury a piece of furniture in its place to mark it as “done” for the day, preventing accidental re-digging.
6. The ‘Island’ Advantage (for those with the Island DLC): If you have access to the Island DLC (Tortimer Island), this can significantly speed up the process. The island often spawns a higher density of fossils, and you can travel there repeatedly to dig them up. Remember to bring your Silver Shovel with you!
Step 4: Claiming Your Gold Shovel
Once you have successfully dug up 100 fossils using your Silver Shovel, the Gold Shovel will be available for purchase at Nook’s Cranny. The cost of the Gold Shovel is also 10,000 Bells. (See Also: how to get the shovel in animal crossing)
Just like the Silver Shovel, the Gold Shovel will only appear in Nook’s Cranny once the shop has reached its second tier of upgrades. If you’ve already bought the Silver Shovel, you’re likely past this point, but it’s worth double-checking if you encounter any issues.
The Benefits of the Gold Shovel
Why go through all this effort? The Gold Shovel offers several significant advantages:
- Infinite Durability: This is the primary benefit. It will never break, saving you the cost and hassle of constantly buying or replacing shovels. This is invaluable for large-scale landscaping projects.
- Aesthetic Appeal: The Gold Shovel has a distinct golden sheen that makes it visually appealing and a symbol of your achievements in the game.
- Special Interactions: While not a gameplay mechanic, the Gold Shovel can sometimes be used in specific, albeit rare, villager requests or to impress visitors to your town.
- Faster Digging (Perceived): Some players report a slightly faster digging animation with the Gold Shovel, though this is largely anecdotal and not a confirmed game mechanic.
Troubleshooting and Tips
What if I buried furniture with my Gold Shovel?
The requirement for the Silver Shovel is specifically about digging up and burying furniture. Once you have the Gold Shovel, it’s a reward. You can use it for anything, including burying furniture, but it won’t count towards any further shovel-related achievements.
How do I know if my Silver Shovel digs are counting?
The game tracks this internally. As long as you are using the Silver Shovel and digging up fossils, the progress is being made. The Gold Shovel will simply appear for sale at Nook’s Cranny once the condition is met.
Can I use a friend’s Silver Shovel to dig fossils?
No, the requirement is tied to your own character and your own Silver Shovel. You must perform the actions yourself in your own town.
What if I accidentally sold my Silver Shovel?
If you accidentally sell or lose your Silver Shovel, you can purchase another one from Nook’s Cranny, provided it’s the correct upgrade tier. You will then need to re-complete the fossil-digging requirement with the new Silver Shovel.
Can I use the Gold Shovel to dig up furniture? (See Also: how to shovel driveway)
Yes! Once you have the Gold Shovel, it’s a regular tool. You can use it for digging up fossils, planting trees, digging up furniture, and anything else a shovel is used for. Its infinite durability means you can do so without worry.
Are there any other golden tools?
Yes! Animal Crossing: New Leaf features other golden tools, including the Golden Axe and the Golden Watering Can. These also have their own specific requirements and offer similar benefits, such as infinite durability.
Golden Axe Requirements:
- Chop down 100 trees with a regular Axe.
- Purchase the Silver Axe from Nook’s Cranny (after the shop is upgraded).
- Chop down 100 trees with the Silver Axe.
- Purchase the Golden Axe for 10,000 Bells.
Golden Watering Can Requirements:
- Achieve the “Good Lungs” HHA score (House rating). This requires a very high score, often achieved by filling your house with furniture and decorations.
- Purchase the Golden Watering Can for 10,000 Bells.
The pursuit of these golden tools is a significant undertaking that rewards dedicated players with the ultimate tools for town customization and maintenance. The Gold Shovel, in particular, is a foundational tool for any serious landscaper in New Leaf.
The Importance of Patience and Persistence
Acquiring the Gold Shovel is a testament to your commitment to Animal Crossing: New Leaf. It’s not an item you can rush or buy outright. It requires consistent effort, strategic planning, and a good dose of patience. Whether you’re meticulously burying furniture or diligently hunting for fossils, each action brings you one step closer to that coveted golden gleam.
Remember to enjoy the process! The journey of building your town, interacting with villagers, and completing these achievements is what makes Animal Crossing so special. The Gold Shovel is the cherry on top, a reward for your dedication to making your virtual world truly shine.
Conclusion
To get the Gold Shovel in Animal Crossing: New Leaf, you must first acquire the Silver Shovel by burying 100 pieces of furniture. Then, use the Silver Shovel to dig up 100 fossils. Once these conditions are met, the Gold Shovel will be available for purchase at Nook’s Cranny for 10,000 Bells. This highly durable tool is perfect for extensive landscaping and will never break, making it an invaluable asset for any dedicated player.
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