So, you’ve landed on your very own deserted island (or maybe you’re just starting out in New Horizons), and you’re eager to dig into the possibilities. But wait, you can’t just dig up those precious fossils or plant those lovely flowers without the right tool. You’re wondering, how do I get the shovel in Animal Crossing?
Don’t worry, fellow islander! Getting your hands on a shovel is a fundamental step in your Animal Crossing journey, unlocking a whole new world of island customization and discovery. We’ll guide you through the simple process, ensuring you’re digging for treasure and tidying up your island in no time.
Unearthing the Shovel: Your First Essential Tool
The shovel is an indispensable tool in every Animal Crossing game, serving a multitude of purposes. From unearthing ancient fossils and buried treasure to planting trees and flowers, its utility is vast. Without it, your island’s potential for growth and customization remains significantly limited. This guide will break down the various methods and requirements to obtain your very own shovel, ensuring you’re well-equipped for all your island adventures.
Getting Your First Shovel in Animal Crossing: New Horizons
In Animal Crossing: New Horizons, the process of acquiring your first shovel is tied directly to your island’s development and your relationship with Tom Nook. It’s a gentle introduction to the crafting and tool system.
- Initial Island Setup: Upon arriving on your deserted island and completing the initial setup with Tom Nook, you’ll be given basic tools. However, the shovel isn’t immediately available.
- Tom Nook’s Crafting Tutorial: After a day or two on the island, Tom Nook will hold a special event. He’ll introduce you to the concept of DIY recipes and the crafting bench.
- The Flimsy Shovel Recipe: During this tutorial, Tom Nook will teach you the DIY recipe for the Flimsy Shovel. This is your very first shovel!
- Gathering Materials: To craft the Flimsy Shovel, you’ll need 3 Iron Nuggets. These can be found by hitting rocks on your island with a stone axe or a regular axe. Be sure to hit each rock multiple times a day, as they respawn!
- Crafting: Once you have the Iron Nuggets, head to a crafting bench (initially, you can use the one at Resident Services) and craft your Flimsy Shovel using the acquired recipe.
The Flimsy Shovel is great for starting out, but it breaks relatively quickly. To upgrade, you’ll need the recipe for the standard Shovel.
Obtaining the Standard Shovel Recipe in New Horizons
The recipe for the regular Shovel, which is more durable than its flimsy counterpart, becomes available as you progress through the early stages of island development. (See Also: how to get flimsy shovel animal crossing)
- Unlocking the Museum: After you’ve settled in and gathered some resources, Tom Nook will encourage you to donate 15 different sea creatures or fish to him.
- Blathers’ Arrival: Once you’ve made your donations, Tom Nook will call Blathers, the museum curator, who will then set up his tent on your island.
- Donating to Blathers: Talk to Blathers and donate at least one critter to him. This action triggers the next step in unlocking more advanced tools.
- Tom Nook’s Upgrade: The following day, Tom Nook will have a special announcement. He’ll mention that he’s received a delivery of new DIY recipes, including the one for the standard Shovel.
- Purchasing the Recipe: Visit Nook’s Cranny (which will have opened by this point) and purchase the DIY for Shovel from the cabinet near the counter. It usually costs around 900 Bells.
- Crafting the Shovel: The Shovel requires 1 Iron Nugget and 1 Hardwood. Hardwood can be obtained by hitting trees with an axe.
The Golden Shovel: The Ultimate Digging Tool
For the dedicated islander, the Golden Shovel is the ultimate prize. It’s incredibly durable and has a unique ability that makes it highly sought after.
How to Get the Golden Shovel Recipe:
- The Achievement: The Golden Shovel recipe is awarded for completing a specific in-game achievement: digging up 100 fossils.
- Tracking Your Progress: You can check your progress on this achievement by opening your NookPhone, navigating to the Nook Miles+ app, and then selecting the Achievements tab. Look for the ‘Fossil Collector’ achievement.
- Receiving the Recipe: Once you’ve dug up your 100th fossil, the DIY recipe for the Golden Shovel will be automatically sent to your NookPhone.
- Crafting the Golden Shovel: This golden marvel requires 1 Shovel (the regular one, not flimsy) and 3 Gold Nuggets. Gold Nuggets are rarer than Iron Nuggets and are typically obtained by hitting the special Gold Rock that appears on your island once per day, or by finding them on Mystery Islands.
Why the Golden Shovel is Special:
- Durability: It has significantly higher durability than other shovels, meaning it will last much longer before breaking.
- Special Ability: If you plant a shovel in the ground and water it, there’s a chance a money tree will grow! This is a fantastic way to earn Bells. The tree will yield 30,000 Bells when fully grown.
Getting a Shovel in Animal Crossing: New Leaf
The process in Animal Crossing: New Leaf is slightly different, focusing on building up your town and interacting with shopkeepers.
Your First Shovel: (See Also: how much to shovel a driveway)
- Starting Out: Like in New Horizons, you’ll start with basic tools. The shovel isn’t immediately available.
- Town Development: As you play and develop your town, you’ll eventually unlock the ability to purchase better tools.
- Nook’s Homes: Tom Nook, who runs Nook’s Homes, will eventually offer you a Shovel for sale. This is usually one of the first upgraded tools he offers. The cost is typically around 2,500 Bells.
Upgrading to the Golden Shovel in New Leaf:
The Golden Shovel in New Leaf is also an achievement-based reward, but the criteria are different.
- The Shovel Knight: You need to purchase 100 shovels from Nook’s Homes. This includes all types of shovels you buy over time.
- The Reward: Once you’ve met this requirement, talk to Tom Nook at Nook’s Homes. He will recognize your dedication to digging and offer you the Golden Shovel as a reward.
- Cost: The Golden Shovel itself is usually free once you’ve met the requirement, but it’s the cumulative purchase of 100 shovels that unlocks it.
Getting a Shovel in Other Animal Crossing Games
While New Horizons and New Leaf are the most recent and popular titles, the shovel has been a staple across the series. The methods for obtaining it are generally similar:
- Early Game Purchase: In older titles like Animal Crossing (GCN) and Animal Crossing: Wild World, you would typically purchase a shovel from Tom Nook’s store once it was sufficiently upgraded or as part of your initial town development.
- DIY/Crafting (Less Common): While crafting is prominent in New Horizons, it was less of a focus for tool acquisition in earlier games. However, some special tools might have been obtainable through specific events or quests.
- Golden Tools: The concept of a Golden Shovel, often tied to an achievement like digging up fossils or buying many items, has been present in various forms across the series, rewarding dedicated players with a more durable and sometimes special-use tool.
What Can You Do with a Shovel?
The shovel is far more than just a digging implement. It’s your key to unlocking the full potential of your island life.
| Activity | Description | Game Relevance |
|---|---|---|
| Digging Fossils | Unearth ancient dinosaur bones and sea creatures to donate to the museum or sell. Look for the tell-tale ‘X’ marks on the ground. | All Games |
| Finding Buried Treasure | Discover bags of Bells or even special items buried in the ground. Again, look for the ‘X’. | All Games |
| Planting Trees and Flowers | Create a lush and beautiful island by planting saplings, flower seeds, and saplings for fruit trees. The shovel creates the hole for planting. | All Games |
| Moving Trees and Flowers | Dig up existing trees and flowers to relocate them around your island. This is crucial for island landscaping. | All Games |
| Discovering Money Piles | In New Horizons, hitting rocks can yield Iron Nuggets, Clay, and sometimes even Bells. The shovel is needed to dig up the Bell deposits. | New Horizons |
| Growing Money Trees | The Golden Shovel in New Horizons allows you to plant Bell pouches in the ground to grow a tree that yields three times the amount you planted (up to 30,000 Bells). | New Horizons |
| Finding Gyroids | Dig up these quirky musical items that are buried in the ground. They often appear after it rains. | All Games |
Tips for Effective Shovel Usage
To make the most of your digging endeavors, keep these tips in mind: (See Also: how to keep snow from sticking to your shovel)
- Listen for the Sound: When you’re near a buried item or fossil, your character will often make a distinct sound. Pay attention to this cue.
- Look for the ‘X’: The glowing ‘X’ on the ground is your universal sign for something buried.
- Don’t Waste Durability: Use your Flimsy Shovel for less important tasks and save your durable shovels for when you really need them.
- Upgrade When Possible: Always aim to upgrade to the standard shovel and then the Golden Shovel as soon as you can. The increased durability and special abilities are game-changers.
- Mystery Island Tours: Mystery Islands can be great places to find rocks for Iron Nuggets and sometimes even rare items. Bring your shovel!
- Save Your Fossils: Don’t sell all your fossils immediately. Donate a selection to Blathers to complete your museum, and then decide what to do with the rest.
Mastering the use of your shovel is a cornerstone of becoming a successful Animal Crossing player. It’s your direct link to uncovering the island’s secrets, shaping its landscape, and fostering its growth. So, grab your shovel and get digging – adventure awaits!
Conclusion
Getting a shovel in Animal Crossing is a straightforward process, essential for unlocking many of the game’s core activities. Whether you’re crafting your first Flimsy Shovel in New Horizons or purchasing one from Tom Nook in New Leaf, this tool is your gateway to digging up fossils, finding treasure, and beautifying your island. Aim for the Golden Shovel for ultimate durability and the unique ability to grow money trees, making your island life even more rewarding.
Recommended Products
No products found.
