Ah, the trusty shovel! In the charming world of Animal Crossing, this humble tool is an absolute game-changer. Whether you’re digging up fossils to donate to the museum, planting new trees to beautify your island, or unearthing those elusive buried bells, a shovel is indispensable.
But how do you get your hands on one? If you’re just starting out or haven’t quite unlocked this essential item yet, you might be wondering, ‘How do I build a shovel in Animal Crossing?’ Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! This guide will walk you through every step, from your very first flimsy shovel to the sturdier, more durable options.
Your First Shovel: The Flimsy Shovel
When you first arrive on your island paradise, you’ll be equipped with the basics. However, a shovel isn’t something you start with right away. You’ll need to progress a little in the game to unlock the crafting recipe for your very first shovel, the Flimsy Shovel. This is your entry point into the world of excavation and planting.
Unlocking the Flimsy Shovel Recipe
The key to obtaining the Flimsy Shovel recipe lies with Tom Nook and his ever-helpful (and sometimes demanding) tasks. Early in your island life, Tom Nook will guide you through the initial setup and encourage you to gather specific resources. One of his early goals involves setting up your first tent for a new villager.
To achieve this, you’ll need to gather three pieces of wood from trees. Once you’ve collected the wood and handed it over to Tom Nook, he’ll reward you with the recipe for the Flimsy Shovel. This is usually one of the very first crafting recipes you’ll learn.
Crafting the Flimsy Shovel
Once you have the recipe, you’ll need a DIY Workbench. Tom Nook usually provides you with your first workbench very early on, often placed conveniently near your tent or his own.
Here’s what you’ll need to craft the Flimsy Shovel:
- Wood (x3): This is the basic material you’ll have just gathered.
Simply interact with the DIY Workbench, select the Flimsy Shovel recipe from your learned DIYs, and gather the required wood. Voilà! You’ve just crafted your first shovel. It’s important to note that the Flimsy Shovel is, well, flimsy. It breaks after a certain number of uses, so you’ll need to craft more as you go.
Upgrading Your Digging Power: The Shovel
The Flimsy Shovel is great for getting started, but its durability is limited. To truly make the most of your island’s potential, you’ll want to upgrade to the standard Shovel. This tool offers much better durability and is essential for more serious digging projects.
How to Get the Shovel Recipe
The recipe for the standard Shovel is unlocked by purchasing it from Nook’s Cranny, the general store run by Timmy and Tommy. However, Nook’s Cranny doesn’t appear on your island from day one. You’ll need to progress through the game a bit more. (See Also: how to get flimsy shovel animal crossing)
Here’s the typical progression:
- Establish Your Island: Complete the initial tasks set by Tom Nook to get your island up and running.
- Upgrade Resident Services: After a few days and completing certain milestones, Tom Nook will announce plans to upgrade Resident Services from a tent to a proper building. This involves gathering more resources and paying off your initial loan.
- Build Nook’s Cranny: Once Resident Services is upgraded, Timmy will set up a temporary shop. After a few more days and some additional resource gathering (usually iron nuggets), he’ll announce the construction of Nook’s Cranny.
Once Nook’s Cranny is built and open for business, you can purchase the DIY for Beginners 6.0 pack from the cabinet inside. This pack contains the recipes for several essential tools, including the standard Shovel. It usually costs 870 Bells.
Crafting the Standard Shovel
With the recipe in hand, head back to your trusty DIY Workbench. The materials needed for the standard Shovel are:
- Iron Nugget (x1): These can be found by hitting rocks on your island with a Flimsy Axe or Flimsy Hammer.
- Wood (x3): Regular wood gathered from trees.
Gather these materials, interact with your DIY Workbench, and craft your new, more durable Shovel!
The Ultimate Digging Tool: The Golden Shovel
For the most dedicated islanders, there’s the legendary Golden Shovel. This tool is not only incredibly durable (it has a very high number of uses before breaking) but also has a special property: it allows you to plant money trees. This is a significant upgrade for anyone looking to boost their Bell income.
How to Obtain the Golden Shovel Recipe
The Golden Shovel recipe is a reward for a specific achievement related to your fossil collection. You need to have donated 15 or more unique items to the museum. Once you’ve done this, you’ll need to speak to Blathers, the curator of the museum.
The process typically unfolds like this:
- Donate Fossils: Focus on digging up fossils and donating them to Blathers. Aim to donate at least 15 different types of fossils.
- Complete a Section: Once you’ve donated a good number, Blathers might comment on how your collection is growing.
- Receive the Recipe: After donating your 15th unique item (or sometimes a few more, depending on game progression and specific dialogue), Blathers will eventually offer you the Golden Shovel DIY recipe as a thank you for your contributions. He might give it to you directly, or it might appear in your DIY collection after a conversation.
Crafting the Golden Shovel
The Golden Shovel requires more advanced materials than its predecessors. You’ll need:
- Golden Nugget (x1): These are much rarer than iron nuggets. You can find them by hitting rocks, but they have a very low drop rate. Sometimes, you can also get them from balloon presents or by completing certain tasks.
- Shovel (x1): Yes, you need a regular Shovel to craft the Golden Shovel! Make sure you have a durable one.
Once you have the Golden Nugget and a standard Shovel, head to your DIY Workbench. Crafting the Golden Shovel is the final step in mastering your digging capabilities. (See Also: how much to shovel a driveway)
Other Shovel Variations and Their Uses
While the Flimsy Shovel, standard Shovel, and Golden Shovel are the primary ones you’ll craft, there are a few other shovel-like items and considerations in Animal Crossing:
The Shovelhead Diy
This is not a functional tool itself but a part of a larger DIY project. You won’t be digging with a Shovelhead. It’s important to distinguish this from the actual shovel tools.
Special Shovels From Events or Special Characters
Occasionally, during special events or through interactions with certain characters (like the gardening shop owner, Leif, who sells special flower seeds), you might acquire tools with unique designs or slightly different functionalities, though these are less common for the shovel itself compared to other tools like watering cans.
Using Your Shovel Effectively
Now that you know how to build them, let’s talk about using them!
Digging Fossils
Look for the tell-tale star-shaped cracks on the ground. Dig them up with your shovel to unearth valuable fossils. Remember, you need at least 15 unique fossils to get the Golden Shovel!
Planting Trees and Flowers
Use your shovel to dig holes for saplings, trees, and flower seeds. The Golden Shovel is particularly useful for planting money trees.
Finding Bell Bags
Sometimes, you’ll see a shimmering spot on the ground. Digging this up will reveal a bag of Bells. You can then re-bury Bells in this same spot to grow a money tree (with the Golden Shovel).
Unearthing Gyroids
Gyroids are quirky little collectibles that can be found buried in the ground after it rains. They also require your shovel!
Moving Items
While not its primary function, you can use your shovel to dig up trees and flowers, allowing you to reposition them around your island. Be mindful that trees will disappear if you dig them up and don’t immediately replant them or store them. (See Also: how to keep snow from sticking to your shovel)
Durability and Repair
Unlike some other tools in Animal Crossing, shovels (and their flimsy variants) cannot be repaired. Once they break, they are gone forever, and you’ll need to craft a new one. This is why upgrading to the standard Shovel and eventually the Golden Shovel is so important for efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Diy Workbench Locations
You’ll be interacting with DIY Workbenches frequently. Here are the common places you’ll find them:
- Your Home: You can craft a DIY Workbench and place it in your house.
- Resident Services: There is usually a communal DIY Workbench available in Resident Services.
- Nook’s Cranny: Sometimes, the shop itself will have one accessible.
- Villager Homes: Occasionally, you might be able to use a villager’s workbench if they have one out.
- Crafted Items: You can craft various DIY Workbench items yourself, offering portability or unique aesthetics.
Tips for Efficient Shovel Usage
- Always have spares: Keep a few Flimsy Shovels or at least one standard Shovel in your inventory so you’re never caught without one.
- Prioritize the upgrade: Getting the standard Shovel recipe from Nook’s Cranny should be a high priority early on.
- Aim for the Golden Shovel: The durability and money tree functionality make it a worthwhile long-term goal.
- Check your inventory: Before heading out on a fossil hunt or gardening spree, ensure you have enough shovel durability or spares.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
I can’t find the Flimsy Shovel recipe! Make sure you’ve spoken to Tom Nook after gathering the initial three pieces of wood. He should give you the recipe directly.
Nook’s Cranny isn’t built yet! You need to have upgraded Resident Services first. Keep playing and completing Tom Nook’s requests.
I don’t have any Iron Nuggets! Hit all the rocks on your island with a Flimsy Axe or Hammer. You can hit each rock up to eight times per day. If you’re still struggling, visit Nook Miles Ticket islands as they often have more rocks.
Blathers isn’t giving me the Golden Shovel recipe! Ensure you have donated at least 15 *unique* items. Sometimes, you might need to donate a few more or trigger a specific conversation with Blathers after a donation.
Building and using shovels is fundamental to your Animal Crossing experience. From unearthing ancient secrets to cultivating a beautiful island, your shovel is your most reliable companion. Master the art of crafting them, and your island life will flourish!
Conclusion
Building a shovel in Animal Crossing is a straightforward process that unlocks a wealth of gameplay possibilities. Starting with the Flimsy Shovel, you’ll progress to the more durable standard Shovel and eventually the coveted Golden Shovel, each requiring different resources and unlocking new ways to interact with your island. Prioritizing these crafting recipes will significantly enhance your ability to collect fossils, plant trees, and unearth valuable treasures, making your island journey more rewarding and efficient.
Recommended Products
No products found.
