Animal Crossing: New Horizons wouldn't be the same without the trusty shovel. This seemingly simple tool unlocks a world of possibilities, from planting trees and flowers to unearthing valuable resources and customizing your island landscape. This comprehensive guide delves into everything you need to know about shovels in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, helping you become a true island-shaping expert.
What Can You Do With a Shovel in Animal Crossing: New Horizons?
The shovel is far more versatile than its initial appearance suggests. Its primary uses include:
- Planting trees and saplings: Essential for creating lush landscapes and generating valuable resources like fruit and wood.
- Burying bells: A crucial step in growing money trees, a significant source of wealth in the game.
- Digging holes: Create pathways, bury unwanted items (though these can be dug up again!), or prepare spots for planting.
- Unearthing fossils: A key element of paleontological pursuits on your island, leading to museum donations and completing your collection.
- Digging up glowing spots: These spots often contain valuable items or rare resources.
Different Types of Shovels in Animal Crossing: New Horizons
While the standard shovel gets the job done, Animal Crossing: New Horizons offers various shovel types, each with unique aesthetics and sometimes, functionality:
- Regular Shovel: Your basic, dependable shovel. It's the first shovel you obtain and is perfect for all standard digging needs.
- Golden Shovel: This coveted tool is crafted using a gold nugget, providing access to rare glowing spots that wouldn't normally be accessible. These spots often yield bells or valuable items.
- Custom Designs: Personalize your shovel with custom designs, reflecting your unique island style. You can choose the color and even add patterns.
How to Get a Shovel in Animal Crossing: New Horizons?
Early in your Animal Crossing: New Horizons journey, Tom Nook will provide you with a basic shovel. After that, you can create additional shovels using DIY recipes. Recipes are often obtained through various methods, including:
- Talking to villagers: Some villagers may offer DIY recipes as gifts or by engaging in conversation.
- Balloon presents: Keep an eye out for balloon presents floating across the sky, containing useful items, including occasional DIY recipes.
- Shopping at Nook's Cranny: The shop's inventory frequently changes, sometimes offering DIY recipes related to tools and landscaping.
- Nook Miles Redemption: You can exchange Nook Miles for DIY recipes from the Nook Stop terminal.
Where to Find Shovel DIY Recipes?
There is no single, guaranteed location to find shovel DIY recipes. Their appearance is often random, influenced by gameplay progression and chance. Persistent exploration and interactions with the environment are key to obtaining them.
Can You Upgrade Shovels in Animal Crossing: New Horizons?
No, you cannot directly upgrade shovels in the traditional sense. However, obtaining the golden shovel is effectively an upgrade, granting access to otherwise unavailable resources and activities. Custom designs allow for cosmetic upgrades to personalize your shovel.
How Many Shovels Can You Have?
You can have multiple shovels in your inventory. This allows you to carry different types of shovels for varied tasks, such as a regular shovel for everyday use and a golden shovel specifically for uncovering rare glowing spots.
What is the Best Shovel in Animal Crossing: New Horizons?
The "best" shovel depends on your needs. The regular shovel serves the majority of digging tasks effectively. The golden shovel is ideal for advanced resource gathering. The custom-designed shovels offer purely aesthetic appeal.
This guide provides a comprehensive overview of shovels in Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Remember, exploration, interaction, and a bit of luck are vital to maximizing the potential of your shovel and shaping your perfect island paradise.
