How to Get a Shovel in Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Introduction
The shovel is a fundamental tool in Animal Crossing: New Horizons. It's your gateway to digging up buried treasure, planting trees, and even customizing your island's landscape. You'll need it for everything from digging up fossils to creating custom designs. But how do you get your hands on this invaluable tool?
This comprehensive guide will break down everything you need to know about acquiring your first shovel, its uses, and how to get the most out of this versatile tool. We'll cover everything from basic usage to the best tips and tricks for finding rare treasures.
Obtaining Your First Shovel
The first step to acquiring your shovel is a simple one. It's gifted to you by none other than Tom Nook, the ever-helpful raccoon, at the very start of your island adventure. Here's how it works:
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Start Your Island Life: After completing the initial tutorial and choosing your island's name, you'll be introduced to your first campsite. This is where you'll meet Tom Nook, who will welcome you with open paws.
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Initial Housing Loan: Tom Nook will offer you a tent as your first home and explain the basics of Island living.
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The Shovel Gift: As you progress, Tom Nook will guide you through building a house. After you've made some progress, he'll take you to your newly built home and present you with your very first shovel.
Unlocking New Shovel Styles
While the initial shovel gets the job done, the world of Animal Crossing is all about customization, and this includes your tools. Here's how you can unlock new shovel styles:
1. Nook's Cranny Expansion:
- Your initial shovel is the "Golden Shovel". It's a basic model with a classic design and is perfect for getting started.
- As you continue your island life, you'll unlock new shops and upgrade Tom Nook's store to the fully-fledged Nook's Cranny. This upgrade usually happens once you have paid off the initial loan for your house.
- Once Nook's Cranny is established, it will begin selling a variety of tools, including different styles of shovels. These styles might be seasonal, holiday-themed, or based on special events.
2. Crafting Recipes:
- Another way to access different shovel styles is through crafting. Crafting recipes for tools like the Shovel can be found in various ways, such as:
- Balloon Presents: Keep an eye out for balloons floating over your island. They often carry gifts, including new crafting recipes.
- Mystery Islands: Visit mystery islands, accessible through Nook Miles Tickets. These islands are a treasure trove of resources, crafting recipes, and new DIY projects.
- Bottled Messages: Search for bottles washed up on the shore. These bottles often contain DIY recipes, including ones for tools.
- Villager Gifts: Sometimes, your friendly villagers will gift you DIY recipes as a sign of their appreciation.
3. Nook's Cranny & Special Events:
- Keep an eye out for seasonal events, as these often offer special tool styles.
- Nook's Cranny sometimes offers limited-edition shovel styles in celebration of certain holidays or events. These are often available for a limited time, so don't miss out!
How to Use Your Shovel:
The shovel is a multi-purpose tool in Animal Crossing, and mastering its use is key to your island success.
1. Digging Holes:
- Press the "A" button while holding your shovel to dig a hole.
- Holes can be used to plant trees, bury items, or create pathways.
- You can dig up to 10 holes at a time.
2. Planting Trees:
- To plant a tree, place a sapling in a dug hole and press "A".
- Each tree species has different growth times and yields different fruits.
3. Bury Items:
- You can bury items in holes to create personal "treasure" spots.
- These can be used as decorations, gifts for friends, or even to hide valuable items.
4. Customization:
- Using your shovel, you can customize the landscape of your island.
- Create flat areas, remove unwanted terrain, and build ramps for easy movement.
Advanced Shovel Techniques:
Once you've mastered the basics, there are a few more advanced shovel techniques you can explore:
1. Creating Custom Designs:
- By burying specific items, you can create personalized designs in your island's landscape.
- Some items, like flowers, can be dug up and replanted to create custom patterns.
- This allows you to add unique touches to your island, such as flower paths, intricate designs, or hidden messages.
2. Finding Buried Treasure:
- Your shovel is the key to uncovering hidden treasures on your island.
- You'll often find shiny spots on the ground, indicating buried items.
- These can range from common items to rare treasures.
3. Fossil Hunting:
- While the shovel is crucial for digging holes, it's also your go-to tool for finding fossils.
- Keep an eye out for cracks in the ground or the distinctive texture of fossils.
- Digging up fossils and donating them to the museum is a rewarding way to learn more about your island's history.
4. The Golden Shovel:
- The Golden Shovel is a special tool that unlocks a unique ability.
- This powerful shovel can be used to plant specific trees that yield rare items.
- For example, you can plant money trees that grow money bags, or special fruit trees that yield rare items.
Finding Rare Treasures:
The thrill of the hunt is a key aspect of Animal Crossing, and the shovel is your weapon of choice for uncovering those rare gems.
1. Shiny Spots:
- The most obvious sign of buried treasure is a shimmering spot on the ground.
- These spots typically appear in random locations and may be found near trees, rocks, or water.
- Digging up these spots can yield a variety of items, from bells to rare furniture pieces.
2. Hidden Items:
- Sometimes, buried treasure is hidden in unexpected places.
- Look for areas that might be partially covered in sand, rocks, or foliage.
- You may find valuable items buried in these unusual locations.
3. The Golden Shovel:
- The Golden Shovel is a powerful tool for uncovering rare items.
- It can be used to plant Money Trees and certain fruit trees, yielding valuable items.
- The Golden Shovel can also be used to find buried items that are usually only found in certain locations, such as rare fossils or specific crafting materials.
Tips for Using Your Shovel:
Here are a few extra tips to make the most of your shovel:
- Carry it with you: Always have your shovel equipped. You never know when you'll find a shiny spot or a hidden treasure.
- Explore your island: Don't limit yourself to your house and town square. Explore all corners of your island, as treasures are often hidden in surprising places.
- Look out for special events: Seasonal events often feature special items that can be buried or found using your shovel.
- Donate to the museum: While finding valuable items is exciting, donating fossils to the museum will contribute to your island's development and provide you with valuable rewards.
FAQs
Q: What is the best way to find rare treasures? A: The best way to find rare treasures is to explore your island thoroughly, keep an eye out for shiny spots, and make use of the Golden Shovel for planting rare trees.
Q: Can I get more than one shovel? A: You can have multiple shovels at a time, but only one can be equipped.
Q: How can I get the Golden Shovel? A: The Golden Shovel is a reward given to you for finding all 100 different types of fossils and donating them to the museum.
Q: How do I get rid of unwanted holes? A: To fill in holes, simply press the "A" button while holding your shovel over the hole.
Q: Can I use my shovel to dig up rocks? A: Unfortunately, you cannot use your shovel to dig up rocks. You need a different tool, like an axe, for that.
Conclusion
The shovel is a vital tool in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, enabling you to explore your island, customize its landscape, and uncover hidden treasures. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you'll be well on your way to becoming a seasoned island explorer. From digging up fossils to planting Money Trees, the shovel is your key to unlocking the endless possibilities of island life. Keep exploring, keep digging, and remember, the true value of your shovel lies in the experiences and discoveries it helps you create!