Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a popular life simulation video game that allows players to build their own virtual island paradise. One of the key aspects of the game is crafting different tools and items to help enhance the island and its residents’ lives. One such tool that players will need is a shovel, which can be used for various activities like digging up fossils, planting trees, and creating pathways.
However, before you can get your hands on a sturdy iron or golden shovel, you’ll need to start with a more basic version. In this guide, we’ll show you how to craft a flimsy shovel in Animal Crossing.
To begin crafting a flimsy shovel, you’ll need a few essential materials. Firstly, you’ll need to collect five tree branches, which can be found by shaking trees or picking them up from the ground. Additionally, you’ll need one iron nugget, which can be obtained by hitting rocks with your regular or flimsy axe.
Once you have collected the necessary materials, open your inventory and navigate to the crafting tab. Scroll through the list of available recipes until you find the flimsy shovel recipe. Select it, and the game will automatically prompt you to craft the shovel using the required materials.
Once crafted, the flimsy shovel will appear in your inventory, ready for use. Remember, the flimsy shovel has a limited durability, meaning it will break after a certain number of uses. However, it is a crucial tool to have in the early stages of the game, as it allows you to perform basic tasks that will help you progress and develop your island.
Now that you know how to craft a flimsy shovel in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, go ahead and start digging up treasures, planting flowers, and creating the island oasis of your dreams!
Step 1: Gather necessary materials
To craft a flimsy shovel in Animal Crossing, you will need to gather the following materials:
- Hardwood: You can obtain hardwood by hitting trees with an axe. Make sure to use a normal axe and not a stone axe, as stone axes will not drop hardwood.
- Iron Nugget: Iron nuggets can be found by hitting rocks with a shovel or an axe. Make sure to hit the rock multiple times to maximize your chances of obtaining iron nuggets.
Once you have gathered these materials, you are ready to move on to the next step of crafting your flimsy shovel!
Step 2: Find a crafting recipe
Once you have obtained some basic materials, such as tree branches or hardwood, you can start crafting your flimsy shovel. To do this, you will need to find a crafting recipe.
There are a few ways to get crafting recipes in Animal Crossing: New Horizons. One way is by collecting DIY recipe cards that are scattered around your island. These cards can be found in message bottles that wash up on the beach or by shooting down balloons with your slingshot. When you find a recipe card, simply open your inventory and select it to learn the recipe.
Another way to get crafting recipes is by talking to your villagers. They may randomly teach you a recipe if you engage in conversation with them regularly. So make sure to talk to all of your neighbors to increase your chances of finding new recipes.
Once you have obtained a crafting recipe for the flimsy shovel, open your crafting menu by pressing the “X” button on your Nintendo Switch. Select the recipe from the menu and gather the required materials. Be sure to have enough tree branches or hardwood to complete the crafting process.
With the recipe and materials in hand, simply follow the on-screen instructions to craft your flimsy shovel. Once completed, you will be able to use it for digging up fossils, hitting rocks, or digging up trees and flowers. And remember, the flimsy shovel won’t last forever, so you may need to craft a new one in the future.
Step 3: Locate a crafting station
To craft a flimsy shovel in Animal Crossing, you will need to find a crafting station. These stations can be located in a few different places within the game.
One common place to find a crafting station is in the Resident Services building. This is the main building in your island where Tom Nook and Isabelle are located. Inside the building, you will find a crafting table where you can craft various items, including the flimsy shovel.
Another place to find a crafting station is at any of the DIY workbenches scattered around your island. These workbenches can be found in various locations, such as the beach, the plaza, or even inside some villagers’ houses. Look for a workbench with tools and materials nearby, as this is a telltale sign that it is a crafting station.
Once you have located a crafting station, approach it and press the A button to interact with it. This will bring up the crafting menu on your screen. From here, you can select the flimsy shovel recipe and begin the crafting process.
Important Tips:
1. Take note of the materials needed: To craft a flimsy shovel, you will need 5 hardwood. Make sure you have enough of this material before attempting to craft the shovel.
2. Gather materials before crafting: It is a good idea to gather all the materials needed for the flimsy shovel before approaching the crafting station. This way, you can craft the shovel without any interruptions or delays.
By following these steps, you will be able to locate a crafting station and begin crafting your very own flimsy shovel in Animal Crossing.
Step 4: Craft the flimsy shovel
Now that you have gathered the necessary materials, it’s time to craft your very own flimsy shovel. Follow these simple steps:
1. Open your crafting menu: Press the X button on your Nintendo Switch to open your inventory. Select the DIY Recipes app on your NookPhone.
2. Find the flimsy shovel recipe: Scroll through your DIY recipes until you find the flimsy shovel recipe. It is usually one of the first few recipes you learn in the game.
3. Gather the materials: Make sure you have 5 tree branches in your inventory. If you don’t have enough, shake trees or collect them from the ground.
4. Craft the flimsy shovel: Select the flimsy shovel recipe and press the A button to craft it. The materials will be consumed, and you will receive a flimsy shovel in return.
5. Congratulations! You have successfully crafted a flimsy shovel. Now you can use it to dig up fossils, bury items, and dig for treasures on your island.
Note: The flimsy shovel has limited durability, so be sure to keep an eye on its condition. If it breaks, you can always craft a new one using the same recipe.
Step 5: Test the flimsy shovel
Now that you’ve crafted your flimsy shovel, it’s time to put it to the test! Head outside to your island and find a diggable spot. You can easily identify these spots by the small mound of dirt on the ground.
1. Approach the diggable spot
Walk up to the diggable spot and position yourself directly in front of it. Make sure you have your flimsy shovel equipped in your inventory.
2. Press the ‘A’ button
Once you’re in position, press the ‘A’ button on your Nintendo Switch controller to start digging. Your character will swing the shovel and remove the dirt from the spot, revealing what’s underneath.
3. Dig up your findings
As you dig, you may uncover various items such as fossils, bugs, or even buried items. Use your flimsy shovel to carefully excavate the area and collect any items you find.
4. Use the ‘Y’ button to cover up the hole
After you’ve finished digging, you can use the ‘Y’ button to cover up the hole and make it look neat again. This is optional but can help maintain the aesthetics of your island.
Note: Keep in mind that the flimsy shovel has limited durability, so it may break after a certain number of uses. If it does break, you can always craft a new one using the same materials.
Continue exploring your island and digging up hidden treasures with your flimsy shovel!
Step 6: Upgrade to a better shovel
Once you have crafted your flimsy shovel, it’s time to start thinking about upgrading to a better one. While the flimsy shovel is a great tool to start with, it has limited durability and can break after repeated use. Upgrading to a better shovel will not only give you a more durable tool, but it will also unlock new abilities.
To upgrade your shovel, you will need to find a golden nugget. Golden nuggets can be found by hitting rocks on your island with a shovel or axe. They are quite rare, so be sure to check all of your rocks every day for a chance to find one.
Once you have obtained a golden nugget, take it to Tom Nook’s shop and speak to Timmy or Tommy. They will offer to upgrade your flimsy shovel in exchange for the golden nugget. After the upgrade, your shovel will have increased durability and the ability to dig up valuable items, such as fossils and rare plants.
Upgrading your shovel is an important step in your journey to create the perfect island in Animal Crossing. With a better shovel, you will be able to dig up fossils, plant trees more efficiently, and uncover buried treasures. So keep an eye out for golden nuggets and take advantage of the opportunity to upgrade your shovel as soon as possible.
