New Horizons, the popular life simulation video game developed by Nintendo for the Nintendo Switch console, offers players a tranquil and immersive experience on a deserted island. As you explore and develop your island paradise, you’ll come across various tools that are essential for your progress. One such tool is the shovel.
But when do you get a shovel in New Horizons? The answer to this question depends on your progress in the game. When you first arrive on your deserted island, you will have limited access to tools and resources. However, as you complete various tasks and objectives, you will gradually unlock new tools and abilities.
The shovel is no exception. In order to obtain a shovel in New Horizons, you will need to advance through the early stages of the game. This includes completing tasks for the island’s resident representative, Tom Nook, and attracting new residents to your island. As you continue to develop your island and meet certain criteria, Tom Nook will reward you with the shovel, allowing you to dig up and plant trees, flowers, and more.
Guide to Getting a Shovel in New Horizons
In Animal Crossing: New Horizons, a shovel is an essential tool that allows you to dig up fossils, plant trees, and unearth various treasures. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to obtain a shovel in the game.
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | After setting up your tent on the deserted island, Tom Nook will provide you with a free DIY Workshop. Complete the workshop and craft the necessary tools. |
| 2 | Gather the required materials (5 softwood) and craft a flimsy shovel at the DIY Workbench. |
| 3 | Once you have a flimsy shovel, start exploring your island. Look for dig spots, which appear as small X marks on the ground. |
| 4 | Approach a dig spot and press the A button to dig. You may find fossils, valuable items, or even bugs. |
| 5 | Besides dig spots, you can also find shovels in the Resident Services area. Head to Tom Nook’s tent and check the cabinet on the back wall. You can purchase a flimsy shovel for 800 Bells. |
| 6 | Upgrade your shovel by collecting a certain number of fossils and donating them to the museum. Once you have donated enough, Blathers will reward you with a DIY recipe for a regular shovel. |
| 7 | Use the regular shovel to dig up fully grown trees, unearth gyroids, and find more valuable items. |
With your shovel in hand, you can now enjoy all the digging adventures that await you on your deserted island in Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Happy digging!
How to Obtain a Shovel in New Horizons
Animal Crossing: New Horizons allows players to dig up fossils, plant flowers, and unearth hidden items with the help of a trusty shovel. Here’s how you can obtain this essential tool in the game.
Step 1: Progress Through the Game
To unlock the ability to obtain a shovel, players must first progress through the early stages of the game. This involves completing various tasks and objectives given by Tom Nook, the game’s main character. Keep playing and following his instructions until you have officially established your new island getaway.
Step 2: Upgrade the Resident Services Tent
After establishing your island, you will need to upgrade the Resident Services tent into a building. Tom Nook will inform you when this upgrade is available. Once the building is constructed, visit Tom Nook inside to access his DIY workbench.
Step 3: Craft and Donate Three Housing Kits
Tom Nook will now ask you to craft and donate three housing kits for new villagers. Follow his instructions and gather the necessary materials, such as wood and softwood, to craft the housing kits. After donating all three kits, talk to Tom Nook to receive a reward: the DIY recipe for a shovel.
Step 4: Craft and Use the Shovel
With the DIY recipe in hand, head over to the DIY workbench and craft your very own shovel. You will need one hardwood and one iron nugget to create it. Once crafted, equip the shovel and start using it to dig up fossils, plant flowers, or simply have fun exploring your island.
Step 5: Maintain Your Shovel
It’s important to note that shovels in Animal Crossing: New Horizons have a durability and will eventually break after multiple uses. To prevent this, make sure to purchase or craft multiple shovels in advance. Also, keep an eye out for golden shovels, which have increased durability and can even plant money trees.
By following these steps, you’ll be able to obtain a shovel in Animal Crossing: New Horizons and fully enjoy the island life experience!
Unlocking the Shovel: Step-by-Step
In Animal Crossing: New Horizons, the shovel is an essential tool that allows you to dig up fossils, plant trees, and uncover buried treasure. However, you won’t have access to the shovel right from the start. Here’s how you can unlock it:
Step 1: Progress through the Game
Your first step is to progress through the game and establish your island. This includes setting up your tent, meeting the residents, and completing various tasks for Tom Nook.
Step 2: Upgrade to a House
Once you have completed some initial tasks, Tom Nook will offer you the opportunity to upgrade from a tent to a house. This upgrade requires you to pay a loan in Nook Miles.
Step 3: Collect Iron Nuggets
To pay off your loan, you will need to collect iron nuggets. You can find these by hitting rocks with your regular axe or shovel. Rocks are scattered throughout your island, so explore and hit them until you have enough iron nuggets.
Step 4: Craft a Flimsy Shovel
Once you have collected enough iron nuggets, go to a DIY workbench and craft a flimsy shovel. To craft a flimsy shovel, you will need 5 tree branches and 1 iron nugget. After crafting the flimsy shovel, it will appear in your inventory.
Step 5: Upgrade to a Regular Shovel
With your flimsy shovel in hand, you can now start digging up fossils, planting trees, and discovering buried treasures. However, if you want a more durable tool, you can upgrade to a regular shovel by using one of your flimsy shovels as a DIY recipe ingredient.
Step 6: Customize Your Shovel
Once you have the regular shovel, you can customize it to your liking. Visit a DIY workbench and use customization kits to change the color or pattern of your shovel.
By following these steps, you will unlock and obtain a shovel in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, allowing you to enjoy all the benefits it offers on your virtual island.
Where to Find the Shovel in New Horizons
In Animal Crossing: New Horizons, the shovel is an essential tool for digging up fossils, planting trees, and unearthing buried items. Here are some ways to obtain the shovel in the game.
1. Buying from Nook’s Cranny
Once the upgraded Nook’s Cranny store is open on your island, you can visit the shop and check for the shovel in the tools section. The shovel will be available for purchase for 2,000 Bells.
2. Getting the DIY Recipe
Another option is to obtain the shovel DIY recipe. This recipe can be acquired in several different ways:
- Gifted by Blathers: After donating your first fossil to the museum, Blathers will reward you with the shovel DIY recipe.
- Bottled Message: Sometimes, you may find a bottle washed up on your island’s beach. Inside the bottle, there might be a DIY recipe, including the shovel recipe.
- Villager Gifting: Occasionally, your villagers may gift you a DIY recipe, and the shovel recipe could be one of them.
Once you have obtained the DIY recipe, you can craft the shovel using the required materials. The basic recipe requires 5 hardwood.
3. Trading with Other Players
If you’re struggling to obtain the shovel through the above methods, you can try trading with other players. Online communities, social media platforms, and forums can help you connect with players who are willing to trade or donate shovels.
Remember to check the in-game shops regularly and interact with your villagers to increase the chances of obtaining the shovel. Happy digging!
Tips for Using the Shovel Efficiently
Once you obtain a shovel in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, you can use it for various purposes. Here are some tips to help you make the most of your shovel:
1. Digging Fossils
The main use of the shovel is to dig up fossils buried underground on your island. Look for x-shaped cracks in the ground, indicating the presence of a fossil. Stand in front of the crack and press the A button to dig it up. Fossils can be donated to the museum or sold for Bells.
2. Planting Trees and Flowers
The shovel can also be used to dig holes for planting trees, flowers, and bushes. Dig a hole by pressing the A button in front of an empty space. You can then plant saplings, flowers, or other items in the hole to help beautify your island.
3. Burying Items
If you have unwanted items or need to temporarily store some things, you can bury them using the shovel. Simply stand in front of an empty space, select the item you want to bury, and choose the “Bury” option. This is a helpful way to clear clutter from your storage or save items for later.
Remember to use your shovel efficiently to make the most of its capabilities. Experiment with different ways to use it and discover new possibilities on your island!
| Key | Action |
|---|---|
| A | Dig up an item or bury an item |
