Animal Crossing: How to Get a Shovel? A Complete Guide

Animal Crossing: How to Get a Shovel? A Complete Guide – In Animal Crossing, tools like the shovel are indispensable for progressing in the game and shaping your island into the paradise of your dreams. Whether you’re digging up fossils, planting trees, or unearthing hidden treasures, the shovel is a tool every player needs. If you’re new to the game or just need a refresher, this guide will walk you through how to get a shovel in Animal Crossing: New Horizons.

Why Do You Need a Shovel in Animal Crossing?

The shovel is one of the most versatile tools in the game. Here are just a few things you can do with it:

Dig up fossils: Locate and collect fossils that you can donate to the museum or sell for Bells.
Plant trees and shrubs: Design your island by planting fruit trees, cedar trees, or bushes.
Bury or dig up items: Create money trees, hide items for fun, or dig up buried treasures.
Hit rocks for resources: Gain materials like iron nuggets, clay, and gold nuggets by hitting rocks with your shovel.

Clearly, having a shovel is essential for advancing in Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Let’s dive into how you can get one.

Step-by-Step Guide to Getting a Shovel in Animal Crossing

Getting a shovel isn’t complicated, but it does require you to follow a few key steps. Here’s how to get your hands on this vital tool.

1. Start the Game and Talk to Tom Nook

When you first start Animal Crossing: New Horizons, you arrive on a deserted island with very few resources. Tom Nook, the entrepreneurial raccoon, will guide you through the basics of setting up your new life.

During the first few days, Tom Nook assigns you tasks such as setting up your tent and collecting resources. At this point, you won’t have access to a shovel yet. Keep progressing through his tasks and interacting with your fellow islanders to advance the storyline.

2. Unlock Blathers’ Arrival

To get a shovel, you need to unlock Blathers, the owl who runs the museum. Here’s how to do it:

Donate bugs and fish to Tom Nook: After crafting your first net and fishing rod, catch five critters (bugs or fish) and bring them to Tom Nook.
Receive the museum tent: Once you’ve donated five critters, Tom Nook will call Blathers. The next day, Blathers will arrive on your island, but only as a tent initially.

3. Talk to Blathers

Once Blathers arrives, visit his tent and talk to him. He will explain his mission to collect fossils and educate islanders about the natural world. During this conversation, Blathers will give you the recipe for the Flimsy Shovel.

4. Craft the Flimsy Shovel

To craft the Flimsy Shovel, you’ll need the following materials:

5 Hardwood: You can gather hardwood by using an axe to chop trees on your island. Hardwood is one of the three types of wood that trees drop when hit.
Once you have the materials, head to the DIY Workbench (you can use the one in Resident Services) and craft your Flimsy Shovel.

Pro Tip: The Flimsy Shovel is, as the name suggests, fragile. It will break after several uses, so be prepared to craft or purchase replacements.

Upgrading to a Better Shovel

The Flimsy Shovel is a good starting tool, but it won’t last long. Upgrading to a standard shovel will save you time and effort in the long run. Here’s how to do it:

1. Unlock the Nook’s Cranny Shop

To access better tools, you need to build Nook’s Cranny, the island shop run by Timmy and Tommy. Follow these steps:

Collect 30 pieces each of wood, hardwood, softwood, and iron nuggets.
Donate these materials to Timmy and Tommy when they announce plans to build the shop.
Once the shop is constructed (it takes one in-game day), you’ll have access to new tools, including the standard Shovel.

2. Purchase the Pretty Good Tools DIY Recipe Pack

To upgrade your tools, you’ll need to unlock the DIY recipes for stronger versions. Here’s how:

Visit the Nook Stop terminal in Resident Services.
Purchase the Pretty Good Tools DIY Recipe Pack for 3,000 Nook Miles.
This pack includes recipes for upgraded tools like the Shovel, which is much more durable than the Flimsy Shovel.

3. Craft the Standard Shovel

Once you have the recipe for the standard Shovel, gather the necessary materials:

1 Flimsy Shovel: Use the Flimsy Shovel you crafted earlier.
1 Iron Nugget: Hit rocks on your island with an axe or shovel to collect iron nuggets.

Use a DIY Workbench to craft your upgraded Shovel.

Tips and Tricks for Using Your Shovel

1. How to Dig Effectively

Use the shovel to dig holes directly in front of you.
To aim more precisely, stand close to the area where you want to dig.

2. Maximize Rock Rewards

Dig two holes behind you before hitting a rock to prevent knockback and maximize resources.
Each rock can produce up to eight items if you hit it quickly enough.

3. Plant Money Trees

Look for glowing spots on the ground, indicating buried Bells. Dig up the Bells and plant additional Bells in the same hole to grow a money tree.

4. Relocate Trees

Eat fruit to gain stamina, allowing you to dig up and move entire trees. This is especially useful for landscaping and organizing your island.

5. Find Fossils Daily

Check your island every day for buried fossils. You can donate these to Blathers or sell them for a good amount of Bells.

Conclusion

Getting a shovel in Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a straightforward process, but it’s an essential step for any player looking to explore and develop their island. Start by donating critters to Tom Nook, unlock Blathers, and craft your Flimsy Shovel. As you progress, upgrade to a standard Shovel and eventually aim for the coveted Golden Shovel.

With your shovel in hand, you’ll unlock endless possibilities—from digging up fossils to planting trees and uncovering hidden treasures. Follow this guide, and you’ll be well on your way to mastering the art of shoveling in Animal Crossing!