How to Get Softwood in Animal Crossing: A Complete Guide – In Animal Crossing: New Horizons, gathering resources is a core gameplay element. Whether you’re crafting tools, building furniture, or creating decorations, materials like softwood are essential for progress. Softwood is one of the three types of wood available in the game and is specifically used in many crafting recipes, making it a must-have for any island dweller.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about how to get softwood in Animal Crossing, including tips for gathering it efficiently, storage strategies, and how to maximize its use.
What Is Softwood in Animal Crossing?
Softwood is a crafting material obtained by chopping trees on your island. Unlike hardwood or regular wood, softwood is lighter in color and has a specific set of crafting uses. You’ll often need it to create furniture, tools, or specific DIY projects that enhance your island’s aesthetic and functionality.
Tools Needed to Gather Softwood
Before you can start collecting softwood, you’ll need the right tools. Here’s what you need:
1. A Flimsy Axe or Axe
- Flimsy Axe: Easier to craft but breaks quickly. Ideal for beginner players.
- Stone Axe: A slightly stronger option that doesn’t chop trees down.
- Iron Axe: Can chop trees completely but may not be ideal if you want to keep your trees intact.
2. Crafting the Axe
To craft an axe, you’ll need a DIY recipe. Here’s a quick breakdown:
Flimsy Axe Recipe:
- 5x Tree Branches
- 1x Stone
- Unlocked early in the game.
Stone Axe Recipe:
- 1x Flimsy Axe
- 3x Wood
Iron Axe Recipe:
- 1x Flimsy Axe
- 3x Wood
- 1x Iron Nugget
Make sure to always have an extra axe on hand, as tools degrade with use.
How to Get Softwood
Softwood can be collected by striking trees with your axe. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
Step 1: Locate Trees
Softwood can be gathered from any tree type on your island, including:
- Regular Trees
- Cedar Trees
- Fruit Trees
Step 2: Equip Your Axe
Use a Flimsy Axe or Stone Axe if you want to avoid cutting down the tree. Axes like the Iron Axe will chop the tree completely if hit three times, so use caution.
Step 3: Chop Trees
Strike the tree with your axe. Each hit will yield one piece of wood, which could be softwood, hardwood, or regular wood.
Step 4: Repeat the Process
Each tree can provide up to three pieces of wood per day. After you’ve collected three pieces, the tree won’t yield more wood until the next in-game day.
Tips for Collecting Softwood Efficiently
1. Plant More Trees
The more trees you have on your island, the more opportunities you’ll have to gather wood. If you’re running low on trees, plant saplings or dig up trees from mystery islands to increase your supply.
2. Use Mystery Islands
Use a Nook Miles Ticket to travel to a mystery island. These islands are filled with resources, including trees that can be chopped for wood. Bring a few axes with you to make the most of your trip.
3. Time Management
Since each tree produces only three pieces of wood per day, prioritize chopping as part of your daily tasks.
4. Invite Friends to Help
If you have friends who also play Animal Crossing, invite them to your island to help chop trees. You can share resources to make gathering faster and more fun.
Storing Softwood
As you gather softwood, it’s easy to run out of inventory space. Here are some tips for storing it efficiently:
1. Use Storage in Your House
As your house upgrades, you’ll gain access to increased storage space. Store softwood here to free up inventory slots for other materials.
2. Keep It in Your Inventory
If you’re actively crafting, keep softwood in your inventory for quick access.
3. Place It Outdoors
In a pinch, you can drop softwood outside your house or in a designated crafting area. This keeps it organized and easy to find when needed.
Common Uses for Softwood
Softwood is a versatile material used in various DIY recipes. Here are some of its most common applications:
- Crafting Tools: Softwood is often required to craft tools like fishing rods, watering cans, and more.
- Building Furniture: Many DIY furniture recipes call for softwood, especially for wooden or rustic-themed items.
- Crafting Decorations: Use softwood to create items like fences, outdoor decorations, or even seasonal event items.
- DIY Projects: Keep an eye out for DIY recipes that use softwood. You can find these recipes in bottles on the beach, balloons, or by talking to villagers.
How to Get More DIY Recipes for Softwood
To maximize the use of your softwood, you’ll need a variety of DIY recipes. Here’s how to get more:
- Talk to Villagers: Your villagers may share DIY recipes that use softwood. Check in with them regularly.
- Pop Balloons: Balloons floating over your island often drop presents containing DIY recipes. Keep a slingshot handy to shoot them down.
- Search Bottles on the Beach: Each day, a bottle with a DIY recipe will wash up on your beach. Make it part of your daily routine to check for these.
- Visit Mystery Islands: Villagers on mystery islands sometimes offer DIY recipes. Take the time to interact with them.
- Selling Softwood: If you have a surplus of softwood, you can sell it for Bells at Nook’s Cranny. While it doesn’t fetch a high price individually, selling in bulk can add up over time.
Troubleshooting: What to Do If You Can’t Find Enough Softwood
If you’re struggling to gather enough softwood, here are some solutions:
- Plant More Trees: Increase the number of trees on your island by planting saplings. Fruit trees and cedar trees work just as well as regular trees for collecting wood.
- Visit Mystery Islands: Use Nook Miles Tickets to gather resources from other islands.
- Trade with Friends: If you have friends playing Animal Crossing, ask them to trade softwood or sell it to you.
- Check Your Inventory: Sometimes softwood may already be in your storage, but you’ve forgotten about it.
Why Softwood Is Essential in Animal Crossing
Softwood plays a crucial role in crafting, decorating, and progressing through the game. Without it, you’ll find yourself stuck on certain projects, unable to build tools or furniture. Making softwood collection a regular part of your daily routine ensures you’ll always have enough for whatever the game throws your way.
Conclusion
Softwood is one of the most important materials in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, and knowing how to gather it efficiently is essential for any player. By equipping the right tools, managing your resources wisely, and staying on top of your daily tasks, you’ll always have plenty of softwood at your disposal.
Whether you’re crafting tools, building furniture, or decorating your dream island, softwood will always be a valuable resource. Follow the tips in this guide to become a softwood-collecting expert and make the most of your time in the game.
