Are Glowing Moss Islands Rare in Animal Crossing: New Horizons?
The short answer is: Not particularly rare, but also not a guarantee. While finding a glowing moss island in Animal Crossing: New Horizons (ACNH) isn’t as elusive as stumbling upon a rare villager or a specific type of hybrid flower, it does require some luck and a good understanding of the game’s mechanics. The availability of these unique islands hinges on the Kapp’n boat tours feature introduced in the 2.0 update. Here’s a deeper dive into what makes these islands sought after and how to increase your chances of finding one.
Understanding the Mechanics of Kapp’n Tours
Kapp’n, the sea-shanty singing turtle, is your key to exploring these mysterious islands. He offers daily boat tours that take you to a variety of procedurally generated locations. The game’s code dictates that there are 11 distinct island layouts that you can visit. These islands fall into two broad categories: Normal Islands and Rare Islands.
The game assigns a probability to each category:
- Normal Islands: 78% chance. This category is where the glowing moss islands belong.
- Rare Islands: 22% chance. These islands often feature special resources or unique layouts.
The crucial information is that the glowing moss island is one of the possible island types in the Normal Island category. Therefore, the 78% chance of landing on a Normal Island does not mean that you are guaranteed to find glowing moss. However, it is a much higher probability than landing on a Rare Island. While the exact chance to find the glowing moss island specifically is not directly stated by the game, given it is one of a limited number of normal islands, the chance is therefore much higher than the 22% for rare islands. Some players have estimated the chances of a normal island being a glowing moss island to be approximately 20%.
Why the Glowing Moss Island is Desirable
The glowing moss island is valuable because it’s the primary source for glowing moss and vines, two crafting materials added in the 2.0 update. These materials are essential for creating a wide range of DIY recipes, from furniture and decorations that are especially perfect for creating enchanting fantasy-themed areas on your island. The unique aesthetic of the glowing moss, with its soft luminosity and organic textures, also makes it a popular choice for adding depth and visual interest to your island landscape.
More than Just Pretty Moss
Beyond the raw material, the glowing moss offers more than just crafting potential. Once placed on your island, it emits a subtle glow, enhancing the atmosphere, especially during evening hours. Planting it near pathways and high-traffic areas, where villagers frequently gather, can create a magical ambiance. Many players also use it to define edges and borders of areas.
Factors Affecting Your Chances
While you can’t directly control which island Kapp’n takes you to, there are some factors that might affect the perception of rarity. Playing multiple times per day, and consistently over the course of a week will increase your chance to encounter a glowing moss island. It’s purely statistical, the more times you travel, the higher the chances to land on this desirable location.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Glowing Moss Islands
1. How often can I go on Kapp’n boat tours?
You can take one Kapp’n boat tour per day. The ability to travel again resets at 5 AM local time with the game’s daily reset.
2. Is the glowing moss island guaranteed if I go every day?
No, there is no guarantee that you will encounter the glowing moss island every day, or even after multiple trips. The tours are based on probability, which means you could potentially go several days without seeing it.
3. Do all glowing moss islands look the same?
While the primary feature is always glowing moss and vines, the specific layouts of the islands can vary. There might be different terrain, trees, and rock placement from one visit to the next.
4. What can I collect on the glowing moss island?
You can collect glowing moss and vines, and various types of wood, as well as catch bugs and fish that are available during the current season.
5. Can I find anything unique on the glowing moss island besides moss and vines?
Occasionally, you may find special resources such as star fragments or clay, but these are not exclusive to this particular island.
6. How much does glowing moss sell for?
Glowing moss sells for 20 Bells per clump at Nook’s Cranny. However, it is much more valuable when used for crafting DIY recipes.
7. Are there any specific bugs that can be found on the glowing moss island?
No, the types of bugs that spawn are based on the time of day and the current season, not the specific type of island.
8. Can I grow glowing moss on my own island?
Yes, you can grow glowing moss on your island once you have harvested it on the Kapp’n islands. It can be placed directly onto grass or other types of ground.
9. Do vines grow on my own island after bringing them from the tour?
Similar to glowing moss, once you harvest vines, you can place them on your island. The Giant Vine is also a specific craftable object.
10. Is glowing moss considered weeds?
No, glowing moss is not classified as a weed in ACNH. While too much clutter will result in a town rating penalty, this will be for placing too much of any type of decoration, not just moss.
11. Are there DIY recipes specific to glowing moss and vines?
Yes, there are many DIY recipes that require glowing moss and/or vines. These recipes include furniture, decorations, and even shortcuts such as the ladder kit.
12. Is there a faster way to acquire glowing moss and vines?
The Kapp’n tours are the primary way to find these items. Players with the Happy Home Paradise DLC may also find these items in the Archipelago, but the Kapp’n tours offer a more reliable source.
13. How does the glowing moss affect the environment on the island?
Aside from the visual effect, the glowing moss does not have any further impact on your island’s environment. It is purely aesthetic and for crafting purposes.
14. Does the rarity of the glowing moss island change?
No, the probabilities related to Kapp’n island generation are fixed in the game’s code. There are no variations in the chances of finding it.
15. Is there any other moss in ACNH?
Yes, while not found through Kapp’n tours, there is a special type of moss, Lava Moss, found only in the lava levels of the Cavern.
Conclusion
Finding a glowing moss island is not entirely rare, as they are part of the Normal Island group, but they still require some persistence. The chance is more frequent than encountering one of the rare islands. Understanding the mechanics of Kapp’n boat tours and the availability of glowing moss and vines will help you maximize your crafting potential and create a beautifully lit and unique island. While luck is a factor, the potential rewards make it a worthwhile pursuit for any ACNH player looking to expand their decorative horizons.