Can I Return a Bridge to Tom Nook? A Comprehensive Guide to Bridge Management in Animal Crossing: New Horizons
The short answer is, yes, you can effectively “return” a bridge in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, but not in the way you might traditionally think of returning an item to a store. You cannot simply hand a bridge back to Tom Nook for a refund. Instead, you’ll need to demolish the existing bridge if you no longer want it. This process involves a specific procedure that you can undertake by interacting with Tom Nook and spending a few Bells.
Understanding Bridge Mechanics
Before diving into the demolition process, it’s important to understand how bridges work in Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Bridges are crucial for island navigation, enabling you to cross rivers and access different parts of your island. You can place up to eight bridges on your island at once. Each bridge has a set length, which depends on the width of the water it spans. The minimum length for a bridge is three tiles, and the maximum is five tiles. In addition, each side of the bridge requires a 2 x 1 tile space for the walkway. Bridges can’t be placed on cliffs, only over water.
Canceling a Bridge During Funding
If you change your mind during the funding phase of building a bridge, it’s still not a “return,” but it’s an alternative. While the bridge is under construction and before it is actually built, you can cancel it by speaking with Lloid and paying a fee of 10,000 Bells. Once the construction of the bridge has been finished and the physical bridge is on your island, you’ll need to go a different route.
Demolishing a Bridge After Construction
Once a bridge is built, you can’t pick it up or move it yourself. To remove an existing bridge, you must go to Resident Services and speak with Tom Nook. Select the “Let’s talk infrastructure” option and then choose to demolish the bridge. This process, much like the funding cancellation, will cost you 10,000 Bells. Once you confirm the demolition, the bridge will be removed, creating a gap where the bridge once was. You cannot build and destroy a bridge on the same day.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Bridges in Animal Crossing
1. How do I initiate bridge construction?
To start building a bridge, you must speak to Tom Nook at the Resident Services building and select “Let’s talk infrastructure,” followed by “About bridges/inclines.” You will then be able to choose the specific bridge type you desire.
2. Can I build multiple bridges at the same time?
No, you can only work on one infrastructure project at a time, including bridges. You can’t build, demolish, or move bridges or inclines at the same time.
3. Can I relocate a bridge once it’s built?
Unfortunately, no. You cannot move a bridge with terraforming or any tool. If you want to move a bridge you must demolish it and build it in a new location. Structures cannot be moved with terraforming and you have to have Nook do it by going through Resident Services. You can move one structure per day.
4. How long does it take for a bridge to be built?
Once you pay off the construction fee, the bridge will be built and will be available for use the next day.
5. Is there a limit to the number of bridges I can build on my island?
Yes, you are limited to having a maximum of eight bridges on your island at any given time.
6. What happens if I demolish a bridge?
Demolishing a bridge removes the structure entirely, leaving a gap where the bridge once stood. This makes it impossible to cross the area it bridged. To restore access, you’ll need to build a new bridge, use the vaulting pole to jump across the water, or create pathways with terraforming, such as jumping across custom pillars made on the two sides of the water.
7. Can I build bridges over any body of water?
Bridges can only be built over bodies of water that are a minimum of three tiles wide and a maximum of five tiles wide. You cannot build a bridge over water that is longer than five tiles and the areas on each side of the bridge for the walkways have to be 2 tiles by 1 tile. Bridges can only be placed on water, not cliffs.
8. What are the different bridge types available?
There are different bridge styles that can be constructed, each with its own unique look and materials. Examples include wood, stone, iron, and Zen bridge styles. The availability of certain bridge styles will depend on your progress in the game.
9. Can I customize my bridges?
Once built, you cannot change the appearance or color of a bridge in Animal Crossing. You must select the bridge’s material before constructing it. So, you must decide if you want a wooden, stone, or even a Zen-style bridge before you build it.
10. Do villagers contribute to the funding of bridges?
Yes, your island residents will gradually donate to the bridge construction project over time. However, you are welcome and encouraged to contribute to the donation box yourself. This will speed up the funding process.
11. Is there any way to create a bridge without using Tom Nook?
Besides building a bridge with Tom Nook, the only other way to create “bridges” across water on your island is through creative terraforming using the island designer app. You can build small pillars for your character to jump across, for example, but this is not a proper bridge.
12. How do I get more Iron Nuggets for bridges?
Iron nuggets are required to create a new bridge and are collected by hitting large rocks with a shovel or axe. You have 10 seconds to hit a rock multiple times before the rock stops releasing resources. New rocks will spawn each day.
13. Can I move a house and demolish a bridge on the same day?
Yes, you can move a house and build or demolish a bridge/incline on the same day. But, you can only move one structure and work on one infrastructure project per day.
14. Can I connect two cliffs with a bridge?
Unfortunately, no. Bridges can only place on water, and will not connect cliff sides. You can, however, create “bridges” by creating custom pillars made with terraforming to jump across.
15. Is there an end to Animal Crossing where you can no longer build bridges?
No, there is no end to the game, and you can always continue to play. You can always build bridges as long as you haven’t reached the maximum of 8 on your island. Even after completing the main missions, you can still build, demolish, and change the design of your island.
Conclusion
While you can’t “return” a bridge in the traditional sense, understanding the demolition process and the various mechanics surrounding bridges in Animal Crossing: New Horizons is essential for island management. By understanding how to effectively cancel or demolish bridges, you can create and modify your island exactly as you envision, optimizing your layout for seamless navigation. Just remember, planning is key! So, before you start building that bridge, plan out your desired island layout. This will save you time, Bells, and the hassle of demolition later on.