Can Villagers Ask to Leave More Than Once in Animal Crossing? The Ultimate Guide
Yes, absolutely! In the whimsical world of Animal Crossing, your beloved (or perhaps not-so-beloved) villagers can indeed ask to leave your island more than once. This is a fundamental part of the game’s design, adding a layer of unpredictability and mirroring the ebb and flow of real-life relationships. Understanding how this mechanic works is crucial for managing your island population and creating the community you desire. Let’s dive deep into the intricacies of villager departures and how you can navigate them like a pro.
Understanding Villager Departure Mechanics
The process of a villager wanting to move out is influenced by various factors, including your interaction with them, the time elapsed since the last departure, and a bit of good old-fashioned randomness. A villager will typically display a thought bubble above their head, signaling that they have something important to discuss. This bubble doesn’t always mean they want to leave; it could be a request for a new catchphrase, a desire to sell you something, or simply a random thought. However, if they mention feeling stagnant or wanting to explore new horizons, it’s a clear indication they’re considering moving out.
Important Considerations:
- Frequency: After a villager agrees to stay, there’s a cooldown period before another villager can ask to leave. The period is generally five days, but can be longer. If a villager has already moved out, there is a longer waiting period of 15 days.
- Randomness: While there are theories about which villagers are more likely to ask to leave (e.g., those with lower friendship levels), the process is ultimately random. Even your best friend on the island can suddenly decide they need a change of scenery.
- Thought Bubble Transfer: If you don’t interact with the villager sporting the thought bubble on a particular day, it can transfer to another villager the following day. This can be both a blessing and a curse, allowing you to potentially avoid a departure request from a favorite villager.
Manipulating the Move-Out Process
Experienced Animal Crossing players often employ various strategies to influence which villagers leave their island. These techniques range from simply ignoring unwanted villagers to more advanced time-traveling methods. It’s essential to remember that these methods don’t guarantee immediate results, and patience is key.
Common Techniques:
- Ignoring: Consistently ignoring a villager can increase their likelihood of wanting to leave. Avoid talking to them, sending letters, or fulfilling their requests.
- Talking to Isabelle: Some players believe that repeatedly complaining about a villager to Isabelle at Resident Services can subtly influence their decision to move out.
- Time Traveling: This controversial method involves manipulating the in-game clock to cycle through days quickly, increasing the chances of a villager asking to leave. However, be aware that time traveling can have unintended consequences on your island, such as spoiled turnips or overgrown weeds.
- Speaking With villagers: If you speak with a villager more than five times in a row, it can become anoying to them and you will have to wait to speak to them again.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Villager Move-Outs
1. How long after refusing a villager’s move-out request can another villager ask to leave?
After you deny a villager’s request to move, there’s typically a cooldown period of five days before another villager can ask to move out. However, this is not a hard and fast rule, and it can sometimes take longer.
2. Can your first villagers move out?
Yes, your initial starter villagers can eventually ask to leave. While some players believe that the first villagers are immune to moving out, it’s a myth.
3. What happens if I say no to a villager moving out?
If you say no to a villager moving out, they will stay on your island. Another villager may ask to leave around a week after refusing your villagers.
4. Can the same villager keep asking to leave?
Yes, the same villager can ask to leave multiple times. There’s no limit to how many times a villager can express a desire to move off your island.
5. Is there a way to guarantee a specific villager moves out?
Unfortunately, there’s no foolproof method to guarantee a specific villager leaves. While ignoring them or complaining to Isabelle might increase their chances, the process is ultimately random.
Villager Interactions and Management
6. Do villagers remember you if they move out and you encounter them later?
In most cases, villagers do not retain any memory of their time on your island if you encounter them later on a mystery tour island or at a campsite (unless invited via amiibo).
7. Can I invite two villagers to move in on the same day?
No, you can only invite one villager per day to move to your island, even if you have multiple open plots.
8. Does hitting villagers make them want to leave?
Contrary to popular belief, hitting villagers with your net actually makes them less likely to leave. The most effective way to encourage a villager to move out is by completely ignoring them.
9. How do you get rid of villagers quickly?
The quickest way to get rid of villagers is by consistently ignoring them and potentially using time-traveling techniques, although the latter can have unintended consequences.
10. Do villagers get mad if you talk to them too much?
Yes, if you talk to a villager repeatedly in a short period (more than five times), they can become annoyed and less willing to interact with you.
11. Does talking to Isabelle get rid of villagers?
While repeatedly complaining about a villager to Isabelle might subtly influence their desire to leave, it’s not a guaranteed method and can take several in-game days.
Island Population and Mechanics
12. How many villagers can you have on your island?
The maximum number of villagers you can have on your island in Animal Crossing: New Horizons is 10.
13. Do you need an empty plot to invite a villager to your island?
Yes, you need an unsold, empty plot available to invite a villager from another player’s island or to find villagers on mystery islands. If your island is already full, the villager will mention that there’s no space available.
14. Can two villagers move in on the same day?
No, only one villager can move onto your island per day.
15. What are the rarest villager types in Animal Crossing?
The rarest villager types, based on the number of villagers belonging to that species, include: Octopus (5), Non-Animal Villagers (6), Tiger (7), Cow (8), Bull (9), Lion (9), Rhinoceros (9) and Alligator (9).
In conclusion, managing villager departures is a key part of the Animal Crossing experience. Understanding the mechanics, employing various techniques, and having a little patience will help you curate the island community of your dreams. Happy islanding, and remember to stay informed about all things gaming at the Games Learning Society! You can find more interesting research and resources at GamesLearningSociety.org.