Do Weeds Lower Your Island Rating in Animal Crossing: New Horizons?
The simple answer is: yes, weeds can negatively impact your island rating in Animal Crossing: New Horizons (ACNH), though not directly in the way some might think. It’s not a straightforward “each weed equals less rating” equation. Instead, the impact of weeds is more nuanced, working indirectly to lower your overall score by affecting specific game mechanics and environmental factors. Let’s delve into how weeds affect your island and what you can do about them.
How Weeds Affect Development Points
One of the key factors determining your island’s rating is development points. The game gives you a starting bonus of 30 development points when your island has fewer than 100 weeds. However, the article points out that this bonus will decrease by one point for every 30 weeds over 100. This penalty scales up, meaning the more weeds you have, the fewer points you’ll earn in this area. If you allow weeds to proliferate beyond a certain point, this development point bonus eventually reaches zero. Once you hit 1000 or more weeds, you won’t receive any positive development points based on the number of weeds on your island. Therefore, while weeds don’t actively deduct points from the overall score, their presence can significantly reduce the number of points gained for development.
The Rafflesia Effect
While having a lot of weeds doesn’t actively deduct points, they do contribute to a less-desirable environmental rating. If you neglect weed control, it can eventually lead to the appearance of a rafflesia, a large, red flower that attracts flies. The presence of a rafflesia is an indicator of a very poor island environment, which is not something that will boost your island’s rating. This serves as a visual signal that your island needs attention. The rafflesia itself won’t directly affect your rating score, but it’s a clear sign that your island is not hitting the necessary standards for a higher rating. It’s a symptom of neglect rather than the core cause of a low rating.
Weeds and Island Aesthetics
Besides impacting your development points, excessive weeds can negatively affect the scenery points of your island. While weeds are natural elements, they’re generally considered unsightly. A large amount of weeds all over your island will make it appear unkempt. This can make your island less desirable to your villagers and could impact how Isabelle rates it. While not a direct deduction of points, keeping the island well-maintained is a part of getting a good island rating. It is part of the aesthetic of your island, which is important for the overall rating.
Why Pull Weeds?
While you don’t have to pull weeds, doing so has several benefits. Firstly, as mentioned above, weeds affect the development points. The higher your development point score, the better chance of getting a 5-star island. Secondly, it helps maintain an attractive and pleasant environment for your villagers. Lastly, and importantly for some players, you might also need weeds for certain DIY projects, such as making hedge fencing. While you might not need a lot of weeds, keeping them in check allows you to maintain an abundance for future use. Selling them to Leif can also be a slightly more lucrative option than selling them at Nook’s Cranny.
Island Rating: More Than Just Weeds
It’s important to note that weeds are just one factor in your island rating. Other elements, such as the number of villagers you have, the number of furniture items placed, the variety of scenery, and clutter levels, have a more significant impact. You can’t get to a 5-star island just by pulling weeds. You need to focus on a holistic approach, balancing development, scenery, and upkeep.
Key Takeaways
- Weeds do affect your island rating, but mainly indirectly through a reduction in development points.
- Excessive weeds lead to poor environment ratings, indicated by a rafflesia.
- Maintaining a tidy island is crucial for a high rating.
- Your island rating is affected by many factors, and weed management is just one of them.
By managing your weeds effectively, you’ll ensure you get the best score possible, contributing to the 5-star island you’ve been striving for.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Weeds and Island Rating
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to help you better understand how weeds affect your island rating in Animal Crossing: New Horizons:
1. How many weeds is too many?
Anything over 100 weeds will start reducing your development point bonus. Aim to keep the number as low as possible to prevent point reductions and the appearance of a rafflesia. Once you surpass 1000 weeds, this particular bonus is completely gone.
2. Will weeds stop my island from reaching 5 stars?
Yes, indirectly. If left unmanaged, weeds can prevent you from gaining maximum development points. However, that will hinder your progress. If you are going for the best possible rating, you should control your weed population.
3. Does each weed count against my island rating?
No, the weeds don’t deduct individual points from the rating. The number of weeds only affects the development point bonus.
4. What is a rafflesia, and how does it relate to weeds?
A rafflesia is a large, red flower that appears when your island environment is very poor due to neglect, often because of excessive weeds. It does not directly lower your score but indicates a need for improvement. It is the result of ignoring your island upkeep and weed control.
5. If I have a rafflesia, should I get rid of it?
While it won’t actively improve your score if removed, it’s a good sign to start cleaning up your island. Having a rafflesia signals a lack of care which is part of your island rating.
6. Can I use weeds for anything?
Yes! Weeds can be used for crafting, particularly for the hedge DIY recipe, and you can sell them to Leif for a higher price than at Nook’s Cranny.
7. Does having too many weeds count as “clutter”?
No, weeds do not count toward the island clutter total, which involves discarded items like clothing or DIY recipes dropped on the ground.
8. Do flowers have a positive impact on my island rating?
Yes, flowers play an important role in your island rating, and you need about 200 flowers to reach 3-star rating and then more for the higher ratings. The more flowers, the better.
9. How else can I get a better island rating?
You need to focus on both development points and scenery points. In addition to limiting weeds, you should place outdoor furniture, plant trees and flowers, improve infrastructure, and add variety to your island’s aesthetic.
10. Can my island rating change in one day?
Yes, your island rating can change within a single day, so it’s good to check with Isabelle frequently as you make improvements. If she stops suggesting an objective, you know you have fulfilled the requirement to move on to the next step.
11. How many villagers do I need to get a 5-star rating?
You need at least 8 villagers to get a 5-star rating.
12. Can I lose stars once I get a 5-star rating?
You can lose it, but you only need to get to the 5-star rating once, at which point you will receive the golden watering can recipe from Isabelle. After you have the recipe, your island rating doesn’t matter.
13. What are the minimum development and scenery scores for a 5-star island?
You need a minimum of 665 development points and 450 scenery points to achieve a 5-star rating.
14. What does it mean if Isabelle says my island is “cluttered”?
It means you have too many “trash items” dropped on the ground, such as clothing, furniture, or DIY recipes. This is different from weeds.
15. How do I know how many development and scenery points I have?
Isabelle will give you an overall star rating. She won’t reveal the exact numerical scores, but her advice and feedback will give you clues on how to increase your island’s overall ranking.