How to Convince a Villager to Not Leave in Animal Crossing: New Horizons
So, your favorite villager is packing up their life to leave your island paradise? Don’t panic! While moving is a natural part of island life in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, there are definitely things you can do to sway their decision. The key is timing, interaction, and a little bit of luck. Let’s dive into the specifics.
The most direct way to convince a villager to stay is to talk to them the moment you see them in boxes. When a villager has decided to move, their house will be filled with cardboard boxes. Approaching them during this stage presents the opportunity to have a heartfelt conversation. Express your sadness at their departure and ask them directly to stay. The game is designed to allow you this chance, and they will typically agree.
However, what if you miss that initial warning sign? Or what if the villager is only thinking about moving? That’s where proactive relationship-building comes in.
Building a Strong Bond: The Foundation of Persuasion
A strong relationship is your best defense against unwanted departures. Here’s how to cultivate that bond:
- Talk to them daily: Even a quick “hello” can make a difference. Consistent interaction shows that you value their presence on your island.
- Fulfill their requests: Villagers will often ask you to run errands, deliver items, or catch bugs and fish for them. Completing these tasks not only increases your friendship level but also provides valuable bonding opportunities.
- Give them gifts: Thoughtful gifts can go a long way. Pay attention to their style and preferences. Gifting them items they’ll display in their homes is a great way to show you care. Clothing that matches their personality is also a good choice.
- Send letters: A personalized letter, especially one accompanied by a small gift, can be a delightful surprise for your villager. This adds a personal touch beyond everyday interactions.
- Celebrate their birthday: Make sure to mark their birthday on your calendar and give them a memorable gift. This is a significant event in their lives, and acknowledging it strengthens your connection.
Recognizing the Signs: Before They Pack Their Bags
Paying attention to subtle clues can help you intervene before a villager officially decides to move.
- Thought bubbles: Keep an eye out for thought bubbles appearing over villagers’ heads. Sometimes, this indicates they’re contemplating a big decision, like moving away. Talk to them immediately!
- Dialogue hints: Listen closely to their dialogue. They might express feelings of being stagnant or wanting to explore new horizons. This is a prime opportunity to reassure them that they are valued and appreciated on your island.
- Observing other villagers: Sometimes, another villager might mention that your favorite villager is considering leaving. This can provide a heads-up so you can act proactively.
The “Accidental Mistake” Method: A Last Resort
This method, mentioned in the provided article, is a bit of a gamble but can sometimes work if you accidentally tell a villager it’s okay for them to leave:
- Immediately close the game without saving. This is crucial!
- Create a second player character on your island if you don’t already have one.
- Log in as the second player character and find the villager in question.
- Talk to them. There’s a chance they will no longer be considering moving, giving you a second chance to persuade them to stay.
Keep in mind this method isn’t guaranteed, and some players find it unethical. It’s best used as a last-ditch effort.
Handling Villagers in Boxes: The Final Plea
If a villager is already in boxes, you have one last opportunity to convince them to stay. Simply talk to them repeatedly. Express your regret and ask them to reconsider. While there’s no guarantee they’ll change their mind, especially if they are determined, it’s worth a shot. You can also try sending them a letter with a present attached, hoping it will sway their decision.
Why Do Villagers Want to Leave Anyway?
Several factors contribute to a villager’s desire to move on:
- Inactivity: Ignoring a villager for too long can make them feel neglected and unwanted.
- Stagnation: If you haven’t interacted with a villager in a while, or if their daily routine seems unchanging, they might feel bored.
- Island population: With a full island of ten villagers, the game seems to encourage movement to keep things fresh. It is harder to convince a villager to stay with a full island.
- Randomness: Sometimes, villagers simply want to explore new horizons, regardless of their relationship with you.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I convince a villager to stay if another player invited them to move to their island?
No. Once a villager has been invited to another player’s island, their fate is sealed. You can no longer convince them to stay on your island.
2. How long after a villager moves out before another one asks to leave?
There’s a 15-day cooldown period after a villager moves out before another villager will ask to leave.
3. If I tell a villager it’s okay to leave, can I change my mind?
Not within the game itself, unless you use the “accidental mistake” method described above by immediately closing the game without saving. However, that method has a chance to fail. Once you confirm their departure, it is final.
4. Does having a bad relationship with a villager guarantee they will leave?
While a bad relationship increases the likelihood of a villager wanting to leave, it’s not a guarantee. Villagers can still ask to leave even if you have a good relationship with them, albeit less frequently. Conversely, you could bully a villager into leaving by mistreating them. The best way to stop them from moving is too, well, not mistreat them. Talk to them, send them letters and do errands for them.
5. What happens if I ignore a villager completely?
Ignoring a villager can lead to them wanting to leave, as they may feel unwanted. However, it’s not the only factor. Other factors include having a full island and the game’s inherent randomness.
6. Can Isabelle help me get rid of a villager I don’t want?
While you can complain to Isabelle about a villager’s behavior or clothing, this doesn’t directly influence their decision to leave. It primarily resets their catchphrases or clothing choices. In repeatedly talking to Isabelle about the same Villager, they may get the hint that it’s just not working out, and they could leave for good. However, this requires a few days, and it might not work every time. Isabelle cannot directly remove them herself, but it’s a good start in how to kick out a Villager in ACNH.
7. How many villagers do I need before they start asking to leave?
You must have at least six villagers living on your island before one will ask to move out. Likewise, you need to have 9+villagers in order for moving out to be an option. if have 8 or fewer villagers, no one will ever want to move out.
8. Can I force a villager to stay by trapping them in their house?
No, trapping a villager doesn’t prevent them from moving. The game mechanics aren’t affected by their physical location on the island.
9. Does gifting a villager money make them want to stay?
While gifting can increase friendship, the type of gift is more important than its monetary value. Thoughtful, personalized gifts are more effective than simply giving bells.
10. Is there a limit to how long a villager can stay on my island?
There is no limit. Villagers can stay on your island indefinitely as long as you don’t encourage them to leave.
11. Do villagers remember me if I kick them out and then encounter them later?
In most situations, villagers do not retain any memory of their time on your island. If you encounter them at your campsite (either randomly or by using an amiibo/card scan) or on a mystery tour island, they will not speak of any previous time on your island.
12. Can villagers move into houses I’ve decorated for them before they arrive?
No, villagers can only move into pre-existing homes. You can customize their homes after they’ve moved in.
13. If I have an open plot, is it guaranteed that a villager will move in?
If you don’t invite a villager to fill an open plot, the game will randomly assign a new villager to move in after a day or two. This is often referred to as the “void villager” situation.
14. What are the best gifts to give villagers to increase friendship?
The best gifts are items that match the villager’s style and personality. Clothing, furniture, and items that they can display in their homes are generally well-received. Pay attention to the “favorites” listed in online villager guides.
15. Do certain villager personalities ask to leave more often than others?
While some players believe certain personalities are more prone to leaving, there’s no concrete evidence to support this. The decision to move seems to be primarily influenced by relationship level, island population, and random chance.
Convincing a villager to stay requires a combination of relationship-building, attentiveness, and a bit of luck. By focusing on creating a welcoming and engaging island life for your villagers, you’ll increase your chances of keeping your favorites around for the long haul. Remember, the beauty of Animal Crossing lies in the connections you forge with your virtual neighbors! For more information on the influence of games on learning and development, visit the GamesLearningSociety.org website. You can find more resources at the Games Learning Society.