How to Get a 3-Star Island Fast in Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Achieving a 3-star island rating in Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a significant milestone, unlocking key features like terraforming and the regular visits from K.K. Slider. The speed at which you reach this level depends on your focus and understanding of the game’s mechanics. The quickest way to get a 3-star island rating involves prioritizing specific tasks: attracting at least 7 villagers, placing a substantial amount of outdoor furniture (at least 27 unique items), building 50 fences, and adding two bridges and two inclines. By following these steps consistently and efficiently, you can achieve a 3-star rating much faster.
Key Elements for a Fast 3-Star Island
Villager Recruitment
The first critical step is getting your island populated. You need at least 7 villagers to qualify for a 3-star rating. Here’s how to do it:
- Initial Villagers: You start with two, and Tom Nook will prompt you to build three more houses shortly after Nook’s Cranny opens.
- Inviting More: After these initial three, you’ll need to visit mystery islands using Nook Miles Tickets, or use your campsite.
- Campsite Villagers: Ensure your campsite is built and invite the first camper that visits.
Prioritize this, as you cannot reach a 3-star rating with fewer than 7 villagers on your island.
Outdoor Furniture Placement
Next, focus on your island’s aesthetic by placing at least 27 different types of furniture items outdoors.
- Variety is Key: Don’t just place 27 chairs; try to mix it up with tables, decorations, lights, and so on.
- Crafting and Buying: Craft items and purchase them from Nook’s Cranny.
- Don’t Neglect the Basics: Even simple crafted items can contribute to your total.
Placement does not need to be strategic for the purposes of reaching a 3-star rating, just simply scattered.
Fencing Frenzy
Fences also play a vital role. Construct at least 50 pieces of fencing.
- Different Types: While the game encourages variety, it appears that all fence types contribute equally to your rating. The game only requires you have 50 pieces, you do not need to place them in an enclosed area.
- Crafting and Buying: Crafting fences is generally the easiest way to get them.
- Placement: Place the fences around the island. Like the furniture, these do not need to be a strategic placement.
This not only adds to your island’s overall rating but also adds to the visual appeal.
Infrastructure Improvements
Lastly, bridges and inclines are essential. You will need to place 2 bridges and 2 inclines to boost your rating.
- Early Investments: Start working on these once you have the resources.
- Placement: Choose spots that will be functional and contribute to the flow of your island.
These are a little more expensive to construct, so focusing on the initial criteria of villagers and furniture first is beneficial to help generate your funds.
General Tips for Fast Progress
Beyond these requirements, these tips can help speed up your progress:
- Weed Control: Removing all weeds is not a strict requirement, but a large amount of weeds can lower your overall score.
- Flower Power: Planting flowers does contribute positively to your score, but not as much as the critical requirements.
- Consistent Play: Consistent daily gameplay will help you gather resources faster.
By focusing on the core requirements of villagers, furniture, fencing, bridges, and inclines, you’ll quickly see your island rating increase, allowing you to unlock terraforming and K.K. Slider concerts.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How many points do I need to get a 3-star island?
To achieve a 3-star rating, you need a minimum of 8 villagers, 160-399 points in development, and 270-349 points in scenery. However, fulfilling the specific requirements mentioned above (7+ villagers, 27+ unique furniture items, 50+ fences, 2 bridges, 2 inclines) will guarantee you reach these point milestones.
2. Can my island rating go down from 3 stars?
Yes, your island rating can go down if the conditions on your island change. However, once you reach 3 stars and unlock the Island Designer app, you can let it drop without worry. You will retain all your unlocked features.
3. What do I unlock when my island reaches 3 stars?
Upon reaching a 3-star rating, you unlock the Island Designer app (terraforming), and K.K. Slider will begin visiting your island for weekly concerts.
4. Is there a specific layout that I should use to get a 3-star island fast?
No, the layout of your island does not significantly impact your ability to reach a 3-star rating. Focus on meeting the core requirements, and your island’s specific configuration is less important. The game focuses on quantity not placement.
5. How does Isabelle rate my island?
Once you have a certain number of villagers on your island and have made enough progress with Tom Nook, Isabelle will become available to rate your island. Tom Nook will mention his dream of K.K. Slider visiting, after this conversation, the option should become available. She will provide feedback and offer suggestions based on her rating.
6. Can Isabelle kick a villager out for me?
No, Isabelle cannot directly kick villagers out. However, by repeatedly complaining about the same villager, they may get the hint to leave on their own.
7. Will hitting my villagers with a net make them move out faster?
No, hitting villagers with a net has no bearing on whether they decide to move out. Villager move-out decisions are random.
8. How do I get more villagers to move to my island?
You can invite more villagers by visiting mystery islands, by inviting them at your campsite, and by inviting them to live in vacant plots.
9. How do I get non-native fruits on my island?
Non-native fruits can be obtained through boat tours with Kapp’n, visiting other players’ islands, and through gifts received in the mail.
10. How do I get shooting stars to get star fragments?
Shooting stars appear in the night sky on clear nights. Listen for the shooting star’s sound cue and press the A button to make a wish to get star fragments the next day.
11. What is the maximum number of villagers that can live on my island?
The maximum number of villagers that can reside on your island is 10.
12. What is the fastest way to earn resources like wood and iron?
Use the “Pretty Good Tools Belt” to obtain better tools. Invest in Nook Miles+ tasks for extra resources. Time travelling can speed up the farming of resources.
13. How do I upgrade Nook’s Cranny?
To upgrade Nook’s Cranny, you’ll need to spend a certain amount of Bells at the store, and have your island be inhabited for some time.
14. Is having a 5-star island a requirement to unlock features?
No, unlocking most features is based on a 3-star rating. Reaching 5 stars is not necessary for this.
15. How do I get K.K. Slider to perform on my island?
K.K. Slider will visit your island and perform after you achieve a 3-star rating. This includes having at least 7 villagers, placing 27+ unique outdoor furniture items, placing 50+ pieces of fencing, and building 2 bridges and 2 inclines.