How to Encourage a Villager to Move Out in Animal Crossing: New Horizons: Isabelle’s Role and More

So, you’ve got a villager on your island in Animal Crossing: New Horizons that just isn’t sparking joy anymore. We’ve all been there! You’re probably wondering if you can just march into the Resident Services building and tell Isabelle to give them the boot. Let’s cut to the chase: While Isabelle can’t directly evict a villager, she can help indirectly, and addressing certain issues through her services is still valuable.

Isabelle’s main function in relation to villagers is to reset certain aspects of their character, like their catchphrase or clothing. While this won’t make them pack their bags, it’s important for island harmony, especially if a villager has picked up something inappropriate from another player’s island. To access this feature, enter Resident Services, sit down at the counter, and select “Discuss a Resident.” From there, you can choose the villager you wish to address and select a reason for your complaint, such as inappropriate language or clothing.

Ultimately, moving villagers out is a more nuanced process relying on a blend of in-game mechanics, time, and a little bit of luck. This article will provide you with a more in-depth understanding of villager removal, debunking common myths and offering some practical advice.

Understanding Isabelle’s Role: More Than Just an Eviction Notice

Before diving into the mechanics of villager eviction, it’s crucial to understand exactly what Isabelle can and cannot do. Reporting a villager to Isabelle is mainly for maintaining the overall ambiance of your island. Think of it as damage control, rather than an eviction tactic.

Here’s a breakdown of what you can accomplish by complaining to Isabelle:

• Resetting Catchphrases: If a villager has picked up an offensive or unwanted catchphrase, reporting it to Isabelle will revert them to their default phrase.
• Addressing Clothing Issues: If a villager is wearing inappropriate clothing, particularly custom designs, complaining to Isabelle will reset them to their default outfit.
• Removing Offensive Items: Isabelle can help remove inappropriate items that a villager may be displaying in their home.

It’s important to note that complaining about a villager multiple times might, in some rare cases, influence them leaving. However, this outcome is not guaranteed and relies more on the game’s inherent random processes than any direct action from Isabelle.

The Real Methods for Encouraging Villagers to Leave

So, if Isabelle isn’t a magical eviction fairy, how do you get rid of unwanted villagers? Here are some tried-and-true methods:

• The Thought Bubble Method: This is the most straightforward way. Villagers will occasionally have a thought bubble over their heads, indicating they have something on their mind. If the villager you want to leave has the thought bubble, speak to them! They will likely express a desire to move away. Agree to let them go, and they’ll be packing their bags the next day. If the thought bubble is on a villager you want to keep, do not speak to them! Wait until the next day, and the thought bubble will likely have moved to a different villager.
• Ignoring the Villager: While perhaps a bit harsh, completely ignoring a villager can sometimes encourage them to leave. Avoid talking to them, doing favors for them, or even acknowledging their presence. This strategy is sometimes referred to as “social distancing to the extreme.” However, this is not a guaranteed method.
• Increasing Friendship (Counterintuitively): Sometimes, achieving a high friendship level with a villager can actually trigger them wanting to move on to new adventures. Once you’ve reached a certain friendship threshold, they may ask if they should move away.
• The Campsite Method: If you have a visitor at your campsite that you’d love to have on your island, and your island is already full, you can essentially force a villager to move out. Invite the camper to live on your island. If your island is full, they will suggest a villager to replace. If it’s a villager you want to keep, say no and try again! They will randomly select a villager to replace until they mention the one you would like to move away.
• Amiibo Cards: Similar to the campsite method, if you have Amiibo cards of villagers you like, you can invite them to your campsite. After inviting them three times and completing their requests, they’ll offer to move in. If your island is full, they’ll suggest a villager to replace, giving you control over who leaves.

Debunking the Myths

Before we move on, let’s address some common misconceptions about villager eviction:

• Hitting villagers with nets DOES NOT work. This counts as attention and may make them more likely to stay.
• Pushing villagers around or dropping them into pitfalls DOES NOT guarantee they’ll leave. Again, this is still interaction, albeit negative, and doesn’t necessarily influence their decision to move.
• Complaining to Isabelle multiple times DOES NOT guarantee the villager will move. It mainly resets their catchphrase or clothing.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions about villager removal and Isabelle’s role in Animal Crossing: New Horizons:

1. Will reporting a villager to Isabelle make them leave?

No, reporting a villager to Isabelle does not directly influence their decision to move out. Isabelle’s role is primarily to reset catchphrases, clothing, and house decor back to default settings.

2. What happens if you complain about a sick villager to Isabelle?

Complaining about a sick villager to Isabelle will likely result in the same outcome as complaining about a healthy one: a reset of their catchphrase or clothing. It won’t cure their illness or cause them to move out. Instead, give them medicine!

3. Do villagers you kicked out remember you?

Generally, villagers do not retain memories of their time on your island if you encounter them again later on a mystery tour island or at your campsite. They will act as if they are meeting you for the first time.

4. Can Isabelle kick a villager out?

No, Isabelle cannot directly kick a villager out of your island. Her main role is to address concerns about their language or appearance.

5. Can you annoy a villager into leaving?

While consistently mistreating a villager may seem like a viable strategy, it’s not a guaranteed method and can often backfire. Neglecting them is a more effective approach.

6. Why won’t any of my villagers move out?

There are several reasons why a villager might not be asking to leave. There’s a 15-day cooldown after a villager moves out before another will ask. Also, you must have at least nine villagers on your island for moving out to be an option.

7. Who is the hardest villager to get?

Generally, villagers of certain species that have limited numbers are more difficult to find. For instance, Octopi are considered among the rarest villagers, as there are only a few of them in the entire game.

8. Can you bully a villager off your island?

The game recognizes bullying as hitting villagers repeatedly with nets, pushing them for extended periods, or dropping them into pitfalls. However, while this may lower their friendship level, it doesn’t guarantee they will move out.

9. How often do villagers ask to leave?

After a villager moves out, there’s a 15-day cooldown period before another villager will ask to leave. If a villager asks to move but then decides to stay, there’s a 5-day cooldown.

10. Does hitting villagers make them move out?

No, hitting villagers doesn’t make them move out. It’s considered attention, and may have the opposite effect of what you want.

11. Does talking to a villager too much make them leave?

Talking to a villager too much doesn’t directly make them leave, but it can make them temporarily uninterested in interacting with you. Focus on balanced interactions.

12. What does a pitfall seed do?

A pitfall seed is a trap that players and villagers can fall into when they walk over it. It doesn’t directly cause a villager to move out, but it can be a fun (and harmless) prank.

13. Can you kidnap a villager?

While technically you can push villagers into a boat, this doesn’t achieve anything in the long run. They will eventually return to their homes. It’s more of a humorous glitch than a viable strategy.

14. Do villagers gossip about you?

Yes, villagers can gossip about the player, spreading information about your actions and appearance to other villagers. This gossip can influence their perceptions of you. For more on how video games impact social dynamics, consider researching the work done by the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.

15. How do you make a villager forgive you after hitting it?

The easiest way to regain a villager’s friendship after accidentally hitting them is to simply talk to them repeatedly until they’re no longer angry. You can also try giving them a gift.

Conclusion

While Isabelle in Animal Crossing: New Horizons can help maintain the overall tone of your island by addressing inappropriate language or clothing, she can’t directly make a villager move out. The real key to encouraging a villager to leave involves understanding the game’s mechanics and employing strategies like the thought bubble method, ignoring unwanted villagers, or using campsite visitors or Amiibo cards to instigate a move. Remember, patience and a bit of luck are your best allies in creating the island community of your dreams!