How To Unlock the Axe and Shovel in Animal Crossing: A Comprehensive Guide
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Unlocking the axe and shovel is fundamental to progressing in Animal Crossing: New Horizons. These essential tools allow you to gather resources, shape your island, and ultimately enjoy the full breadth of the game’s features. In short, to get your hands on these tools, you’ll need to progress through the initial stages of the game, interacting with key characters and completing specific tasks. Initially, you’ll only have access to flimsy tools, but don’t worry, you’ll quickly upgrade as you advance. Here’s a detailed breakdown of how to unlock these crucial implements.
Getting Your First Axe
The Flimsy Axe
Your journey to obtaining an axe starts with Tom Nook. He will be your primary contact during the first day on your deserted island. The first step to getting your first tool is to capture some local wildlife. Gather bugs and fish from your island, and then talk to Tom Nook inside the Resident Services tent. You only need to donate a few. The specific number doesn’t seem to matter, but generally, donating a few of each will suffice. Once you’ve made these initial donations, Tom Nook will acknowledge your efforts and gift you the DIY recipe for a Flimsy Axe.
Crafting the Flimsy Axe
With the DIY recipe in hand, head over to a DIY workbench. These are often located inside the Resident Services tent, as well as many other locations. Interact with the workbench to access the crafting menu, and select the Flimsy Axe. You’ll need the required materials to craft it, usually some tree branches and a piece of stone. Gather these materials from the island, and craft your first axe! This flimsy axe is a weak version and it will break after limited use. This is normal for the first tool.
Upgrading to a Better Axe
As you play, you will need to upgrade your axe. The Standard Axe can be bought from Nook’s Cranny for 2,500 Bells. You can also get it through a DIY recipe that you purchase through the Nook Stop after paying off the initial 5,000 Nook Miles fee to Tom Nook. This tool is much more robust than the flimsy axe and will last longer. The Stone Axe is another option, although not as durable as the standard axe. To obtain this, you need to get the DIY recipe which is available early in the game.
Getting Your First Shovel
The Flimsy Shovel
Unlocking the shovel follows a similar progression but involves Blathers, the owl. After making your initial donations to Tom Nook, he will mention that he has a friend who might be interested in building a museum. This will initiate the process of attracting Blathers to your island. Once you’ve donated a total of 5 fish or bugs to Tom Nook, he’ll inform you that he is inviting Blathers to set up a tent on your island.
Setting Up the Museum Tent
The day after the invitation, you’ll find Blathers’ tent ready. Talking to Blathers at the tent is key. He will need more specimens for his museum. However, don’t worry, you’ll need to make 15 more donations to Blathers before he can open the museum, but during this initial conversation, Blathers will provide the DIY recipe for a Flimsy Shovel as well as the vaulting pole recipe.
Crafting the Flimsy Shovel
Just like the axe, you’ll need a DIY workbench to craft your first shovel. Gather the required materials, typically some hardwood and a piece of stone. Craft the flimsy shovel and you’re ready to dig! This shovel will break and you will need a better shovel for longer digging sessions.
Upgrading to a Better Shovel
Similar to the axe, you can obtain an upgraded shovel through the Nook Stop for 3,000 Nook Miles. This recipe will only appear after paying off your first loan. This will unlock the recipe for the “Pretty Good Tools” which includes the shovel. There is also a Stone Shovel that can be obtained as a DIY recipe.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the difference between the flimsy axe and the regular axe?
The flimsy axe is the starter axe, weaker and breaks more quickly. The regular axe is more durable and can chop trees more efficiently.
2. How do I get the golden axe?
The golden axe recipe is obtained by breaking 100 axes. The golden axe has significantly longer durability compared to the regular one. Note that after the update of 1.11.0, the physical recipe is no longer obtainable.
3. Can the second player get the axe and shovel?
Yes, the second player needs to donate creatures to Tom Nook to receive the Flimsy Axe recipe. Then, they must talk to Blathers after the first player has made 15 donations to the museum to receive the Flimsy Shovel recipe.
4. Why can’t I donate to Tom Nook?
You likely have not unlocked donating yet. Tom Nook will tell you when he is ready to accept donations and mention Blathers who is interested in setting up a museum.
5. How long does it take for Blathers to arrive?
Blathers will arrive and set up his tent the day after you’ve donated a total of 5 creatures to Tom Nook. After he is set up, you need 15 donations before he can open the museum.
6. How do I get the golden shovel?
The golden shovel recipe will be mailed to you by Gulliver after you’ve completed his communicator side quest 30 times.
7. What are the materials needed to craft a flimsy axe?
The materials needed for the flimsy axe are usually tree branches and a piece of stone.
8. What are the materials needed to craft a flimsy shovel?
The materials needed for the flimsy shovel are typically hardwood and a piece of stone.
9. Are there any tools that don’t break?
No, all tools in Animal Crossing: New Horizons break after a certain number of uses. However, stronger material tools will last much longer.
10. How do I obtain DIY recipes?
You can get DIY recipes by speaking to crafting villagers, shooting down balloons, or finding them on the beach. You can also obtain them from Tom Nook, and the Nook Stop.
11. What are the Pretty Good Tools?
Pretty Good Tools are more durable versions of the basic tools. The recipes can be purchased at the Nook Stop for 3,000 Nook Miles after paying off the initial 5,000 Nook Miles fee.
12. Why can’t I get the stone axe and shovel?
Stone tools do require a specific DIY recipe that you need to obtain, however, it is usually available early in the game.
13. How many iron nuggets does Timmy need?
Timmy requires 30 iron nuggets, among other materials, to construct Nook’s Cranny.
14. What is the rarest item in Animal Crossing?
While there are many rare items, the Royal Crown is considered one of the rarest and most expensive items.
15. Is it possible to play with other people on my island?
Yes, you can have up to 4 residents on the same island playing simultaneously, on the same Nintendo Switch. Up to eight players with their own Nintendo Switch system can play together on an island via online or local multiplayer.
Unlocking the axe and shovel are important initial steps to enjoying all that Animal Crossing: New Horizons has to offer. Once you understand the processes to obtain these tools, and the upgrades available, you will be set up for a great time on your island!