Kicking Out Critters: How Long Does it Really Take to Evict a Villager in Animal Crossing?

So, you’ve got a resident on your island that’s cramping your style. Maybe their house clashes with your meticulously planned aesthetic, perhaps their constant talk of protein shakes is grating on your nerves, or perhaps they are simply a villager that you dislike. Whatever the reason, you want them GONE. But how long will this eviction process take?

The truth is, there’s no guaranteed, fixed timeline. While the article you’ve provided mentions a “little over 30 days” if you ignore every conversation about moving, it’s more nuanced than that. The time it takes to get rid of a villager in Animal Crossing: New Horizons is largely governed by random chance and the methods you employ. It can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks, depending on your luck and how persistent you are with different techniques. There is simply no concrete answer.

Let’s break down the factors involved and examine the most common methods players use, along with their associated timeframes.

Understanding the Villager Departure Mechanics

Before we dive into specific strategies, it’s crucial to understand the underlying mechanics that influence villager departures. Animal Crossing operates on a system of weighted probabilities. Certain actions and inactions increase or decrease the likelihood of a villager wanting to move out. However, nothing is guaranteed.

Key factors influencing a villager’s desire to leave:

• Friendship Level: Contrary to popular belief, lowering a villager’s friendship level doesn’t necessarily guarantee they’ll leave. While neglect can contribute to them wanting to move, the game doesn’t explicitly tie low friendship to departure. High friendship can make them less likely to leave, but even best friends can still get the “itch” to explore new horizons.
• Last Move-Out Date: There’s a cooldown period after a villager moves out. Once a villager has left your island, no other villager will ask to move out for at least 15 days. Furthermore, if a villager considers moving out but you convince them to stay, there’s a shorter 5-day cooldown.
• Recent Arrival: Villagers who have recently moved to your island are less likely to move out again quickly. This is particularly true for your most recent arrival, as they will have moved from the mainland.
• “Thought Bubble” Randomness: The primary indicator that a villager is contemplating a move is the thought bubble that appears above their head. The game randomly selects a villager to display this thought bubble, but the selection process is influenced by the factors mentioned above. If the villager selected is a villager you are looking to keep on your island, then be sure to not talk to them when they have the thought bubble.

Tried-and-True Villager Eviction Methods

Now, let’s explore the different methods players use to encourage villagers to pack their bags, alongside their estimated effectiveness and timeframes:

• The “Ignoring” Method: This involves actively avoiding all interaction with the target villager. Don’t talk to them, don’t give them gifts, and generally pretend they don’t exist. This method relies on the “neglect” factor mentioned earlier.
  • Estimated Timeframe: Highly variable. Could take weeks, or even months for some players.
  • Effectiveness: Unreliable. It can work, but there’s no guarantee.
• The “Amiibo Card” Method: This is the most reliable and fastest method. If you have Amiibo cards for villagers you do want on your island, you can invite them to your campsite. After inviting them three separate times, and completing requests for them each time, you’ll be given the option to choose which current villager to kick out in favor of the Amiibo villager.
  • Estimated Timeframe: 3 days. It takes three separate days to invite the Amiibo villager.
  • Effectiveness: 100% guaranteed. This is the surest way to get rid of a villager.
• The “Campsite Visitor” Method: This involves waiting for a random camper to arrive at your campsite. If you like the camper enough to want them to move in, and your island is full, the camper will randomly suggest kicking out a villager. If the camper suggests kicking out a villager you want to keep, then simply quit the game without saving and go back in and talk to the villager again to see if they suggest a different villager to kick out.
  • Estimated Timeframe: Completely random. Can happen any day, or not at all for weeks.
  • Effectiveness: Only works if your island is full. Then requires an extra villager from the campsite.
• The “Time Traveling” Method: This involves manipulating the Nintendo Switch’s system clock to advance the days. This can speed up the process of waiting for a villager to have a thought bubble. However, it also comes with risks, such as weeds overgrowing your island and villagers moving out without your permission. Be sure to not time travel too far if you are going to time travel.
  • Estimated Timeframe: Potentially faster than waiting in real-time, but depends on your luck.
  • Effectiveness: Risky and can have unintended consequences. Save often!

Things Not To Do

It’s also important to debunk some common myths about villager removal:

• Hitting Villagers with Nets: This does not make them leave. It just annoys them and might even increase their friendship level due to the interaction.
• Complaining to Isabelle: Complaining to Isabelle only resets a villager’s catchphrase or clothing. It does not influence their desire to move out.
• Bullying: While consistently mistreating a villager might seem like a logical strategy, the game doesn’t explicitly reward this behavior with a guaranteed departure. It is more of a myth and should not be followed.

The Waiting Game

Ultimately, getting rid of a villager in Animal Crossing involves a degree of patience and luck. Experiment with different methods, be persistent, and don’t get discouraged if it takes longer than you expect. Remember, the most reliable method is using Amiibo cards, if you have them.

And while you’re navigating the complex social dynamics of your island, remember that the Games Learning Society explores the educational potential of gaming. You can learn more at GamesLearningSociety.org.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further clarify the villager eviction process:

1. Can Isabelle kick a Villager out?

No, Isabelle cannot directly remove a villager. Complaining to her only resets their catchphrase or clothing.

2. Does hitting villagers make them move out?

No, hitting villagers with nets or other tools does NOT make them move out. It’s more likely that they will stay.

3. Do villagers you kicked out remember you?

Generally, villagers do not remember you if you encounter them again on mystery islands or at your campsite.

4. How often will villagers ask to move out?

After a villager moves out, there is a 15-day cooldown before another villager can ask to leave. If a villager considers moving but is persuaded to stay, the cooldown is 5 days.

5. What causes villagers to leave in Animal Crossing: New Horizons?

Villagers may leave after living on your island for a while, or due to feelings of neglect.

6. Can you bully a villager off your island?

While constantly mistreating a villager might seem effective, the game doesn’t guarantee a departure based on bullying.

7. Do Amiibo cards kick out villagers?

Yes, Amiibo cards allow you to choose which villager to kick out in favor of the Amiibo villager. This is the most reliable method.

8. What happens if you report a villager to Isabelle?

Reporting to Isabelle only resets catchphrases, clothing, and other cosmetic aspects of the villager. It does not influence their desire to move out.

9. How long after a villager asks to leave are they in boxes?

The day after a villager agrees to move out, they will be “in boxes”, meaning their belongings are packed up and they are ready to leave your island.

10. What is the highest friendship level in Animal Crossing New Horizons?

The highest friendship level in Animal Crossing: New Horizons is 255.

11. How do I get my Islanders to move out?

Wait for a villager to have a thought bubble, talk to them, and agree for them to move away. If the villager you don’t want to move has a thought bubble, do not speak to them, and skip to the next day.

12. Can you annoy a villager into leaving?

Constantly “bullying” them every day can make them feel uncomfortable and leave, but is not guaranteed.

13. Does complaining to Isabelle make villagers leave?

No, complaining to Isabelle does NOT make villagers leave. It has no effect.

14. Do you have to talk to a villager who wants to leave?

Yes, you must talk to the villager with the thought bubble and agree to let them leave. Otherwise, they will stay.

15. What happens if you say no to a villager who wants to leave?

If you say no to a villager who wants to leave, they will stay, and there will be a 5-day cooldown before another villager can ask to move out.

Getting rid of a villager can take some time and patience. However, you can explore the possibilities of the Games Learning Society while you wait!