How Often Does Jolly Redd Visit Your Island in Animal Crossing: New Horizons?

The elusive art dealer, Jolly Redd, is a character many Animal Crossing: New Horizons players eagerly anticipate. His visits bring the possibility of acquiring valuable (and sometimes not-so-valuable) artwork to complete your museum’s art wing. However, unlike some of the more predictable vendors, Redd’s schedule is notoriously unpredictable. So, how often does this sly fox grace your island with his presence?

The straightforward answer is: There is no set schedule. Redd appears on your island completely randomly after you have unlocked him. While some players might find him frequently, perhaps every few days, others might endure frustratingly long periods without a visit, sometimes up to 19 days even with time traveling. His appearances rotate with other special visitors like Leif, Saharah, and Kicks.

The first key to understanding Redd’s appearances is knowing that they are tied to a pool of other visitors. He won’t just show up at will; his arrival is based on the game’s internal system for cycling special characters. This means that a long wait doesn’t indicate a bug or an oversight – it simply means it’s not his turn. The other thing is that after unlocking him, and you have the art exhibit, you will get a daily announcement from Isabelle, mentioning a ‘suspicious individual’ on your island, which lets you know he has come to visit.

Unlocking Redd: The First Step

Before worrying about frequency, you need to unlock Jolly Redd and his boat. This is a crucial step. You won’t see him unless you’ve completed the following:

• Upgrade your museum and have donated at least 60 items. These can be a mix of fossils, fish, and bugs.
• After the donation requirement, Blathers will mention he is considering adding an art exhibit. This dialogue triggers the start of Redd’s appearances on your island.

Once you’ve fulfilled these criteria, Redd’s visits are officially in the cards! The first time he will be found randomly wandering around the island. After the first time, he’ll appear with his Treasure Trawler docked on your island’s secret northern beach. This beach can be accessed using the ladder and pole. When he’s there, you’ll see his logo on the island map.

Random Appearances and the Visitor Rotation

Once unlocked, Redd’s visits become part of a random rotation. He shares this rotation with other special vendors, and the game doesn’t favor any one particular visitor over another. Some days you’ll have a different vendor each day, and other times, a visitor may not show up for multiple days. Here’s what to keep in mind:

• Isabelle’s Announcements: Pay attention to Isabelle’s daily announcements. Since the 2.0 update, she will specifically mention a ‘suspicious character’ on your island when Redd is present, which is very helpful in knowing if he’s visiting.
• Check the Map: If you didn’t get an announcement and are trying to see if he is on the island, check the island map. His logo will appear at the secret beach when his boat is docked and he is visiting.
• Time Travel: While time traveling can help you advance days quickly, it doesn’t guarantee Redd’s appearance. Many players have observed his patterns as almost impossible to discern. Even with considerable time manipulation, the game’s random generator keeps his arrival inconsistent.
• No Set Pattern: Contrary to some initial assumptions, there doesn’t appear to be a predictable or discernible pattern to Redd’s visits. He is the only vendor that doesn’t have a set rotation. This can be frustrating for those trying to complete the art wing.

Redd’s Treasure Trawler

Redd’s Treasure Trawler, his boat, is where the magic happens (or sometimes the scamming!). When he is visiting, you’ll find his boat docked at the secret beach located on the northern shore of your island. You’ll have to have obtained a ladder and pole to gain access.

How to Buy From Redd

Here are a few tips when buying from Redd:

• One Purchase Per Day: You can only purchase one piece of art per visit, regardless of how many real paintings he has.
• Real and Fake: Be wary of fakes! Redd’s inventory is a mix of authentic and forged artwork. Learning the differences between real and fake paintings is crucial to avoiding scams.
• Check Before You Buy: It’s very easy to get tricked when buying from Redd. Research paintings before buying to know if it is a real one.
• Harv’s Island: On Harv’s Island, Redd only offers two pieces of art at a time and you can only purchase one per day.

Why Can’t I Find Redd?

If you cannot find Redd on your island, ensure you have:

• Upgraded your museum and donated at least 60 items to Blathers.
• Heard Blathers mention adding an art exhibit.
• Remember, Redd appears randomly as part of the visitor rotation so he is not going to show up every day.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some common questions about Jolly Redd, for those seeking additional guidance:

Is Redd’s First Piece of Art Always Real?

Yes, the first piece of art Redd sells you when he first appears is guaranteed to be genuine. You can donate this to Blathers to trigger the museum expansion and complete the art wing.

How Can I Tell if a Painting is Real?

This is one of the most important questions! Each fake painting has a visible difference from the genuine version. Check the following:

• Look for discrepancies.
• Scrutinize the back of the painting (when given the option).
• Research the paintings beforehand. Many online guides and resources provide detailed comparisons between real and fake art pieces.

What Happens if I Donate a Fake Painting?

Blathers will not accept fake artwork for donation and will notify you that the painting is a fake. The twins also won’t buy fakes, and you’ll have to throw it away, put it in storage, or use it as decor.

Can Multiple People Buy From Redd?

Yes, multiple people can buy from Redd while he is visiting. However, two people cannot purchase the exact same painting. It’s first-come, first-serve.

Can Redd Live on my Island?

No, Redd cannot live on your island permanently. He is a special visitor who rotates in and out with other characters. However, if someone buys artwork from Redd on your island and visits you, he may then show up to their island.

Is Redd’s Raffle Worth It?

Redd’s raffle costs 500 bells per ticket, and you’re guaranteed to win a prize every time. The prizes vary from items that can be used frequently, to items that only have limited use.

What is the Sketchy Boat in Animal Crossing?

The sketchy boat in Animal Crossing is Redd’s Treasure Trawler. This is where you can buy artwork and purchase raffle tickets when he is visiting.

Can You Buy More than One Piece of Art Per Day?

No, you can only buy one piece of art per day from Redd on your island.

Can you donate Statues to Blathers?

Yes, Blathers will accept statues to be donated to the museum. There are several sculptures that can be obtained from Redd.

What Happens if you Bury Haunted Art?

Burying haunted art can lower your island rating. It won’t affect the game much beyond that. The haunted paintings are more for decoration.

Should You Trust Redd?

Redd is a con artist at heart. He specializes in selling a mix of real and fake artworks. It’s important to check the differences before buying to avoid being scammed.

What Does Blathers Hate?

Blathers has a phobia of insects (entomophobia). This can be seen when you donate bugs to the museum.

Is Redd’s Mona Lisa Real?

Redd’s painting based on the Mona Lisa could be real or fake, just like other paintings. Always check for discrepancies between the real and fake.

How do you get all of Redd’s Art?

The only way to get all of the art from Redd is to wait for him to appear on your island. You may also visit someone else’s island and purchase art, but only one per day. Use research to check the real vs. fake paintings to ensure you are getting the real one.

Can you donate art in Animal Crossing?

Yes, you can donate art to Blathers to complete the art exhibit. But you will need to have donated at least 60 items, prior to him accepting artwork.

Conclusion

Jolly Redd’s visits are a highly anticipated event in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, though his random schedule can be a source of frustration. By understanding the prerequisites, how the visitor rotation works, and how to identify genuine art, you can enhance your chances of completing your museum’s art exhibit. Though you have no control over when he shows up, you can be prepared when he finally does! Good luck and happy hunting!