Should You Give Pascal All Your Scallops in Animal Crossing: New Horizons?

The question of whether to give all your hard-earned scallops to Pascal in Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a common one among players, and the answer isn’t as straightforward as a simple “yes” or “no”. While the allure of unique DIY recipes, pearls, and mermaid-themed items is strong, it’s crucial to understand how Pascal and the scallop exchange system works before making a decision. Here’s a breakdown to help you make the best choice for your island life.

The short answer is: no, you absolutely should not give Pascal all your scallops. Pascal only takes one scallop per day, and any additional scallops you find that day will be of no use to him. Instead of saving scallops specifically for Pascal, focus on giving him the first scallop you find each day, then decide what to do with the rest. There are better and more lucrative ways to utilize extra scallops than hoarding them in your inventory.

Understanding the Scallop and Pascal Mechanic

First, it’s essential to understand the mechanics of how scallops and Pascal interact in Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Here’s a breakdown:

• Finding Scallops: Scallops are a sea creature that you can find while diving in the ocean. They appear as medium-sized shadows, so they are fairly easy to spot compared to other sea creatures.
• Pascal’s Appearance: When you catch your first scallop of the day, Pascal, a red sea otter, will appear.
• The Exchange: He’ll ask if you’re willing to give him your scallop. If you say yes, he’ll happily accept it, and in return, he’ll give you a reward which can include a mermaid DIY recipe, a pearl, or a piece of mermaid-themed clothing or furniture. This exchange is limited to once per day.
• Excess Scallops: If you find additional scallops after your daily trade with Pascal, he won’t accept them.

Why Not Save Scallops For Pascal?

It’s understandable to want to stockpile resources, but with Pascal, hoarding is pointless. Here’s why you shouldn’t save scallops for him:

• One Trade Per Day: Pascal will only ever ask for one scallop per day. He isn’t interested in any others you have.
• First Scallop of the Day: He only cares about the first scallop you catch each day, meaning you cannot give him one that you caught the previous day, even if it is still in your inventory.
• Inventory Space: Since he won’t take additional scallops, there’s no need to clutter your inventory with extras intended for him. This means more space in your pockets for other important items.

What Should You Do With Excess Scallops?

If you shouldn’t give all your scallops to Pascal, what should you do with them? Here are some great ways to use them:

• Selling to Nook’s Cranny: Scallops can be sold to Nook’s Cranny for 1,200 bells each. If you’re short on funds, selling your extra scallops can provide a good boost to your bank account.
• Donating to Blathers: One scallop should be donated to the museum to complete that section of Blathers’ collection. This only needs to be done one time, and once donated, it does not need to be done again, even in a new island.
• Gifting to Villagers: Villagers enjoy receiving gifts, and scallops can be a unique present for your island friends.
• Home Decor: If you’re a collector or love to display unique items in your home, keeping a scallop to display is another option.

Making the Right Choice: It’s All About Balance

The key takeaway is that while Pascal’s rewards are desirable, you shouldn’t hoard scallops solely for him. Instead, focus on the first scallop you catch daily for Pascal, and then utilize any extras through selling, gifting, or decorating. This approach ensures you make the most of this valuable resource and allows you to maximize your rewards while maintaining a healthy balance on your island.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions that provide further insight into the scallop and Pascal mechanic:

1. Can Pascal take more than one scallop a day?

No, Pascal will only take one scallop per day. He’s not interested in any additional scallops you might find that day.

2. What if I have multiple scallops in my inventory when Pascal appears?

If you have multiple scallops when you catch your first one of the day, Pascal will still only take one. He’s interested in the first scallop you find, not how many you currently possess.

3. What rewards can I get from Pascal?

Pascal can give you a mermaid-themed DIY recipe, a pearl, or a piece of mermaid-themed clothing or furniture.

4. Does Pascal only appear if I have an empty inventory slot?

Yes, Pascal requires an empty inventory slot to appear. If your pockets are full, he won’t show up, even if you catch a scallop.

5. What if Pascal doesn’t appear when I catch a scallop?

Make sure you have an empty inventory space and that you haven’t already traded with Pascal for the day. If both are true, he should appear when you catch a scallop.

6. How much do scallops sell for at Nook’s Cranny?

Scallops sell for 1,200 bells each at Nook’s Cranny.

7. Can I get all the mermaid DIYs from Pascal?

Yes, you can get all the mermaid DIY recipes from Pascal, but it may take time as the recipe he provides you with is random. He may give you duplicates of clothing or furniture before he provides you with new recipes.

8. Is there a specific time when Pascal appears?

No, Pascal’s appearance is not tied to a specific time. He will appear when you catch the first scallop of the day, any time of the day, provided you have a free inventory slot.

9. Do I need to dive in a specific location to find Pascal?

No, Pascal can appear anywhere on the ocean around your island where you are diving. He appears when you catch the first scallop of the day, regardless of location.

10. Can I trade the same type of item with Pascal multiple times?

Yes, Pascal can offer you duplicates of pearls, clothing, furniture and DIY recipes. However, he will only ever give one reward per day.

11. Are pearls rare in Animal Crossing: New Horizons?

Yes, pearls are relatively rare. They are found as intermittent bubbles with a discordant structure, so if you see those while diving, you have a chance to find one, but it’s not guaranteed that you will.

12. Can Pascal be a villager on my island?

No, Pascal is a special non-player character (NPC) and cannot be invited to live on your island. He will not be available as a villager.

13. Can I use my scallops for cooking in the game?

No, scallops cannot be used in cooking recipes in Animal Crossing: New Horizons. They are used for trading with Pascal, selling or donating.

14. Is the Gigas giant clam the rarest sea creature to catch?

Yes, the Gigas giant clam is one of the rarest and most valuable sea creatures, selling for 15,000 bells. It is very large and fast, but can be found any time of day.

15. If I have previously collected all the Mermaid DIYs can I still get Pearls from Pascal?

Yes, even if you have completed all mermaid-themed DIYs, Pascal can still offer pearls and other furniture from the series. You can continue to receive a random reward from Pascal, even if you have all DIYs already.