Unlocking Your Island’s Potential: What Happens When You Reach a 3-Star Rating in Animal Crossing: New Horizons?
Achieving a 3-star island rating in Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a major milestone that signifies the transition from a humble beginning to a more developed island paradise. It’s not just about the stars themselves; it’s about unlocking a whole new set of features and possibilities within the game. In short, reaching a 3-star rating signifies that your island is ready for the next level of growth and customization.
Specifically, when your island achieves a 3-star rating, the main benefit is that Tom Nook’s Project K culminates. He invites the famous musician, K.K. Slider, to perform a concert on your island. This isn’t just a fun event; it’s the game’s way of rewarding you and setting you up for major gameplay enhancements. The day after this concert (or the day after any pre-scheduled event), Tom Nook gifts you the Island Designer app on your NookPhone. This app is crucial as it unlocks the power of terraforming, allowing you to reshape the landscape of your island with rivers, cliffs, and paths to your heart’s desire. And yes, you also get K.K. Slider permanently on your island after the concert!
Reaching the 3-Star Milestone
Before diving deeper, it’s important to understand what’s required to hit that 3-star rating. While the game doesn’t give you a precise list of requirements, there are several key components:
- Villagers: You’ll need at least 7 or more villagers living on your island to qualify for a 3-star rating. Before the campground opens, make sure to have at least 6 villagers.
- Development: The number of development points, which includes things like placing furniture, building structures, and expanding your island infrastructure, contributes significantly.
- Scenery: Your island’s scenery points, which are influenced by the number of flowers, trees, and other decorative items, are equally important. To reach a 3-star rating, you should aim for at least 100 plants and approximately 200 flowers on your island.
- Clutter: Avoid having too much “trash” or dropped items on the ground, such as turnips, DIY recipes, clothing or furniture. These clutter items will negatively impact your island rating. Keep it tidy! Also, avoid having more than 45 tiles covered by furniture in a single area of your island, as this is considered clutter.
Isabelle at the Resident Services will provide you with hints about areas that need improvement, but keep in mind that her suggestions are often very general and can take some interpretation.
Benefits of a 3-Star Island Rating
Beyond the big reveal of K.K. Slider and the Island Designer App, a 3-star rating unlocks several benefits that will greatly enhance your gameplay experience.
Terraforming and Island Customization
The most significant benefit is undoubtedly the Island Designer app. This tool allows you to completely change the landscape of your island. You’re given the ability to add or remove cliffs, create rivers and ponds, and lay pathways, giving you complete control over your island’s layout. This opens up a vast world of customization, allowing you to shape your island to your exact specifications. Initially, you receive basic paths, but later you can unlock others via the Nook Stop in Resident Services.
Permanent K.K. Slider Presence
Having K.K. Slider settle on your island is another huge benefit. Not only do you get his free concert after getting 3-stars, but he will then be a regular visitor, performing live music every Saturday evening at the plaza.
Progression of the Game
Reaching a 3-star rating allows you to progress further in the main storyline and opens up new challenges and possibilities. Once you have K.K Slider, it allows you to focus on building your perfect island.
Maintaining and Going Beyond
Importantly, once you’ve reached a 3-star rating, there’s no penalty for dropping back down to a lower rating. You only need to achieve that initial 3-star status to unlock the Island Designer app. Therefore, after receiving the app and enjoying the concert, you don’t need to maintain your island rating if you don’t want to.
You are, however, encouraged to continue working towards a 5-star rating. This allows you to gain access to the rare and exclusive Lily of the Valley flower that spawns when your island achieves 5 stars and then continues to do so as long as your island maintains that rating.
FAQs About 3-Star Islands
1. Do I need 10 villagers to get a 3-star rating?
No, you do not need all 10 villagers to reach a 3-star rating. You need at least 7 villagers to unlock the 3-star rating. The first time the campground is completed, your town should have at least 6 villagers but will need one more at least to achieve 3-stars.
2. What happens if my island rating drops after getting 3 stars?
After getting the Island Designer app and K.K. Slider’s concert, there are no penalties for letting your island rating drop below 3 stars.
3. How many flowers do I need for a 3-star island?
While there’s no exact number given, you should aim to plant at least 200 flowers as well as 100 plants on your island to improve the chance of achieving a 3-star rating.
4. Why is Isabelle saying my island is cluttered?
Isabelle will say your island is cluttered if you have too many dropped items on the ground, such as DIY recipes, dropped clothing or furniture, or turnips. Pick these up and store them for your island rating to improve.
5. Can a messy island drop my rating?
Yes. Leaving dropped items, such as branches and wasp nests will cause your island rating to drop. Make sure to keep your island tidy by picking up any of these items.
6. How do I get a 5-star rating in Animal Crossing?
To get a 5-star rating, you need 8 or more villagers, at least 665 development points, and at least 450 scenery points. Keep your island tidy by removing any clutter as well.
7. What flower do I get for a 5-star island?
The Lily of the Valley flower is a white flower that grows on your island once you achieve a 5-star rating. It will continue to spawn as long as you maintain that rating.
8. What is the S rating in Animal Crossing?
The S rating refers to the Happy Home Academy score for your house. To obtain it, focus on including Feng Shui in your home and display seasonal and rare furniture. This is not related to the island rating.
9. What happens after the K.K. Slider concert?
After the K.K. Slider concert, you can access the Island Designer app. This will give you the ability to completely reshape your island with terraforming. You can also focus on other gameplay elements, such as completing your museum, Critterpedia, and paying off your loans.
10. What is the maximum number of villagers in ACNH?
The maximum number of villagers you can have on your island is 10.
11. Can Isabelle kick a villager out?
Isabelle cannot directly kick out villagers, but repeatedly talking to her about the same villager can increase the chance they will consider moving out.
12. Will villagers leave if you hit them?
Villagers leaving is largely random. Hitting them with a net or otherwise being mean has no effect on whether or not they will move out.
13. Do villagers you kicked out remember you?
In most cases, villagers do not retain any memory of you once they leave your island. They won’t mention your previous time together if you encounter them again.
14. Are your first 3 villagers random?
If you invited specific villagers prior to the plots being available, they will be the first to move in. Otherwise, the villagers will be randomly assigned.
15. What are the benefits of getting 10 villagers?
Having all 10 villager slots filled allows you to have all of the various personality types on your island, meaning there are more conversations, events, and crafting opportunities. By obtaining all 10 villagers you can also have duplicates of your favourite personalities.
Reaching a 3-star island in Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a crucial part of the game’s progression. It opens up numerous opportunities to customize your island and gives you access to features like terraforming. Understanding the requirements for this milestone and what to do after it will greatly enhance your gaming experience.