Maximum Villagers in Animal Crossing: New Horizons – Everything You Need to Know

The maximum number of animal villagers you can have living on your island in Animal Crossing: New Horizons (ACNH) is 10. This limit is separate from the number of human players, so you can have up to 10 animal villagers living alongside up to 8 human players on a single island. It’s crucial to plan your island layout with this in mind, as this limit influences how you build your community. Understanding the mechanics around villagers, including how to get them, how they move in and out, and the friendship system, enhances your gameplay experience considerably. This article will delve deeper into this maximum and answer many frequently asked questions regarding villagers in ACNH.

Understanding the Villager System

The villager system is a cornerstone of Animal Crossing: New Horizons, and it significantly contributes to the game’s charm. Each villager has a unique personality, appearance, and preferred house style, making each island a diverse community. With over 400 villagers to choose from, you can cultivate a group that feels perfect for your island.

The game begins with a few villagers, and as you progress, you’ll have the opportunity to invite more. The first three housing kits are provided by Tom Nook after Nook’s Cranny opens, which will allow your island to begin its expansion. After this, you’ll need to acquire empty plots to invite new villagers. A maximum of 10 animal villagers can live on your island at any given time.

How Villagers Move In

Villagers move in through several methods:

• Inviting them from other islands: If a villager is packing up to leave another player’s island, you can invite them to move to your island. This requires having an empty plot available.
• Finding them on mystery islands: Using Nook Miles Tickets, you can visit mystery islands, where you might encounter a villager that you can invite. You can only invite one villager from a mystery island per day.
• Random Move-ins: In some instances, a villager may randomly move to an empty plot if you don’t invite one within 1 to 3 days. Tom Nook will fill the plot automatically, so if you have a specific villager in mind, you’ll want to act fast.

Villager Turnover and Empty Plots

Villagers will not stay on your island forever. At some point, they will request to move away. Once a villager moves out, more villagers will not ask to leave again for 15 days. If a villager requests to leave but you convince them to stay, then no villager will ask to leave for another 5 days. This system gives the player a degree of control over how quickly their villagers leave, and helps to maintain a comfortable rate of island turnover.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further enhance your understanding of the villager system in ACNH:

1. How many human players can live on one island in ACNH?

Up to 8 human players can live on a single island, with one player per Nintendo Switch account available on the console. The number of human players does not affect the 10 animal villager limit.

2. Can you have both 10 villagers and 2 players on your island?

Absolutely. You can have the maximum of 10 animal villagers and up to 8 human players living together on the same island. The number of players doesn’t reduce your villager limit.

3. How many villagers can you invite per day?

You can only invite one villager per day from a mystery island. You need to have an empty, unsold plot available to invite a villager from another player’s island or find them on mystery islands.

4. What happens if you don’t fill an empty plot in time?

If you don’t invite a villager to an empty plot within 1 to 3 days, Tom Nook will automatically fill the plot with a random villager.

5. Does Tom Nook count as a villager?

No, Tom Nook and other special characters like Isabelle and Blathers do not count toward the 10 animal villager limit.

6. Who are considered the rarest villagers in ACNH?

Rarity is often subjective, but some of the rarest villager species are:

• Octopus (5)
• Non-Animal Villagers (6)
• Tiger (7)
• Cow (8)
• Bull (9)
• Lion (9)
• Rhinoceros (9)
• Alligator (9)

7. How can you encourage a villager to move out?

While there isn’t one guaranteed method, ignoring a villager, especially during their birthday, can increase the likelihood of them moving out. However, hitting them with your net is not a good way to make them move, since it gives them attention, and increases their friendship level.

8. What is the maximum friendship level with a villager?

The friendship level with villagers is measured on a scale from 0 to 255.

9. How many visitors can you have on your island?

You can have up to 7 visitors on your island at the same time, meaning a total of 8 players including yourself.

10. Can you have two Animal Crossing towns on the same Switch?

No, you can only create one island per Nintendo Switch system, even if you use multiple game cards. A different system is required to create a different island.

11. Can you steal villagers from other islands?

You cannot “steal” villagers but you can invite them to your island if they are already packing to move from another player’s island. This is done when your friend’s villager is in boxes and you talk to them during your visit. You also need to have an empty plot ready for them on your island.

12. What happens if you time travel too far?

Time-traveling too far ahead can cause villagers to move out, and weeds will grow across your island. Additionally, you might encounter unforeseen changes in your community.

13. What happens if you leave Animal Crossing for too long?

If you leave your island unattended for too long, it will lead to weed overgrowth which effects the island’s overall star rating.

14. What items count as clutter in Animal Crossing?

Clutter includes dropped items such as furniture, clothes, DIY recipes, shells (not beach spawns), branches, fruit, turnips, wood, weeds, and other similar materials. These are items you can typically walk over.

15. Does Animal Crossing know your birthday?

Yes, the game is aware of your birthday. A week before your birthday, a notice will be posted on the bulletin board. On the day itself, Tom Nook or Isabelle will mention it, and your villagers will celebrate with you.

Conclusion

The villager system in Animal Crossing: New Horizons is incredibly engaging and rewarding. While the maximum number of animal villagers on your island is capped at 10, understanding the dynamics of how they arrive, the friendship system, and the mechanisms for how they move away will help you create your ideal island paradise. Remember to plan your island strategically, engage with your villagers, and enjoy the unique community you build. By mastering these aspects, you will get the most out of your Animal Crossing experience.