Using Tools

Tools are useful items that you can equip and use while exploring the outdoors. There are many different types of tools, and they each have a special purpose. Timmy and Tommy sell tools at their shop on Main Street, and their selection changes daily. Be sure to buy one of each!

Watering Can

The watering can is a simple tool that ensures that your town’s flowers will flourish. Equip it and then press while standing near flowers to give them a drink. The flowers will drip a bit, then begin to sparkle, indicating that they’ve been properly watered. Try to water your flowers regularly—they’ll quickly wilt without it!

Shovel

The shovel is a multipurpose tool that will pay for itself just moments after you pick one up. Equip a shovel, then press to dig wherever you see a star-shaped crack on the ground. You’re certain to dig up something valuable, such as a fossil or a mysterious gyroid. Both are valuable and can be sold for easy Bells.

The shovel is also used to plant items. Try digging a hole and planting a piece of fruit. If you picked a good spot, a fruit tree will grow! Plant even more fruit to grow a whole orchard!

After you’ve chopped down a tree with an axe, use a shovel to rip out the remaining stump. Stumps will just sit there until you dig them out with a shovel. You also need a shovel to dig up shrubs that you wish to be rid of.

Though rocks can’t be dug up with a shovel, it’s worth giving them a whack with it. Most of the time, nothing will happen—but if you’re lucky, the rock will shift or shatter and expose something valuable, like a few Bells or some precious ore.

Fishing Rod

The fishing rod is a useful tool that lets you catch fish in ponds, rivers, and the sea. Whenever you see a fish’s shadow, equip the fishing rod, stand near the water and press to cast your line. Try to drop the hook right in front of the fish’s view, or else it won’t take the bait. If your aim was off, press to reel in the line and try again.

Once you’ve attracted a fish, wait and watch as it swims toward the hook. Most fish will take a few nibbles before fully committing to a bite. Watch carefully, and press the moment you see the bobber plunk underwater. You’ll reel in a worthy catch if you’re quick!

Once you’ve caught a fish, choose to either sell it for Bells, or donate it to the local museum. You may also simply release fish and free up room in your pockets if you’re standing close to a water source.

Net

The net is used to catch insects you see as you explore outdoors. Such bugs can be found fluttering in the air, hopping or crawling along the ground, clinging to trees, perched atop flowers, or even hidden under rocks (whack ’em with a shovel to expose the bug). And of course, certain bugs appear only at certain times of day, or during particular seasons of the year.

Some insects are easy to catch—butterflies rank among the easiest. Other insects are more challenging and require patience and stealth—hold to creep up on bugs you see on trees or flowers, then release to quickly bring down the net when you’re in range.

Axe

The axe is used for one thing: chopping down trees. Swing it to bring down any tree that’s in your way. Felling trees can make town navigation easier, and is also useful when clearing out room for other plant life. It takes three good whacks to bring down a tree—the first chop will shake the tree, potentially causing items to fall out (as might also happen when you stand before a tree and press to shake it with nothing equipped).

Slingshot

This tool’s powerful pellets can only be shot directly up into the sky. Why, you ask? To pop balloons, of course! Whenever you see a balloon lazily drift by, ready the slingshot with and then release to fire a pellet up at the balloon as it passes overhead. Once it pops, the balloon’s present will fall to the ground within easy reach. Open the present in the pockets menu and see what you’ve found!

Megaphone

The megaphone is an interesting instrument used to broadcast your voice when searching for neighbors. Simply equip and ready the megaphone, then speak the name of a neighbor into your 3DS microphone. If the neighbor is nearby, they’ll answer your call—follow their voice to find them!

Timer

The timer is a cool tool that lets you challenge yourself and other players in your town to catch as many insects, fish, and deep-sea critters as possible within a time limit. Simply open your pockets, select the timer, and then set a time to begin the countdown.

Once a timer has been set, a time limit appears on-screen, along with a counter of how many insects, fish, and deep-sea catches you’ve claimed. Race to nab more bugs and aquatic life than your peers to finish in first place!

Wet Suit

The wet suit is a special outfit that lets you swim in the sea. Without a wet suit, you can’t go diving for deep-sea catches. Pick up a wet suit as soon as possible!

Wet suits are sold only at the tropical island. Advance to the point where Kapp’n appears at the town dock, then set sail for the island and participate in tour games to earn medals. Once you’ve earned enough medals, purchase the wet suit from the island’s shop.

Equip a wet suit just as you would any other tool or article of clothing—from within the pockets menu. Once you’re wearing a wet suit, step to the edge of the beach and press to start swimming. Keep tapping to build up speed!

When you spot a shadowy object under the sea, swim close and then press to dive. Continue to tap to swim underwater and chase after the elusive shadow. Catch the shadow, and you’ll swim to the surface with a deep-sea specimen in hand!

Swimming in the sea is lots of fun, but beware of dangerous jellyfish. These nasty creatures can appear quite suddenly and will sting you if you touch them. If you’re ever stung by a jellyfish, rapidly press buttons to recover.