To get a shovel for digging up fossils in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, you can buy it from Nook's Cranny once it's upgraded, find it in a message bottle or buried underground, or get the DIY recipe and craft it using hardwood and iron nuggets.
Checking the Store and Timmy & Tommy's
To get a shovel for digging up fossils in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, one of the first places to look is at the store on your island. The shop, run by Timmy and Tommy Nook, sells a variety of tools and supplies, including the basic shovel. Check the store's rotating inventory to see if a shovel is available for purchase. If it's not in stock, remember that the store's inventory changes daily, so check back often to see if a shovel becomes available.
Crafting a Shovel
If you don't have a shovel available for purchase at the store, you can also craft one yourself. To craft a shovel, you will need to have collected the necessary materials. In Animal Crossing: New Horizons, you can collect materials like hardwood, softwood, and iron nuggets by hitting rocks with a regular axe or shovel. Once you have the required materials, access a DIY workbench to craft your own shovel. Be sure to check your DIY recipes to see if you have unlocked the recipe for crafting a shovel.
Finding a Shovel Recipe
If you have not yet unlocked the shovel crafting recipe, there are a few ways to obtain it. One way is to wait for the recipe to become available as you progress through the game and unlock more DIY recipes. You can also find recipe cards washed up on the beach or receive them as gifts from your animal neighbors. Keep an eye out for recipe cards or chat with your neighbors regularly to increase your chances of receiving a shovel recipe.
Visiting Other Players' Islands
Another way to get a shovel for digging up fossils in Animal Crossing: New Horizons is to visit other players' islands. If you have friends who play the game or if you participate in online communities, you can visit other players' islands and check their stores for a shovel. Some players may also be willing to gift you a shovel or trade for one if you don't have the means to obtain it on your own island.
Utilizing Nook Miles
Nook Miles are a special currency in Animal Crossing: New Horizons that can be earned by completing various tasks and challenges. You can use Nook Miles to purchase a Nook Miles Ticket from the Nook Stop terminal in Resident Services. With a Nook Miles Ticket, you can visit mystery islands where you may come across a message in a bottle containing a shovel DIY recipe, or you may find a shop that sells tools, including a shovel.
Assessing Your Options
When trying to get a shovel for digging up fossils in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, it's important to explore all available options. Check the store and Timmy & Tommy's inventory regularly, craft a shovel if you have the materials and recipe, look for recipe cards, visit other players' islands, or utilize Nook Miles to increase your chances of obtaining a shovel. By being persistent and exploring different avenues, you should be able to secure a shovel and start excavating those fossils in no time!