To get a slingshot to shoot down balloons in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, you need to wait for a balloon carrying the slingshot to float over your island. Shoot it down with a tool like a slingshot or net to claim the item. You can also purchase a slingshot DIY recipe from the upgraded Nook's Cranny store.
Locating the Slingshot
In Animal Crossing: New Horizons, the slingshot is an essential tool for shooting down balloons. To acquire a slingshot, you must first wait for a balloon to float across the sky. These balloons typically have a present attached to them. As you spot a balloon floating in the sky, equip your net and start following its path.
Shooting Down the Balloon
When the balloon is directly above you, switch your equipped tool to the slingshot. Aim carefully and shoot the balloon down using the slingshot. Once you successfully hit the present and the balloon bursts, the present will drop, allowing you to collect it from the ground.
DIY Recipe for the Slingshot
If you want to craft your slingshot instead of waiting for one to drop from a balloon, you can obtain the DIY recipe for the slingshot. The DIY recipe can be found in a variety of ways. You may come across it in a message in a bottle on your beach, receive it as a gift from a villager, or find it for sale in Timmy and Tommy's shop in the Resident Services building. Once you have the DIY recipe for the slingshot, you can gather the necessary materials to craft your slingshot.
Gathering Materials for Crafting
To craft a slingshot, you typically need to gather basic crafting materials like wood. Explore your island and collect wood by hitting trees with an axe. Different types of trees may provide different kinds of wood, so ensure you have a variety of tree types available on your island. Once you have enough wood and any additional materials required as per the DIY recipe, head to a crafting bench to craft your slingshot.
Crafting Your Slingshot
Approach a crafting bench with your gathered materials and the slingshot DIY recipe in hand. Interact with the crafting bench to access the crafting menu. Locate the slingshot recipe and select it to begin the crafting process. Follow the on-screen prompts to craft your slingshot. Once crafted, the slingshot will be added to your inventory, ready for use whenever you spot a balloon floating in the sky.
Maintaining Your Slingshot
To ensure your slingshot remains in good condition and doesn’t break, be cautious while using it. Avoid using the slingshot unnecessarily or for activities other than shooting down balloons. As with other tools in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, the slingshot may degrade over time with excessive use. If your slingshot shows signs of wear and tear, you can replace it by crafting another one using the same DIY recipe or by finding a new slingshot from a balloon present.
Enjoying the Benefits of Balloon Presents
Now that you have mastered the art of shooting down balloons with your slingshot, you can look forward to the various presents that these balloons carry. Balloon presents often contain valuable items like furniture, clothing, crafting materials, or DIY recipes. Keep an eye out for balloons floating across your island to shoot them down and collect the presents, adding to your collection and enhancing your gameplay experience in Animal Crossing: New Horizons.