Tools (of the trade)

These are the equipment you need to complete your collection or simply interact and manipulate objects in your town. Each tool has a silver and gold version which has improved effects and abilities over the predecessor.

There are several ways in equipping tools:

1. Select the item then choose “Hold”

2. Drag the tool to your character’s portrait in the item menu

3. Press the Left or Right buttons in your DPAD to cycle through available tools.

Fishing Rod

This is used to catch fish in streams, ponds or ocean. It can be bought from the Nookling Junction or from Isabelle.

Silver Fishing Rod: This allows fishes to bite the bait faster and longer. You can purchase it from the Museum’s second floor extension after donating at least 30 different fish types.

Gold Fishing Rod: This allows fishes to bite the bait faster and longer. Catch every fish in the game then talk to the Fishing Tournament host.

Net

This is used for catching bugs. It can be bought from the Nookling Junction or from Isabelle.

Silver Net: It has a wider range than its predecessor. You can purchase it from the Museum’s second floor extension after donating at least 30 different bug types.

Gold Net: It has a wider range than its predecessor. Talk to the Bug-catching Tournament host after collecting all bugs in the game.

Axe

This is used to chop down trees. Simply equip it, stand near the tree you want to chop and keep swinging your axe by pressing “A” until the tree is chopped. After felling a tree, you can shovel the stump to clear the space OR leave the stump to attract certain type of bugs. You can buy this from the Gardening Shop in Main Street.

Silver Axe: Has more durability than the regular axe, will always create a rare stump pattern. You can purchase this from the Tropical Island shop at a cost of 8 medals.

Gold Axe: It never breaks and cuts down trees faster. It will also make patterns appear on stumps. To get this, buy 50 tree saplings from the Gardening Shop then talk to Leif the sloth.

Shovel

This is used for digging holes where you can plant saplings, fruits or bury objects, dig up fossils, strike rocks and removing tree stumps and dead/ withered plants. You can initially buy one from the Nookling Junction.

Silver Shovel: Striking “money rocks” will rarely yield ores instead of bells. Purchase this on the Museum’s 2nd floor extension after donating at least 15 fossils.

Gold Shovel: Makes fertilizers more effective. Can be used to grow money on trees. Talk to Leif after buying 50 fertilizers from the Gardening Shop.

Watering Can

This is used to water flowers. You’ll get your first watering can from Isabelle (select “Advice on living here”) or by buying it from the Gardening Shop.

Silver Watering Can: Has Talk to Leif the sloth in the Gardening Shop after buying at least 50 flower seeds.

Gold Watering Can: Talk to Isabelle after maintaining a “Perfect Town” status for 15 days.

Slingshot

You can use this to shoot down floating balloons with attached presents. You can buy one from the Nookling Junction.

Silver Slingshot: Fire 2 shots at once; shoot down a toolbox carried by two silver balloons

Gold Slingshot: Fires 3 shots at once; shoot down a toolbox carried by three golden balloons

Miscellaneous

Megaphone: Used to call out and locate villagers. You have to hold “A” and call their name on the 3DS microphone. You can get this from the Nookling Junction (and its future upgrades)

Timer: This is used to count down time and indicate the captured bugs, fish and sea creatures. You can get this from the Nookling Junction (and its future upgrades)

Wet Suit: Used to go diving and finding underwater creatures/ items. You can get this from the Tropical Island.