How to Get Iron in Animal Crossing: New Horizons

What is Iron in Animal Crossing: New Horizons?

Iron is a valuable resource in Animal Crossing: New Horizons that is used for crafting various tools and furniture. It is an essential material needed to progress in the game and unlock new features. From crafting tools like axes and shovels to constructing bridges and inclines, iron is in high demand on your deserted island.

In order to access the full potential of your island, you’ll need to gather enough iron to progress and improve your infrastructure. Nook’s Cranny, the local shop on your island, will only upgrade if you can provide them with 30 iron nuggets. This upgrade allows you to purchase and sell more items and adds additional variety to your gameplay experience.

Not only is iron required for the advancement of your island, but it is also used to create valuable items. DIY recipes found throughout the game require iron, and it can be used to create tools with prolonged use or even furniture and decorations to personalize your island and impress your animal villagers.

To obtain iron, you’ll need to search high and low on your island, as well as explore new horizons. There are various methods to obtain iron nuggets, including hitting rocks, trading with friends, and visiting mystery islands using Nook Miles Tickets. Each method has its own advantages and can provide you with different amounts of this valuable resource.

Remember, iron is a limited resource, so use it wisely and prioritize crafting items that will help you progress in the game. With enough iron at your disposal, you’ll be well on your way to transforming your deserted island into a bustling paradise in Animal Crossing: New Horizons.

Unlocking Nook’s Cranny

Nook’s Cranny is the central shop on your island in Animal Crossing: New Horizons. It offers a wide range of items for sale, including furniture, tools, clothing, and more. Unlocking Nook’s Cranny is a crucial milestone in the game as it provides access to a greater variety of items and the ability to sell your unwanted items for Bells, the in-game currency.

To unlock Nook’s Cranny, you must complete a series of tasks and reach certain milestones. Here’s a step-by-step guide to unlocking this vital shop:

Upgrade Resident Services: The first step is to upgrade your Resident Services tent to a building. This is a requirement for many of the game’s progressions, so be sure to complete any necessary tasks to make this upgrade.
Complete Tom Nook’s Requests: As you progress through the game, Tom Nook will assign you various tasks and missions. Complete these requests to further develop your island and reach the next level.
Built Four Additional Villager Houses: In order to unlock Nook’s Cranny, you must invite and build homes for four additional villagers on your island. This helps to increase the population and overall development of your community.
Collect 30 Iron Nuggets: One of the final requirements for unlocking Nook’s Cranny is to gather 30 iron nuggets. Iron nuggets can be obtained by hitting rocks on your island with a shovel or axe.
Talk to Timmy and Tommy: Once you’ve completed all the previous tasks and have collected 30 iron nuggets, speak to Timmy and Tommy, the shopkeepers of Nook’s Cranny. They will inform you that they are interested in opening a shop on the island.
Construction Begins: After speaking with Timmy and Tommy, construction on Nook’s Cranny will begin the next day. Once the construction is complete, the shop will officially open, marking a significant milestone in the game.

Unlocking Nook’s Cranny is an important accomplishment that opens up new opportunities and expands the possibilities for your island. Take the time to complete the necessary tasks and gather the required materials to unlock this essential shop and continue building the island of your dreams.

Where to Find Iron Nuggets

Iron nuggets are a vital resource in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, necessary for crafting tools, furniture, and other essential items. While iron nuggets can be found in various places on your island, knowing the best locations to dig them up can save you time and effort. Here are some reliable sources for finding iron nuggets:

Hitting Rocks: Rocks are the primary source of iron nuggets. Each day, you can find up to 8 rocks on your island, and hitting them with a shovel or axe will yield different materials, including iron nuggets. Stand beside the rock and use your tool to get the maximum number of materials. It’s important to note that not every hit will produce iron nuggets, so keep hitting until the rock stops giving resources.
Using Nook Miles Tickets: Nook Miles Tickets can be purchased from the Resident Services building using Nook Miles. These tickets allow you to travel to mystery islands, which often contain rocks with valuable resources like iron nuggets. Utilize the ticket at the airport, and explore the mystery island thoroughly to maximize your chances of finding iron nuggets.
Trading with Friends: Connect with friends who are also playing Animal Crossing: New Horizons and consider trading resources. If you or your friends have a surplus of iron nuggets, you can arrange trades to obtain the materials you need. This cooperative approach can benefit both parties and make the resource-gathering process more efficient.
Mystery Island Strategy: When visiting mystery islands using Nook Miles Tickets, consider implementing a specific strategy to maximize your chances of finding iron nuggets. Before you start hitting rocks, ensure you have an empty inventory to collect all the materials. Dig two holes behind you to prevent being pushed back by the rock’s recoil. This strategy allows you to gather more resources from each rock, including iron nuggets.
Smashing Rocks with a Shovel or Axe: It’s important to note that not all rocks will contain iron nuggets. Some rocks may give different materials or no resources at all. If you accidentally break a rock, don’t worry. Rocks will eventually respawn on your island, ensuring a steady supply of iron nuggets.

By utilizing these methods, you can efficiently gather iron nuggets to meet your crafting and building needs in Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Remember to explore your island daily, interact with rocks, and consider trading with friends to ensure a steady supply of this valuable resource.

Hitting Rocks Efficiently

In Animal Crossing: New Horizons, hitting rocks is a key method for obtaining valuable resources such as iron nuggets. However, it’s important to hit rocks efficiently to maximize your results. Here are some tips to help you hit rocks effectively:

Prepare Your Inventory: Before you start hitting rocks, make sure you have enough space in your inventory to collect all the materials. Empty your pockets or drop items you don’t need to ensure you can gather as many resources as possible.
Hit Rocks with a Shovel or Axe: Equip a shovel or axe to hit rocks. Each time you hit a rock, it will release materials, including iron nuggets. The number of hits depends on the tool you’re using, with shovels giving you 8 opportunities and axes offering 9. Aim your hits carefully to collect the maximum amount of resources.
Stand at the Right Spot: Position yourself directly in front of the rock you want to hit. Dig two holes behind you with a shovel to prevent recoil and make sure you don’t get pushed back. This strategy will allow you to hit the rock consistently and gather more resources before it stops producing items.
Use a Timer: Hitting rocks efficiently requires quick reflexes. Consider setting a timer to help you keep track of the time between each hit. Aim to hit the rock as soon as possible after the recoil to maximize the number of hits you can land within the time limit.
Use Headphones: The sound of hitting a rock can help you time your hits accurately. By wearing headphones, you can listen for the distinct sound of the tool connecting with the rock and strike it at the right moment. This can enhance your efficiency and maximize your harvest.
Invite a Friend: If you have a friend playing alongside you, consider inviting them to your island. By having a partner stand behind you while hitting rocks, you can prevent recoil and continue hitting the rock without interruption, allowing you to gather more resources.
Learn the Rock Pattern: Rocks on your island have a specific pattern that determines the order and location in which they will respawn after being hit. By learning this pattern, you can strategically place yourself and plan your path to hit multiple rocks efficiently in one go.

By following these tips, you can hit rocks efficiently in Animal Crossing: New Horizons and increase your chances of obtaining more valuable resources like iron nuggets. Remember to be patient, practice your timing, and adapt your strategy to make the most of every rock on your island.

Using Nook Miles Tickets

In Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Nook Miles Tickets are a valuable currency that allows players to travel to mystery islands and explore new horizons. These tickets can provide unique opportunities to find rare resources, including iron nuggets. Here’s how you can make the most of your Nook Miles Tickets:

Purchasing Nook Miles Tickets: Nook Miles Tickets can be bought from the Resident Services building using Nook Miles. To obtain Nook Miles, complete various tasks and challenges such as catching fish, collecting insects, planting trees, and more. Once you have enough Nook Miles, visit the Resident Services building and purchase your tickets from the Nook Stop machine.
Preparing for the Trip: Before using a Nook Miles Ticket, make sure you have an empty inventory to collect all the resources you’ll find on the mystery island. Carry tools like a shovel, axe, and a fishing rod to maximize your opportunities to gather valuable materials like iron nuggets. Also, it’s a good idea to bring some extra resources like fruit, as you may encounter different fruit trees on the mystery islands.
Using the Nook Miles Ticket: Head to your airport and talk to Orville to use your Nook Miles Ticket. Choose the option to visit a mystery island, and Orville will book your trip. Once you arrive on the mystery island, take your time to explore and interact with the different features.
Searching for Rocks: Explore the mystery island thoroughly to locate rocks. Use your shovel or axe to hit the rocks and gather the resources they provide. Keep hitting until each rock stops producing items. By hitting rocks on mystery islands, you have a chance to collect more iron nuggets than on your home island.
Harvesting Trees: In addition to hitting rocks, mystery islands often have different fruit trees. Shake the trees to collect fruits, which can be sold or planted on your home island. Planting foreign fruits can be a profitable venture, allowing you to earn more Bells in the game.
Exploring the Island: Take the time to explore every corner of the mystery island. You may find special features such as rare flowers, unique fish or insects, and sometimes even villagers who can be invited to live on your island.
Using Multiple Tickets: If you have multiple Nook Miles Tickets, consider using them one after another to visit different mystery islands. Each island may offer unique resources and opportunities, allowing you to gather an abundance of iron nuggets for your crafting needs.

Utilizing Nook Miles Tickets is a great way to discover new resources, including iron nuggets, in Animal Crossing: New Horizons. With careful planning and exploration, you can make the most of your trips to mystery islands and gather plenty of valuable materials to enhance your island and progress in the game.

Trading with Friends

In Animal Crossing: New Horizons, one of the many ways to obtain iron nuggets is by trading with friends who are also playing the game. Trading resources can be a beneficial strategy to acquire the materials you need, including iron nuggets. Here’s how you can make trading with friends work for you:

Connect with Friends: To trade resources with friends, you’ll need to connect with them in-game. Exchange friend codes or use online platforms to find friends who play Animal Crossing: New Horizons and are willing to trade iron nuggets or other resources with you.
Discuss Trading: Once you’ve found friends to trade with, discuss what items you are looking for and what you are willing to offer in return. This open communication allows both parties to negotiate and agree on a fair trade that benefits both players.
Specify Quantity: When trading for iron nuggets, be sure to specify the quantity you need and the quantity you are willing to trade. Consider your crafting requirements and any other needs you have, and communicate those clearly to ensure a successful trade.
Offer Fair Trades: It’s important to offer fair trades to maintain a positive trading relationship with your friends. Consider the value of the items you are offering and compare it to the value of the items you are requesting. Make sure the trade is balanced and mutually beneficial.
Arrange a Meeting: Once you and your friend have agreed on a trade, arrange a meeting on one of your islands. Set a time and date that works for both of you, and share your Dodo code or arrange to visit each other’s islands. Remember to be considerate of time zones and schedules.
Execute the Trade: When you meet up with your friend, ensure your inventories have enough space for the traded items. Drop the items you are trading for each other and allow each other to pick them up. Double-check that the trade is completed successfully before leaving.
Express Gratitude: After the trade is complete, express your gratitude to your friend for the successful exchange. Sending a thank you note or a small gift can go a long way in maintaining a positive trading relationship.

Trading with friends can be a fun and efficient way to obtain iron nuggets and other valuable resources in Animal Crossing: New Horizons. By fostering a trading community and participating in fair exchanges, you can enhance your gameplay experience and progress in the game more quickly.

Mystery Island Strategy

When using Nook Miles Tickets to visit mystery islands in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, having a solid strategy can greatly increase your chances of finding valuable resources like iron nuggets. Here are some tips to optimize your time on mystery islands:

Come Prepared: Before heading to a mystery island, make sure you have an empty inventory to collect all the resources you’ll find. Bring essential tools like a shovel, axe, and fishing rod to maximize your opportunities to gather valuable materials, including iron nuggets.
Explore Thoroughly: Take your time to explore every nook and cranny of the mystery island. Look behind trees, rocks, and cliffs, as well as along the beaches. Resources are often hidden in unexpected places, so be thorough in your search to find hidden rocks that contain iron nuggets.
Hit Rocks Efficiently: When you come across a rock on a mystery island, position yourself directly in front of it. Dig two holes behind you using a shovel to prevent recoil and ensure you don’t get pushed back. This strategy allows you to hit the rock consistently and gather more resources, including iron nuggets, before it stops producing items.
Fruit Trees and Shaking: Mystery islands may have different fruit trees that you can shake to collect fruits. These fruits can be sold or planted on your island to grow more trees and generate additional resources. Shake trees and collect as much fruit as you can to make the most of your visit.
Focus on Unique Resources: Each mystery island has its own unique features, such as rare flowers, different fish, insects, and sometimes even villagers. Prioritize gathering these unique resources to add diversity to your island or to make a profit by selling them.
Multiple Trips: If you have multiple Nook Miles Tickets, try using them one after another to visit different mystery islands. Each island offers its own set of resources and opportunities, allowing you to gather more iron nuggets and other valuable items with each trip.
Time Travel: If you’re looking to gather a large amount of iron nuggets quickly, consider utilizing time travel. By adjusting the date and time settings on your Nintendo Switch, you can travel to different days and seasons, potentially finding new mystery islands with abundant resources to exploit.

By implementing a well-thought-out strategy, you can make the most of your visits to mystery islands and maximize your chances of finding valuable resources like iron nuggets. Explore thoroughly, hit rocks efficiently, and take advantage of the unique features each mystery island offers to enhance your gameplay experience in Animal Crossing: New Horizons.

Smashing Rocks with a Shovel or Axe

In Animal Crossing: New Horizons, one of the primary ways to obtain iron nuggets is by smashing rocks on your island with a shovel or axe. However, it’s important to approach this task strategically to maximize your yield of valuable resources. Here are some tips for smashing rocks efficiently:

Equip Your Tool: Make sure you have a sturdy shovel or axe equipped before approaching a rock. These tools have the strength needed to break rocks and expose the valuable resources within, including iron nuggets.
Stand in the Right Spot: Position yourself directly in front of the rock you want to hit. This will ensure you don’t miss any of the materials that come out of the rock upon impact. Standing too far to the side may cause some of the items to bounce away and potentially be lost.
Hit Rapidly: As soon as you begin hitting the rock, quickly tap the attack button to hit it multiple times in succession. The goal is to hit the rock as many times as possible within a short period. This will maximize the number of resources, such as iron nuggets, you can extract from the rock before it stops producing items.
Prevent Recoil: When you hit a rock, it will recoil and push you back slightly. To prevent this, dig two holes using your shovel behind you or position yourself with a cliff or other obstacle directly behind. This will stop you from being pushed backwards, allowing you to continue hitting the rock without interruption.
Patience is Key: Hitting rocks efficiently requires patience and practice. Take your time to line up your character properly and time your hits to maximize the number of resources you can collect. Rushing may lead to missed opportunities.
Utilize Island Layout: Arrange your island in a way that allows for easier rock smashing. Consider creating an open space surrounded by paths or cliffs where rocks can be placed. This setup will prevent rocks from being pushed out of reach or into unwanted areas.
Revisit Regularly: Rocks on your island will respawn after being hit, so make sure to revisit them daily. This will ensure a continuous supply of resources, including iron nuggets, for your crafting needs.

By following these tips, you can smash rocks efficiently and gather a substantial number of iron nuggets and other valuable resources in Animal Crossing: New Horizons. With a little practice and patience, you’ll be well on your way to creating your dream island paradise.

Crafting and Using a Flimsy Axe

In Animal Crossing: New Horizons, a flimsy axe is a basic tool that allows players to gather materials by chopping down trees. It is an essential item for resource gathering and progression in the game. Here’s everything you need to know about crafting and using a flimsy axe:

Crafting a Flimsy Axe: To craft a flimsy axe, you’ll need simple ingredients that can be found on your island. Follow these steps:

Open your crafting menu by pressing the “X” button on your Nintendo Switch.
Select the DIY Recipes app from your NookPhone.
Scroll through the available recipes until you find the flimsy axe.
If you don’t have the recipe, you can obtain it by talking to Tom Nook or other villagers on your island.
Collect the necessary materials, which typically include tree branches and stones.
Select the flimsy axe from your crafting menu and craft it.

Using a Flimsy Axe: Once you have a flimsy axe, you can use it to gather resources and perform various tasks:

Chopping Trees: Approach a tree and select the flimsy axe from your inventory. Press the “A” button to start swinging the axe at the tree. Each successful swing will cause the tree to drop wood, which can be used for crafting or sold for Bells.
Finding Extra Resources: While chopping trees with a flimsy axe, some trees may occasionally yield additional resources, such as branches or even hard-to-find items like furniture, wasps’ nests, or coins. Shake the tree after chopping it to potentially obtain these extras.
Breaking Rocks: Although the flimsy axe is primarily used for chopping trees, it can also be used to break rocks. However, hitting rocks with an axe will cause them to break completely, preventing any chance of obtaining valuable resources, such as iron nuggets. It’s best to use a flimsy axe exclusively for tree chopping to avoid wasting rocks.
Tool Durability: Like all tools in the game, a flimsy axe has limited durability. It will eventually break after a certain number of uses. Keep an eye on its condition by checking the tool’s icon in your inventory. When the axe is close to breaking, it’s a good idea to have spare materials on hand to craft a new one.

A flimsy axe is a versatile tool in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, allowing you to gather wood from trees and discover additional resources. Keep in mind its limited durability and consider upgrading to a stronger and more durable version like the regular axe when you have the opportunity. Happy chopping!