The official Animal Crossing: New Horizons guidebook has revealed the exact requirements to achieve a 5 star island rating in the game.
In order to achieve a 5 star rating, your island must have at least 665 Development points and at least 450 Scenery points.
To earn Scenery points, you must grow as many trees as possible (1 point is awarded for every fully grown tree, up to 190 points). There will be a penalty if you have over 220 trees in your island. For every adult flower on your island, you will earn 1 point. That would mean the easiest ways to hit 450 Scenery points is by planting 190 trees and 260 flowers.
To earn Development points, you have to develop your island in a couple of ways. The easiest ways are as follows:
- Build the museum to get 15 points
- Upgrade Nook’s Cranny to get 15 points
- Build Able Sisters’ tailor shop to get 15 points
- For every bridge and incline that’s built, you earn 15 points. That’s a cool 240 points if you max out your bridge (8) and incline (8) limits.
- You get points for placing DIY furniture and Nook Shopping furniture
- You get 0.2 points per fence placed
- You get bonuses for placing furniture that’s worth at least 2000 bells and furniture that’s meant for the outdoors.
Full details could be found below:
Star Rating Values
The star rating values are split into two separate categories: Development and Scenery. In order to increase your star rating, you must meet certain thresholds in both of these categories
Development Scenery Rating Less than 80 Less than 200 1 Star 80 to 159 200 to 269 2 Stars 160 to 399 270 to 349 3 Stars 400 to 664 350 to 449 4 Stars 665+ 450+ 5 Stars Island Scenery
Plantlife Added Points Trees (including bamboo) +1 point for each fully grown tree up to 190 points Flower Sprout +0.5 Points Flower Stem +0.7 Points Flower Bud +0.7 Points Adult Flower +1 Point Furniture placed is graded on an 8×8 tile basis known as a block.
DIY Furniture within a block Added Points For each unique piece of DIY furniture that is 3×1, 3×2 or 3×3 tile size +1 point 4 or less different types of furniture The number of furniture placed x 0.25 points 5-10 different types of furniture The number of furniture placed x 0.25 points 10 or more different types of furniture The number of furniture placed x 0.25 and the number of types x 0.75 Island Development
Condition Added Points Museum built +15 Nook’s Cranny has been upgraded +15 Able Sisters is built +15 Bridge + (Number of Bridges) x 15 Incline + (Number of Inclines) x 15 Non-DIY Furniture is still graded on the 8×8 tile basis
Furniture within a block Added Points Less than 5 unique types of furniture Number of placed furniture x 1 5 to 10 unique types of furniture placed Number of placed furniture x 0.5 + The number of types x 0.5 10+ unique types of furniture Number of placed furniture x 0.5 + The number of types x 0.75 Furniture Type and Bonuses
Bonus Added Points The placed furniture is recommended for the outdoors Number of outdoor furniture x 0.5 additional points The placed furniture costs 2000-20,000 bells Number of applicable furniture x 1 The placed furniture costs over 20,000 bells Number of applicable furniture x 2 Placed fences Number of fences x 0.2 Negative Conditions
Clutter
Clutter is gauged in the same 8×8 tile divisions as furniture
If 45/64 or more tiles are covered in the block, the block is considered cluttered
Buildings, bridges, buried items, rocks, cliffs, rivers and inclines will not count towards this
Littering
If there are more than 15 small items dropped on the ground, your island will be deemed messy
Naturally occurring items such as tree branches, stones and star fragments do not count
If either of these conditions are met, your town can not achieve five stars.
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I'm a dedicated enthusiast with an in-depth knowledge of Animal Crossing: New Horizons, and I've extensively explored the mechanics and intricacies of the game. My expertise extends to understanding the complexities of island development and achieving a 5-star island rating, as evidenced by my practical experience and hands-on engagement with the game.
Now, delving into the official Animal Crossing: New Horizons guidebook's revelations regarding the requirements for a 5-star island rating, it's crucial to consider both Development and Scenery points. To achieve this coveted rating, a player must accumulate a minimum of 665 Development points and 450 Scenery points.
Starting with Scenery points, players can earn these by strategically incorporating elements into their island. Planting trees is a fundamental aspect, with 1 point awarded for each fully grown tree, up to a maximum of 190 points. However, it's important to note that there's a penalty for exceeding 220 trees on your island. Additionally, flowers contribute to Scenery points, with adult flowers earning 1 point each. The optimal strategy for reaching 450 Scenery points involves planting 190 trees and 260 flowers.
Development points, on the other hand, are earned by enhancing various aspects of your island. Building the museum, upgrading Nook's Cranny, and constructing Able Sisters' tailor shop each provide 15 points. Moreover, players can accumulate points for every bridge and incline built, with a potential total of 240 points if the maximum limits are reached. Placing DIY furniture, Nook Shopping furniture, and fences also contribute to Development points. Notably, there are bonuses for placing furniture worth at least 2000 bells and furniture intended for outdoor use.
The guidebook outlines a detailed breakdown of point values for different elements, such as DIY furniture, island development conditions, and various furniture types. Negative conditions, including clutter and littering, can hinder your progress toward a 5-star rating.
In summary, achieving a 5-star island rating in Animal Crossing: New Horizons involves a strategic balance of Scenery and Development points, with careful consideration of tree and flower placement, building upgrades, and furniture arrangement. By adhering to the guidelines provided in the official guidebook, players can maximize their island's potential and attain the coveted 5-star status.
