Hello all! I recently posted my DLC idea to Reddit, and wanted to share it with the community here as well. I know it's a long shot, but my dream is for Nintendo to read my ideas and turn them into a reality, so any support on the Reddit thread is appreciated! You can find the full summary below as well. Enjoy!
Reddit Thread
Animal Crossing: Beneath the Horizon
Synopsis:
Beneath the Horizon is a full-scale paid DLC featuring an expansive space beneath your main island. It contains new areas, activities, NPCs, shops, mini games, DIYs, furniture, Amiibo interactivity, online functionality, museum collectibles, and more. Dig your way through tunnels and clearings to create an underground paradise!
Isabelle's Initial Report:
*Screen shakes*
“Did you feel that? It felt like the island just shook from its core. Reports from our very own Don Resetti claim that we just experienced tectonic shifting. He assured us that there is nothing to worry about, and that nobody is in danger. He did ask that we keep an eye out for any pits in the ground, and to steer clear for safety. Have a lovely day out there!”
Beginning the DLC:
The DLC will be inaccessible until after K.K. Slider has visited your island. Once he has finished his initial concert, the tectonic shifting announcement will air the following day.
After the announcement, the player must search their island for a pit. It can be revealed by digging up a random star in the ground. Initially, there will only be one pit, and it cannot be covered up again until the initial DLC tutorial is finished.
Once the pit is revealed, the player must step into it. The player panics for a moment, similar to the pitfall animation, until they fall below.
The player lands in a pile of glowing moss, underground, in a clearing surrounded by dark gray walls made of earth. Don Resetti (Mr. Resetti's big brother) approaches you, surprised. He asks the player if they're okay, and then explains what is happening beneath the island.
After the shifting, large caverns opened underneath the island. Mr. Resetti was the first to investigate, but ended up lost in the tunnels, only able to communicate via radio. Don needs your help to find his little brother by digging tunnels, excavating clearings, and mapping discovered locations until Mr. Resetti is found.
Digging Tunnels:
From the initial clearing, the player can use Don Resetti's bulldozer to dig tunnels in any direction, as the clearing is placed in the center of the map. Initially, the entire map is dark, except for the clearing. The bulldozer is slow moving, and works similarly to destroying walls using land terraforming. It clears 3x3 spaces at once, rather than 1x1. The player can dig through any wall, but there are large boulders that cannot be dug through. Boulders are large and randomly placed, meaning everybody's underground will look slightly different.
Excavating Clearings:
After digging for a while, you may stumble across an unstable wall of rocks. It is too dangerous to use Don Resetti's bulldozer on these, meaning you must dig it out by hand using a shovel. After a short minigame of clearing out randomly placed rocks, the wall collapses, revealing a clearing.
Mapping:
Once a tunnel is complete between two clearings, the player must map out the progress. To do this, the player opens up the “Mapping” app that Don Resetti sends to your Nook Phone. Mapping is as simple as drawing two clearings and a crude tunnel connecting them (with a drawing function). This completed map is automatically placed into the proper section of a full map that can also be accessed via the Mapping app. The map itself isn't practical for navigation, but will provide a fun challenge to complete. Once this mapping segment is complete, your mini map is updated with your newly discovered clearings and tunnels. Also, any mapped clearings and tunnels can be decorated in the same way that your island can be decorated (more on this later).
Finishing the Tutorial:
Mr. Resetti will always be found once you've mapped 2 clearings (not counting the starting area). The player, Don Resetti, and Mr. Resetti celebrate, and the two brothers thank you for your help. Mr. Resetti then parts ways with you, stating he is going to start up operations for a new business he thought of while trapped in the tunnels (more on this later). The player and Don Resetii head back to the initial clearing, where he puts forth a request. He wants the player's help to map the entirety of the underground. He is confident that there are riches to be found, and mysteries to discover. Once you agree, the tutorial is over. Don Resetti awards you a rope ladder, which can be placed in any dug hole on your island. There is only one rope ladder, and it always leads to the center of the underground where Don Resetti is (more on this later).
More Features from the Underground:
Tunnels:
After a tunnel is mapped, there are several resources that can spawn within that tunnel, similar to how resources spawn on your island. These won't appear until the day after it is mapped.
After a clearing is mapped, there are several resources/surprises than can spawn within that clearing, similar to tunnels. These spawn when the clearing is first mapped, and then every day afterwards
After a tunnel or clearing is mapped, it can be decorated the same way your island can be decorated. If too much of the ground is covered with custom designs or furniture, certain material spawns may not appear. Initially, terraforming will not be a possibility. This permit can be purchased once the entire underground has been mapped (more on this later). Also, regular flora such as flowers, weeds, bushes, trees, and vines cannot be planted in the underground. Only glowing flora can be planted, which is created using glowing roots (more on this later). However, glowing moss weeds from Kappn islands and HHP can be freely planted in the underground.
Villagers:
One of the player's villagers can be randomly found wandering the underground. Some of their dialogue will be unique to their exploration of the underground. Talking to them is beneficial, as they will sometimes gift the player with items they found while exploring, such as gemstones, ore, DIYs, or glowing roots.
NPCS:
There are many new NPCs to meet in Below the Horizon! Many are new, but you will also meet some familiar faces as you explore the underground. NPC's marked with “essential” are ones you will stumble upon randomly as you map clearings. The order you meet them is random, but you will meet all of them before all clearings have been mapped.
Lance (Essential)
Lance is a dragon NPC that has similar colors to Dragonite, as his name is a reference to the dragon champion of the first Pokemon game. When you meet him, he'll introduce himself as a wandering smithy looking for a place to open his unique blacksmith shop and service. He will ask if he can open up shop in your island's underground. Once you agree, Lance will leave his shop's location up to you. Report this news to Don Resetti, and he will provide you with a “cave shop construction kit.” These can be placed on any wall within any clearing, except for Don Resetti's central clearing. Lloid will help you with collecting needed funds to open the shop, as Don won't build it for free. The following day after the shop is fully funded, Lance's shop will be open for business. It is accessed through the glowing cave entrance that appears where the construction kit was placed. A sign above the cave reads “Lance's Gem Forge.”
Lance's Shop Details
Dryaddia (Essential)
Dryaddia is a Dryad NPC who looks like a walking tree. Meeting her will happen similarly to meeting the other essential NPCs. She will introduce herself as a nature loving creature who wishes to cover the underground with glowing flora. Her shop sign reads “Glowing Hollow.”
Dryaddia's Shop Details
Floid is a Geodoid NPC who looks similar to Loid, but made out of stone/crystals. Meeting him will happen similarly to meeting other essential NPCs. He introduces himself as a lover of music and sounds. After meeting him, Floid will open up the Sound Caverns.
What is a Geodoid? It is similar to a Gyroid, but they're only found in the underground. Instead of being made of “clay,” they are made of “stone.” They act similar to Gyroids, making sounds and moving in strange/unique patterns. Many of them look like they're carved from rocks and crystals.
Floid Shop Details
Miz. Resetti is Mr. Resetti and Don Resetti's aunt. Meeting her will happen similarly to meeting other essential NPCs. She is also a mole, and has traveled to the underground to open her own underground construction business. Her shop sign reads “Resetti Construction Co.”
Miz. Resetti's Shop Details
Mr. Resetti can be found a second time, and this time it is similar to finding other essential NPCs. He thanks you again, and then pitches his new idea to you. His shop sign reads “Resetti's Rad Games.”
Mr. Resetti's Shop Details:
Robert is a bobcat who specializes in trapping exotic creatures (more on this later). Meeting him is similar to meeting other essential NPCs. When you meet Robert, he will explain how trapping works, and will ask to set up a base of operations. His shop sign reads “The Trapper Camp.”
Wisp
The player can sometimes find Wisp wandering the underground. Unlike on the island, Wisp is not scared of the player when underground, as the dark gives him confidence. Instead of getting spooked, he plays a game, which is similar to the wisp hunt on the island. If the player returns all 5 will-o-wisps to him, he will let you keep one as a prize before disappearing. The wisp can be placed like a furniture item, and floats around the underground the same way it does during the hunt. If the player wants to put it away, simply catch it again with the net. It can even be customized by Dryaddia to change its glow. Note: all player placed will-o-wisps will stand still and be uncatchable when playing Wisp's game in the future, which helps the player distinguish between their own will-o-wisps and the 5 needed for the game.
Booker and Copper
The player can sometimes find either Booker or Copper wandering the underground. Both dogs have moved on from their careers as police officers to pursue their true passion: bones. Booker will take any completed fossil (all pieces needed) and turn it into a one-piece miniature fossil. This is free, and will be delivered the next day. Copper will take any completed fossil (all pieces needed) and turn it into a one-piece miniature fossil as well, but his service costs bells. However, his work will be delivered immediately.
Bluee
The player can sometimes find Bluee wandering the underground. He is a badger, and considers himself to be Redd's rival. Bluee always sells 1 piece of art, which is always genuine. However, Bluee will not give the player a cousin's discount, and the art is exorbitantly expensive
Dr. Shrunk
The player can sometimes find Dr. Shrunk wandering the underground. If talked to, Dr. Shrunk asks to hear the latest underground gossip. To find this out, the player must find the villager that's exploring the underground and talk to them. New dialogue options will appear, which allow the player to ask for gossip. The gossip is something random, usually humorous, that relates to the villager's personality. After the player reports back to Dr. Shrunk, he will act interested in the gossip, and then gift the player with a brand new reaction exclusive to this DLC. This can only be done once per Dr. Shrunk visit. After all new reactions have been learned, Dr. Shrunk will still ask for gossip, but instead of gifting a reaction, will gift a random piece of Dr. Shrunk merchandise (clothes, pictures, misc items, etc.)
Don Resetti
Don can always be found in the center of the underground, in the starting area. Don Resetti has the following features:
Trapping
A new form of creature collection is a large part of Beneath the Horizon. Once Robert the bobcat is discovered, the player will be able to start harmlessly trapping exotic creatures. Traps are boxes that the player sets in various places to lure exotic creatures. After Robert's base is purchased, the player must speak with Blathers to open up a new exhibit in the right side of the museum to display the creatures.
Creating Traps:
Types of Traps:
Placing Traps:
Collecting Creatures:
Reaching the “end” of the DLC should take a decent amount of time for non-time travelers due to the following restrictions:
Progression Events
As the underground is excavated and mapped, new events will occur
If a player is visiting another player normally over Wifi (Nintendo Online subscription needed) or local, they can simply enter the player's underground via one of their ladders
The underground is not accessible when visiting someone's dream
The train station is the main hub for online interactivity in the underground
Train Station
There a few ways that Amiibo interact with Below the Horizon:
Reddit Thread
Animal Crossing: Beneath the Horizon
Synopsis:
Beneath the Horizon is a full-scale paid DLC featuring an expansive space beneath your main island. It contains new areas, activities, NPCs, shops, mini games, DIYs, furniture, Amiibo interactivity, online functionality, museum collectibles, and more. Dig your way through tunnels and clearings to create an underground paradise!
Isabelle's Initial Report:
*Screen shakes*
“Did you feel that? It felt like the island just shook from its core. Reports from our very own Don Resetti claim that we just experienced tectonic shifting. He assured us that there is nothing to worry about, and that nobody is in danger. He did ask that we keep an eye out for any pits in the ground, and to steer clear for safety. Have a lovely day out there!”
Beginning the DLC:
The DLC will be inaccessible until after K.K. Slider has visited your island. Once he has finished his initial concert, the tectonic shifting announcement will air the following day.
After the announcement, the player must search their island for a pit. It can be revealed by digging up a random star in the ground. Initially, there will only be one pit, and it cannot be covered up again until the initial DLC tutorial is finished.
Once the pit is revealed, the player must step into it. The player panics for a moment, similar to the pitfall animation, until they fall below.
The player lands in a pile of glowing moss, underground, in a clearing surrounded by dark gray walls made of earth. Don Resetti (Mr. Resetti's big brother) approaches you, surprised. He asks the player if they're okay, and then explains what is happening beneath the island.
After the shifting, large caverns opened underneath the island. Mr. Resetti was the first to investigate, but ended up lost in the tunnels, only able to communicate via radio. Don needs your help to find his little brother by digging tunnels, excavating clearings, and mapping discovered locations until Mr. Resetti is found.
Digging Tunnels:
From the initial clearing, the player can use Don Resetti's bulldozer to dig tunnels in any direction, as the clearing is placed in the center of the map. Initially, the entire map is dark, except for the clearing. The bulldozer is slow moving, and works similarly to destroying walls using land terraforming. It clears 3x3 spaces at once, rather than 1x1. The player can dig through any wall, but there are large boulders that cannot be dug through. Boulders are large and randomly placed, meaning everybody's underground will look slightly different.
Excavating Clearings:
After digging for a while, you may stumble across an unstable wall of rocks. It is too dangerous to use Don Resetti's bulldozer on these, meaning you must dig it out by hand using a shovel. After a short minigame of clearing out randomly placed rocks, the wall collapses, revealing a clearing.
Mapping:
Once a tunnel is complete between two clearings, the player must map out the progress. To do this, the player opens up the “Mapping” app that Don Resetti sends to your Nook Phone. Mapping is as simple as drawing two clearings and a crude tunnel connecting them (with a drawing function). This completed map is automatically placed into the proper section of a full map that can also be accessed via the Mapping app. The map itself isn't practical for navigation, but will provide a fun challenge to complete. Once this mapping segment is complete, your mini map is updated with your newly discovered clearings and tunnels. Also, any mapped clearings and tunnels can be decorated in the same way that your island can be decorated (more on this later).
Finishing the Tutorial:
Mr. Resetti will always be found once you've mapped 2 clearings (not counting the starting area). The player, Don Resetti, and Mr. Resetti celebrate, and the two brothers thank you for your help. Mr. Resetti then parts ways with you, stating he is going to start up operations for a new business he thought of while trapped in the tunnels (more on this later). The player and Don Resetii head back to the initial clearing, where he puts forth a request. He wants the player's help to map the entirety of the underground. He is confident that there are riches to be found, and mysteries to discover. Once you agree, the tutorial is over. Don Resetti awards you a rope ladder, which can be placed in any dug hole on your island. There is only one rope ladder, and it always leads to the center of the underground where Don Resetti is (more on this later).
More Features from the Underground:
Tunnels:
After a tunnel is mapped, there are several resources that can spawn within that tunnel, similar to how resources spawn on your island. These won't appear until the day after it is mapped.
- Gemstone Veins – These will appear as a colorful, glimmering vein. A maximum of 1 gemstone vein can appear per tunnel, and there is a high chance of 1 appearing. To mine gemstones from the vein, you must purchase a new tool type from Don Resetti or another NPC (more on this later), the pickaxe. The pickaxe cannot break like other tools, but it requires more swings to extract materials than other tools. A gemstone vein can yield a maximum of 3 gems, which each gem requiring up to 3 swings of the pickaxe. Once the gemstone vein runs out of gems, it will turn brown and stop glimmering. The types of gemstones are:
- Emerald
- Sapphire
- Ruby
- Topaz
- Amethyst
- Quartz (appears clear, like crystal)
- Dragonstone (appears rainbow – very rare)
- Emerald
- Ore Veins – These look similar to Gemstone Veins, but have a metallic shine instead. A maximum of 1 ore vein can appear per tunnel, and there is a very low chance of 1 appearing. Ore Veins yield up to 3 pieces of ore, and are mined the same way as gemstone veins using the pickaxe. Once the vein runs out, it will turn gray and stop shimmering. The types of ore are:
- Gold (already in the base game)
- Silver
- Rose Gold
- Gold (already in the base game)
- Rocks – These rocks yield the same amount of resources as island rocks. They look different than island rocks (they're more rugged, and can be covered in glowing moss). They can be struck with either a shovel or pickaxe. A maximum of 1 rock can appear per tunnel, and there is a low chance of 1 appearing. Rocks break upon exhaustion of their materials. Types of rocks are:
- Standard (iron/clay/stone, rare chance of ore)
- Poki (only if HHP is purchased as well)
- Iron (only iron)
- Clay (only clay)
- Stone (only stone)
- Ore (all random ore, extremely rare)
- Gem (all random gems, extremely rare)
- Standard (iron/clay/stone, rare chance of ore)
- Buried items – These are the same looking buried stars that exist on the island, and are dug up with the shovel. A maximum of 1 buried item can appear per tunnel, and there is a medium chance of 1 appearing. The possible buried items are:
- Fossil
- Geodoid fragment (more on these later)
- Glowing roots (used for growing glowing flora, more on this later)
- Gem DIY (new furniture, tool variants, clothes, etc that can be crafted using gems)
- Ore DIY (new furniture, tool variants, clothes, etc that can be crafted using gold/silver/rose gold)
- Fossil
After a clearing is mapped, there are several resources/surprises than can spawn within that clearing, similar to tunnels. These spawn when the clearing is first mapped, and then every day afterwards
- Gemstone veins – A maximum of 2 gemstone veins can appear per clearing, and there is a guaranteed chance of at least 1 vein appearing
- Ore Veins – A maximum of 1 ore vein can appear per clearing, and there is a medium chance of 1 appearing
- Rocks – A maximum of 2 rocks can appear per clearing, and there is a guaranteed chance of at least 1 rock appearing
- Buried items – A maximum of 2 buried items can appear per clearing, with a guaranteed chance of at least 1 buried item appearing
- NPCs – There are new NPCs to meet in Below the Horizon! Some NPCs you will meet as soon as a clearing is mapped. These NPC's have important roles within the underground. There will be mandatory dialogue and activities with these NPCs, as they stick around. Other times, visiting NPCs can be found wandering the clearing and surrounding tunnels, which visit with a similar frequency to NPCs like Flick, CJ, and Saharah (more on this later)
- Underground ponds – Most clearings come with a small pond. These can only be moved once the player has access to underground terraforming
After a tunnel or clearing is mapped, it can be decorated the same way your island can be decorated. If too much of the ground is covered with custom designs or furniture, certain material spawns may not appear. Initially, terraforming will not be a possibility. This permit can be purchased once the entire underground has been mapped (more on this later). Also, regular flora such as flowers, weeds, bushes, trees, and vines cannot be planted in the underground. Only glowing flora can be planted, which is created using glowing roots (more on this later). However, glowing moss weeds from Kappn islands and HHP can be freely planted in the underground.
Villagers:
One of the player's villagers can be randomly found wandering the underground. Some of their dialogue will be unique to their exploration of the underground. Talking to them is beneficial, as they will sometimes gift the player with items they found while exploring, such as gemstones, ore, DIYs, or glowing roots.
NPCS:
There are many new NPCs to meet in Below the Horizon! Many are new, but you will also meet some familiar faces as you explore the underground. NPC's marked with “essential” are ones you will stumble upon randomly as you map clearings. The order you meet them is random, but you will meet all of them before all clearings have been mapped.
Lance (Essential)
Lance is a dragon NPC that has similar colors to Dragonite, as his name is a reference to the dragon champion of the first Pokemon game. When you meet him, he'll introduce himself as a wandering smithy looking for a place to open his unique blacksmith shop and service. He will ask if he can open up shop in your island's underground. Once you agree, Lance will leave his shop's location up to you. Report this news to Don Resetti, and he will provide you with a “cave shop construction kit.” These can be placed on any wall within any clearing, except for Don Resetti's central clearing. Lloid will help you with collecting needed funds to open the shop, as Don won't build it for free. The following day after the shop is fully funded, Lance's shop will be open for business. It is accessed through the glowing cave entrance that appears where the construction kit was placed. A sign above the cave reads “Lance's Gem Forge.”
Lance's Shop Details
- You will find 3 rotating items for sale in his shop. These items usually related to gemstones, but are different than the ones you will learn to craft using DIYs
- Lance also has a service he can provide, featuring his one-of-a-kind Gem Forge. This forge is at the back of his shop, and its flames are lit by Lance's fire breath. Initially, Lance will provide you with a few DIYs to get started. Also, any gem DIY you stumble across will initially be impossible to create without Lance's help. Bring your materials to him, and he will craft/customize the gem item to your liking, at the cost of some bells. As you craft/customize more items, Lance will provide you with special gem DIYs that you cannot find through traditional means, as they're transferred directly to your Nookphone. Once you have learned all the gem DIYs, he will craft you your own Gem Forge to place anywhere you like, but it will cost you an arm and a leg. Once you have your own Gem Forge, Lance's services will not become obsolete, as items crafted using his forge no longer come with a fee, and cost less materials than using your own Gem Forge
Dryaddia (Essential)
Dryaddia is a Dryad NPC who looks like a walking tree. Meeting her will happen similarly to meeting the other essential NPCs. She will introduce herself as a nature loving creature who wishes to cover the underground with glowing flora. Her shop sign reads “Glowing Hollow.”
Dryaddia's Shop Details
- Dryaddia doesn't sell furniture, but offers a free service to anybody who brings her glowing roots. Glowing Roots can be found buried around the underground. Dryaddia will also provide the player with 5 glowing roots per day.
- To create glowing flora, the player must bring any standard flora and glowing roots to Dryaddia in a 1:1 ratio (1 glowing root per piece of flora). Using magic, she will combine the two items, creating a glowing piece of flora. These can be planted throughout the underground to create a glowing paradise. The following flora can be turned into glowing flora:
- Pine Tree → Glowing Pine
- Hardwood Tree → Glowing Hardwood
- Fruit Tree → Glowing Fruit Tree (all fruit trees work)
- Money Tree → Glowing Money Tree
- Bamboo → Glowing Bamboo
- Flowers → Glowing Flowers (all flower types can be glowing, but colors/hybrids will be removed and turned into a glowing flower of that type)
- Bushes → Glowing Bushes (bushes don't bloom in the underground)
- Vines → Glowing Vines
- Weeds → Glowing Moss Weeds (the same weeds that can be found at HHP or Vine Island)
- Farm Produce → Glowing Farm Produce (glowing produce will yield glowing materials, which can be used to create glowing versions of familiar recipes)
- Pine Tree → Glowing Pine
- You can bulk create glowing flora to make the process quicker
- The player can also find several unique glowing trees within Dryddia's shop. If the player interacts with a tree, they have the option to change the glow of a piece of flora. By default, Dryaddia will create green glowing flora. The colors options are:
- Green
- Blue
- Purple
- Yellow
- Red
- Pink
- White
- Green
Floid is a Geodoid NPC who looks similar to Loid, but made out of stone/crystals. Meeting him will happen similarly to meeting other essential NPCs. He introduces himself as a lover of music and sounds. After meeting him, Floid will open up the Sound Caverns.
What is a Geodoid? It is similar to a Gyroid, but they're only found in the underground. Instead of being made of “clay,” they are made of “stone.” They act similar to Gyroids, making sounds and moving in strange/unique patterns. Many of them look like they're carved from rocks and crystals.
Floid Shop Details
- Floid doesn't run a shop, but instead is the steward of the Sound Caverns. You will enter the Sound Caverns the same way shops are entered, through a cave entrance in the wall
- The Sound Caverns are beautifully decorated caverns that display collected Gyroids and Geodoids. There is one spot for each kind, similar to the fossil section of the museum
- The player donates Gyroids/Geodoids to Floid in a similar to fashion to museum donations. Upon donation, the player can choose which DIY color the Gyroid/Geodoid displays as. This can be changed at any time by interacting with the displayed Gyroid/Geodoid
- Like in homes, the Gyroids/Geodoids make sounds in patterns and beats, as well as interact with music. There is an old radio within the caverns that the player can interact with, to play any registered KK song
- The player will occasionally find Brewster wandering the caverns, as he loves Gyroids and the newly discovered Geodoids. He has unique dialogue, and will always gift the player with some hot to-go coffee for free. After the player's third interaction with Brewster, he will gift a Brewstoid meant only for the Sound Caverns (as long as the player has already received a Brewstoid from the Roost)
- The player will occasionally find Wardell (if HHP is purchased) wandering the caverns, as he loves sounds of nature. He has unique dialogue. The first time he is spoken to, the player will unlock the ability to have any unlocked soundscape playing in the cavern
- The Gyroids/Geodoids will interact with the concert music (more on this later) if the the player visits the Sound Caverns during a concert
- Once all Gyroids and Geodoids are donated, Floid will gift the player with one final Geodoid, the Floidoid. The player will get one, and the Sound Caverns will get one as well
Miz. Resetti is Mr. Resetti and Don Resetti's aunt. Meeting her will happen similarly to meeting other essential NPCs. She is also a mole, and has traveled to the underground to open her own underground construction business. Her shop sign reads “Resetti Construction Co.”
Miz. Resetti's Shop Details
- She will have 3 rotating items in her shop:
- Pickaxe (many unique, rotating options, some very rare)
- Mining Helmet with Light (many unique, rotating options, some very rare)
- Mining Clothing Item (rotates between shoes, pants, shirts, and glasses)
- Pickaxe (many unique, rotating options, some very rare)
- Her main service is building shortcuts throughout the underground, as well as shortcuts up to the island. She will provide several ladders that function similarly to the rope ladder received a the start of the DLC. These ladders must be placed both on the island and underground. The player receives 2 of each type of ladder, which only connect to each other. It costs bells and materials to purchase ladders, but using the ladders is free.
- She can also build shortcuts to get around the underground faster via minecarts. The minecarts run within the walls, meaning they can be placed on any empty clearing wall, but only 1 minecart can be placed per clearing. This acts as a fast travel system, as entering one minecart allows you to select any other minecart to exit at. It costs bells and materials to purchase minecarts, but using the minecarts is free. She will also customize mine carts for you, which costs bells and materials.
- There is also a machine in her shop called the Deconstructor. It is free to use, and only accepts crafted DIY items. When a DIY item is put into the Deconstructor, it will destroy it and refund the materials used to make it. Bulk selection is available. This machine only refunds materials, not items. For example, an Oil Barrel Bathtub requires an Oil Barrel + materials to make. If put into the Deconstructor, it will only refund the materials, not the Oil Barrel.
Mr. Resetti can be found a second time, and this time it is similar to finding other essential NPCs. He thanks you again, and then pitches his new idea to you. His shop sign reads “Resetti's Rad Games.”
Mr. Resetti's Shop Details:
- Mr. Resetti doesn't sell furniture, but instead trades prizes for Resetti Bucks. He offers mini games that can be played 5 times per day total. You can play 1 game multiple times, or split your rounds between all the games. Playing costs bells.
- The player can also see Mr. Resetti's radio setup in the shop, as he still dispatches emergency services when needed. The player can interact with the radio for some unique dialogue.
- Resetti Treasure Hunt – Resetti has hidden treasure all throughout the underground. He provides you with a shovel, a vaulting pole, and a time limit. Most of the time, digging up treasure is a game of chance since there are no stars to dig up, but there is a lot of treasure hidden. If you feel the joycon vibrating, you can follow the vibrations to find rarer treasure. Once the round is over, you can either keep the treasure, or trade it all in for Resetti Bucks
- Resetti Bot – Resetti lets loose his personal creation, the Resetti Bot, into the underground. You are provided with a hammer that you must use to hit the bot as many times as possible within the given time frame. This game is similar to the island tour mini game from New Leaf. The more hits, the more Resetti Bucks are won. If the player manages to hit the bot enough times, it will explode, leaving behind extra Resetti Bucks
- Resetti Race – The player is dropped in a random spot of the underground, and the goal is placed in whatever spot is furthest away from the player. Obstacles such as pit falls, creeks, and breakable rocks will be placed in tunnels. The player races to the finish. The quicker the goal, the more Resetti Bucks are won
- Resetti Bug Attack – Resetti releases tarantulas and scorpions into the underground, and gives the player a time limit to catch as many as they can. Each catch earns Resetti Bucks, and each time the player gets knocked out by a bug, they lose some extra time to play
- Resetti Hide and Seek – Resetti and several villagers hide in the underground. Each find grants Resetti Bucks. Find them all within the time limit for maximum bucks
- Rare underground themed furniture
- Resetti themed furniture
- Materials
- Dragonstones (most expensive prize)
Robert is a bobcat who specializes in trapping exotic creatures (more on this later). Meeting him is similar to meeting other essential NPCs. When you meet Robert, he will explain how trapping works, and will ask to set up a base of operations. His shop sign reads “The Trapper Camp.”
Wisp
The player can sometimes find Wisp wandering the underground. Unlike on the island, Wisp is not scared of the player when underground, as the dark gives him confidence. Instead of getting spooked, he plays a game, which is similar to the wisp hunt on the island. If the player returns all 5 will-o-wisps to him, he will let you keep one as a prize before disappearing. The wisp can be placed like a furniture item, and floats around the underground the same way it does during the hunt. If the player wants to put it away, simply catch it again with the net. It can even be customized by Dryaddia to change its glow. Note: all player placed will-o-wisps will stand still and be uncatchable when playing Wisp's game in the future, which helps the player distinguish between their own will-o-wisps and the 5 needed for the game.
Booker and Copper
The player can sometimes find either Booker or Copper wandering the underground. Both dogs have moved on from their careers as police officers to pursue their true passion: bones. Booker will take any completed fossil (all pieces needed) and turn it into a one-piece miniature fossil. This is free, and will be delivered the next day. Copper will take any completed fossil (all pieces needed) and turn it into a one-piece miniature fossil as well, but his service costs bells. However, his work will be delivered immediately.
Bluee
The player can sometimes find Bluee wandering the underground. He is a badger, and considers himself to be Redd's rival. Bluee always sells 1 piece of art, which is always genuine. However, Bluee will not give the player a cousin's discount, and the art is exorbitantly expensive
Dr. Shrunk
The player can sometimes find Dr. Shrunk wandering the underground. If talked to, Dr. Shrunk asks to hear the latest underground gossip. To find this out, the player must find the villager that's exploring the underground and talk to them. New dialogue options will appear, which allow the player to ask for gossip. The gossip is something random, usually humorous, that relates to the villager's personality. After the player reports back to Dr. Shrunk, he will act interested in the gossip, and then gift the player with a brand new reaction exclusive to this DLC. This can only be done once per Dr. Shrunk visit. After all new reactions have been learned, Dr. Shrunk will still ask for gossip, but instead of gifting a reaction, will gift a random piece of Dr. Shrunk merchandise (clothes, pictures, misc items, etc.)
Don Resetti
Don can always be found in the center of the underground, in the starting area. Don Resetti has the following features:
- Excavate – The player will need to speak with him to borrow his bulldozer to dig tunnels
- Customize the bulldozer – As the player progresses, more free customization options open up for the bulldozer
- Ask for help – Don Resetti will give you advice on the current objective. Once the DLC is “complete,” he will give randomized information about post game activities (more on these later)
- Purchase map designing widgets – As the player progresses, more free map designing tools open up for the Mapping app
- Underground Radio – More on this later
- Building Bridges – Terraforming permit needed
- Building/customizing the Underground Campsite – More on this later
- Building/customizing the Subway – More on this later
- Moving Underground Shops – More on this later
- Underground Ranger Management – More on this later
Trapping
A new form of creature collection is a large part of Beneath the Horizon. Once Robert the bobcat is discovered, the player will be able to start harmlessly trapping exotic creatures. Traps are boxes that the player sets in various places to lure exotic creatures. After Robert's base is purchased, the player must speak with Blathers to open up a new exhibit in the right side of the museum to display the creatures.
Creating Traps:
- Traps can be purchased from Robert
- Traps can be crafted using DIY recipes that are sold by Robert
Types of Traps:
- Water Traps
- Cave Traps
- Tree Traps
- Earth Traps
Placing Traps:
- Water traps are placed in underground ponds. They generally attract water-loving amphibians and reptiles
- Cave Traps are placed on cavern walls. They generally attract bats and wall-clinging reptiles
- Tree Traps are placed in glowing trees. They generally attract birds and tree-climbing creatures
- Earth Traps are placed on the ground. They generally attract creatures that crawl along the ground or bury in the earth
Collecting Creatures:
- A maximum of 3 traps per type can be placed a day, for a total of 12 traps per day. They cannot be collected until the following day. A creature is always found within the trap the following day, though the player doesn't know what it is until opened. Opening the trap destroys it, meaning traps cannot be reused. Sometimes, a creature will escape while opening the trap. In this case, the player must chase after it and catch it with a net before it escapes
- Water Traps – Various frogs, toads, and water snakes
- Cave Traps – Various bats and lizards
- Tree Traps – Various birds, owls, and mammals such as squirrels
- Earth Traps – Various lizards, snakes, and underground creatures such as moles
- Robert will sell 1 of each type of trap per day
- Robert always sells the DIYs for each type of trap
- Every Sunday, the player can bring 3 of a single kind of creature to Robert. For a fee, Robert will send you a model of that creature the following day
- The player can ask Robert for trapping advice. Robert has a lot of tips for setting traps, catching runaway creatures, and also has information on seasonal creatures
- Similar to how bugs can be released in HHP yards, captured creatures can be released into tunnels and clearings in the underground. The player can simply release the creature from their inventory, and it will roam whatever clearing or tunnel it was released in. Creatures won't leave the tunnel/clearing they were released in unless caught with a net
Reaching the “end” of the DLC should take a decent amount of time for non-time travelers due to the following restrictions:
- After the tutorial, only one tunnel/clearing can be mapped per day
- New excavations cannot take place the day after an essential NPC has been discovered, as Don Resetti will be busy building their shop, and cannot lend you his bulldozer. This also applies for construction of the Subway and campsite (more on these later)
Progression Events
As the underground is excavated and mapped, new events will occur
- 20% mapped – Don Resetti has an idea to attract more business to the underground. He gives the player a campsite construction kit that can be placed in any clearing. It will be constructed the following day, and functions similarly to the island campsite, but can be customized
- 40% mapped – Don Resetti sets up the Underground Radio in his work area.
- Function: Before this point, only 1 background music song plays in the underground (similar to the beginning of New Horizions). Once the radio is up and running, the player can customize each hour of the hourly underground music. By default, they will all be set to New Horizons. Each hour must remain faithful to the hour (you can't change 9pm music to 3am music), but the song can be changed to another games hourly song (from Wild World, City Folk, or New Leaf)
- Function: Before this point, only 1 background music song plays in the underground (similar to the beginning of New Horizions). Once the radio is up and running, the player can customize each hour of the hourly underground music. By default, they will all be set to New Horizons. Each hour must remain faithful to the hour (you can't change 9pm music to 3am music), but the song can be changed to another games hourly song (from Wild World, City Folk, or New Leaf)
- 60% mapped – Don Resetti introduces Porter the monkey, who has interest in running an underground Subway
- Function: The subway can take the player either to HHP or Harv's island for free. It also has online functionality (more on this later). Lastly, the player can take the train to 1 Mystery Cavern every day, for the cost of any 3 gems. Mystery Caverns are randomized clearings separate from the player's underground. Similar to mystery tours, nothing can be left there, and the player cannot return to it. Mysterious weather can happen in these caverns, which are sights to behold. Mystery Caverns have random materials, gyroids, and flora, depending on the type of cavern. Example types of caverns are:
- Standard – Random materials
- Snowing + Raining
- Raining + Fall Leaves
- Fall Leaves + Cherry Blossom Leaves
- Cherry Blossom Leaves + Fog
- Glowing Rain
- Glowing Snow
- Standard – Random materials
- Function: The subway can take the player either to HHP or Harv's island for free. It also has online functionality (more on this later). Lastly, the player can take the train to 1 Mystery Cavern every day, for the cost of any 3 gems. Mystery Caverns are randomized clearings separate from the player's underground. Similar to mystery tours, nothing can be left there, and the player cannot return to it. Mysterious weather can happen in these caverns, which are sights to behold. Mystery Caverns have random materials, gyroids, and flora, depending on the type of cavern. Example types of caverns are:
- 80% mapped - With the underground growing, Don Resetti feels the needs to call in extra help. He gives the player the ability to recruit an underground ranger.
- Function: The ranger can be recruited from either the island campsite or underground campsite, or through Amiibo. Once hired, the ranger will explore the underground most hours of the day, but can sometimes be found sleeping or relaxing at their resting area in Don Resetti's clearing. The ranger can only perform one “order” at a time (which is similar to an ordinance). The order can be changed, but will take 1 day to take effect
- Orders:
- Gather – The ranger gathers random materials throughout the day. The player can collect the materials from a shed at the ranger's rest area
- Water – The ranger waters all flowers and weeds throughout the day
- Recruit – The ranger will bring additional villagers from the player's island each day to the underground, increases odds of receiving a valuable gift and making the underground more lively
- Collect – The ranger collects all placed traps for the following day, removing the need to manually collect them all
- Gather – The ranger gathers random materials throughout the day. The player can collect the materials from a shed at the ranger's rest area
- Function: The ranger can be recruited from either the island campsite or underground campsite, or through Amiibo. Once hired, the ranger will explore the underground most hours of the day, but can sometimes be found sleeping or relaxing at their resting area in Don Resetti's clearing. The ranger can only perform one “order” at a time (which is similar to an ordinance). The order can be changed, but will take 1 day to take effect
- The final scripted activity will be a KK Concert put on by his new persona, KK Holo
- This concert takes place in the center of the underground. All villagers and NPCs, both above ground and below, will take part
- KK Holo is a large hologram of KK. He has an electric guitar, sings, and dances
- The show is a laser show with lots of glowing elements
- After the first song plays with credits, KK Slider will reveal himself and play his electric guitar, sing, and dance with KK Holo behind him. After this point, the player is free to play again
- Along with new dancing reactions, the player is also gifted with an electric guitar they can use to play along with the songs
- If Mr. Resetti is talked to during the concert, the player can play one large game of hide and seek with all villagers during the concert. The prize is a guaranteed dragonstone.
- The concert will happen once a week in the future, but not on any day KK Slider or DJ KK is playing
- This concert takes place in the center of the underground. All villagers and NPCs, both above ground and below, will take part
- An underground terraforming permit can be purchased from Don Resetti. This will allow tunnels and clearings to be better customized, will allow for creating more ponds or moving unwanted ones, will allow for creating underground rivers, and will allow for easier path making. It will also allow the second story to be decorated using a form of “decorating mode,” though the player cannot access it with a ladder, as it's “too dangerous” to climb on cavern walls
- Building bridges underground via Don Resetti
- Moving the island shops or museum underground
- Resetti's Mini Games open up for multiplayer
- The ability to move around already established underground shops
- The ability to build yourself a second home that can only be placed underground. This home shares storage with your main home, and comes with an elevator to your main home. It will be expanded the same way as your main home was, but all payments are instead made to Don Resetti. The customization choices and size of the house will differ from the player's island home
If a player is visiting another player normally over Wifi (Nintendo Online subscription needed) or local, they can simply enter the player's underground via one of their ladders
The underground is not accessible when visiting someone's dream
The train station is the main hub for online interactivity in the underground
Train Station
- The player can set up an Explorer Address with Porter. This is similar to a dream address, but only for the underground. It can be shared with others, as well as uploaded to the Subway Network
- The Subway Network is set up similarly to the HHP app. It allows the players to browse screenshots of other player's uploaded undergrounds. The player can visit whichever the choose, and the visit will be similar to visiting a dream address. The Subway Network also allows the player to enter an Explorer Address, visit a random player's underground, and favorite other players' Explorer Addresses
There a few ways that Amiibo interact with Below the Horizon:
- Using a device in Don Resetti's area, the player can scan Amiibos to invite villagers/certain NPCs to the weekly KK Holo concert
- Using a device in Don Resetti's area, the player can scan a villager Amiibo to recruit them as the underground ranger
- Using a device in Don Resetti's area, the player can scan a villager Amiibo to invite a villager to the underground campsite
