Anyone have any tips for making natural paths?

[Kit]

I have decided that I don't want fake paths in Oni, but I have never made natural paths before
I know they require lots of upkeep, but how long do I have to run before I see the grass deteriorate?

 

[CozyKitsune]

You have to run A LOT! Try not to run in places that you dont want a path to be!

- - - Post Merge - - -

And a while! I don't know the exact time it will take but...It will take LOTS of time

 

[CaptainCrunch]

Put down paths for now so you know where exactly to run
Then soon enough you'll get dirt paths <3

 

[Freckles]

You could try lining your non-paths with bushes, flowers, and/or stumps. It will help you keep the area the same where you want the paths to be until they're established. You can start with any muddy areas you already have in town that don't grow grass. I've found it spreads really easily from there.

 

[Qvaric_Storyteller]

You shouldn't place anything over the areas where you want your paths, though. If there's a design or whatever over the top, it will stop the grass from becoming degraded. But @ Freckles is right, a good way to ensure you're running across the exact same area every time is to line your paths with things. This will cause your paths to form sooner. Also, avoid excessive time travelling forwards as this will cause patches of your grass to turn into dirt and probably ruin your paths (as far as I know, time travelling backwards doesn't cause this, but I'm not 100% sure).

 

[tobi!]

You shouldn't place anything over the areas where you want your paths, though. If there's a design or whatever over the top, it will stop the grass from becoming degraded. But @ Freckles is right, a good way to ensure you're running across the exact same area every time is to line your paths with things. This will cause your paths to form sooner. Also, avoid excessive time travelling forwards as this will cause patches of your grass to turn into dirt and probably ruin your paths (as far as I know, time travelling backwards doesn't cause this, but I'm not 100% sure).

This is incorrect. You will still deteriorate the grass if you run on it, even if a path covers it.
I have a natural path (visit my DA if you want to see one) and I first put down a path and ran about maybe a solid month before I removed the placeholder paths. Also, Time Traveling will affect your grass meaning if you TT allot, your grass will grow back.
Also, I've had my dirt path for a long time and I wouldn't say it's THAT difficult to maintain mainly because I run most of the time.

 

[moonchu]

yeah, paths don't stop deterioration. it's a common misconception. but i wouldn't advise flowers, i'd say only bushes or trees since you could easily run over your flowers by accident (as i do sometimes). i think putting paths down is a good idea, you can just kick them up when you're finished.