Do you have paths?

[Barbara]

I'm curious how many people here have paths and how many don't. Please vote, it only takes a few seconds. Also, feel free to elaborate in a reply!
- If you have dirt paths: vote yes, they're still paths.
- If you made a path surrounded by greenery: vote yes, the still are paths too.
- If you don't have them yet but are going to make them, vote yes.
- If you are considering to quit using paths or to start using paths, choose what represents the situation now. .............. (if you are still unsure what to vote, tell me below)
Thanks!

 

[derpymayor]

My first copy of New Leaf was my first AC game, so I didn't have any idea what I was doing when I started. I did was to lay paths but by that time I had too many villagers I like. I recently restarted my second town and I think after I decide on who I want in that town I'll lay paths.

 

[Zireael]

I have QR paths that I found online years ago. I cannot for the life of me remember where I sourced them but they're a dark brown stone design that reminded me of chocolate biscuit, without it being tacky and generic. I personally love having paths in my town, and I love planning out where I'm going to put them. Yeah it's a little tedious putting them down sometimes, so I try not to over-saturate my town with them and limit them to connecting houses and other buildings, as well as a couple of plazas surrounding PwPs. I tend to plan my paths around my houses rather than the opposite, since a lot of villagers I was fond of had already moved in by the time I decided on having paths in the first place.

 

[CynthiaRose]

Honestly I don't even fully understand paths. When you say dirt paths are you referring to when people use dirt patterns and just lay them on the ground? I was also wondering if there were any benefits to having paths, because I'm starting to consider whether or not I should include them in my town. Are the villagers able to recognize where the paths are and follow them? I doubt it, but you never know with this game, so I thought it wouldn't hurt to ask haha.

 

[Capeet]

Yep, I have paths in both towns. Right now they're pattern paths but I want to make dirt paths in the other town once the snow melts. I absolutely love the look of pathless towns and would love to make a town without paths but I think my current towns look better with them.

 

[Fruitcup]

I feel that even if you don't plan out paths, use qr codes, or create dirt paths sooner or later you basically start walking through your town through the same routes and thus create unofficial paths.

 

[CynthiaRose]

So how do you make paths? Is it just by walk over the same patch of grass over and over again? Does anyone have pictures of some of their dirt paths?

 

[Capeet]

So how do you make paths? Is it just by walk over the same patch of grass over and over again? Does anyone have pictures of some of their dirt paths?

Yeah, that's pretty much how making dirt paths works. You have to run over the same patch of grass several times every day for dirt to start appearing. It takes weeks though and you have to keep it up or they'll start disappearing. Here's a handy quide explaining them better: http://ellesanimalhaven.tumblr.com/post/106386246503/ellesanimalhavens-guide-to-dirt-paths

As for why people use paths, I think it's mainly for the looks and convenience. I know it's easier for me to navigate around town when I'm not bumping into trees or have to keep dodging them. Some people have lots of flowers in their towns and by having paths they can run around without having to worry about trampling flowers. Paths don't affect villagers in any way, except when a villager is moving in. They don't move on pattern paths.

 

[Barbara]

Honestly I don't even fully understand paths. When you say dirt paths are you referring to when people use dirt patterns and just lay them on the ground? I was also wondering if there were any benefits to having paths, because I'm starting to consider whether or not I should include them in my town. Are the villagers able to recognize where the paths are and follow them? I doubt it, but you never know with this game, so I thought it wouldn't hurt to ask haha.

Dirt paths are the ones without patterns, created by running over an area. As for benefits: it's easier to navigate, villagers won't move on them, they give your town structure (you can decorate around them), they can look nice, and you won't accidentally run over your hybrid flowers. I also find it hard to decide where to place bushes/flowers without paths, because you could run into/over them. Villagers don't recognise paths, no.

- - - Post Merge - - -

Here you can see the paths I'm using in my town. The main path is made by Tumblr user Umekozaru and the stepping stones are made by Tumblr user Mayoraliya. Bonus windmill gif!

 

[Nimega_Gunner]

I currantly am using paths, but I plan on getting them out once Spring rolls around in order to get dirt paths. So yes, I do, and according to the poll, I still will, but in a different way.

 

[Pun of Nentown]

I do have paths in my town, though I wish I could have a more elaborate set of path patterns for my town, without making a new character. I wish Nintendo would give us the ability to have a LOT more slots for patterns on a single character.

 

[Paperboy012305]

I of course, do have paths. I mix it a little with dirt paths and clover paths as well. In my eyes, its the only way to make towns pretty.

 

[ceremony]

I found some Japanese paths a few years ago and have saved them ever since.

 

[hinata shoyo]

i love the look of paths, but sometimes they're a pain to put out, especially if they're detailed

 

[SaviorSword]

All nonpathers... MUST JOIN THE DARK SIDE!!!!!!!!!
MUHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!


Ahem... jokes aside, bein' a pather myself paths gives "structure" to the other untame'd and ungroom'd wild world. Now I can't deny the amount of work that needs to be done for a path in a town, but I did have a way to keep the workload down a lil'. I hand drew my paths and made the designs very simple. In fact, due to the simplicity of the design, I only need 3 design slots to lay across my town instead beyond 8 and takin' another body to do so. Towns with 8+ designs and multiple bodies thrown into the project can very well have a majestic overall town with THAT much effort put into it.

 

[DJStarstryker]

Yes, because I hate how grass wear looks and I find it tedious to make natural dirt paths.

If grass wear didn't exist, I probably wouldn't bother with paths.

 

[NeonxVandal]

I use qr patterns for paths. Currently using a grey cobblestone qr from someone else. I've also followed the color palette and style of it and made two others, of my own, to match for variety. Use lots of lucky clovers as well to keep the foliage. I really want to try without but I can't get past feeling unorganized without them. :3

 

[UglyMonsterFace]

I have paths, but they're not very nice Lol. But they do help me navigate my town much better and prevent villagers from moving into important areas, so I keep them!

 

[RedPanda]

When I first visited a dream town and discovered the concept of making paths with patterns, back in early 2016, I was all like "oh I am NEVER going to be THAT into Animal Crossing, that is way too much work and too much of a time suck. I will leave that to the really big fans and I'll just visit their nice towns once in a while..."

Eight months later, I'm furiously landscaping and making paths for hours at a time...

 

[al-tirah]

I used to have them but now I don't. I prefer not having them because I don't like following them.
For me, it's more fun to go whichever way I want to go.