Grass deterioration question

[Bubblebeam]

I've looked around about grass deterioration in the game, but can't find a definite answer to this question.

If you're looking to purposely make dirt patches (for a dirt path for example), is there a limit on how much daily wear you can impact? Would running on a particular spot 10 times create the same level of wear as 2 times (in the same day)?

Also, a side question. I've read on one website that tiles with patterns protect the grass underneath; while another place said the exact opposite. Is it known yet for certain what the case is with this?

 

[MorningStar]

I can't answer the first question, because I don't generally make a point of trying to make grass deteriorate. However, I can answer the second.

Patterns don't protect the grass beneath it. If you're running on a path you made, the grass along where you run WILL be worn down and become dirt. Snow too. All the patterns do is hide the fact that the grass beneath is deteriorating. Paths are good to hide damaged grass, or to be there as a guide for where to run when people are purposefully trying to create a dirt path. They don't actually prevent anything. A good way to be sure of this is to simply listen. Running on a path still sounds like you're running over grass or crunching through snow. Running on the plaza actually sounds like you're running on a surface meant to be walked and run over.

 

[StarrySkye3]

Running over the path 1x a day is the same as 10x a day, I believe. To make the process go faster you have to time travel. I watched a video on this before and that's what she said. I haven't tried this myself though.

 

[Bubblebeam]

I can't answer the first question, because I don't generally make a point of trying to make grass deteriorate. However, I can answer the second.

Patterns don't protect the grass beneath it. If you're running on a path you made, the grass along where you run WILL be worn down and become dirt. Snow too. All the patterns do is hide the fact that the grass beneath is deteriorating. Paths are good to hide damaged grass, or to be there as a guide for where to run when people are purposefully trying to create a dirt path. They don't actually prevent anything. A good way to be sure of this is to simply listen. Running on a path still sounds like you're running over grass or crunching through snow. Running on the plaza actually sounds like you're running on a surface meant to be walked and run over.

Drats. I started my dirt path project by putting patterns across the map, then I read the patterns actually protect it so I removed them again and instead have lined the edges of those paths with seashells, fruit etc. Looks uglier than the patterns, but it's taken me like 2 hours to do. There's a lot of conflicting info on the whole subject, unfortunately. Oh well. One player said they achieved their paths after about a month of playing daily, so I should be able to remove those shells/fruit soon enough. : )

 

[MorningStar]

To be honest, I think grass deterioration is a scrappy mechanic anyway. I wouldn't mind having dirt paths in some places of Paragon, but I hate the dirty parts of Wishfall. It's way too hard to grow grass BACK after it gets worn, or after a villager moves or a PWP is destroyed. Also, having just started a new town last week and now possessing knowledge of what to expect? I think it's bull that you start out with big gaping dirty spots. ;A; Growing grass back shouldn't be so hard. You should be able to buy grass seeds or re-grassing services from Leif. Or at least it should grow back faster with the Make Town Beautiful ordinances.

Idk, I still don't think it was a mechanic that was handled all that well. Dirt paths are the only real good side.

 

[Bubblebeam]

Absolutely. There was a thread here from roughly 2012 on the same subject and somebody said the smartest thing Nintendo could have done was to make shoes specifically for grass wear. That way, everyone is happy.

The perma patches urk me to no end as well. Especially when you've played for a while and have formed your own patches, you lose track of which spots are permanent and which aren't.

But anyways, thanks for your help. ^_^

 

[MorningStar]

I... actually didn't realize that some spots are permanent. Wow. I feel like a dumb now. Thanks for the tip!