Using Terraforming to Create Rolling Hills and Plateaus in ACNH

The terraforming tools in Animal Crossing: New Horizons give players incredible landscaping power over their island. By carefully lowering and excavating terrain, realistic pastoral environs emerge. This guide details effective methods for terraforming rolling hills intersected by usable tiered plateaus.

Envisioning the Hillscape

Observe your island's natural landforms to determine likely hill placements. High points serve as hill bases. Plan where to situate crops, homes and how footpaths will flow. Sketching layouts helps strategize.

Getting Started

Select the Terraforming app and go to a chosen hill area. Dig concentric circles radiating outwards to gradually lower land into a curved slope. Leave plateaus between as the hill declines.

Shaping Smooth Slopes

Refine edges by alternately digging and filling to soften harsh angles. Slopes around 5 spaces wide suit paths later. Check slopes from multiple angles before moving tools elsewhere.

Adding Plateaus

Carve narrow ledges around chosen flat places using the lower tool. Fill the center with elevated flatland. Connect plateaus with sloping paths cut into hillsides versus cliff faces.

Varying Heights

Create diversity amongst plateaus by adjusting some higher than others. Top plateaus gain scenic views. Bottom ones access rivers.

Terracing for Crops

Further shape plateaus into shallow multi-level terraces about 5 spaces wide minimum. Crops plot between retaining walls of ledges with paths between levels.

Planting and Decorating

Add trees and bushes along hillsides for stability. Cultivate diverse multi-seasonal crops amongst plateaus. Furnish terraces with fences, lamps and shed for a functioning farmscape.

Fine-Tuning Shapes

Use terrain tools further to tweak hill and plateau forms until achieving your pastoral vision. Planting assists stabilizing slopes. Patience yields the highest reward!