You see the smoke. That thin, gray plume rising from the "secret" beach at the very back of your island. If you've played Animal Crossing: New Horizons for more than a week, you know exactly what that means. Jolly Redd is back. He’s parked his rusted-out trawler, the Treasure Trawler, and he’s ready to sell you "high-quality" art that belongs in a museum. Or, more likely, he’s ready to sell you a worthless piece of canvas that Blathers will reject with a look of utter disgust.
Honestly, Redd is the most polarizing NPC in the game. He’s a fox. He’s a swindler. But if you want to finish that museum wing, you have to deal with him. There's no way around it.
Most players find Animal Crossing New Horizons Redd to be a massive headache because the game doesn't give you any hints. You're standing in a dimly lit boat, staring at a pixelated version of the Mona Lisa, trying to figure out if her eyebrows look slightly too thick. It’s stressful. But once you know the tells, the power dynamic shifts. You aren't his mark anymore; you're a discerning collector who knows exactly when he's trying to pull a fast one.
Why Redd is So Obsessed With Your Bells
Redd isn't just a random vendor. He’s a legacy character, appearing in every single Animal Crossing title since the GameCube original. In New Horizons, his role is strictly tied to the Art Gallery expansion of the Museum. Initially, you won't even see his ship. You have to donate enough fish, bugs, and fossils to trigger Blathers' interest in art.
Is he a criminal? Basically. The game lore implies he has a bit of a history with Tom Nook, which might explain why he operates out of a shady boat instead of a storefront on the Resident Services plaza. While Nook is a capitalist, Redd is a rogue. He charges 4,980 Bells for a piece of art, which sounds like a lot until you realize a genuine Statue of David is worth millions in the real world. Of course, when it’s a fake, 4,980 Bells is about 4,980 Bells too much.
The "Cousin" discount he offers is a total lie. You aren't his cousin. He calls everyone that to build a false sense of intimacy. It's a classic sales tactic.
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Spotting the Fakes Without Losing Your Mind
If you want to beat Animal Crossing New Horizons Redd at his own game, you need to look at the details. The fakes are often very subtle. Sometimes it’s a change in color, sometimes an added object, and sometimes a character in the painting is just doing something they shouldn't be.
Take the Academic Painting (da Vinci's Vitruvian Man). In the real version, there's no coffee stain. If you see a circular brown mark in the top right corner, Redd is trying to sell you a used coaster. The Wistful Painting (Girl with a Pearl Earring) is another famous trap. In the fake version, her earring is a star shape instead of a pearl. Or, even creepier, she might have her eyes closed in the "haunted" version that appears at night.
The Statues are the Hardest Part
Statues are where Redd really makes his money. They take up more space and feel more "prestigious." But they are also the most obvious fakes if you know where to look.
- The Ancient Statue: This Jomon-period dogu figure is a fan favorite. If it has antennae? Fake. If its eyes glow blue at night? Also fake, but actually pretty cool for island decoration.
- The Robust Statue: Look at the wrist. The fake version of the Discobolus is wearing a watch. A digital watch. On an ancient Greek statue. It's almost like Redd isn't even trying.
- The Gallant Statue: This is the David statue. If he's clutching a book under his right arm, it’s a forgery. The real one has empty hands.
The Forgeries That Might Actually Be Worth Keeping
Here is a hot take: fakes aren't always bad. In fact, some of the fakes in Animal Crossing New Horizons Redd’s inventory are better than the originals for island design. These are often referred to as "haunted" items.
The Ancient Statue mentioned above will literally float if you interact with it. The Graceful Painting and Wistful Painting change their appearance depending on the time of day. If you’re building a gothic-themed island or a haunted forest, these "worthless" fakes are actually high-value assets. Blathers won't take them, but your neighbors will certainly be spooked by them.
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Just remember that you can't sell fakes to Tommy and Timmy at Nook's Cranny. They have standards. You either have to trash them, use them for decor, or mail them to a villager you don't like.
Maximizing Your Redd Encounters
Redd’s visits are governed by the game's NPC rotation. He’s guaranteed to show up eventually, but it can feel like ages between visits. This is why many players resort to "Time Traveling" to force him back. By jumping the system clock forward a day and then back to the day he appeared, you can refresh his inventory.
If you prefer to play "clean," the best way to handle Animal Crossing New Horizons Redd is to unlock his permanent stall on Harv’s Island.
Once you pay the 100,000 Bell donation to the Lloid at Harv’s Plaza, Redd sets up a small trailer. He offers two pieces of art at a time. The inventory refreshes every Monday, but there is a pro tip here: if you buy a piece of art (even a fake one), he will replace it with a new item the very next day. This is the fastest way to complete the museum without manipulating your console’s clock.
The Furniture Problem
Redd doesn't just sell art. He also carries two pieces of furniture. Usually, these are "exclusive" colors or items that are harder to find at Nook's Cranny. However, he marks these up significantly. You’ll pay a "convenience fee" for shopping on a boat.
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Is it worth it? Rarely. Unless it’s an item you’ve been hunting for months, save your Bells for the art. The art is the only reason he’s there. Everything else is just fluff to distract you from the fact that he's trying to sell you a Mona Lisa with eyebrows like caterpillars.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Visit
Don't go into that boat unprepared. Use these steps to ensure you never get burned again.
- Zoom in aggressively. Use the camera tool within the purchase menu. Don't just look at the piece; pan around. Check the corners. Check the hands and eyes especially.
- Use a reference guide. There is no shame in pulling up a real-world photo of the Rosetta Stone or The Night Watch. Redd relies on your memory being fuzzy.
- Check Harv’s Island daily. If you have the Bells, buy the fakes on Harv’s Island just to clear the slot. It forces his inventory to cycle, giving you a better chance at a real masterpiece the next morning.
- Listen to the music. The music on Redd’s boat is intentionally designed to be slightly unsettling and different from the rest of the game. Use that vibe to stay sharp.
- Don't forget the "Always Real" list. Some items, like the Glowing Painting (The Fighting Temeraire) or the Great Statue (Kamehameha I), are never fakes. If you see them, buy them instantly. There is no risk involved.
Redd is a scavenger. He’s a hustler. But in the cozy, curated world of New Horizons, he adds a much-needed layer of skepticism. Just because someone calls you "Cousin" doesn't mean they have your best interests at heart. Keep your eyes on the canvas and your Bells in your pocket until you're 100% sure the Moving Painting doesn't have a giant tree in the middle of it.
Complete your museum. Decorate your home with the haunted fakes. Just don't let the fox win.