If you’re diving into the charming and surprisingly deep Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time, you’ve probably noticed those adorable “Excellent” smacks showing up in collecting or crafting. They might look like a nice dividend at first, but once you see how much they boost your productivity and quality of items, you’ll be aiming for that mark every time.
So what is an “Excellent” hit, actually, and how do you achieve one every time? Let’s break it down.
What is an “Excellent” Hit in Fantasy Life i?
An Excellent hit is a perfect action at the correct time when doing things like mining, fishing, woodcutting, or crafting. The game rewards its accuracy. When you’ve got it precisely timed, you will create a sparkly graphical effect (and typically a pleasant sound), with an announcement that lets you know you’ve got it just that way.
These hits are not only—yes, they do affect your play. For gatherers, you could gather more stuff or better stuff. For crafters, it could mean crafting a better item for more cash or with better attributes.
Are Excellent Hits Necessary?
While technically you might manage to play most of the game without having to keep them in mind, Excellent hits become increasingly important the further you progress. As an experienced Miner or a novice experimenting with Cook for the first time, this is why being able to hit Excellent consistently is a game-saver:
- Better Rewards: You get more material or better ingredients, which is especially helpful in completing quests or making superior quality equipment.
- More Efficiency: For every Excellent hit, you are nearer to ending an activity earlier, i.e., gathering or crafting more within a shorter time.
- Bonus Progress: They assist in mastering your life, i.e., faster levelling, more star rankings, and unlocking higher-quality tools and recipes.
How to Land an Excellent Hit?
An Excellent Hit is all about timing, so the first step is to watch closely. For things like chopping a tree or hammering metal, there is typically some point, sometimes after a visual or auditory setup, where pressing your action button yields an Excellent.
It will be trial-and-error to begin with, but the game gives hints. Your gear will be highlighted, or you’ll pick up a sense of rhythm to the movement. Once you’ve picked it up, your muscle memory will do the rest, and nailing that spot each time will be second nature.
Tips for Consistency
Although it’s mostly practice, a few adjustments can make Excellent hits more consistent:
- Upgrade Your Tools: Better tools usually have faster animations and cleaner visual cues, making timing easier to predict.
- Level Up Relevant Stats: Some stats, like Dexterity and Focus, influence your precision and success rate, especially in crafting.
- Listen for Audio Cues: Often, there’s a slight sound effect when you’re supposed to act. Headphones can help here.
- Practice on Easier Jobs First: Practice hitting the rhythm correctly on easier gathering jobs first before trying tougher ones like blacksmithing or sewing.
“Excellent” hits are one of those little things that make the entire Fantasy Life i pop. They’re not needed, but if you get into the habit of going for them, you’ll find yourself levelling quicker, earning more gil, and generally performing better at whatever Life you’ve selected. So whether you are pruning trees in the woods or frosting cake in your home kitchen, listen and watch (and be listening) for that magic moment. Before you know it, you’ll be whacking Excellent like a pro—and your supply will appreciate it.
