Hi ACNH players! I'm wondering if there's a certain method to getting villagers to "ping" you in ACNH? My only jock villager, Sterling, has one last reaction to teach me, but I'm struggling with getting him to run up to me when he's outside. I know it's a silly thing to be precise about, since most players care more about getting villager portraits.

Back in the NL days, villagers would ping you to ask you about moving out or new PWPs - I remember how players used to wait on their beaches for about 5 minutes to trigger a villager ping. I just wanna know if there's a new type of way to something like that but for reactions, or if I just have to get lucky and wait for Sterling's last reaction. Thanks!

I'm not sure if there are any known ways to encourage pings in NH since aside from the reactions, there isn't really anything worth trying to get more pings for so I doubt many people have gone out of their way to figure it out

I do recall reading somewhere that they won't give you certain reactions unless your friendship level is high enough. can't confirm that 100% bc I don't remember where I read it, but it might be worthwhile to try and up your friendship level, though if he already has a special greeting with you then he's already at the highest friendship level.

Yeah! I guess I'll just have to raise my friendship with him and wait.

^ just in case you could use a tip:

Identified and wrapped fossils make great gifts that villagers don't display in their houses.