The right-side tools in Gardenscapes change how a level can be controlled, especially when the board becomes tight and standard moves stop creating progress. Unlike in-board power-ups such as Firecracker, Bomb or Rainbow Blast, these tools bypass matching entirely and interact directly with the board, which makes their timing and usage far more critical than it initially appears.
This system does not operate in isolation. Its real impact becomes clear when viewed alongside how move limits, board space and resource pressure shape decisions throughout a level, following the same structure that defines how difficulty and board logic evolve during gameplay.
Important: The redesigned right-side tool system was not available to all players at the same time. Playrix introduced it gradually, meaning only part of the player base experienced the changes during the initial rollout phase before global release.
Recent updates introduced a redesigned tool system on the right side of the board, replacing older tools and significantly changing how advanced levels are approached.
What Has Changed in Right-Side Tools
Older tools such as the Glove and the Rake, familiar to long-time players, have now been fully retired and no longer appear in newer levels.
The Shovel, however, remains in the game. While its icon has been visually retouched, its functionality is unchanged: it removes a single tile or one layer of an obstacle.
As a result, the number of tools available on the right side of the board has increased to four (4), compared to three (3) in the past.
The New Right-Side Tools Explained
Desk Fan
Effect: Shuffles all pieces on the board.
Use case: When the board is heavily blocked and no productive moves are available.
Role: A high-risk tool that relies on randomness rather than direct control.
Kettlebell
Effect: Tap any tile to clear its entire vertical column.
Use case: Ideal for targets buried deep within a column.
Darts
Effect: Tap any tile to clear its entire horizontal row.
Use case: Best when objectives stretch across a row.
Shovel
Effect: Removes a single tile or one obstacle layer.
Use case: Precise control, especially at the end of a level.
An Experienced Player’s Perspective
While the new tools offer clearer individual functions, they primarily shift decision-making rather than increasing control. Previously, a single action could resolve multiple constraints, while now similar results require combining tools, which directly affects how efficiency is evaluated through move economy and resource management.
The old Rake cleared both a row and a column at once. Today, achieving the same result requires using both Darts and Kettlebell, effectively doubling resource consumption.
The Glove, one of the most powerful tools ever introduced, allowed precise tile swaps and full board control, and its absence is easier to evaluate when considering how direct interaction compares to the impact of in-board power-ups on board structure.
The Desk Fan functions as a purely random tool, comparable to resetting the board without guaranteed improvement.
The Shovel, however, remains one of the most reliable tools available, especially when used with precise targeting and timing, following the same logic that governs efficient board control through well-timed actions.
Conclusion
The new right-side tools create a more segmented system that reduces direct control while increasing the importance of timing and resource decisions. Understanding when each tool actually improves the board is essential, especially in high-pressure levels.
On February 24, 2026, Playrix rolled out these tools globally, marking the end of the testing phase. The full picture of that transition and its impact on all players is outlined in the complete rollout of the 2026 right-side tool system and what changed.
Have you noticed something that isn’t mentioned here? Level differences, changes, or team-related issues? Leave a comment.