So my friend and I wanted to build an XP farm. We built it 26 blocks off the ground and created a 20x20x2 space in the farm for mobs to spawn. Mobs didn't spawn so we increased the grid to a 20x20x3 and mobs still didn't spawn. I am inclined to believe that we are doing something wrong, however, I have no idea what.
A quick note here: the 'drop' really shouldn't be more than 22 blocks, as most mobs will be killed by the impact and you will not get XP for that. Also, the drop rate for items falls severely if you let them be killed off this way.
We are also short on details here. Are you using water to push the mobs into the drop, or possibly a piston mechanism? They won't intentionally fall down such a large gap, their pathfinding prevents them from doing that. The dimensions sound right, you only need a 2-block tall gap (prevents Enderjerks). Most mob grinders are only 18 blocks wide, using 2 8-block long 'channels' for water to push the mobs into the drop. What setup are you using?
A quick note here: the 'drop' really shouldn't be more than 22 blocks, as most mobs will be killed by the impact and you will not get XP for that. Also, the drop rate for items falls severely if you let them be killed off this way.
We are also short on details here. Are you using water to push the mobs into the drop, or possibly a piston mechanism? They won't intentionally fall down such a large gap, their pathfinding prevents them from doing that. The dimensions sound right, you only need a 2-block tall gap (prevents Enderjerks). Most mob grinders are only 18 blocks wide, using 2 8-block long 'channels' for water to push the mobs into the drop. What setup are you using?
We did a 20 by 20 grinder with two channels. We have 4 water channels that are two blocks lower than the platforms where the mobs spawn. We placed signs on the top block because mobs think signs are full blocks and they will try to walk on them and then fall into the water. The channels push the mobs into the pit. Let me know if that's confusing so I can reword it. Thanks for letting me know that the grinder was too high; I will lower it. I will also lower it from 3 bocks to two blocks. Is there anything else that I am conceivably doing wrong because even if it's too high for them to survive the drop, mobs should be inside the top part when we check it right?
Okay, from what you are saying it should be set up right. But since 1.14 the way signs work is a little messed up. In theory, you shouldn't really need signs at all, but I will check up on that. Currently, my design has no signs and seems to work fine, if a little slow. Even without them, the mobs fall into the 'channel' and then to the drop. I understand your layout, it is the one I use (except more of a large square with 8x8 spawning platforms that surround 4 water channels that look like a plus from above with the drop taking the middle 4 blocks).
Your last comment is correct. You should be able to see mobs spawning in the top part. However, recall that mobs cannot spawn within 25 blocks of you, so back up a bit to make sure. Also, the light coming in from wherever you are viewing the mechanism could screw up the spawning as well. But again, you should be able to see them forming here with the right conditions.
The only other thing to consider is the space beneath the grinder. If there are caves or empty spaces below the desired area, some of your mobs will spawn there and not where you want. Though, again, you should be seeing something in the grinder even if they are all not going there. It is an average thing, with some spawning below and some spawning above (where you want). Also, if you are above the ocean, consider using sea pickles or lanterns to light up the seafloor to prevent the Drowned from forming. What you want is to maximize the grinder, by forcing the game to use the only available place to spawn mobs, right in the grinder.
Yeah, that makes sense. The thing that is bamboozling us though, is that when we are not viewing it, the place that the mobs are supposed to spawn is completely dark, so mobs should spawn. What makes this even worse is that we have made sure multiple times that the game isn't on peaceful and yet no matter what, mobs still won't spawn. We have also taken extra care to light up pretty much everything near the spawner, including above and below. Everything about this is weird, no matter the way you look at it. What you mentioned about being possibly too close to the spawner is true but we go pretty much anywhere in the world and they still won't spawn. Thank you for taking the time to help me by the way.
So my friend and I wanted to build an XP farm. We built it 26 blocks off the ground and created a 20x20x2 space in the farm for mobs to spawn. Mobs didn't spawn so we increased the grid to a 20x20x3 and mobs still didn't spawn. I am inclined to believe that we are doing something wrong, however, I have no idea what.
Use mob farm tutorials made specifically for bedrock. Mob spawning works completely different than on Java edition.
A quick note here: the 'drop' really shouldn't be more than 22 blocks, as most mobs will be killed by the impact and you will not get XP for that. Also, the drop rate for items falls severely if you let them be killed off this way.
We are also short on details here. Are you using water to push the mobs into the drop, or possibly a piston mechanism? They won't intentionally fall down such a large gap, their pathfinding prevents them from doing that. The dimensions sound right, you only need a 2-block tall gap (prevents Enderjerks). Most mob grinders are only 18 blocks wide, using 2 8-block long 'channels' for water to push the mobs into the drop. What setup are you using?
Don't worry, I'm a doctor.
We did a 20 by 20 grinder with two channels. We have 4 water channels that are two blocks lower than the platforms where the mobs spawn. We placed signs on the top block because mobs think signs are full blocks and they will try to walk on them and then fall into the water. The channels push the mobs into the pit. Let me know if that's confusing so I can reword it. Thanks for letting me know that the grinder was too high; I will lower it. I will also lower it from 3 bocks to two blocks. Is there anything else that I am conceivably doing wrong because even if it's too high for them to survive the drop, mobs should be inside the top part when we check it right?
Okay, from what you are saying it should be set up right. But since 1.14 the way signs work is a little messed up. In theory, you shouldn't really need signs at all, but I will check up on that. Currently, my design has no signs and seems to work fine, if a little slow. Even without them, the mobs fall into the 'channel' and then to the drop. I understand your layout, it is the one I use (except more of a large square with 8x8 spawning platforms that surround 4 water channels that look like a plus from above with the drop taking the middle 4 blocks).
Your last comment is correct. You should be able to see mobs spawning in the top part. However, recall that mobs cannot spawn within 25 blocks of you, so back up a bit to make sure. Also, the light coming in from wherever you are viewing the mechanism could screw up the spawning as well. But again, you should be able to see them forming here with the right conditions.
The only other thing to consider is the space beneath the grinder. If there are caves or empty spaces below the desired area, some of your mobs will spawn there and not where you want. Though, again, you should be seeing something in the grinder even if they are all not going there. It is an average thing, with some spawning below and some spawning above (where you want). Also, if you are above the ocean, consider using sea pickles or lanterns to light up the seafloor to prevent the Drowned from forming. What you want is to maximize the grinder, by forcing the game to use the only available place to spawn mobs, right in the grinder.
Sorry for the wall of text!
Don't worry, I'm a doctor.
Yeah, that makes sense. The thing that is bamboozling us though, is that when we are not viewing it, the place that the mobs are supposed to spawn is completely dark, so mobs should spawn. What makes this even worse is that we have made sure multiple times that the game isn't on peaceful and yet no matter what, mobs still won't spawn. We have also taken extra care to light up pretty much everything near the spawner, including above and below. Everything about this is weird, no matter the way you look at it. What you mentioned about being possibly too close to the spawner is true but we go pretty much anywhere in the world and they still won't spawn. Thank you for taking the time to help me by the way.
Sure. Sorry it isn't working out for you. The I built had multiple floors and still I don't get nearly the 'volume' I was expecting.
Could be a bug. Have you submitted it to the issue tracker?
Don't worry, I'm a doctor.
Are you using an actual mob spawner, or just a large dark area?