When I go cave mining (or spelunking, whatever you want to call it) I will end up in a system of tight knit caves with multiple branches so when I try to go into one, I end up going in cirlces. Can anybody help?
Some players elect to place torches on only the right or left walls when lighting up a cave system in order to help themselves navigate a bit easier. I've never actually done this because I always forget, but I would like to try it. It seems like it would be helpful.
Also, placing signs that point to the way out every now and then can make navigating caves a little easier.
These things are all I could think of off the top of my head, sorry. I really hope this helps though! I know how frustrating it is to get lost in cave systems. It happens to me far too often.
When I finish mining cave branches that end I try to block off the branch with a 1-high wall of a block not indigenous to the area (Usually netherrack) at the opening to the branch. That way when I see that, I know the branch is cleared and I don't need to go that way. If the caves go around in a circle, I'll make an arrow out of torches that points towards the exit at the 3-way fork
Oh I do the torches on one side thing too, but some caves can still be confusing especially if the cave loops around. Cuz next time you come to the fork, one path has torches on the left and one has torches on the right, and if you start getting claustrophobic, that kind of hiccup in your navigation can really screw you
I prefer torches myself, but I know that does require the effort and resources to make.
Maybe use, as pointed out above, a block that stands out (dirt would even work for this in most caves, just make a small 1x2 pillar so you can be certain you placed it.
If Facebook, Myspace, and Twitter were all destroyed, 90% of teens would go insane. If you're one of the 10% that would be laughing at them, copy this into your signature and hope it happens..
I use the torch on left wall (going in) method all the time when exploring (and you do have to adjust when you find a loop, but those are easy to retrace if the torches are placed correctly). I get pissy when people building in my world don't as it makes navigation difficult.
When I've torched the whole thing I go back and sort tunnels before I mine. I start at the bottom and block tunnels entrances right after they split. I use cobble to fill a wall in and then make a 1x2 wood plank door-shaped section in the middle with torches on the wood. Once I block off "enough" tunnels, I go back and pick tunnel to start mining. Destory the wood plank "door" made earlier. Once I've exhausted that tunnel to my liking, I fill the "door" in the cobble wall with cobble so I know it's been cleared. If I'm going to use that tunnel to access other tunnels I will stop and make a real door.
This may seem overly complicated, but it's designed to be resource efficient and safe. By blocking the tunnels completely you reduce the chance of surprise mobs. You can always use this method, as long as you have a stack of wood and a pick, without ever needing a craft box. You can make wood planks as you need them, torches as you find coal, and the available cobble is obvious. (In reality, you could drop into a mine with only a stack of wood and still be able to use this method to it's fullest.)
that's bucking hilarious I remember when i did that XD
I do it everything plus I have a very good memory so I don't really need any sort of system.
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If Facebook, Myspace, and Twitter were all destroyed, 90% of teens would go insane. If you're one of the 10% that would be laughing at them, copy this into your signature and hope it happens..
Sounds like you're the funniest guy in the third grade...
I like the redstone torch thing, I might steal that.
Go ahead and not like brony stuff but can you keep it to yourself? I don't like it when y'all hate out loud. It's just annoying, like, "oh, look, a hater. Never seen one just like HIM before." But let's not get our knickers in a knot. That's not what this forum is for. Now that I got that out, @Deathwatch27 I think cobblestone is great because the only time it occurs in caves is with a spawner room a wall or two away, and those are REALLY uncommon.
First of all, I place torches only on the left side when going in. That way, "light on the right takes me outside."
Secondly, I use cobblestone to temporarily block of tunnels I'm not going into right now. I don't exactly build real walls, I just place enough cobblestone so monsters that spawn in the dark passages can't come out. Cobblestone has the advantage that it's available in vast numbers in caves, and the only time you'll encounter cobblestone is when finding dungeons or lava plus water.
Finally, I always take a full stack of wood with me so I can make tools, torches and ladders on the fly.
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Is it a chicken or is it a duck? - It's a chuck, because dicken sounds stupid.
oh god what
thats the pony term for fapping, not clapping
Also, with the "you can hate it just dont" - Don't be a hypocrite. You were expressing your like for the show and using pony terms, he did have the ground to say "pony terms >:C"
OnTopic: Redstone Dusts. I put a dot there, go a little further ,put one there....it's basically my form of breadcrumbs.
oh god what
thats the pony term for fapping, not clapping
OnTopic: Redstone Dusts. I put a dot there, go a little further ,put one there....it's basically my form of breadcrumbs.
Oh that's what that means? I was seriously gonna Google it a few minutes from now... internet...
On topic now, I usually do the 'place torches one one side' trick but it gets pretty hard to navigate to since some caves are huge and mobs will spawn on the opposite side of the lit cave.
Here is some methods I use: Place a redstone torch from the start of the cave and place redstone dust where ever you go. It is a really unorthodox method but it gets lifesaving when you are about to die and/or if you don't wanna waste your pickaxe durability. Also if you are a redstone noob and you can see a bright trail of redstone in a dark area.
Constantly place signs wherever you go. It pretty sucks since signs don't stack yet and its a somewhat waste of wooden planks but its a very good way to navigate underground.
Also, placing signs that point to the way out every now and then can make navigating caves a little easier.
These things are all I could think of off the top of my head, sorry. I really hope this helps though!
Oh I do the torches on one side thing too, but some caves can still be confusing especially if the cave loops around. Cuz next time you come to the fork, one path has torches on the left and one has torches on the right, and if you start getting claustrophobic, that kind of hiccup in your navigation can really screw you
Maybe use, as pointed out above, a block that stands out (dirt would even work for this in most caves, just make a small 1x2 pillar so you can be certain you placed it.
*clops* very good sir!
that's bucking hilarious I remember when i did that XD
Sounds like you're the funniest guy in the third grade...
I like the redstone torch thing, I might steal that.
When I've torched the whole thing I go back and sort tunnels before I mine. I start at the bottom and block tunnels entrances right after they split. I use cobble to fill a wall in and then make a 1x2 wood plank door-shaped section in the middle with torches on the wood. Once I block off "enough" tunnels, I go back and pick tunnel to start mining. Destory the wood plank "door" made earlier. Once I've exhausted that tunnel to my liking, I fill the "door" in the cobble wall with cobble so I know it's been cleared. If I'm going to use that tunnel to access other tunnels I will stop and make a real door.
This may seem overly complicated, but it's designed to be resource efficient and safe. By blocking the tunnels completely you reduce the chance of surprise mobs. You can always use this method, as long as you have a stack of wood and a pick, without ever needing a craft box. You can make wood planks as you need them, torches as you find coal, and the available cobble is obvious. (In reality, you could drop into a mine with only a stack of wood and still be able to use this method to it's fullest.)
I do it everything plus I have a very good memory so I don't really need any sort of system.
Go ahead and not like brony stuff but can you keep it to yourself? I don't like it when y'all hate out loud. It's just annoying, like, "oh, look, a hater. Never seen one just like HIM before." But let's not get our knickers in a knot. That's not what this forum is for. Now that I got that out, @Deathwatch27 I think cobblestone is great because the only time it occurs in caves is with a spawner room a wall or two away, and those are REALLY uncommon.
Secondly, I use cobblestone to temporarily block of tunnels I'm not going into right now. I don't exactly build real walls, I just place enough cobblestone so monsters that spawn in the dark passages can't come out. Cobblestone has the advantage that it's available in vast numbers in caves, and the only time you'll encounter cobblestone is when finding dungeons or lava plus water.
Finally, I always take a full stack of wood with me so I can make tools, torches and ladders on the fly.
clops
oh god what
thats the pony term for fapping, not clapping
Also, with the "you can hate it just dont" - Don't be a hypocrite. You were expressing your like for the show and using pony terms, he did have the ground to say "pony terms >:C"
OnTopic: Redstone Dusts. I put a dot there, go a little further ,put one there....it's basically my form of breadcrumbs.
If you're a small map maker, send me a PM and if it's good enough I'll advertise it in my sig.
On topic now, I usually do the 'place torches one one side' trick but it gets pretty hard to navigate to since some caves are huge and mobs will spawn on the opposite side of the lit cave.
Here is some methods I use: Place a redstone torch from the start of the cave and place redstone dust where ever you go. It is a really unorthodox method but it gets lifesaving when you are about to die and/or if you don't wanna waste your pickaxe durability. Also if you are a redstone noob and you can see a bright trail of redstone in a dark area.
Constantly place signs wherever you go. It pretty sucks since signs don't stack yet and its a somewhat waste of wooden planks but its a very good way to navigate underground.