Branch mining is great when you need to power through for resources, but there's a certain joy in cave running, tunneling's just not the same
Flowers are a neat idea, though you'd need to be careful with placement or you'd end up wasting torches in order to light the flower so it will survive. Or failing that, the flower could uproot and leave you lost.
see i'm ocd about how i light my mines(mostly due to getting blwo up/ killed 3 times in the bottomless mine in one of my maps. which ended up spanning the whole map. pity i lost the seed when i lsot my data) so i never have a problem with them dying. plus i'm very careful about making sure their there when i go through.
So I have a few ideas on how to expand this guide.
"How to find new caves when you've seemingly cleared a cave system."
"How to survive against mobs as you explore"
"How to recover from death and re-gain iron tools in 10 minutes"
So I have a few ideas on how to expand this guide.
"How to find new caves when you've seemingly cleared a cave system."
"How to survive against mobs as you explore"
"How to recover from death and re-gain iron tools in 10 minutes"
What do you guys think?
I like the finding new caves part. I usually just try following the sounds of Zombies and/or skeletons. That tends to work well for finding caves AND spawners.
So I have a few ideas on how to expand this guide.
"How to find new caves when you've seemingly cleared a cave system."
"How to survive against mobs as you explore"
"How to recover from death and re-gain iron tools in 10 minutes"
What do you guys think?
I think that's a GREAT!!! idea. Keep it coming. You do a great job on writing these posts.
So I have a few ideas on how to expand this guide.
"How to find new caves when you've seemingly cleared a cave system."
"How to survive against mobs as you explore"
"How to recover from death and re-gain iron tools in 10 minutes"
What do you guys think?
All three could be usseful to someone.
I'm especially interested in the first right now as I'm spending a lot of time light up caves around my grinder. Since MC doesn't have very good surround-sound effects I've resorted to using a sort of "triangulation" method of listening for mob sounds, identifying the direction in which they get louder and then moving around 50 meters perpendicular to that line and re-trigangualting.
I'm especially interested in the first right now as I'm spending a lot of time light up caves around my grinder. Since MC doesn't have very good surround-sound effects I've resorted to using a sort of "triangulation" method of listening for mob sounds, identifying the direction in which they get louder and then moving around 50 meters perpendicular to that line and re-trigangualting.
It's a pain in the butt...
It is also very difficult to determine whether the sounds are coming from above or below. What I like to do is move in one direction and see if they get louder, then move another direction if they got quieter.
And like I have already stated once, you should see if you can get this pinned to the top of the front page! (Possibly under "Important Threads")
I'm especially interested in the first right now as I'm spending a lot of time light up caves around my grinder. Since MC doesn't have very good surround-sound effects I've resorted to using a sort of "triangulation" method of listening for mob sounds, identifying the direction in which they get louder and then moving around 50 meters perpendicular to that line and re-trigangualting.
It's a pain in the butt...
The Xbox360, as well as most tvs (Even my ancient box tv!) emulate surround sound. It's tricky business, but if you take it slow and focus, you can usually tell sound direction using your tv speakers
Finding new caves seems to be well received the most, I'll get started on a draft! It will be appended to this guide, not a seperate thread, so I'll post when it's ready.
The Xbox360, as well as most tvs (Even my ancient box tv!) emulate surround sound. It's tricky business, but if you take it slow and focus, you can usually tell sound direction using your tv speakers
Finding new caves seems to be well received the most, I'll get started on a draft! It will be appended to this guide, not a seperate thread, so I'll post when it's ready.
You sir, should be well commended for this entire thread!
It is also very difficult to determine whether the sounds are coming from above or below. What I like to do is move in one direction and see if they get louder, then move another direction if they got quieter.
And like I have already stated once, you should see if you can get this pinned to the top of the front page! (Possibly under "Important Threads")
I'm sure if I work hard to make this guide the best, it will become popular enough on its own. Until then, I'll do my best to keep revising, refining, and adding information to this guide.
I'm sure if I work hard to make this guide the best, it will become popular enough on its own. Until then, I'll do my best to keep revising, refining, and adding information to this guide.
When tunnelling for new caves, always bore a few blocks straight forward at eye-level, but only open a one block channel. If you bore only at eye-level and leave the block over your head solid, mobs cannot fall through your dig channel and attack you. Even if you bore the block they are standing on, they will only fall down to the point where their feet are at your eye level.
always place torches at the 2nd block above the ground. In case water/lava gets released, it would wash away torches on the ground. it also lets it radiate farther.
never put torches "behind" a block, such that only half of the room would be lit. Put the torch on the side of a wall, so it radiates in at least a 180 degree arc.
always put torches down every 12 blocks or LESS, but not at ridiculously close proximity as you are wasting torches. Torches put out a light level of 14 and it reduces by one per block in distance. Level 7 or less is what causes monsters to spawn.
always use an unnatural material like wool or sand to mark or block corridors. This way, you can tell it was man-made and be reminded that you've been there (I've seen some comments to use dirt, which is naturally occuring in dungeons). Sand or wool can be quickly destroyed by hand. Avoid using cobblestone, as then you may have to remove it and take too long or waste your tools.
Be conservative in using your tools. Use a stone pick axe on Sandstone, cobblestone and Stone. Dig with your hands in dirt/gravel. Use an iron pick axe on lapis, diamond, redstone. Don't waste inventory on needless shovels and crap when exploring/mining.
Block off corridors/pits with sand that you aren't exploring. This will remind you if you come around in a loop. It will also prevent monsters from spawning behind you as you advance. Also, place a torch in the new corridor before you wall it off. This will reduce the likely hood of a monster spawning and waiting for you when you do finally explore that branch.
place a marker block on the inside corner that you take AFTER the turn. So at a T intersection, if you go left, turn left, and put the marker against the LEFT wall at the edge of the intersection to show this is the way you WENT. If you turn right, place the marker against the RIGHT wall at the edge of the intersection. When you are back-tracking, you should be able to tell what direction you came from, by virture of seeing and intersection with a block in front of you, on the left or right side.
When digging a tunnel, do not advance forward without looking at the block in front of you. Make sure it isn't a dark pit or lava.
When tunnelling for new caves, always bore a few blocks straight forward at eye-level, but only open a one block channel. If you bore only at eye-level and leave the block over your head solid, mobs cannot fall through your dig channel and attack you. Even if you bore the block they are standing on, they will only fall down to the point where their feet are at your eye level.
always place torches at the 2nd block above the ground. In case water/lava gets released, it would wash away torches on the ground. it also lets it radiate farther.
never put torches "behind" a block, such that only half of the room would be lit. Put the torch on the side of a wall, so it radiates in at least a 180 degree arc.
always put torches down every 12 blocks or LESS, but not at ridiculously close proximity as you are wasting torches. Torches put out a light level of 14 and it reduces by one per block in distance. Level 7 or less is what causes monsters to spawn.
always use an unnatural material like wool or sand to mark or block corridors. This way, you can tell it was man-made and be reminded that you've been there (I've seen some comments to use dirt, which is naturally occuring in dungeons). Sand or wool can be quickly destroyed by hand. Avoid using cobblestone, as then you may have to remove it and take too long or waste your tools.
Be conservative in using your tools. Use a stone pick axe on Sandstone, cobblestone and Stone. Dig with your hands in dirt/gravel. Use an iron pick axe on lapis, diamond, redstone. Don't waste inventory on needless shovels and crap when exploring/mining.
Block off corridors/pits with sand that you aren't exploring. This will remind you if you come around in a loop. It will also prevent monsters from spawning behind you as you advance. Also, place a torch in the new corridor before you wall it off. This will reduce the likely hood of a monster spawning and waiting for you when you do finally explore that branch.
place a marker block on the inside corner that you take AFTER the turn. So at a T intersection, if you go left, turn left, and put the marker against the LEFT wall at the edge of the intersection to show this is the way you WENT. If you turn right, place the marker against the RIGHT wall at the edge of the intersection. When you are back-tracking, you should be able to tell what direction you came from, by virture of seeing and intersection with a block in front of you, on the left or right side.
When digging a tunnel, do not advance forward without looking at the block in front of you. Make sure it isn't a dark pit or lava.
Some really good suggestions in here, I'll work some of them in and give proper credit.
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Curse Premiumsee i'm ocd about how i light my mines(mostly due to getting blwo up/ killed 3 times in the bottomless mine in one of my maps. which ended up spanning the whole map. pity i lost the seed when i lsot my data) so i never have a problem with them dying. plus i'm very careful about making sure their there when i go through.
Kudos man.
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Retired StaffI was hoping that would entertain people
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Retired Staff"How to find new caves when you've seemingly cleared a cave system."
"How to survive against mobs as you explore"
"How to recover from death and re-gain iron tools in 10 minutes"
What do you guys think?
Keep yourself up to date with the Minecraft Forum rules!
I like the finding new caves part. I usually just try following the sounds of Zombies and/or skeletons. That tends to work well for finding caves AND spawners.
I think that's a GREAT!!! idea. Keep it coming. You do a great job on writing these posts.
All three could be usseful to someone.
I'm especially interested in the first right now as I'm spending a lot of time light up caves around my grinder. Since MC doesn't have very good surround-sound effects I've resorted to using a sort of "triangulation" method of listening for mob sounds, identifying the direction in which they get louder and then moving around 50 meters perpendicular to that line and re-trigangualting.
It's a pain in the butt...
I agree! Many players would love some tips on that. Very good ideas!
And like I have already stated once, you should see if you can get this pinned to the top of the front page! (Possibly under "Important Threads")
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Retired StaffThe Xbox360, as well as most tvs (Even my ancient box tv!) emulate surround sound. It's tricky business, but if you take it slow and focus, you can usually tell sound direction using your tv speakers
Finding new caves seems to be well received the most, I'll get started on a draft! It will be appended to this guide, not a seperate thread, so I'll post when it's ready.
Keep yourself up to date with the Minecraft Forum rules!
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Retired StaffI'm sure if I work hard to make this guide the best, it will become popular enough on its own.
Keep yourself up to date with the Minecraft Forum rules!
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Retired StaffKeep yourself up to date with the Minecraft Forum rules!
always place torches at the 2nd block above the ground. In case water/lava gets released, it would wash away torches on the ground. it also lets it radiate farther.
never put torches "behind" a block, such that only half of the room would be lit. Put the torch on the side of a wall, so it radiates in at least a 180 degree arc.
always put torches down every 12 blocks or LESS, but not at ridiculously close proximity as you are wasting torches. Torches put out a light level of 14 and it reduces by one per block in distance. Level 7 or less is what causes monsters to spawn.
always use an unnatural material like wool or sand to mark or block corridors. This way, you can tell it was man-made and be reminded that you've been there (I've seen some comments to use dirt, which is naturally occuring in dungeons). Sand or wool can be quickly destroyed by hand. Avoid using cobblestone, as then you may have to remove it and take too long or waste your tools.
Be conservative in using your tools. Use a stone pick axe on Sandstone, cobblestone and Stone. Dig with your hands in dirt/gravel. Use an iron pick axe on lapis, diamond, redstone. Don't waste inventory on needless shovels and crap when exploring/mining.
Block off corridors/pits with sand that you aren't exploring. This will remind you if you come around in a loop. It will also prevent monsters from spawning behind you as you advance. Also, place a torch in the new corridor before you wall it off. This will reduce the likely hood of a monster spawning and waiting for you when you do finally explore that branch.
place a marker block on the inside corner that you take AFTER the turn. So at a T intersection, if you go left, turn left, and put the marker against the LEFT wall at the edge of the intersection to show this is the way you WENT. If you turn right, place the marker against the RIGHT wall at the edge of the intersection. When you are back-tracking, you should be able to tell what direction you came from, by virture of seeing and intersection with a block in front of you, on the left or right side.
When digging a tunnel, do not advance forward without looking at the block in front of you. Make sure it isn't a dark pit or lava.
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Retired StaffSome really good suggestions in here, I'll work some of them in and give proper credit.
Keep yourself up to date with the Minecraft Forum rules!