This idea is centered around helping users "create" new villages. Currently, players either need to find an existing village and build from that, or relocate villagers using one of several somewhat convoluted "hacks", ranging from minecart-kidnapping to zombie healing.
The main issue is that you are severly limited to location with these methods; once you find a village, it may be in a desolate area, and you can only relocate so far reasonably. Having villagers simply "automatically" show up may be detremental if you are building a structure for yourself, and it is mistaken as a village by the game.
I'm sure this isn't the first suggestion on creating villages but hopefully it is novel, and makes the risk/reward feel worthwhile; First, new required mechanics for this to work:
The "Totem" Block
It would require the addition of a new block type; the "totem" block, with a few styles to match player tastes. Totem blocks would be made by wrapping a mob-head with either wood, stone or sandstone on the crafting table;
The completed totem block would look like a villager-face on the sides made from either wood, stone or sandstone. These blocks would fall to the ground like sand or gravel. Additionally, these blocks would be attackable by zombies, which can "break" totems similarly to doors.
A change to how Minecraft understands villages:
A minor tweak to how minecraft "understands" villages would need to be made for this to work; Right now, if you have closed structures with doors - you have a village "zone", even if it is unpopulated. Once there are 2 villagers, they will begin breeding once in a village zone with enough doors.
This idea would require a village to have at least 3 villagers before it becomes registered as a village. If a totem poll is around, the game will understand it is a "temporary" or "startup" village. Once a village has 3 villagers, it's registered as a full village; and just like now it will always be considered a village - even if all but a couple villagers die off or the totem poll is removed.
Using Totem Polls / How it Works:
The player builds a few buildings for villagers to occupy, just as they do now.
When they want to begin attracting villagers, the player must build a "totem" structure to attract villagers to an empty village. A totem would be several totem blocks stacked vertically. A minimum of 3 blocks would be needed for the totem to begin attracting villagers.
Every night if there are fewer villagers than there are totem blocks, the village will enter a "growth" event; The growth event consists of all villagers crowding at the totem poll and new villagers spawning outside the town at midnight under the following conditions:
Peaceful: The maximum number of villagers needed will just spawn and join the village.
Easy: One villager will spawn at midnight.
Normal: Zombie seige will be called.
Hard: nrelenting seiges throughout the night.
The growth event will end prematurly if any of the villagers die, the totem poll is damaged or if no players/villagers are attending the totem poll. If the new villager reaches the totem before dawn it joins the village and ends the event, otherwise the new villager will flee from the village.
Why this way?
To establish a town from scratch, the player must essentially build a town capable of defending, and defend it (successfully) for at least 3 nights while new villagers attempt to get in. Villagers must be exposed, and a path must be kept open for the new villager.
If players don't want a totem in their village, they can alsways demolish it when they have enough villagers.
The main issue is that you are severly limited to location with these methods; once you find a village, it may be in a desolate area, and you can only relocate so far reasonably. Having villagers simply "automatically" show up may be detremental if you are building a structure for yourself, and it is mistaken as a village by the game.
I'm sure this isn't the first suggestion on creating villages but hopefully it is novel, and makes the risk/reward feel worthwhile; First, new required mechanics for this to work:
The "Totem" Block
It would require the addition of a new block type; the "totem" block, with a few styles to match player tastes. Totem blocks would be made by wrapping a mob-head with either wood, stone or sandstone on the crafting table;
The completed totem block would look like a villager-face on the sides made from either wood, stone or sandstone. These blocks would fall to the ground like sand or gravel. Additionally, these blocks would be attackable by zombies, which can "break" totems similarly to doors.
A change to how Minecraft understands villages:
A minor tweak to how minecraft "understands" villages would need to be made for this to work; Right now, if you have closed structures with doors - you have a village "zone", even if it is unpopulated. Once there are 2 villagers, they will begin breeding once in a village zone with enough doors.
This idea would require a village to have at least 3 villagers before it becomes registered as a village. If a totem poll is around, the game will understand it is a "temporary" or "startup" village. Once a village has 3 villagers, it's registered as a full village; and just like now it will always be considered a village - even if all but a couple villagers die off or the totem poll is removed.
Using Totem Polls / How it Works:
The player builds a few buildings for villagers to occupy, just as they do now.
When they want to begin attracting villagers, the player must build a "totem" structure to attract villagers to an empty village. A totem would be several totem blocks stacked vertically. A minimum of 3 blocks would be needed for the totem to begin attracting villagers.
Every night if there are fewer villagers than there are totem blocks, the village will enter a "growth" event; The growth event consists of all villagers crowding at the totem poll and new villagers spawning outside the town at midnight under the following conditions:
Peaceful: The maximum number of villagers needed will just spawn and join the village.
Easy: One villager will spawn at midnight.
Normal: Zombie seige will be called.
Hard: nrelenting seiges throughout the night.
The growth event will end prematurly if any of the villagers die, the totem poll is damaged or if no players/villagers are attending the totem poll. If the new villager reaches the totem before dawn it joins the village and ends the event, otherwise the new villager will flee from the village.
Why this way?
To establish a town from scratch, the player must essentially build a town capable of defending, and defend it (successfully) for at least 3 nights while new villagers attempt to get in. Villagers must be exposed, and a path must be kept open for the new villager.
If players don't want a totem in their village, they can alsways demolish it when they have enough villagers.
I never had any other heads dropped.