Ancient Cities in Minecraft offer a thrilling yet perilous exploration experience. These forgotten strongholds, now infested with the eerie Sculk, beckon brave players into the deep dark. For those contemplating a venture into these subterranean ruins, understanding the inherent dangers and the potential rewards is crucial in deciding if the risk is worthwhile.
The most formidable threat lurking within Ancient Cities is the Warden. This near-invincible entity stands as Minecraft's ultimate deadly mob. Fortunately, with careful planning and execution, it's possible to navigate these ancient structures safely and even prevent the Warden from spawning entirely. Here are some essential tips to guide players through the terrors:
Ancient Cities are exclusively located around the Y level -51 within the Deep Dark cave biomes. The most effective way to find them is to descend deep within naturally generated caves, venturing into the -50 Y-level zones. Players will know they are nearing an Ancient City upon hearing its distinct, unsettling music, accompanied by the presence of creepy Sculk blocks in the vicinity. While not the most common structure, Ancient Cities aren't exceedingly rare. Persistent exploration of natural caves at the correct Y-level will eventually lead players to one.
Important Note: Mobs cannot naturally spawn within Ancient Cities.
Moving stealthily is paramount for survival in an Ancient City. Sneak walking (Shift/R3) is absolutely vital, as sprinting or even walking normally will trigger the sensitive Sculk Sensor blocks, potentially leading to a Warden's awakening. To navigate safely, players should prioritize acquiring a few key items:
The abundance of Sculk Sensor blocks necessitates utmost quiet. These sensors detect any sound and will alert a nearby Sculk Shrieker block (within an 8-block radius). Sculk Shriekers are identifiable by their four bone-like prongs and are the direct trigger for the Warden's spawn once activated.
The wisest approach within an Ancient City is to exercise extreme caution, carefully scanning for Sculk Sensors and Sculk Shriekers before attempting to open any chests. Bringing a plentiful supply of Hoes is highly recommended, as a Hoe can almost instantly destroy Sculk blocks, including both Sensors and Shriekers. A strategic approach involves using wool to silence any nearby Shriekers and then swiftly destroying the adjacent Sensors, as a Shrieker cannot activate without a Sensor's signal.
Finally, a Potion of Night Vision can be invaluable. This 3-minute potion, craftable using a Brewing Stand, allows players to see clearly in the dark without the risk of activating Sculk by placing torches. Given the extreme darkness of Ancient Cities, Night Vision can prevent accidental triggers of Sensors or Shriekers. Here's how to brew it:
Setting up a small, temporary base away from Sculk Sensors is also a prudent measure. Having a Bed allows for a respawn point in case an unfortunate encounter with the Warden occurs.
It's crucial to understand that the Warden is not designed to be defeated in direct combat. Players should never attempt to fight it. With a staggering 250 Hearts of health and dealing a devastating 8 Hearts of damage per attack, a direct confrontation is a guaranteed loss. If a Warden is spawned, the smartest course of action is to flee immediately. Digging downwards or building upwards is futile, as the Warden can unleash a powerful ranged attack that can travel upwards and pierce through walls for over 26 blocks.
During its initial spawning animation, the Warden will not detect players. Therefore, the moment a Sculk Shrieker is activated, players should sprint in the opposite direction. The Warden can hear sounds from up to 20 blocks away and also tracks by smell, so moving more than 20 blocks away offers the best chance of escape. If the Warden fails to detect a player through scent or sound for 60 seconds, it will despawn. Players will know they are safe when the Darkness Effect fades. While this effect is disorienting, increasing the brightness in the game settings and placing torches can help navigate away from the Warden.
Despite the inherent dangers, Ancient Cities hold the promise of valuable and unique loot within their numerous chests, often making the perilous journey worthwhile. Here are some of the most significant and sought-after treasures players can discover: