Caves and Cliffs update, which arrives in Summer 2021 and, as the name suggests, it will make some big improvements to cave and underground exploration and adds “more spectacular mountain generation.”Mountains were the winner of the 2019 Minecon Live biome vote, and this update will make them a much bigger part of Minecraft’s world. In addition to the previously mentioned mountain generation, there will also be snow “traps, the charming and mischievous goats, and much more.
Underground biomes aren’t all terrifying lava lakes and skeleton-infested mines; instead – if you follow the roots – you’ll find the lush caves are a stunning oasis of calm and tranquillity.
↣ https://t.co/CPC2Hy82Fe ↢ pic.twitter.com/r9RiTwPPdJ
— Minecraft (@Minecraft) October 3, 2020
The caves in Minecraft will soon have much more variety, with lush caves, dripstone caves, crystal geodes and more being added, as well as different blocks being present and new mobs to encounter.
Some of the new blocks include the Sculk Sensor, a block that emits a redstone signal, allowing players the chance to build such “amazing contraptions” as a wireless redstone.
Tumble absent-mindedly down a hole, sail your trusty vessel into the deep, watery unknown or carefully descend that ancient ravine: whatever your underground exploration method – get ready for improved cave generation!
↣ https://t.co/CPC2Hy82Fe ↢ pic.twitter.com/RLGksxbVGH
— Minecraft (@Minecraft) October 3, 2020
There will also be stalactite and stalagmite blocks that are “spiky blocks with different mechanics, such as increased fall damage if you land on them.”
As players are exploring the underground, there will also be the new copper ore to find, which can be used to craft a lightning rod block. Additionally, the lucky few will happen across the crystal geodes that can be used to craft a telescope.
Speaking of mountains and books by Max Brooks, that brings us to mobs that live on mountains and like to eat books (we suspect).
As promised, we’ve added goats – the hugely-anticipated mob from last year’s biome vote. Jumping goats! Ramming goats! Baby goats! So many goats! pic.twitter.com/Wf5LWdHHgk
— Minecraft (@Minecraft) October 3, 2020
As for the mobs, certain new ones will be introduced like the Warden, a “hostile mob well adapted to the dark caves it lives in thanks to its ability to react on movement instead of what it sees, and the Axolotl, an adorable cave-dwelling water creature that can aid in battle.”
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Adam Bankhurst is a news writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on Twitch.