Minecraft's Caves and Cliffs Part 2 update, also known as Version 1.18, has been available for almost a month now. Releasing on November 30, 2021, the update focuses primarily on world generation, adding content split off from Caves and Cliffs Part 1 when it launched on June 8. Most of the new blocks and items came with Part 1, so fans have had plenty of time to see Mobs like Axolotl and the new copper ore - despite it not having many uses.

Looking at a changelog for Minecraft Version 1.18 presents a list with countless adjustments to textures, Mob behaviors (like Endermen taking damage from splash water bottles), spawn locations, and more. There are a handful that will have an impact even if they aren't immediately apparent, such as the addition of Lombard and Toki Pona as languages, or accessibility options such as disabling lightning flashes. However, in terms of the biggest changes, players will no doubt notice the best ones right away.

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Minecraft World Size Adjustments

stony peaks minecraft 1.18 update biome

Minecraft's biggest selling point has always been its limitless potential as a sandbox to explore and build structures within. Caves and Cliffs Part 2 adds 50 percent more vertical space to make use of, with both the block limit above ground and the depth of caverns underground increasing. This not only makes room for larger, more complex natural generations, it also opens up possibilities for player-driven builds to scale. Recreations like Skyrim's College of Winterhold in Minecraft can only get more impressive from here.

New Biomes in Minecraft's Caves and Mountains

minecraft ore distribution

The size of each Minecraft world is not the only thing that has changed in Caves and Cliffs Part 2. A number of old biomes have been removed or renamed, but there are also new additions. Dripstone and lush caves are now available, with the latter being players' only sources of some rare resources and Axolotl Mobs. Larger mountains also have six new sub-biomes: meadows, groves, snowy slopes, jagged peaks, frozen peaks, and stony peaks.

On top of these new additions, the way biomes affect terrain as a whole is also different. For example, deserts were previously only able to form at a given elevation in each world, but now these biomes are no longer restricted and can spawn in other places like atop a hill. There's plenty of unique locales to discover, which should make starting a new world that much more exciting.

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Ore Veins Offer More Resources

minecraft best diamond level

For those more interested in the "mining" aspect of Minecraft, the way minerals generate has also been overhauled. Ore veins can now be discovered that provide huge sums of resources, though players can also find smaller bits of ore more often. Other changes have been made like raw iron blocks sometimes appearing in veins, or the availability of raw copper drops growing so it's now two-to-five per block. The layout of ore distribution has shifted to coincide with larger world sizes, offering a lot to learn while players explore new "cheese," "spaghetti," and "noodle" cave layouts.

More Minecraft Music is Now Available

Another incentive to explore new Minecraft world generations is discovering all the music added in Version 1.18. Celeste composer Lena Raine returns to Minecraft after The Nether Update with five overworld tracks, all of which may also play on the main menu.

  • "Stand Tall" - Found in snowy slopes, jagged peaks, frozen peaks, and stony peaks.
  • "Left to Bloom" - Found in meadows and lush caves.
  • "One More Day" - Found in meadows, snowy slopes, and lush caves.
  • "Wending" - Found in groves, jagged peaks, stony peaks, and dripstone caves.
  • "Infinite Amethyst" - Found in groves and dripstone caves.

Meanwhile, Japanese composer Kumi Tanioka of Square Enix fame contributes three overworld tracks:

  • "Floating Dream" - Found in jagged peaks and lush caves.
  • "Comforting Memories" - Found in groves.
  • "An Ordinary Day" - Found in snowy slopes, dripstone caves, and lush caves.

Raine's work is also featured in her second Minecraft music disc, "otherside," which can be found on "rare occasions" in stronghold or dungeon chests. A new achievement (or Advancement) added to the game plays into this music as well. Players can trigger the "Sound of Music" Advancement by building a jukebox and playing any music disc while in a meadow biome.

Minecraft is available now for Mobile, PC, PS4, Switch, and Xbox One.

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