But there are few updates more significant than the Caves and Cliffs release in 2021, which fleshed out this already expansive romp with even more detail and revamped various parts of the game. This upgrade throws in everything from vast, moss-covered caves to strange new creatures like Glow Squid. On the heels of this addition comes another sizable update, 1.18 (or Caves and Cliffs Part 2), which brings even more cool additions to the fold.
RELATED: Minecraft: Great Biome Mods You Need to Try
While many of these 1.18 add-ons and changes are apparent, there are some interesting ones that may have slipped through the cracks for some.
8 Can Cut Off Vine Growth
One of the most alluring additions in Caves and Cliffs is the smattering of vines and other growth strewn about the caves. In the initial release, vines would grow out of control and unchecked unless the player destroyed it from its source.
With this update, however, comes the ability to maintain and trim these plants with much more efficiency. Applying to Kelp as well as Cave, Twisting, and Weeping Vines, players can now nip the growth of these in the bud by using shears on the tips of vines.
7 Switch Off Lightning Flashes
Minecraft can be a pretty spooky experience when venturing in the wilderness at night, particularly during those dark storms. Adding to this harsh weather are the startling lightning flashes, which add even more of a movie thriller vibe to the experience.
With this update, however, players can dial back a little creepiness of the ambiance during these storms. With a simple tweak in the options menu, players can now disable the flashes emanated by lightning bolts, which removes those jarring sky flashes. The bolts, themselves, do still appear, however.
6 Luminous Enchanting Tables
In keeping more in the spirit of their themes, the handy Enchanting Tables will now emit a subtle, but noticeable light — which adds some neat decorative flair in dark areas in particular. Specifically, these will radiate a light level of “7.”
RELATED: Minecraft: Mods That Add Furniture
It should be noted that the Bedrock Edition has already “been there, done that,” as it’s had this aesthetic feature for some time. But now, Java users will be able to enjoy the majestic glow of their Enchanting Tables as well.
5 Habitable Snow Blocks For Some Mobs
Snow’s presence in Minecraft brings with it unique traits in addition to some truly scenic backdrops. But up until the 1.18 update, it also marked a sort of “dead zone” for at least a few mobs types.
Once inhabitable for them, snow blocks now allow for Pillagers, rabbits, and wolves to spawn on them. It would seem that that chilly, snow-laden ground is no longer an issue for these mobs.
4 More Liquid-Hot Magma
Magma in Minecraft can paradoxically be alluring and treacherous, with its hypnotic glow and its ability to incinerate all that touch it. Aside from the ominous Nether, however, Magma isn’t exactly plentiful in the default biomes of Minecraft.
This isn’t quite the case following the 1.18 update, as the frequency of underwater magma blocks has been dialed up. Now, these same blocks also generate at the floor of water-filled caves at times.
3 Some Mobs Have A Bit More Humanity
The addition of the mobs like the Evoker, Pillager, and Ravagers adds some creepy moments into the mix. Though these hostile foes also bring some rather disturbing moments, as they would attack helpless baby villagers when near them.
RELATED: Minecraft: Facts You Never Knew About Villages & Villagers
Not so anymore with the release of this update. Evokers, Pillagers, Vindicators, Illusioners, and ravagers no longer have it out for baby villagers. Of course, they still will not hesitate to go right for players and adult villagers, but at least they have the decency to leave the little ones be.
2 More Dynamic Caves
Being a central focus of Caves and Cliffs, it’s only natural that Mojang would take even greater care in fleshing out and expanding on these caverns. Of course, the initial Caves and Cliffs release brought the bulk of these changes, but these wondrous biomes have since seen a few more tweaks.
Perhaps the biggest is the ability to find these Lush and Dripstone Caves generated naturally underground as well inside of hills or mountains. So players can now enjoy the detail of these awesome caves without opting for the “single biome” world type.
Not only this but the depth of these caverns has been extended to Y=-64, and two different stone type layers are added, depending on the depth. The area above Y=8 yields regular stone, while this transitions to deepslate when hitting Y=8 and below.
1 Taller And More Varied Mountains
Mountains in Minecraft make for great scenery and often yield fun, intense areas to traverse. This is especially the case following their 1.18 revamp. Mountains are now divvied up into six sub-biomes, which include a grassy Meadow, Snowy Slopes and Groves, Jagged Peaks, stony Peaks, and icy Frozen Peaks.
The mountains have also been extended to be taller, making for an even more varied and scenic landscape when adventuring. In fact, the height limit itself has been lengthened, expanding all the way to 384 blocks upwards. This is a sizable leap from pre-1.18, which stood at 256 blocks.
Minecraftis available on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Switch, PC, Android, and iOS.
MORE: Minecraft: Best Dungeons, Ranked By Their Loot
