Seed & Map: crowquill

Special Achievements

• Premium! This seed has scored higher than 40 out of 70 in the overall score.
• Rolling! Higher than 8 out of 10 in hills and mountains.
• Anseled! Higher than 8 out of 10 in awesome features.

Rating

• Beginner
• ++ Intermediate ++
• Advanced
• Expert
• Suicidal Expert

Spawn and Version

Spawn: 0.72.0
Version: XBL 1.1.1 (equiv Beta 1.7.3)

Seed Score MH 8.1 DW 5.2 C 6.1 W 5.5 SP 5.8 VR 5.9 AF 9.5     46.1

Etymology

You know when you see an old-fashioned pen in a bottle of ink like they used to use in the old days. That actually has a name: it's known as a crowquill. There is a modern-day version of this same tool that uses inks and a very fine point to allow artists to make detailed illustrations and architects to make powerful line-drawings.

My Review

Just like it's namesake, this seed is very exacting. The mountains here are stunning and very difficult to traverse. Do not play this if you are a beginner. However, this level isn't so difficult that only the best dare venture here. On the contrary, there are many clean caves and easy to find resources making this an ideal seed for someone looking for a challenging day of Minecrafting with yet enough pockets of epic, twisted caves that someone looking to die has a good shot at that as well.

Can't Miss

The large, Gargamel-style cavern at -155.73.-360 is something you definitely need to see. Ironically, if you manage to scale the interior cliff and make it to the far exit, you'll find that you're on top of another cliff and falling off could severely injure or even kill you. So if you're being chased by zombies/spiders, you'll either have to turn and do battle or make some kind of hasty staircase to manage escape.

Map

This seed has almost no snow, a nice chunk of flatland, and plenty of trees. The east side of the map is more tame; the west is more crazy.

SEED MAP PIXEL COUNTS Classification: Peninsula water 41.1% forest 12.7% plains 33.3% sand 1.8% ice/snow 5.1% * margin of error +/- 1.1%

Overhangs

• [-254.75.-53] cliff-side double overhang
• [-176.65.-49] dumbbell overhang
• [-179.70.-120] monster overhang
• [-243.73.-112] large overhang
• [-197.76.-179] epic overhang and deep basin
• [-226.73.-352] medium overhang
• [-254.99.-387] medium overhang #2
• [-102.69.-172] medium overhang and medium waterfall
• [397.73.59] rail thin overhang

Items of Interest

• [-53.68.44] small flatland and sugar
• [-120.66.315] medium clay
• [-168.80.320] medium floater and medium spire
• [-364.65.221] underwater lava pit, instant obsidian
• [-293.65.221] pumpkins and sugar
• [-249.71.79] medium and small floaters
• [-317.70.43] small crater
• [-318.72.-7] large crater lake
• [-297.65.-65] cool bay and sugar
• [-134.67.-98] pumpkins
• [-199.71.-153] medium mesa
• [-336.80.-249] medium hidi-hole
• [-155.73.-360] massive Gargamel-style cavern
• [-108.69.-227] medium lava fall
• [-88.66.-244] medium alluvial gravel
• [5.64.-155] massive underwater gravel deposit
• [50.65.-340] medium floater
• [198.67.-372] erosion with coal
• [271.75.-392] large shortcut cave inside butte
• [346.65.-217] medium clay
• [346.71.-188] pumpkins
• [367.69.-97] small flatland
• [236.69.-97] small beachfront flatland and large clay
• [219.65.74] small clay
• [402.69.116] medium arête
• [348.77.188] medium cliff dive
• [344.65.305] medium ravine
• [62.65.308] sugar
• [77.65.302] small cave with lots of coal
• [56.70.182] large flatland

Images

The first image is of an overhang I found kind of looks kinda like a fish. It's a member of a pack of four overhangs that live right next to each other around a central valley. The image in the Can't Miss section highlights the most magnificent feature of this map: the Gargamel-style mega cavern. Don't let the fact that you can see sky through this thing fool you -- it's dark in there and both entrance and exit are blocked by a steep climb.

Looking to the images on the right, you'll find first two small overhangs that frame this lovely yet treacherous valley quite nicely. Basically, if you're going to find daywalkers (or rather, they'll find you), then it's probably going to be under one of these trees.

Also at right is a dumbbell-shaped butte with a table-top overhang at the top. There were some pigs up there, but they failed to heed my safety warnings. You can risk the edge at -176.65.-49. Finally, another view of the same fish-shaped overhang and one of it's companions. The valley below is bordered by steep cliffs on all sides with only a thin exit provided by the end of the map and a dangerous, shady entrance under the far overhang.

Seed & Map: spacemanspiff

Special Achievements

• Premium! This seed has scored higher than 40 out of 70 in the overall score.
• Rolling! Higher than 8 out of 10 in hills and mountains.
• Spelunked! Higher than 8 out of 10 in caves.
• Anseled! Higher than 8 out of 10 in awesome features.

Rating

• Beginner
• Intermediate
• Advanced
• Expert
• ++ Suicidal Expert ++

Spawn and Version

Spawn: -60.71.222
Version: XBL 1.1.1 (equiv Beta 1.7.3)

Seed Score MH 8.7 DW 4.1 C 9.4 W 0.8 SP 7.2 VR 6.3 AF 9.2     45.7

Etymology

One of Calvin's many alter-egos, Spaceman Spiff is an intrepid space explorer -- the first man they call when a new planet is discovered and needs investigating. Spaceman Spiff makes many appearances in the comic Calvin and Hobbes.

My Review

The biggest problem with this seed is that just when you think you found an amazing mountain, you realize it's not a mountain at all but just an empty shell around a huge cave complex. This happens over and over again. It's quite annoying. There are a lot of good hidi-holes near deep caves where you can set up shop and then go exploring. Most of the time, this helps, but there are cave complexes so complicated that in order to get "unlost" you're going to have to go crying to the customer service desk and have them page your mother so she can come pick you up. This level is only for the best of the best. You've been forewarned.

Map

SEED MAP PIXEL COUNTS Classification: Glacier water 14.2% forest 5.1% plains 19.1% sand 1.8% ice/snow 53.9% * margin of error +/- 1.1%

Underground

• [66.70.-326] deep dead drop cave, Y=12
• [61.27.-320] x4 gold
• [36.17.-301] x2 lapis lazuli
• [64.30.-306] large cavern
• [65.12.-300] x4 red stone, obsidian generator
• [54.14.-283] x4 gold and mega coal

Other Underground

• [287.14.352] obsidian generator, red stone
• [287.12.384] x5 diamonds
• [296.58.341] deep pitfall cave, Y=12

Items of Interest

• [-56.70.239] small cave complex
• [-2.68.241] small overhang, large mountain, and small waterfall
• [6.57.281] deep dead drop cave, Y=28, with many waterfalls
• [1.71.302] epic overhang henceforth known as "The Sharkbit Surfboard"
• [22.80.326] hollow mountain
• [-121.68.313] medium cave, Y=40
• [-250.63.330] dungeon, x2 chests, music disk, iron, x8 gunpowder, saddle
• [-344.68.208] small erosion
• [-290.72.-211] huge flatland
• [-288.80.-338] lava pit
• [-242.73.-327] small sinkhole
• [-107.71.-330] small waterfall
• [49.66.-333] medium pitfall cave
• [81.78.-358] medium hidi-hole
• [130.67.-326] lava pit
• [161.65.-384] amazing overhang, medium ravine
• [136.65.-303] two floating water anomalies, large cave complex
• [124.91.-259] epic hidi-hole
• [164.83.-255] dead drop cave, medium floaters, pumpkins
• [144.93.-231] large overhang
• [191.92.-273] suspicious hole
• [227.69.-305] small cave complex
• [256.65.-316] sugar
• [367.67.10] false dungeon
• [376.65.175] sugar
• [359.77.340] moon shaped crater lake, small cliff dive
• [188.65.262] medium cave complex
• [61.75.299] small floater and medium overhang
• [14.67.249] hidden lava pit
• [134.65.-48] tiny lava pools
• [101.72.-72] two small waterfalls, small overhang
• [-15.89.-46] small thin butte, small floater
• [-64.71.-72] huge flatland
• [-224.87.-84] tabletop mesa

Images

This top image is the epic overhang known henceforth as the "Sharkbit Surfboard". It's a monster and hangs off the end of a skinny spire just taunting the laws of physics. Directly underneath of that is a nice little hillside with a single tree. I just through it was nice to find some calmness amongst the insanity of this level.

Moving on to the images at right, this is another craggy, twisted overhang that kind of looks like a raptor claw. It creates a lot of shade, so beware of zombies. In the middle shot, these pumpkins have an excellent view of this thin overhang and the valley below.

Finally, I tried waiting for it to stop snowing, but that didn't work out so I just snapped the shot. This was a really cool table-top overhang situated atop a single thin spire. Could be a great place to set up a base camp.

Seed: sableandindia

Special Achievements

• Premium! This seed has scored higher than 40 out of 70 in the overall score.
• Anseled! Higher than 8 out of 10 in awesome features.

Rating

• Beginner
• Intermediate
• Advanced
• ++ Expert ++
• Suicidal Expert

Spawn and Version

Spawn: -150.67.-250
Version: XBL 1.1.1 (equiv Beta 1.7.3)

Seed Score MH 7.7 DW 5.0 C 7.5 W 4.1 SP 5.5 VR 4.3 AF 8.2     42.3

Etymology

India ink is a standard black ink used by cartoonists and graphic novelists. A sable brush is a brush with particularly soft hairs made from the tail of a kolinsky -- a type of weasel. So technically, it's a weasel brush.

My Review

This is a fantastically beautiful and scenic seed. The pack of mountains around the monster volcano-style crater at -184.105.-184 could easily keep you busy for an entire game and you would never have to leave. But you should, because this level is gorgeous and some of these other features are to die for. Mountains abound on this seed, but really they are only shells for caves. Some of these caves go down to even Y=30, but none of them cut past the diamond/lava barrier. I found one real dungeon and one false dungeon.

Can't Miss

With so many things to see on this map, you'd think that there would be more than one can't miss, but this one is extra special. This underwater gravel deposit is absolutely massive and it sits precariously above an underground cave. If you dig in the wrong spot, you can easily destroy the cave and kill yourself -- although it is fun to run from the falling gravel (save game before attempting). There is already an entrance to the cave, but it's underwater so it's going to take some time to get there. Once inside, the cave is beautiful. Enjoy.

Underwater

• [-10.66.-351] humongous underwater gravel deposit
• [-33.64.313] deep underwater hole, down then west for huge cave
• [-61.63.324] underwater hole

Items of Interest

• [-109.65.-188] two medium overhangs and large land bridge
• [-168.65.-146] monster lava fall, so big you can find it on the map
• [-179.83.-199] tiny gorge with large coal
• [-184.105.-185] huge volcano-like crater
• [-194.114.-225] tall waterfall (cliff dive)
• [-159.120.-227] tallest point
• [-239.90.-239] cool valley
• [-251.77.-222] hidden cave and small land bridge
• [-273.73.-244] dead drop cave and small flatland
• [-281.72.-237] medium pitfall cave, Y=45
• [-363.70.-263] medium cave, Y=39
• [-263.87.-333] small sinkhole
• [-186.87.-315] small overhang and shortcut cave
• [-132.73.-367] large overhang and medium waterfall
• [-133.71.-325] medium overhang
• [-107.67.-314] sugar
• [121.76.-359] deep cave
• [216.73.-223] deep cave
• [245.70.-254] dungeon with one chest, 3 saddles and a hidi-hole, medium floater, and medium overhang
• [252.76.-319] massive overhang/land bridge, deep pitfall cave
• [217.80.-392] large overhang/land bridge combo, tall waterfall
• [346.67.-263] false dungeon
• [349.66.-228] medium clay
• [363.65.-95] large lake
• [329.68.-58] two small waterfall streams
• [306.69.38] two small overhangs
• [-160.69.326] medium flatland
• [-284.77.274] large hidi-hole
• [-373.69.362] medium spire
• [-357.71.242] large overhang
• [-359.68.76] deep dead drop cave, Y=32
• [-215.73.137] erosion with coal
• [-96.65.136] hidi-hole with coal
• [79.69.-102] large tabletop overhang
• [156.67.-98] large tabletop land bridge

Images

This level is so scenic that narrowing all of the photographs down to five actually pained me. The top image is of a beastly overhang/land bridge combo. As for the image right below it, how about that shot! It's like standing inside the visor of a massive space trooper. It was taken from inside the same formation looking out at the next formation, which was also beautiful. You can find it at 252.76.-319.

Moving on to the smaller images at right, the first is of a medium-sized butte as seen from between the legs of a medium land-bridge. It's a weird formation because this area was mostly desert.

Below that, I took this shot from almost the same spot where I spawned. This image and the one below it are from the same circular range of mountains that form a massive crater. These mountains go up to Y=120 and have a lava fall flowing out of them. So really, this formation is as close as you're ever going to get to volcano in Minecraft -- unless they program volcanoes into Minecraft (which would be awesome!)

Seed & Map: susiederkins

Special Achievements

• Rolling! Higher than 8 out of 10 in hills and mountains.
• Anseled! Higher than 8 out of 10 in awesome features.

Rating

• Beginner
• Intermediate
• ++ Advanced ++
• Expert
• Suicidal Expert

Spawn and Version

Spawn: 0.64.-22
Version: XBL 1.1.1 (equiv Beta 1.7.3)

Seed Score MH 8.1 DW 5.2 C 2.1 W 3.8 SP 6.6 VR 3.1 AF 8.9     37.8

Etymology

Susie Derkins is Calvin's foil in the comic strip Calvin and Hobbes. To say that they have a love-hate relationship is putting it mildly. Of course, Hobbes is more than happy to return her affections.

My Review

While there are many steep mountains to be had in this seed, I was shocked to find that moving around between them was not a problem. They're all fairly easy to scale -- even the tallest one that takes you all the way up to Y=120. Given how many shadowy places there are, I wouldn't recommend this for beginners. However, plenty of challenges for even the most advanced players make this seed well worth checking out.

Can't Miss

The seed Gargamel is known for a massive above-ground cavern full of bad guys. This level contains a similar Gargamel-style cavern. It's not as big, but still formidable.

Map

It's basically one large hunk of land with a small smattering of water and islands to the extreme east side of the map.

SEED MAP PIXEL COUNTS Classification: Tundra water 29.1% forest 5.6% plains 26.3% sand 2.4% ice/snow 31.5% * margin of error +/- 1.0%

Items of Interest

• [-23.77.-6] Can't Miss: mega Gargamel-style cavern
• [-24.78.336] two pumpkin patches
• [53.71.383] small, flattop butte and small floater
• [250.65.205] medium floater
• [354.60.66] dungeon with two chests
• [343.70.-19] medium cove with small flatland
• [337.67.-181] large clay
• [366.75.-266] large shortcut cave and large coal
• [200.72.-262] fantastic dome with hole in roof, medium cliff dive
• [132.95.-50] large tabletop overhang
• [97.71.-36] medium land bridge
• [0.120.-35] highest point
• [-40.84.-83] large sinkhole
• [28.106.-122] large valley
• [29.73.-290] pumpkins
• [138.67.-314] small erosion, iron
• [105.65.-353] large clay
• [52.66.-353] huge clay
• [-53.72.-310] small cave complex, Y=50
• [-283.81.-135] large shadowy overhang above cliff, small waterfall, small cliff dive
• [-217.70.-126] two large land bridges
• [-166.87.-96] medium sinkhole
• [-279.74.-30] small arête
• [-262.69.74] thick forest, sugar
• [-312.88.271] two small floaters
• [-302.72.297] medium cave complex
• [-246.72.352] medium flatland
• [-173.76.323] pumpkins

Images

There are actually a lot of things to see and do on this level. I probably have another three photos that just missed the cut.

First up, the cave (topmost photo) here is a Gargamel-style mega cave full of bad guys and death. I assure you getting through here on any level other than "no bad guys" is gonna be tough. The other image at top is a large, shadowy overhang located in another part of the seed. I like that the waterfall pours out onto the ice here -- unrealistic, but neat.

Finally, the three photos at right are c) a double land bridge setup, d) a misty mountain in early morning, and e) a relatively steep valley amidst some tall mountains (mountain at far right is tallest).

Seed: misswormwood

Rating

• ++ Beginner ++
• Intermediate
• Advanced
• Expert
• Suicidal Expert

Spawn and Version

Spawn: 75.80.-150
Version: XBL 1.1.1 (equiv Beta 1.7.3)

Seed Score MH 5.5 DW 4.8 C 3.3 W 6.0 SP 6.3 VR 4.2 AF 4.8     34.9

Etymology

Miss Wormwood was the name of Calvin's teacher in the comic strip Calvin and Hobbes. She was a regularly occurring character -- most often the messenger of bad news for Calvin's parents, relaying concerns she had about Calvin's artistic subject matter or his propensity for making dinosaur noises at random times during her class.

My Review

This seed has some nice, flat terrain. It's easy to get around, though there aren't many caves. My spawn point was fantastic and there are many hidi-holes around. I think this would be an excellent seed for a beginner player but probably a little too boring for someone a little higher up on the leaderboard. I found an excellent cove, a mountain that was completely stripped of dirt by unknown forces, and several large patches of desert.

Items of Interest

• [109.68.-200] huge erosion on entire hillside
• [76.73.-221] large desert
• [164.72.-279] pumpkins
• [83.70.-146] really nice cove
• [-4.93.-75] large sinkhole
• [-39.81.229] small sinkhole
• [-79.69.320] large clay

Images

For some reason, this hillside was completely stripped of dirt -- exposing lots of coal and some iron in the process.

Seed: Watterson

Rating

• ++ Beginner ++
• Intermediate
• Advanced
• Expert
• Suicidal Expert

Spawn and Version

Spawn: -90.66.0
Version: XBL 1.1.1 (equiv Beta 1.7.3)

Seed Score MH 6.8 DW 3.7 C 2.8 W 4.2 SP 3.1 VR 5.5 AF 4.2     30.3

Etymology

Bill Watterson is the cartoonist who penned the comic strip Calvin and Hobbes. In addition to his brilliant whit and artistic ability, Watterson is a protestant of merchandising and the general whoring out by artists for financial gain. Though the comic strips can all be purchased in books, any merchandise -- including shirts, cups, and bumper stickers -- you find in stores sporting the logo or Calvin's image are counterfeit. That includes the one of Calvin taking a whiz on the Ford logo.

On the name, be sure to capitalize the "W" in "Watterson".

My Review

This seed is actually rather vanilla, however there are two or three features that raise it's profile a bit. Chief among them, a sheer ravine between two mountains at 228.96.-359 in the northeast corner of the map. There's a waterfall in the ravine (which makes it easy to get down) and it's one of the steepest I've ever found. Worth having a look at. Also, keep an eye out for pitfall caves. I fell into more than one.

Items of Interest

• [-137.56.-115] underground lava pit and obsidian generator
• [-31.65.38] large alluvial gravel
• [40.85.27] valley
• [-150.75.202] pumpkins
• [41.84.43] shortcut hidi-hole
• [122.67.-35] tall waterfall
• [306.73.-14] medium pitfall cave
• [372.74.-93] small tabletop overhang
• [280.72.-122] medium overhang with mushrooms
• [330.81.-186] medium collapsible sand
• [392.65.-242] medium clay
• [228.96.-359] large ravine, tall waterfall, small land bridge, and medium cliff dive.

Images

The aforementioned ravine.

Seed & Map: calvin+hobbes

Rating

• Beginner
• Intermediate
• Advanced
• Expert
• ++ Suicidal Expert ++

Spawn and Version

Spawn: -54.71.-49
Version: XBL 1.1.1 (equiv Beta 1.7.3)

Seed Score MH 5.9 DW 2.1 C 3.1 W 1.9 SP 1.1 VR 4.2 AF 5.9     24.2

Etymology

Calvin and Hobbes is a world-famous cartoon series as penned by the cartoonist Bill Watterson. It tells of the exploits of a mischievous six year old boy, Calvin, and his sardonic stuffed tiger, Hobbes (both named after the famed philosophers). Whimsical nods to classical literature, art critique, and science abound. If you've never picked up one of these books, you're missing out.

My Review

Calvin and Hobbes was a comic series I read growing up. So in my heart, it is much beloved and beautiful. This level could also be considered beautiful by some people. Of course, those people probably would be twisted maniacs who would find delight in a kid's party clown that comes to their kid's first birthday, cuts him open, and makes balloon animals out of his intestines. To the rest of us, this is a depraved level -- with anything even remotely resembling a reasonable seed pushed out to the corners of the map. The southwest corner is the only playable spot and it is brutal.

Map

What kind of a person could love a level like this. There's enough ice here to supply major league hockey for an entire year.

SEED MAP PIXEL COUNTS Classification: Possible Iceberg water 11.0% forest 4.5% plains 8.2% sand 1.0% ice/snow 70.6% * margin of error +/- 1.0%

Items of Interest

• [-21.72.-26] small overhang plus pumpkins
• [-25.69.37] medium cave
• [23.72.46] small waterfall cave
• [-18.65.111] sugar and tall cascading waterfall
• [-39.81.151] great cliff-side hidi-hole
• [-390.65.7] sugar
• [-280.75.-351] large flatland
• [-140.72.-358] large mouth to small cave complex
• [-17.84.-218] thick forest
• [342.70.-261] medium iron in pit
• [352.65.-140] two small pitfalls
• [383.74.-146] small cave
• [285.79.136] medium cave with lava fall and forest fire
• [293.73.218] thick forest
• [367.66.371] pumpkins
• [313.71.329] small overhang with small waterfall
• [-25.67.368] lava pit
• [109.71.201] small pitfall cave
• [108.71.194] deep pitfall cave
• [161.72.206] small cave and sugar
• [214.70.152] huge overhang

Images

Starting with the big images, at top you'll find a large, wide-open valley into which is pouring a waterfall. Next is a large overhang with a chunk missing out of it.

Something about the image at right (top) is very beautiful to me. It captures both an overhang and a deep cave; light and darkness. I'm going to add it to my gallery exhibit at the MOMA if they ever return my call. The other image is just a wide-mouth dark cave with all kinds of goodies.

Today's Seeds: September 29, 2012

This week was a tough week. I was working on my other blog and working at my job more than usual. However, just in time for the weekend, here is a stunning batch of new seeds including three premium rated seeds.

This collection of seeds is dedicated to the world-famous comic strip Calvin and Hobbes, as penned by one of my personal heroes cartoonist Bill Watterson. If you are unfamiliar with the comic strip, you can read all about it here.

• [ 46.1 ] crowquill
• [ 45.7 ] spacemanspiff
• [ 42.3 ] sableandindia
• [ 37.8 ] susiederkins
• [ 34.9 ] misswormwood
• [ 30.3 ] Watterson
• [ 24.2 ] calvin+hobbes

Pay special attention to "crowquill" and "susiederkins" -- both have Gargamel-style massive caverns in them.

New Facebook Page

What's crackin', people! I am excited to announce that I have just created a Facebook page for this blog. If you'd like to have X-box Minecraft seeds delivered straight to your wall, add yourself to the page and I'll be sure to keep you hip-deep in maps and droll humor.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Xbox-Minecraft-Seed/425528850827540

Legendary Seed: ashokan

Special Achievements

• Perfection! This seed has achieved one or more perfect scores.
• Legendary Seed! This seed has scored an astonishing 55+ out of 70 in the overall score.
• Golden! This seed has scored higher than 50 out of 70 in the overall score.
• Premium! This seed has scored higher than 40 out of 70 in the overall score.
• Rolling! Higher than 8 out of 10 in hills and mountains.
• Spelunked! Higher than 8 out of 10 in caves.
• Cakewalk! Higher than 8 out of 10 in visible resources.
• Anseled! Higher than 8 out of 10 in awesome features.

Rating

• Beginner
• Intermediate
• ++ Advanced ++
• Expert
• Suicidal Expert

Spawn and Version

Spawn: 20.65.9
Version: XBL 1.1.1 (equiv Beta 1.7.3)

Seed Score MH 9.6 DW 4.4 C 9.1 W 7.6 SP 6.4 VR 8.1 AF 10.0     55.2

Etymology

Ashokan was the name of the house Jimi Hendrix stayed in when he lived outside of Woodstock.

My Review

Here it is, people. The part where Minecraft blows your brains out all over the floor, compresses the bits into lapis lazuli, and then sells them on Ebay for a tidy little profit.

If you're on a quest to find the perfect flatland, then this seed is not for you. How do I even put into words what I found on this seed? I can tell you almost every square inch of the map is covered by a mountain and that most of them are doing something ridiculous like hiding bad guys in their shadows or casting twisted, gnarled spires into the sky like fishermen trying to reel in the sun, but even that isn't enough. The caves are amazing and they're everywhere. There is always coal and iron within visual distance, even when underground.

There are many levels with patches of epic mountains, but no seed has allowed itself to be consumed by mountains in quite the way that this one has. I tried to find as much as I could, but it would be hubris of the highest magnitude to say that I came close to finding even half of what this seed has to offer.

And I've been working on it for three days!

I'm not sure I'll ever know what a perfect 10.0 in mountains looks like, but I'm sure that this is the closest I've come to seeing it.

Map

Even though almost half of this map is arctic and frozen, even the cold parts are a blast. This is just one big hunk of mountains. Good luck making your way around, this map took me almost two hours to make. The southwest corner is a miniature suicide level... if you feel so inclined.

SEED MAP PIXEL COUNTS Classification: Tundra water 23.0% forest 5.6% plains 20.3% sand 3.2% ice/snow 42.8% * margin of error +/- 1.0%

Land Bridges

• [-241.68.56] huge shadowy land bridge with coal
• [-269.79.116] mega coal in small land bridge
• [-33.73.-238] small land bridge with medium overhang
• [4.73.-192] medium land bridge with medium spire
• [394.70.-105] small land bridge with mushrooms

Underground

• [-120.72.359] black hole dead drop small cave, Y=55
• [-7.70.-95] deep cave, Y=12, gold, lava and a large floater
• [16.19.-75] diamonds
• [223.60.-204] deep pitfall cave, Y=12
• [247.12.-196] obsidian, coal, iron, redstone
• [233.14.-265] mega gold deposit, coal, lapis lazuli, lava fall and waterfall

Items of Interest

• [2.66.308] gravel pit
• [-25.66.359] sugar
• [-111.79.373] pitfall hidi-hole
• [-160.82.383] small coal cave
• [-135.72.343] medium valley with two tall waterfalls and one small waterfall
• [-200.111.332] tallest point
• [-247.76.242] deep dead drop cave complex
• [-222.98.259] dead drop crater, two medium floaters
• [-175.81.208] large hidi-hole
• [-114.81.166] large hidi-hole with coal
• [-129.85.116] tall cascading waterfall with coal
• [-70.68.48] pitfall
• [-35.84.26] small overhang and pumpkins
• [-38.98.-6] massive sinkhole
• [-31.69.-72] large spire with cave in it, sugar
• [-29.70.-88] large open air cave complex
• [18.69.-101] shortcut cave
• [-390.65.-359] medium sandbar
• [-207.66.-275] small alluvial gravel
• [-37.105.-216] pitfall and hidi-hole
• [-27.100.-209] monster sinkhole
• [45.73.-262] pumpkins
• [-81.65.-392] pitfall cliff
• [8.65.-355] pre-made obsidian pit (crack ice to turn on generator)
• [77.72.-375] small cave
• [173.75.-376] an arch
• [289.84.-287] small crater
• [296.71.-166] lava pit
• [324.79.-174] large erosion with coal
• [168.71.326] pumpkins
• [205.85.-80] medium ravine and medium floater
• [175.71.-124] large overhang

Images

First up, nothing describes this level better than the photograph at the top. It's a gigantic mountain, a deep cave, and some flatland to add some sight lines. If it wasn't for these flatlands, this would have been a 10.0 in mountains.

Beneath that, a view under a land bridge showing two of the three waterfalls that can be found in this epic valley. The sides are sheer cliffs, but the floor is rolling hills of green. It's a great place to plop down a fort.

At right, three photographs. Starting from top, this arch sits all alone in the middle of a boring, frozen island in the southeast of the map. Below that, this pit is absolutely shrouded in darkness but just narrow enough that it doesn't spawn any baddies. Beautiful nonetheless. Finally, this is a shot of a monstrous sinkhole that I found. It doesn't look as impressive from the other side due to the snow, but it's immense and full of possibilities.

Seed: bicentenial

Special Achievements

• Rolling! Higher than 8 out of 10 in hills and mountains.

Rating

• Beginner
• ++ Intermediate ++
• Advanced
• Expert
• Suicidal Expert

Spawn and Version

Spawn: 102.65.37
Version: XBL 1.1.1 (equiv Beta 1.7.3)

Seed Score MH 8.8 DW 3.7 C 2.2 W 6.7 SP 4.4 VR 3.1 AF 5.2     34.1

Etymology

The word "bicentennial" means "two centuries". However, this seed name is deliberately misspelled. In case you were wondering, I dropped an "n" out of the name because the resultant seed from the traditional spelling wasn't anything special and I wanted a good one for my 200th seed. And I got it!

My Review

Number two hundred people! And they said it'd never last. This seed has some really tall peaks. I found no less than five spots where you can view the world from Y=115. But even though heights can be fun, the true draw of this level is the epic tree-packed valleys that are formed by these close-knit mountains. Ironically, the cramped geography makes for some interesting encounters with creepers and other day-walkers who can live under the protection of the trees. Keep your head on a swivel and don't get caught up in the beauty. Other things to keep in mind: there's a sizable chunk of frozen real estate that you should avoid because it's boring and this map is clearly a coastline, but I didn't swim out to see if there are any islands in the ocean. I'll leave that for you to discover.

Items of Interest

• [164.65.53] medium overhang with medium cascading waterfall
• [329.65.-47] iron and coal cave
• [108.78.-336] deep crater lake
• [46.72.-288] hidden lava pit
• [-104.71.370] small cute spire
• [-166.115.52] tallest point, monster valley and palisade

Images

At top, this is a fantastic sheer valley that stretches past the sphere of visibility. At right, this great horned overhang shelters a medium sized waterfall. This was right near my spawn.

Seed & Map: electriclady

Special Achievements

• Premium! This seed has scored higher than 40 out of 70 in the overall score.

Rating

• ++ Beginner ++
• Intermediate
• Advanced
• Expert
• Suicidal Expert

Spawn and Version

Spawn: -67.65.40
Version: XBL 1.1.1 (equiv Beta 1.7.3)

Seed Score MH 6.3 DW 6.8 C 7.3 W 7.5 SP 2.1 VR 5.9 AF 4.8     40.7

My Review

This premium seed is a treat for anyone -- beginner or seasoned player. You're going to have a time of it if you camp in the desert areas, but everywhere else is easily accessible and full of trees, caves, and resources. You won't run out of things to do in this one. Ironically, even though all the islands are connected by isthmuses, I spawned on a tiny desert island in the middle of nowhere and had to swim to someplace more reasonable.

Map

This map is basically a series of islands connected by (in some cases) rail thin isthmuses. Trees are plentiful, but the center of the map is two big deserts separated by a river.

SEED MAP PIXEL COUNTS Classification: Archipelago water 42.2% forest 16.6% plains 21.5% sand 11.6% ice/snow 3.4% * margin of error +/- 1.0%

Underground

• [-355.75.-304] deep cave, Y=35
• [-384.36.-270] dungeon, two chests, iron and gunpowder
• [352.57.324] deep cave, Y=30
• [312.18.269] x4 lapis lazuli, coal, redstone, and iron
• [204.63.327] deep cave, Y=12
• [187.17.316] obsidian generator, lots of redstone
• [178.12.304] diamonds

Items of Interest

• [-157.66.-22] lava pit
• [-200.74.-43] sea mound with nearby coal
• [-353.80.147] medium waterfall
• [-395.77.-6] small arête
• [-369.72.-158] hidi-hole
• [-305.66.-207] medium cave with lava fall
• [-361.67.-284] shortcut cave with hidi-hole
• [-367.70.-360] pumpkins
• [16.78.-351] small cliff diving event
• [273.67.-370] huge shortcut cave with small waterfall inside
• [342.109.-213] tallest point, hill
• [310.73.-196] lone pumpkin and large coal
• [286.68.-252] medium cave with coal and iron
• [380.65.180] sugar
• [353.72.278] large land bridge, small waterfall, small overhang, and sheer cliff
• [365.84.301] great hidi-hole/dead drop
• [358.68.314] large cascading waterfall with large overhang
• [369.70.371] huge mesa
• [142.68.361] large erosion with large coal and small iron
• [-139.65.326] small flat beach
• [-300.75.314] small valley
• [-337.79.312] small arête
• [-84.68.185] small erosion with coal and iron
• [-10.65.198] small flat beach
• [32.64.197] stairway to hell (tell me this thing isn't taking you somewhere)
• [109.65.158] small flat beach
• [121.67.135] medium falling sand
• [-112.65.47] medium clay
• [-269.65.-352] medium underwater clay
• [11.67.-259] medium clay

Images

At the top, this thing is going to take some explaining. First of all it's two mountains connected by a flat, tabletop land bridge. Three are three small floaters in the area (one shown) and there is a really nice medium-sized cascading waterfall pouring out of the side of one of the mountains.

At right, this tall waterfall pours down a steep cliff into a sandy valley. The shaded small overhang at right is too small to create creepers. Below that, this is a view of the underground cavern and obsidian generator at 187.17.316.

Seed & Map: fenderstratocaster

Special Achievements

• Abyssal! Higher than 8 out of 10 in deep water.

Rating

• Beginner
• Intermediate
• ++ Advanced ++
• Expert
• Suicidal Expert

Spawn and Version

Spawn: 0.64.-40
Version: XBL 1.1.1 (equiv Beta 1.7.3)

Seed Score MH 3.8 DW 8.9 C 4.8 W 6.9 SP 4.6 VR 3.1 AF 4.2     36.3

Etymology

The Fender Stratocaster was the guitar of choice for Jimi Hendrix. He used it, among other places, when he performed his rendition of the national anthem at Woodstock.

My Review

The center of this map has one gigantic mass of mountains. You're going to find a ton of gravel as you travel around; no worries finding flint on this one. But the biggest feature (and the reason that travel is such a bear) is the epic quantities of water. The central island has few trees, so you either have to waste time planting more or head to one of the satellite islands. This means swimming... far! This seed is not for noobs.

Map

The center of the map has your mountains. The southwest corner is 90% flat with a single massive mountain making up the other 10%

Items of Interest

• [208.68.292] massive alluvial gravel
• [386.78.240] nice medium cove
• [320.69.73] large hidi-hole with large coal
• [200.65.-7] large clay
• [165.66.-40] medium alluvial gravel
• [128.66.-354] large hidi-hole with lava
• [125.61.-338] deep pitfall cave
• [-232.82.384] medium waterfall and medium butte
• [-215.65.340] tall spire

Images

In the distance, you can see a collection of spires and buttes past the large crater that's in the foreground. At right, two sailfin arêtes spring up out of the flatland prairie.

Seed & Map: deadat27club

Rating

• Beginner
• Intermediate
• Advanced
• ++ Expert ++
• Suicidal Expert

Spawn and Version

Spawn: -118.76.-35
Version: XBL 1.1.1 (equiv Beta 1.7.3)

Seed Score MH 5.8 DW 7.8 C 2.5 W 2.1 SP 5.8 VR 3.9 AF 7.3     35.2

Etymology

Membership in the 27 Club is a dubious distinction. It is a list of celebrity musicians who have died at the age of 27. The three most notable names on the list are the three Js: Jimi Hendrix (prescription/wine asphyxiation), Janis Joplin (heroin overdose), and Jim Morrison (drug-related heart disease). The list began in 1969 with the death of Brian Jones (drowning, Rolling Stones) but didn't reach the popular zeitgeist until the death of Kurt Cobain (suicide, Nirvana) in 1994. Amy Winehouse is not included on the list as she wasn't a real musician.

My Review

Anyway... as far as the seed goes, freaking awesome! Your choices are overhang or land bridge as wherever you go, that's what you're going to find. I even spawned under a large overhang. What you're not going to find are any trees. This board is bald like your Uncle Harold. Plenty of wide open spaces, some nice flatland, and all the good stuff right in the middle so you don't have to travel too far. There's a lack of deep caves, which was a shame. I would never ask anyone other than a seasoned player to spawn underneath a large shady overhang, so this one is just for the experts.

Map

The good stuff is right in the middle of the map. You're going to find large patches of desert and very few trees.

SEED MAP PIXEL COUNTS Classification: Archipelago water 46.8% forest 10.9% plains 20.9% sand 12.5% ice/snow 0.0% * margin of error +/- 1.8%

Items of Interest

• [-120.75.-36] spawned under large overhang
• [3.73.-71] large overhang and amphitheater
• [-104.73.50] large overhang with dead drop
• [-271.73.8] gnarly butte
• [-354.86.-7] small palisade
• [-348.65.64] medium lake
• [-337.69.220] grassland
• [-289.65.278] two large lakes and canal
• [-296.71.313] huge open-air hidi-hole
• [-243.65.351] small flat beach
• [-202.66.270] small flat beach #2
• [121.68.256] small crater lake
• [176.65.268] isthmus
• [231.67.255] deep cave
• [250.65.300] sugar
• [349.68.291] lava pit
• [315.66.124] medium clay
• [371.69.-239] wolves
• [381.70.-298] small sinkhole
• [378.69.-331] small cove
• [296.66.-358] small alluvial gravel
• [123.65.-375] lone tree island, sugar
• [-265.66.-397] large clay on gravel island
• [-353.96.-231] large dune
• [-361.75.-175] tiny ravine
• [-150.67.-201] shortcut cave and medium clay
• [-112.72.-207] large beachfront butte with dead drop and coal
• [76.88.-120] large butte

Images

This was a fantastically scenic level and I got a lot of pictures. Narrowing them down to four was tough. The first image at the top of this post is of two neighboring mountains that both have large, shadowy overhangs.

As for the images at right, let's start at the top and work our way down. First up, this was a pretty decent overhang, though don't let the shadow fool you -- it doesn't go back very far. Next, this peninsular mountain guards the entrance to this cove.

Finally, this large butte marks the beginning (or end, depending on which direction you're headed) of the primary mountain ranges at the center of the map. It's a tough climb, but could be a great spot to hide from the bad guys at night.