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.

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: Octagona

Special Achievements

• Spelunked! Higher than 8 out of 10 in caves.

Rating

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

Spawn and Version

Spawn: -4.73.0
Version: XBL 1.1.1 (equiv Beta 1.7.3)

Seed Score MH 3.7 DW 2.9 C 8.7 W 3.7 SP 2.5 VR 3.5 AF 5.5     30.5

Etymology

So, I found this seed name on 552 gaming. Basically, the name of this seed is the word "Octagonal" spelled wrong. No word on who spelled it wrong first, but I'm pretty sure 552 needs an editor. "Octagonal!" is one of the random phrases on the Minecraft menu screen and means "eight-sided".

If you play this one, bear in mind the "O" in "Octogona" is capitalized.

My Review

So, I picked up this seed because I was planning on refuting it. The list it is traveling around on is posted on 552 gaming and then got wrapped into a bigger list that someone else ripped off on se7ensins. It talks about cacti and sand and a pretty grassy land bridge by your spawn and I was like, "this thing has got to suck". Well, it's just your average, ordinary Minecraft level -- unless, of course, you happen to find the super terrific mega cave complex. Then, it's something quite spectacular. The only reasons to play this level are to 1) visit the nether, and 2) attempt to conquer the labyrinthine train-wreck cave system I found. Without either of those, the rating on this level would be in the teens.

And I say, "I found", by the way, because not a single review of this seed mentioned an awesome cave. Not one. So suck it. The top-side could be a great seed for beginners, but this cave is suicidal. So I averaged the two and decided this level is for advanced players.

Can't Miss

There are no less than eight entrances to the massive cave complex located in the north by northwest quadrant of the center of the map. My entrance of choice because it was almost a straight drop down to the good stuff was at -167.19.-226. I set up base camp at the top and then built stairs down the dead drop until I reached platform #1 (there are three platforms before the lava).

The caverns are full of waterfalls that help facilitate your descent, but there are also cross-paths and circular passages that cause confusion. I used 64 torches before even making it to platform #3 and as I write this, I have used a total of 200 torches and there are still black side paths and alternate caverns that I haven't even touched yet. I focused only on getting down to lava, finding diamonds, and then digging up obsidian so I could see what the nether looked like.

For the love of James Lipton, people, label your cave!!! Attempting to remember where you are and how to get back out will leave you a raging headache.

The Nether

The nether on this level is quite spectacular, however navigating around is a huge pain. Firstly, I spawned on a shelf in the middle of the sky full of soul sand. So I'm already wondering around at 1 mph jumping up and down to pick up speed (like that works). Secondly, this thing is completely floating in mid air, so getting down to have a look around was an epic feat of engineering.

The nether itself is full of shelves and is wide open and full of interesting things to see. There are plenty of glow stone formations, towering lava falls that pour from ceiling to floor, and I also found a quadruple lava fall on the far side of the nether from where I spawned. But getting to it is going to require you to build bridges... big time bridges.

Video: This Old Seed, Ep5

This seed appears in episode five of my rockin' Xbox Minecraft seed tourism series, "This Old Seed". In this video, I hunt down diamonds and lapis lazuli in the depths of this crazy cave.

From the Cave Complex

• [-100.21.-208] x7 gold
• [-129.14.-216] x2 lapis lazuli, x6 red stone, x12 coal
• [-155.13.-214] x4 diamonds
• [-179.12.-208] x4 diamonds, x12 gold, lots of red stone
• [-181.19.-217] x5 diamonds
• [-198.15.-223] x4 diamonds
• [-197.12.-210] x4 diamonds
• [-214.15.-253] x3 lapis lazuli, x2 lava lakes
• [-199.12.-256] x2 diamonds
• [-241.14.-234] x3 diamonds, x5 gold
• [-166.24.-235] x2 lapis lazuli

Items of Interest

• [-167.19.-226] my entrance to the epic cave complex
• [-90.69.-48] a flat desert valley with a small waterfall
• [-271.73.-69] a low-hanging large land bridge
• [-261.75.148] a huge collapsible sand formation
• [-279.69.238] large land bridge and small floater on the south end of the palisade

Images

So, since the cave is all that matters on this level, the cave is what you'll get. This is a view from the first platform looking down at the second platform after I lit the whole thing up. When you first get here, it's just blackness full of drops to serious injury. At right, I did find this nice super-flat valley up top while I was looking around. If you were in the mood to plunk down a town here, this would be the place to do it.

The shot in the nether is a view of the terraces hanging over the lava sea.

Seed & Map: plethoraofdiamonds

Special Achievements

• Premium! This seed has scored higher than 40 out of 70 in the overall score.
• Spelunked! Higher than 8 out of 10 in caves.
• Cakewalk! Higher than 8 out of 10 in visible resources.

Rating

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

Spawn and Version

Spawn: -293.68.262
Version: XBL 1.1.1 (equiv Beta 1.7.3)

Seed Score MH 7.2 DW 5.4 C 8.7 W 6.9 SP 5.0 VR 8.1 AF 5.9     47.2

My Review

This is a fantastic seed that has some good formations and iconic landmarks but is mostly remarkable for the large island in the southwest corner that is practically hollow. Within seconds of reaching the island, you can descend all the way down to Y=13. From there, you have full access to all the goodies, including redstone, bluestone, a dozen or so diamonds, and the usual large quantities of iron and coal. The huge number of branching caves under the surface will keep you busy for hours.

Other than the island, there is a huge lava fall that can be seen night and day from great distances. It's so large that it even appears on the map. There are some nice land bridges and plenty of resources that are just sitting out in the open. Even though the majority of this seed consists of either desert or mountains, there are a few places for flatland fun for all you builders out there.

The east side of the map is all steep mountains. The south and middle of the map are almost all desert. If you like to collapse sand, put an asterisk next to this one. Bottom line, this seed is a definite play; hours of enjoyment and lots to see and do.

Video

This seed appears in episode three of my Xbox Minecraft seed tourism series, This Old Seed. In this video, I start off by focusing on the hollow island in the southwest corner of the map, but then expand to show some of the other features, including the fantastic lava fall.

Nether

The Nether on this level is worthless. Don't even bother. I spent over an hour there digging in all directions including up and down to the bedrock borders looking for anything at all. Nothing. I found a crapton of netherrack. Very depressing.

Items of Interest

• [-303.49.244] zombie spawn with a saddle, four twine, and six gunpowder
• [-368.74.23] deep dead drop cave
• [-351.65.-88] medium flat beach
• [-353.65.-130] exposed stone with medium iron
• [-377.75.-150] hidden deep cave, dig down in rear
• [-340.70.-182] medium cave, dig down for more
• [-330.75.-238] thick forest
• [-343.75.-262] two medium land bridges
• [-21.83.-320] medium cave with waterfall inside
• [4.66.-333] large cave complex, nearby medium floater
• [61.73.-333] spire
• [133.66.-344] medium gravel
• [19..65.-331] large sugar
• [239.68.-340] large cave complex with stalagmites
• [348.67.-356] lava pit
• [374.68.-218] small clay
• [371.87.-163] medium spire, small overhang, and small floater
• [284.73.-148] small flatland
• [232.75.-124] medium cave complex with iron
• [305.94.-92] multiple small overhangs
• [328.96.-44] large cliff dive event from top of tree
• [346.74.-37] large coal deposit
• [273.72.-38] huge lava fall, small coal cave behind
• [276.116.15] highest point
• [305.106.23] dead drop
• [287.95.58] four small floaters
• [301.79.74] medium overhang, small waterfall, valley
• [237.77.114] large overhang, large land bridge
• [263.73.160] medium waterfall
• [375.72.103] two small land bridges and a thick forest
• [325.65.248] small flat beach
• [399.65.298] large island spire
• [122.79.336] collapsible sand, large desert
• [42.87.361] pumpkins
• [-5.80.344] medium sand spire
• [-75.87.242] small floater, medium coal nearby
• [-79.81.166] small river
• [-128.81.137] collapsible sand
• [-107.93.-33] cliff dive into tall waterfall
• [-54.75.-186] small submerged pitfall
• [120.71.-144] flatland on edge of desert
• [26.74.37] medium collapsible sand

Images

At top, this is a huge lava fall that is so big it appears on the map. This thing emits huge amounts of light that makes it visible in either day or night from large distances away. A fantastic landmark. The other image is a view of the edge of the eastern mountain range from the sea. The cave that you see is an excellent hidi-hole... provided you can get up there.

At right, it's rare that I take a photograph of flatland, but this huge swath could be a great place to settle down and build a city with a little elbow grease and a diamond shovel. The other image is of a land bridge "cave" that I found that gets just enough light to keep the creepers from spawning in it.

Seed: 1.6180339887

Special Achievements

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

Rating

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

Spawn and Version

Spawn: -55.69.-7
Version: XBL 1.1.1 (equiv Beta 1.7.3)

Seed Score MH 7.4 DW 3.7 C 8.5 W 6.2 SP 5.9 VR 5.8 AF 2.9     40.4

Etymology

A holdover from last week's mathematical bent, this seed name is the decimal version (rounded to the 10th decimal) of the quasi-famous irrational number known as the Golden Ratio. To believers, the Golden Ratio appears in the measurements of and defines the pleasant esthetic of everything from art to geology to architecture and everything in between. Its appearance in the pentagram has sealed its status in the world of mysticism. At the risk of giving credence to this hokum, it also makes for a great Minecraft seed.

My Review

This seed has the right proportions to earn the label "premium" as far as I'm concerned. The caves in this thing are intense and deep. As you might expect, this is partially a result of the tall mountains that cover whole quadrants of the map. Between the two, you're going to spend most of your time in shade, fighting off zombies and spiders for real estate. Getting around is not easy, but if you prefer your Minecraft more subterranean, then this is the seed for you.

Items of Interest

• [-177.381.134] zombie cave
• [-190.72.147] lava fall cave
• [-201.80.163] mega cliff cave system near medium waterfall
• [-164.80.214] nest of caves near tall waterfall
• [-279.84.282] pumpkins

Images

As caves are particularly difficult to photograph and I rarely travel with torches while doing cartography, the only shot I have that was anything to write home about is this self-illuminated lava fall cave. It may be difficult to tell, but the water heads to the back and then cascades downward to even deeper parts of the cave.

Legendary Seed: ax+by=c

Special Achievements

• 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.
• Abyssal! Higher than 8 out of 10 in deep water.
• 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: 18.67.-76
Version: XBL 1.1.1 (equiv Beta 1.7.3)

Seed Score MH 7.3 DW 8.3 C 8.9 W 7.1 SP 6.2 VR 7.9 AF 9.6     55.3

Etymology

This equation isn't an equation at all; it's known as the standard form of algebra and it governs the proper way to write an equation. It's sort of like an element of grammar, but for math. Regardless of it's purpose, it's simple, easy to remember, and makes for a great Minecraft seed.

My Review

This level was really amazing. There are things to see in almost every quadrant of the map. I started off hearing a large number of zombie sounds coming from hidden underground tunnels. Then I found my first couple of land bridges. Then some overhangs. Then everything got bigger. Then things were riddled with coal and iron. By the time I realized what I had on my hands, land bridges were spanning mountain valleys and hiding epic caves in their shadows. There are scenic cliff-side hidi-holes that will keep you safe at night, but during the day you are just as screwed because there is shade everywhere. The trees grow in clumps and the formations pump out day-walkers in alarming numbers.

It took me an hour just to complete the map -- an unheard of amount of time that should show you how hard it is to move around. Then I played underground for another three hours, falling from one cave system into another until I reached bedrock. I had diamonds (which I turned into a pickaxe) within my first hour and enough obsidian for a portal at the 150 minute mark.

To try to give you some understanding of how rare some of these things are, I'm now approaching my 200th review and have played another 50 seeds that didn't make the cut and the series waterfall (falling water that falls again further down the stream) at -183.77.266 is only the third I've ever seen. It's not amazing to look at per se, but it is rare. And some of these formations are just incredible. I strongly recommend this seed for anyone looking for a serious challenge.

The Nether

The Nether for this level is absolutely infuriating. It's a labyrinthine nightmare full of side passages that don't go anywhere and tunnels that snake up and down so you have no idea what level you're on. When you finally do break through to the top (and for the love of James Lipton, throw down some torches), what you will find is that you're basically pressed up against the ceiling -- as evidenced by the easily available glowstone that's right in your face.

Beyond this antechamber is a more traditional Nether world, but it's very small and very cramped. There's not much to see and the lava is way down below and a pain to get to. Getting back to your portal takes forever even when you leave breadcrumbs.

Caves

• [-235.77.131] deep pitfall cave
• [-118.77.-80] shortcut cave and coal
• [-86.84.197] hidden cave inside hidi-hole, large coal
• [-41.67.-105] zombie cave with iron
• [208.73.-34] small coal cave
• [227.66.-298] shortcut cave, large coal
• [251.73.-50] small iron cave, small overhang
• [298.72.44] medium cave
• [329.67.351] hidden cave with stalagmites and large iron
• [371.63.-306] small cave with stalagmites and coal

Overhangs

• [235.71.-166] medium overhang, large sugar
• [234.67.42] large overhang
• [223.71.-348] two medium overhangs, small coal
• [186.71.-13] large overhang, large coal in side of cliff
• [-9.70.145] large overhang
• [-114.80.210] large overhang
• [-133.79.156] narrow small overhang
• [-324.73.94] small overhang

Land Bridges

• [-253.72.-62] medium land bridge
• [-164.72.-39] long medium land bridge
• [-142.71.288] large land bridge, overhang, and hidi-hole
• [-111.66.196] amazing massive land bridge
• [79.73.198] large land bridge
• [180.77.43] large land bridge
• [342.71.352] small land bridge and small crevasse

Under the Epic Land Bridge

• [86.69.28] epic land bridge with two overhangs hiding a large cave complex with mega coal and mega iron deposits in its shadow
• [54.67.34] zombie spawn; if you dig under south moss stone you'll find large coal; chests include four buckets and some cocoa beans
• [24.30.51] gold vein
• [29.17.34] gold vein and dig down for obsidian generator
• [26.21.61] gold vein and medium coal
• [32.13.15] diamond cave
• [30.44.17] pitfall cave

Other Items of Interest

• [2.77.-107] two spires, one small, one medium
• [-19.64.-126] zombie sounds
• [-196.73.-66] mushrooms
• [-208.73.-15] pumpkins
• [-349.76.-182] medium cave
• [-235.65.-328] medium sugar
• [-166.65.-334] small cliff diving event
• [355.69.-322] beware: dead drop
• [338.73.-230] small hidi-hole
• [253.76.-24] large hidi-hole
• [346.84.-58] medium cave complex with large coal
• [342.81.3] gorge
• [195.84.23] cliff-side hidi-hole
• [272.92.0] cliff-side hidi-hole
• [-40.67.299] small hidi-hole
• [-168.73.284] pitfall
• [-183.77.266] rare, tall series waterfall empties into pond
• [-339.67.356] exposed stone with iron
• [-399.64.336] large coal, medium iron, and a small cave
• [-182.80.162] medium cave complex with coal
• [-75.76.208] medium lake

Images

As with all legendary seeds, the one thing you can't do is settle on just two photographs. Starting at the top, we're leading off with our star -- the massive land bridge that spans the hills at 86.69.28. This and it's companion cave are the final pieces that catapulted this level to stardom. The image right below that is a large overhang -- one of many overhangs found on this level.

There are two shots of the Nether in that section. First is one of the few views that I was able to find to demonstrate the size of the primary chamber. As you can see, it's small compared to the average Nether. The second Nether image was taken right as I emerged from the underground labyrinth where my portal deployed. You can see how close to the ceiling I am and you can literally walk up and take the glowstone like picking apples off a tree. This is the only benefit of this Nether.

The final three images are a shot of a medium curved land bridge, a seriously shaded overhang that leaks gravel from the ceiling and births a creeper or two, and finally a pair of complimentary overhangs that almost bridge the gap between these two desert islands. If you take the time to connect them, you can cut the time it takes to travel from one to the other in half.

Seed: epichills

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.

Rating

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

Spawn Coordinates

1.79.55

Seed Score MH 8.9 DW 5.5 C 8.2 W 6.4 SP 5.5 VR 5.2 AF 7.9     47.6

My Review

So, this is one of the more popular seeds you find out on the Internet. It's usually like number ten on the top ten list and it's easy to see why. There are many awesome formations spattered around the board. Overhangs galore. I will warn you that at one point I was wondering along minding my own business and I feel through a hole in a grassland plain into a lava pit and was almost burned alive had it not been for a single square of water just within emergency reach. So, I'm just saying... watch your step.

Items of Interest

• [-2.79.89] hidi-hole
• [10.80.112] skeleton cave
• [-9.65.256] lava pit
• [0.66.257] zombie cave
• [42.65.269] lone wolf

Images

An epic overhang and a real narrow shortcut cave define this particular mountain. At right, this land bridge/spire combination is definitely unique. Good luck trying to climb on top of this thing.

Seed: carrielives

Special Achievements

• Spelunked! Higher than 8 out of 10 in caves.

Rating

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

Spawn Coordinates

-83.71.155

Seed Score MH 5.9 DW 1.6 C 9.1 W 4.7 SP 4.2 VR 6.1 AF 4.9     36.5

My Review

What can I say... I'm a Stephen King fan. And you know what's scary like Stephen King? Caves. Caves and caves and caves. There is a treasure trove of deep, spooky, creeper-infested holes peppered into this map like a shotgun blast. If you like sneaking quietly around corners to avoid detection or just simply have a bajillion torches lying around, then this is the level for you.

Items of Interest

• [-83.71.115] coal cave
• [-69.75.107] medium sized cave with coal
• [-22.65.121] a cool trench
• [-15.73.81] deep cave
• [9.78.78] shortcut cave and pumpkins
• [24.78.63] big cave
• [-51.76.43] hidi-hole

Images

As you can see, "carrielives" is a quirky little map that's mostly snow and barren rock. You'll find several of these weird little crooked spires standing about waiting to support a nice house.

Seed & Map: ghastblaster

Special Achievements

• Golden! This map has scored higher than 50 out of 70 in the overall score.
• Premium! This map 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 Coordinates

37.67.28

Seed Score MH 9.2 DW 5.4 C 8.1 W 6.7 SP 6.9 VR 6.8 AF 8.7     51.8

My Review

By far the best of the day and, quite frankly, a shoe-in for best of the week. This beauty started by providing me with a hidi-hole filled with iron in my spawn. You can't really ask for better than that. Moving on, this level is filled with fascinating rock formations and mountains that are difficult to climb. This level is not for the faint of heart, but I would recommend it to anyone just so they can see it. Very scenic.

Items of Interest

• [16.73.74] dangerously sheer pitfall
• [12.95.25] a massive overhang
• [33.86.2] another steep pitfall
• [-47.99.-29] a shortcut cave
• [-6.89.-54] a lone pumpkin; come and visit him -- he's all alone.
• [-9.78.-75] a good cave; you have to dig through the gravel

Images

Overhangs and land bridges are peppered throughout this level. It's a climbers paradise. At right, this is a sheer pitfall that I found the hard way. It turns out that I'm the clumsy sort who can't see holes in the ground until I'm in them. There are SEVERAL pitfalls throughout the level, so be careful.

Seed: viking

Special Achievements

• Spelunked! Higher than 8 out of 10 in caves.

Rating

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

Spawn Coordinates

-179.65.-297

Seed Score MH 7.2 DW 2.4 C 8.5 W 5.1 SP 3.4 VR 3.8 AF 7.1     37.5

My Review

I would never crow about a level whose only features were gravel and snow -- though both are readily available in this seed. In few other maps do you have to climb this far up just to climb so far down. The caves on this map are quite treacherous. One wrong step can cut your health in half -- or worse. Your whole existence is going to be about producing torches.

Items of Interest

• [-180.74.-249] hidi-hole with gravel and coal
• [-218.71.-137] deep cave with a waterfall
• [-194.69.-150] deep cave; in my notes I have "20M"... I think that's how long it took me to get the hell back out of the thing.
• [101.77.-105] deep cave
• [196.72.-14] yet another deep cave (get the drift?)

Image Coordinates

The top image is an island that you have to visit. I heard zombies everywhere I stepped. At right, a really deep cave that -- if you look closely -- contains a naturally illuminated waterfall. It's neat. You can swim back out of the cave at -218.71.-137.

Seed: blackreach

Special Achievements

• Golden! This map has scored higher than 50 out of 70 in the overall score.
• Premium! This map 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 Coordinates

0.68.0

Seed Score MH 8.8 DW 5.8 C 8.3 W 5.9 SP 6.5 VR 5.8 AF 9.2     50.3

My Review

This seed is one of the most popular seeds that's been making the rounds on the Internet and it's easy to see why. There are land bridges and overhangs a plenty. I found lots of clay, a whole lotta bacon (pigs), and I even stumbled across a cave that has moss stone right inside the front door. I was amazed. Beyond that, you'll be surprised by the number of wolves in this level. You could easily explore this level for hours -- especially given how jagged the terrain is -- and I would encourage you to do just that.

Items of Interest

• [-24.64.-179] deep cave
• [-6.78.-263] a whole fleet of caves; possible network
• [-52.73.-344] a great little hidi-hole well to the north of the spawn point
• [-160.65.-358] the cave where I found the moss stone

Image Coordinates

An incredible land bridge to the immediate east of the spawn area at 0.65.0. The image at right is an amazing set of features. The one on the right looks like a Star Wars AT-AT. No coords on this one.

Seed: spiderbait

Rating

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

Spawn Coordinates

74.67.104

Seed Score MH 5.6 DW 7.0 C 3.7 W 4.1 SP 3.0 VR 4.6 AF 6.5     34.5

My Review

That's "bait", not "bite" mind you. One of the better levels of the day, though everything is either a long hike or a long swim. This is an archipelago (I spawned in the water, twice) with many, many cows. If you're into leather, this is the place for you. There's also some really nice gravel and clay deposits dotted around the various islands, so that's interesting too. In between the islands is some deep water and on two occasions, I could hear zombies under the water (go figure).

Items of Interest

• [19.68.171] a hidden cave
• [40.65.303] I found three pieces of ice just randomly in the middle of an otherwise warm body of water
• [36.73.391] this is a lagoon cut into the base of a large mountain. There is also a spire in the middle, making it a good place to set up a cool, floating house. I'm thinking about playing this one later.
• [59.69.243] a gravel pit and cave combination

Image Coordinates

The top photograph is a four corners shot looking out toward the northeast island. The image at right is a shot of the lagoon in the mountain at 36.73.391.

Seed: slim99457

Rating

• Beginner
• Intermediate
• Advanced
• Expert
• Suicidal Expert

Spawn Coordinates

120.66.320

Seed Score MH 6.3 DW 5.3 C 2.3 W 3.6 SP 1.7 VR 1.1 AF 3.3     23.6

My Review

This place is a snowy wasteland. As far as trees and other essentials are concerned, it's slim pickings. At the spawn, they maroon you on a sandbar. There are some quirks to this level, like hidden pitfall caves with only a single cube hole at the top and trees that grow out of water. Both were interesting to see, but the level as a whole is probably a pass unless you're into climbing either up or down.

Items of Interest

Just when I thought this level had nothing for me, I damn near killed myself stumbling into a massive hidden cave at 247.65.106 -- nowhere near the spawn, but still worth the trip if you want to see the hole I fell through. There's also a lake inside of a gorge at 75.69.260.

Image Coordinates

The above view is a three corners view of the main island from the spawn point sandbar.

Seed: queenbee

Special Achievements

• Premium! This map has scored higher than 40 out of 70 in the overall score.
• Spelunked! Higher than 8 out of 10 in caves.

Rating

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

Spawn Coordinates

-5.68.11

Seed Score MH 6.2 DW 3.3 C 8.3 W 6.0 SP 7.2 VR 5.3 AF 7.9     44.2

My Review

The seed "queenbee" was a pleasant surprise. At first when I looked at it, I thought it was going to be an icy letdown. However, the cave systems on this map are amazing -- and there are a lot of them. I'm a big fan of floaters -- blocks that aren't connected to anything, they're just hanging in mid-air. As such, this level is interesting because it has clusters of floaters in several locations.

Items of Interest

There is an amazing cave at 158.60.398. There is a second, deep cave at -41.70.-59. There are many deep gorges, floaters, and a lava fall that's pouring into and defrosting a frozen lake. It's really cool.

Image Coordinates

The image at top is a three corner view showing the snow covered trees that dominate this level. The image above is a view of the lava defrosting system they've got going on this level. It can be found at 55.64.55.