TU9 Seed & Map: mjolnir

Total Score
24.3 / 30.0 ( 81.0% )
RIM Scores (MAX: 10.0)
REAL	10	INT	10	MAG	4.3

Rating

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

Technical Details

Seed Number: 109 418 0765
Version: XBL 1.4 (TU9) (no PC equiv)

Etymology

In Norse mythology, the god Thor carries a hammer -- named Mjolnir. The spelling of the name varies from source to source as the original has special characters not supported by my keyboard. And don't give me grief if you play DotA 2 -- they misspelled it on purpose.

Notes

I am not a lawyer and nothing that I say here should be misconstrued as legal advice.

This is the hardest level I've seen to date. It's the primary ingredient in all known recipes for a night terror. Looking upon the face of the land may be a criminal action in some countries. You should check the statutes in your jurisdiction before playing.

Ironically, finding the ender portal was not a problem, as it's floating in the middle of the ocean. You can find it in seconds; it's clearly visible during the day.

Congratulations, instant ender portal. Now try finding something else. Anything else. Exactly. This seed is so heinous, I've decided to add a new rating classification: this seed is the first to be ranked nightmare.

Villages

• None

Underground

• [278.38.32] dungeon, skeleton, x2 chests, gunpowder, x4 red stone
• [-430.15.-309] medium ravine with lava floor
• [-393.13.-303] x6 gold
• [-352.29.169] underground ravine, x6 gold
• [-225.25.304] x10 gold, medium cavern

Above Ground

• [-50.55.-134] dive down for submerged ender portal, x1 eye
• [-356.89.-400] mushroom island #1
• [-105.83.396] mushroom island #2
• [369.80.366] mushroom island #3
• [166.82.-146] mushroom island #4
• [13.64.-61] your only shot: dig down to Y=32, then due north 11 paces and no more for ravine/cave super complex. Beware, this will bring you in above the lava -- don't fall off the ledge and pray to James Lipton you don't attract any bad guys.

TU9 Seed & Map: 2jj8h

Total Score
25.2 / 30.0 ( 84.0% ) Awesome!
RIM Scores*
REAL	6.3	INT	8.9	MAG	10

*Each rating has a maximum value of 10.0

Rating

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

Technical Details

Seed Number: 4943 7602
Version: XBL 1.4 (TU9) (no PC equiv)

My Review

This is absolutely an expert level. Beginners will be overwhelmed by the sheer complexity of the mountainous terrain in the south or get lost in the huge forest up north. When walking through forests and such, watch your step: there are multiple holes in the ground that are dead drops into ravines. You will plummet to your death if you're not paying attention.

This seed was so gorgeous. I kept taking photos and now they're everywhere. The above ground is all craggy and full of nooks and crannies. The underground is full of abandoned mineshafts. I was blown away by some of the stuff in this seed. Still not legendary, but no doubt one you'll want to see.

Above everything else is the decimated stronghold. I use the word "decimated" in it's traditional sense in that it's missing about 10% of the structures it should have -- cleaved in twain by an overzealous ravine. This thing is gorgeous, frustrating, and like something an artist would droop clocks onto.

Can't Miss #1

Thunder Dunk Lake [4.64.4] is a great place to go cliff diving. It's a lake surrounded by sheer cliffs on three of four sides. The photo doesn't really do it justice. When you're standing on the edge of it, it's truly amazing. There's simply no way to capture this thing with a single camera shot.

Can't Miss #2

So, the Ghost Library [-168.32.93] is part of the decimated stronghold. The walls and ceiling are missing. As a result, the chandelier is floating in mid-air. Combined with the cob webs, it reminded my of an old-time horror film. Since you have to come down here to find the ender portal anyway, you might as well swing by and pick up a book. Just don't stay too long -- lest something picks up you.

Nether

Sweet. Good open space and a fairly nice fortress. This is a nice one if you like to use glowstone.

Ender Portal

I spent no less than an hour searching endlessly for this stupid ender portal. However, I was unable to find it. I can't swear that it's not there, but I TNTd the entire complex and came up with nothing. My thought is that it may have been destroyed by the ravine that cuts the stronghold into pieces. I just wanted to put that idea out there so that if it turns out it's not there, you're not disappointed. I'm warning you in advance, there may not be an ender portal.

Villages

• [325.74.260] village, x4 buildings, water well, blacksmith
• [261.70.52] village, x1 building, guard tower, water well

Underground

• [-106.32.75] tall lava fall
• [-132.32.40] x3 gold
• [-123.31.60] decimated stronghold
• [-168.32.93] "Ghost Library"
• [-120.30.87] another library
• [-216.12.17] x4 diamonds
• [-103.29.35] dungeon, skeletons, no chests
• [-103.28.53] x4 gold
• [-157.12.36] x8 diamonds
• [-182.19.143] x5 lapis lazuli
• [-102.42.-360] small abandoned mineshaft entrance
• [-374.33.357] long underground ravine
• [324.22.355] large ravine, lava shoot, offshoot caves, redstone!!

Above Ground

• [369.60.287] dungeon, zombies, x2 chests
• [105.68.364] medium flatland with pumpkins
• [-233.78.-284] pumpkins
• [-118.68.-383] ravine
• [293.68.-52] huge flatland
• [344.66.105] small ravine/pumpkins
• [-61.65.157] dead drop into medium ravine
• [-227.68.131] dead drop into large ravine, stronghold, abandoned mineshafts
• [-59.81.62] nice shortcut cave
• [217.71.-117] lava pit
• [174.68.-16] dead drop into deep large ravine, Y=12, obsidian!!
• [4.64.4] "Thunder Dunk" Lake
• [-52.73.-43] medium erosion

1.8.2 Seed & Map: littleblackant

Total Score
96.8 / 170.0 ( 56.9% )
Ratings*
FLAT	4.4	V	5.5	M/H	9.1
RAV	5.2	C	6.6	AMS	--
HOLD	--	DW	3.1	OH	7.3
LB	9.7	FLOAT	7.8	SHADE	8.3
W	5.1	CLAY	6.2	LAVA	6.8
WF	7.1	LF	4.6

*Each rating has a maximum value of 10.0

Awards

• Premium! This seed has scored higher than 80 out of 170 in the overall score.
• Rolling! 8.0 or higher in mountains and hills.
• Spanned! 8.0 or higher in land bridges.
• Dark! 8.0 or higher in shadows.

Rating

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

Technical Details

Seed Number: 1609147006
Version: XBL 1.8.2 (equiv PC 1.2)

Etymology

The little black ant, Monomorium minimum, may seem like little more than a common household pest, but it is situated in a unique part of it's ecosystem and fulfills a vital role -- they eat bird crap. Without the black ant (and car washes), the whole of the United States would be covered in bird crap. They are unusual for insects: they have multiple queens and can grow and shed wings for mating purposes.

My Review

Simply put, this is a stunning level that will melt your brain and then compress the resultant goo into diamonds that it will then hide by the massive underground lake of lava. This is without a doubt the longest single mountain range that I have found so far. "Shadow Lake" is gorgeous and situated in a great place to build a castle. For people who like floaters, this level also contains the biggest floater I've found so far (post-update) and a crazy village that is half-situated on a floater. The waterfalls and the shadows are absolutely amazing. If you know how to handle yourself, you have got to check this one out.

Can't Miss

There are tons of things to see and do, but the best of them all is the waterfall-covered triple land bridge. It is a flashback to some of the legendary mountain seeds of the previous Minecraft build. Water flows from everywhere and the shadows are beautiful yet void of bad guys.

Villages

• [-221.73.117] village, x7 buildings, guard tower, water well
• [-251.88.293] elevated village, x5 buildings, guard tower, water well

Underground

• [-300.13.-5] lava lake
• [-333.12.-21] x8 diamonds

Above Ground

• [-52.122.-40] tallest point
• [-17.71.-167] three small floaters
• [-53.68.-78] pumpkins in amazing cave
• [-46.69.-103] mega overhang
• [8.82.-49] small land bridge
• [48.66.-60] sinkhole
• [131.117.-108] perfect shield mountain
• [127.99.-62] tall waterfall
• [186.78.-302] medium land bridge
• [236.68.-314] "Shadow Lake" monster land bridge
• [208.115.-340] two gnarly medium overhangs
• [374.81.-247] medium overhang
• [-31.95.-101] perfect cliff-side hidi-hole
• [-110.94.-67] large floater
• [-105.73.-23] medium overhang
• [-93.66.90] medium land bridge
• [-131.76.64] medium cascading waterfall
• [-303.68.3] hidden lava pit

1.8.2 Seed & Map: fallentree

Total Score
78.1 / 170.0 ( 45.9% )
Ratings*
FLAT	4.5	V	3.1	M/H	4.8
RAV	8.3	C	7.2	AMS	--
HOLD	--	DW	4.8	OH	4.2
LB	2.1	FLOAT	3.7	SHADE	2.8
W	5.1	CLAY	8.3	LAVA	4.2
WF	8.7	LF	6.3

*Each rating has a maximum value of 10.0

Awards

• Gashed! 8.0 or higher in ravines.
• Kiln 'em! 8.0 or higher in clay.
• Cascading! 8.0 or higher in waterfalls.

Rating

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

Technical Details

Seed Number: 1508840194
Version: XBL 1.8.2 (equiv PC 1.2)

My Review

Few seeds have captured my attention the way this one has. This is for several reasons. Firstly, there's a secret waterfall -- I love those! Secondly, this seed is balanced in such a way that a beginner could spend his or her time in the south of the map to their heart's content and never find themselves in trouble. However, more experienced players could find an epic challenge by venturing into the northwest mountain nightmare and rooting around until they find trouble. Finally, there are lots and lots of waterfalls, which makes the whole map quite scenic. A fantastic find.

Can't Miss

So, here's something that you need to see. This level has several crisscrossing ravine complexes, but there is one in particular: a triple ravine system that forms a U-shaped, underground complex full of gold at 227.17.272. It is absolutely worth taking the time to climb down to see.

Villages

• [373.76.355] village, x8 buildings, blacksmith, water well

Underground

• [-116.4.340] x4 diamonds
• [-23.15.-15] underground ravine
• [-17.12.-10] x3 diamonds
• [4.12.15] x4 diamonds
• [389.15.-68] x8 gold, lava lake
• [388.15.-44] x5 diamonds
• [202.13.332] underground ravine, lava floor
• [227.17.272] U-shaped underground triple ravine complex, tons of gold
• [-232.19.146] large underground cavern
• [-224.13.136] x3 diamonds

Above Ground

• [135.64.-1] lava pit
• [373.70.52] abandoned water well
• [314.61.168] open-air dungeon, x1 chest, gunpowder, saddle
• [-91.48.186] intersection of two small ravines, Y=37
• [-11.65.-32] deep pitfall hole
• [-79.97.-151] gnarled butte over water
• [-43.85.-176] small spire, small floater
• [-91.73.-137] secret waterfall
• [-124.99.-172] small floater
• [-136.66.-231] small cave
• [-204.57.-321] open-air ravine, tall lava fall, huge cascading waterfall
• [-266.65.-403] underwater deep hole, massive cave complex
• [-295.85.-284] tall lava fall
• [-224.82.-261] double medium waterfalls
• [-260.99.-173] tall waterfall
• [-272.73.-155] large overhang

1.8.2 Seed & Map: rhythm&rhyme

Total Score
58.8 / 170.0 ( 34.6% )
Ratings
FLAT	2.1	V	5.9	M/H	6.7
RAV	2.1	C	3.3	AMS	--
HOLD	--	DW	2.1	OH	6.6
LB	5.8	FLOAT	--	SHADE	5.8
W	5.5	CLAY	3.3	LAVA	3.1
WF	4.8	LF	1.7

Rating

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

Technicals

Seed Number: -1869728373
Version: XBL 1.8.2 (equiv PC 1.2)

My Review

Pumpkins, pumpkins, everywhere! Theoretically, if you play the game long enough, the pumpkins will consume that entire south island. Beyond that, two really nice villages and some nice formations. The waterfall in the photo above was so beautiful, but equally lethal because it helps hide day-walkers spawning under the rock behind it.

Can't Miss

I found this humungous cavern just below the surface at 247.53.145. I will henceforth refer to it as "The Dark Theater". It's only a giant hole, so there isn't much to say about it, but it was really impressive standing in the middle of it and so I figured I'd mention it.

Map

The mountains in the center of the map are awesome and gnarly lookin'. The two villages are catty corner on the map (NW, SE).

Villages

• [-250.65.-246] village, x15 buildings, guard tower, deep cave in middle of town, Y=12
• [292.70.340] village, x10 buildings, blacksmith

Underground

• [109.63.-327] medium cave, y=35
• [-317.73.-98] small pitfall cave
• [-259.13.-197] obsidian generator
• [-257.12.-166] x6 diamonds
• [89.42.-309] dungeon, x2 chests, saddle
• [247.53.145] "The Dark Theater", massive overhang cavern, Y=31

Above Ground

• [371.65.-267] large narrow ravine with lava fall
• [236.67.-321] pumpkins
• [120.72.-344] two pumpkin patches
• [-277.71.31] x7 clay field
• [-225.68.167] pumpkins
• [-284.64.182] lava pit
• [-260.73.388] small desert
• [-44.76.214] heavy overhang, tall waterfall
• [53.64.185] double land bridge, one small, one large
• [41.73.304] medium sinkhole
• [103.87.318] small land bridge in cliff
• [114.100.351] sky-high pumpkins
• [156.72.320] hidden lava pit
• [217.65.323] small erosion with coal

Images

[TOP] This waterfall was absolutely killer. I mean that literally -- I died the first time I found it from angry skeletons whose arrows pierced first the water and then my flesh.

[ABOVE]This is a nice piece of shadow attached to what would normally have been an overhang save for this one rail-thin leg that's attached. I just want to hack it to pieces.

[ABOVE] This was hysterical. It's this perfectly formed town with no people in it. Where did the people go? Oh, well chances are they all fell into the massive hole in the middle of their town. This thing looks like a horror movie. I feel like an alien worm came up, ate all the citizens, then burrowed back down to hibernate.

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: 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!)