TU9 Seed & Map: tollgate

Total Score
11.3 / 30.0 ( 37.7% )
RIM Scores (MAX: 10.0)
REAL	3.7	INT	5.5	MAG	2.1

Rating

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

Technical Details

Seed Number: -106 891 6602
Version: XBL 1.4 (TU9) (no PC equiv)

Notes

The southwest corner has some alright hills, but the big draw of this seed are the large deserts. I found a really cool ravine that was split into two by a hunk of land in the middle and the ender portal stronghold is another one of these broken affairs.

Villages

• [4.74.-219] village, x13 buildings, guard tower, water well

Underground

• [1.15.-7] x2 chests, x1 diamond
• [22.19.50] ender portal

Above Ground

• [207.68.187] dead drop, Y=29
• [277.65.-50] divided long ravine
• [273.65.-176] small tunnel
• [12.65.-342] medium flat desert
• [164.71.-127] pitfall with waterfall
• [-42.67.-141] open air dungeon, spider, x1 chest, gunpowder
• [241.90.-372] tiny floater
• [-277.68.393] pitfall, follow waterfall down/dig through gravel for gold and red stone
• [-5.69.249] lava pit, flat desert
• [-12.60.91] dead drop v

TU9 Seed & Map: shellacked

Total Score
26.9 / 30.0 ( 89.7% )
RIM Scores (MAX: 10.0)
REAL	9.1	INT	10	MAG	7.8

Rating

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

Technical Details

Seed Number: 5999 9928
Version: XBL 1.4 (TU9) (no PC equiv)

Etymology

I was playing Call of Duty yesterday and I went 34-1, with the final kill coming in the last ten seconds of gameplay from a lightning strike. That was what we in the industry refer to as a shellacking. Past tense: they were shellacked.

Notes

"shellacked" is, without question, one of the most stunning and amazing seeds I've found in the TU9 era. Above ground, there are some amazing gorges, cliffs, and extreme hills. Below, there are ravines piled on top of each other and mixed with caves in such a way that you can't discern which are is ravine and which is cavern. The nether has one of the biggest nether fortresses I've ever seen. All the way around, this one is a must play.

Can't Miss

"The Blue Cave" is a stunning and confusing place. Basically, it's the convergence of four ravines and two separate cave systems, all of which have dug out the bottom so it's just a vast expanse full of waterfalls and lava floors. It's beautiful, but you can easily get lost in this thing, so brings signs or something to help you. I picked the entrance that is the least confusing and used it as the coordinates below, but there are dozens of ways to get into this thing -- some of which break through directly onto the surface.

Video

• The Blue Cave

Villages

• [-139.70.308] flooded village, x3 buildings, guard tower, water well

Underground

• [326.41.-200] medium underground ravine
• [-324.29.-149] x7 gold
• [-315.15.-187] One of the entrances to "The Blue Cave"
• [-14.37.-113] large underground ravine
• [44.31.24] library
• [29.34.1] ender portal, x1 eye

Above Ground

• [-170.65.271] large ravine
• [-241.113.-353] tall mountain
• [-160.90.-317] tall waterfall
• [-116.114.-331] epic cliffs
• [152.66.-337] lava pit
• [270.64.-316] stunning lava fall cave
• [224.65.357] expert level cave, two pitfall, head down for ravine with lava floor
• [-26.65.75] lava pit

TU9 Seed & Map: rightround

Total Score
17.2 / 30.0 ( 57.3% )
RIM Scores (MAX: 10.0)
REAL	2.9	INT	7.7	MAG	6.6

Rating

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

Technical Details

Seed Number: -137 023 4638
Version: XBL 1.4 (TU9) (no PC equiv)

Etymology

You spin me, baby. You spin me...

Notes

Huge deserts, deep pits, and lots of waterfalls.

Villages

• [-155.72.373] village, x8 buildings, guard tower, water well
• [5.76.-187] village, x8 buildings, water well, blacksmith
• [52.70.117] village, x5 buildings, blacksmith, water well, guard tower

Underground

• [251.18.325] abandoned mineshaft, deep cave on fire
• [266.15.340] x3 gold
• [-402.32.-81] deep waterfall cave
• [-83.42.-45] stronghold, ender portal

Above Ground

• [-12.66.359] huge flat desert
• [249.66.312] dead drop hole
• [316.63.-347] lava pit/obsidian
• [201.65.-328] lone pumpkins
• [-318.64.66] underground entrance to dead drop medium cave
• [-200.68.223] two medium x-shaped ravines, pumpkins
• [-267.64.140] small ravine
• [-9.79.-37] dead drop hole

TU9 Seed & Map: robinseggblue

Total Score
21.3 / 30.0 ( 71.0% )
RIM Scores*
REAL	7.7	INT	5.1	MAG	8.5

*Each rating has a maximum value of 10.0

Rating

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

Technical Details

Seed Number: 390186286
Version: XBL 1.4 (TU9) (no PC equiv)

Etymology

The American robin lays eggs that are a pale blue color. For those of you who write HTML code or want to see what the color is in your favorite image editor: in hex, it's #96DED1.

My Review

Bang! What a great seed. I was worried I wouldn't find a particularly sweet one today, but I lucked out. This site has some great sight lines. I found a ravine with a massive cave drilled through the middle of it, a couple of sweet overhangs, and some deep pits you'll have to build some stairs to descend into. I even found diamonds. However, with all that, there isn't any real dangerous spots, so I feel confident in my beginner rating.

The northwest corner has a town, ravine, and some cool caves. The southwest corner has a crazy thick swamp. Guess which one I would encourage you to spend most of your time in.

Villages

• [65.71.54] village, x8 buildings, water well, blacksmith
• [-241.76.-255] village, x7 buildings

Underground

• [9.14.-320] abandoned mineshaft
• [22.14.-284] dungeon (spider), x4 diamonds
• [1.12.-260] x2 diamonds
• [8.27.-257] lava! x11 gold
• [-93.39.263] large cave
• [150.59.0] dungeon, x1 chest, saddle, x7 gunpowder

Above Ground

• [50.64.263] shortcut cave, good fort, large hidi-hole
• [87.64.344] large pitfall cave
• [137.72.355] holy sheep!
• [245.80.267] mushroom island
• [349.64.20] medium hole
• [291.62.-115] medium hole
• [-194.64.-348] medium ravine, waterfall, lava fall
• [-246.46.-278] deep cave!!!
• [-322.67.-267] lava pit
• [-122.64.279] huge ravine scaring the landscape
• [-213.80.33] medium erosion
• [-142.66.-83] lava pit
• [40.102.-188] two large overhangs, waterfall
• [150.69.-40] large cave, dead drop, bring torches
• [-2.81.-20] pumpkins

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: jimihendrix

Rating

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

Spawn and Version

Spawn: 144.87.55
Version: XBL 1.1.1 (equiv Beta 1.7.3)

Seed Score MH 6.1 DW 3.8 C 1.5 W 5.2 SP 3.7 VR 2.9 AF 3.8     27.0

Etymology

Jimi Hendrix was a recording artist from the 1960s & 70s. He's known as the Godfather of the Electric Guitar. He played at Woodstock, released three albums, and captured the attention of the world until his untimely death at the age of 27.

My Review

It's a shame that the Godfather's seed was the worst of the day, though it was not a bad seed at all. It is full of pitfalls, sinkholes, and craters. Ironically, the caves I found were few and very shallow. The central part of the map is mountains and plains. When you head out toward the edges of the map, you'll find more icy conditions. Given how easily you can fall in a hole and die, I wouldn't recommend this for beginners. However, for those of you into exploring, this seed has the best chance of having that perfect round crater like the one in "opensource". Let me know if you find it.

Items of Interest

• [129.88.58] medium sinkhole
• [-9.78.6] valley
• [-28.93.-4] medium crater
• [-76.73.18] hidi-hole complex
• [-108.71.-144] small floater and sugar

Images

This was a really deep square sinkhole that I found. I liked the fact that there was a tree in it.

Seed & Map: meh

Rating

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

Spawn and Version

Spawn: -9.65.-5
Version: XBL 1.1.1 (equiv Beta 1.7.3)

Seed Score MH 5.2 DW 3.2 C 7.1 W 5.8 SP 4.9 VR 2.1 AF 2.9     31.2

Etymology

My buddy turned me on to this seed. He was particularly proud of the cave at 12.72.133 that he found (as well he should be). "meh" is the word "me" with an accent; it is also the sound that a Minecraft sheep makes.

My Review

While the mountains in the southwest hold a few interesting formations, the primary reason you want to play this map are the caves. I was able to find multiple caves in this world that plummet down to the depths, including one that reached Y=12. Pitfalls abound, so watch your step. In the northwest, there are two islands connected by a rail-thin isthmus that, in my opinion, offer a challenge to advanced players if you're willing to swim there. As for the rest of the board, this is a fantastic seed for just about anyone.

Items of Interest

• [64.74.-1] small cave complex
• [12.72.133] deep cave heading down to Y=12 full of gold and iron
• [-3.73.183] medium land bridge
• [-231.72.367] large land bridge
• [-283.74.144] deep hidden cave
• [-132.66.117] small clay and sugar
• [-82.65.48] lava pit
• [351.72.-364] deep pitfall cave

Images

This is the best shot I could produce of the really cool land bridge at -231.72.367. This thing is surrounded by trees and is elevated which cause additional problems. But I think you can get the picture. It's big and it's shaded. At right, this is the cave entrance that started this whole thing. You're looking for a single tree in front of a single cave alone on a hilly plain at the exact coordinates 12.72.133.

Seed & Map: moonburn

Rating

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

Spawn and Version

Spawn: 6.93.0
Version: XBL 1.1.1 (equiv Beta 1.7.3)

Seed Score MH 6.8 DW 5.9 C 7.4 W 3.8 SP 3.9 VR 4.2 AF 4.7     36.7

Etymology

Uncle Fester -- a character from the fictional world of the Addams Family -- used to take pleasure in "moonbathing" to keep his milquetoast complexion looking its palest. Conceivably, because the moon does reflect rays of UVB, you could get a "moonburn" if you stayed out there long enough. Of course it could take days, but we're talking science here.

My Review

If for no other reason, the underwater zombie spawn is worth checking this one out. The one thing holding this seed back from being a premium seed is the lack of wood. It's so inconvenient, I just can't let it slide. Beyond that, you're going to find huge, flat stretches of sand speckled here and there -- perfect for someone looking to set up a waterfront condo or anti-creeper, Normandy-style beachhead. The north end of the map has many interesting formations, some of which are featured in the photographs you see here. All in all, a good challenge.

Dangerous Drops

• [-156.84.-367] dig down for large dead drop cave
• [203.59.383] pitfall cave inside of hidi-hole
• [235.73.-123] medium pitfall cave

Overhangs and Land Bridges

• [296.65.338] small land bridge
• [139.75.-334] small overhang with hidi-hole
• [119.81.-307] large land bridge
• [-91.71.-358] small land bridge hiding a deep cave with coal
• [-310.80.-361] small overhang

Items of Interest

• [127.71.-209] large floater
• [-2.82.-356] medium squat spire
• [-381.65.-45] medium sugar, small gravel
• [-326.68.283] grassland, small gravel
• [-362.79.325] stalagmite cave
• [360.74.312] medium cliff dive event
• [339.65.212] large cave complex with iron
• [335.65.137] underwater zombie spawn
• [359.67.52] small clay
• [300.65.-80] large sugar
• [353.63.-139] hidi-hole with river
• [380.67.-229] medium cave complex
• [247.68.-305] exposed stone with iron
• [235.69.-292] hidi-hole with coal
• [155.67.46] suspicious hole
• [-108.65.136] sandbar

Images

This large land bridge appears to drip rock from it's midway point. In the background, you can see that this is the entrance to a complex of unusual rock formations. Feel free to have a look around, but don't turn your back on the shadows for too long. You'll regret it. At right... don't go in there.

Seed: templeofdoom

Rating

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

Spawn and Version

Spawn: 8.70.90
Version: XBL 1.1.1 (equiv Beta 1.7.3)

Seed Score MH 6.3 DW 1.2 C 5.9 W 2.7 SP 4.2 VR 3.8 AF 2.9     27.0

My Review

This is one of the better suicidal levels. Not because it's easier, mind you, but because it has some seriously imposing mountains and a higher-than-average number of really cool caves. I walked from corner to corner of this map (NE to SW), and it's all white. Even the pumpkins I found were albino. This was a seed name that was floating around the Internet; normally I refrain from reviewing already established seeds, but this was too challenging to leave to lesser blogs.

Other Items of Interest

• [8.72.38] deep pitfall hole
• [28.84.-181] skeleton cave
• [26.74.-66] sky-high, medium floater
• [25.78.-21] pumpkins
• [-122.85.125] shortcut cave, nearby zombie sounds
• [-144.90.143] deep pitfall cave
• [-164.86.151] dead drop

Images

A lot of the trees are on steep, rocky mountains like this one; so you're going to have to hike to get your wood. At right, while technically a land bridge, it plays more like a hidi-hole for zombies. Beware.

Seed & Map: flatgrass

Special Achievements

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

Rating

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

Spawn Coordinates

18.75.-59

Seed Score MH 3.8 DW 8.3 C 4.2 W 3.8 SP 4.4 VR 5.1 AF 2.3     31.9

My Review

The zombie trapped on the ledge would have made this seed on it's own, but even in walking the full map I found many places of interest and a level with good balance. It's not really for people just starting out in Minecraft for one simple reason: apparently there are spiders EVERYWHERE just beneath the surface because no matter where I went, I would find something cool and as I was writing it down I would hear spiders nearby. I'd turn and look and nothing. Clearly, there is a massive network of spider-infested, Cu Chi inspired underground tunnels heading toward my Saigon.

Items of Interest

Warning: the following list contains coordinates and descriptions of the majority of resources and other features in this seed. If you prefer to discover these things on your own, skip ahead to the final paragraph.

• [40.65.-214] spider sounds
• [45.64.-304] pumpkins and spider sounds
• [38.68.-376] large gravel
• [-38.62.-332] medium coal and spider sounds
• [-46.65.-350] sugar and spider sounds
• [-55.64.-394] dead drop cave
• [-72.67.-381] cave complex with big iron and a spider
• [-340.72.202] land bridge with deep hidden cave and coal
• [-329.66.214] deep cave complex
• [-314.74.244] medium waterfall into cave
• [-390.71.250] medium floater, small overhang, and large flatland
• [-363.71.368] pitfall cave with underground waterfall and large flatland
• [151.75.325] wolves
• [237.71.330] possible zombie spawn
• [296.65.46] submerged hidi-hole with medium coal
• [324.64.-162] deep cave complex with coal
• [343.67.-340] collapsing sand
• [271.67.-320] deep cave, lava fall and medium iron
• [217.66.-287] hidden lava pit and small iron
• [211.65.-233] large flat beach
• [213.65.-79] medium clay
• [191.70.8] red flower patch
• [139.70.36] tall waterfall with small coal and yellow flower patch
• [145.69.111] wolf pack
• [86.57.112] pitfall shortcut cave with waterfall
• [99.66.86] small coal and iron deposits
• [47.80.116] small spire
• [-156.67.74] medium lava pit with small clay
• [-157.65.-159] medium clay

Images

At top, this was a really cool land bridge/spire/cave combination that probably should have had a name like the "10 Spot" or something like that, but I just didn't have the time. At right, it's very rare when you have the opportunity to stand in front of a zombie and do whatever you want and he can't do anything because he's trapped on a ledge. I said awful things about his mother, mooned him, then smote him in due course.

Seed & Map: 5amy7

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.

Rating

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

Spawn Coordinates

36.69.-135

Seed Score MH 8.2 DW 5.9 C 4.9 W 5.2 SP 6.3 VR 5.7 AF 7.2     43.4

My Review

This is one of the best seeds I've found so far. It is chock full of all kinds of amazing formations and great mountains to climb. Second best of the day only because of the massive ice sheet in the bottom left corner that negates about a quarter of the map, I would recommend this board to anyone just so they can see it. Just make sure you've got something built by dusk or you're doomed. This level is particularly awesome because the amazing features are scattered across the whole of the map. So I can't really send you to one quadrant to see them all, you're going to have to take a hike. Don't worry... it's worth it.

Items of Interest

Warning: the following list contains coordinates and descriptions of the majority of resources and other features in this seed. If you prefer to discover these things on your own, skip ahead to the final paragraph.

• [41.72.-139] small hidi-hole
• [72.90.-155] cliff diving event
• [133.73.-184] round overhang
• [284.77.-125] large land bridge
• [318.71.-147] awesome overhang
• [371.76.-121] large overhang
• [162.72.-346] lava fall into cave
• [147.71.-349] medium pitfall cave
• [73.67.-329] deep cave with coal
• [-363.65.-255] hidi-hole
• [-272.78.258] pumpkins
• [-227.65.279] sugarcane growing in a medium lava fall under a large overhang
• [-373.68.389] deep pitfall cave
• [-393.72.371] hidden lava pit
• [-83.66.296] The Great Tunnel: multiple overhangs, land bridges, and two small waterfalls
• [-85.70.352] pitfall hidi-hole
• [-60.73.349] glowing cave with lava fall
• [9.77.368] medium pitfall cave
• [392.66.273] sugar
• [367.69.221] cave complex with underground waterfall
• [304.71.50] pumpkins
• [214.79.83] cliff-side hidi-hole
• [184.83.16] crater lake and medium coal
• [91.95.23] massive basin
• [-100.71.193] a perfect obelisk
• [-139.67.156] medium cave

Images

I'm sorry: there was no way that I was limiting this seed to just two photographs; it is way too good looking. I can't swear that the sugarcane will be growing out of the lava fall when you get there, but this is what I found while wondering around at night. Below that, this is a thick, overhang/land bridge combination that provides a fair amount of shade for day walkers.

At right, here are three bonus images that really help sell how diverse and exciting this seed really is. The first is a shot of what technically is an overhang attached to a tall, ultra-thin spire. If you planned it right, you could run a stairwell all the way to the top with about twenty cobblestone.

Below that, I found this perfect obelisk standing in the middle of a field. The final image is a shot of a massive multi-directional overhang situated above a medium-sized lava fall. Also near this location was a deep pitfall cave. If you plant your stones right, you could conceivably descend from Y=100 to bedrock in about one minute.