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 & 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.

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 & Map: drippinglava

Special Achievements

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

Rating

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

Spawn Coordinates

-180.84.-39

Seed Score MH 5.1 DW 8.4 C 6.2 W 2.6 SP 3.3 VR 4.9 AF 3.7     34.2

My Review

I knew after thirty seconds that this write-up was going to need a full map. The northwest corner of this map is completely empty except for deep water. In the southwest is the primary island surrounded by a smattering of tiny islands. While normally spawning in a tree is a sign of good wood, if it happens to you, make sure you hack that bastard down and take it with you. Trees on this level are few and far between. This dirty archipelago is an outstanding level and I recommend it to anyone who has some experience under their belt and would like a formidable challenge.

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.

• [-143.66.42] medium gravel
• [-155.68.330] red flower patch, shortcut cave
• [-127.65.341] land bridge, overhang, and waterfall
• [-118.72.305] large overhang
• [-9.70.345] sugar
• [138.77.331] tall waterfall
• [138.75.352] short waterfall, cave complex, and medium overhang
• [267.67.328] sand pit
• [332.72.383] medium lava pit
• [357.68.326] one lone pumpkin :(
• [332.66.283] hidden lava cave
• [328.69.255] pitfall into deep cave
• [391.72.210] red flower patch
• [360.75.205] coal and shortcut cave
• [220.69.139] cave complex with a dead drop
• [195.71.138] small floater
• [141.73.152] hidden cave
• [147.78.134] hidi-hole with mushrooms
• [98.73.1] coal near a pitfall hidi-hole
• [240.65.-13] small gravel
• [380.68.-9] small gravel pit
• [369.65.-72] medium clay
• [316.67.-161] small cave
• [307.71.-209] shortcut cave
• [292.72.-235] deep cave and coal
• [380.70.-322] pumpkins
• [369.65.-358] small cave
• [344.74.-397] coal
• [298.65.-381] sugar
• [255.65.-358] two pitfalls (watch where you jump back to)
• [242.67.-343] dead drop into lava, sugar
• [194.72.-295] red flower patch
• [98.65.-182] flat land for village
• [41.68.-211] medium clay
• [19.66.-273] large clay
• [0.65.-333] dig down for hidden cave with sandstone stalagmites
• [-390.67.-43] suspicious stone basin, possible zombie spawn
• [-70.65.-55] flat land for town, medium clay

Images

Two large overhangs provide a lot of shade for the skeletons and spiders that live near this waterfall at -127.65.341. At right, the quintessential desert island.

Seed & Map: claynation

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 Coordinates

-93.66.-26

Seed Score MH 6.2 DW 6.8 C 7.5 W 7.2 SP 3.3 VR 4.8 AF 5.2     41.0

My Review

Apparently, according to my sister there is a quasi-famous pop group called Clay Nation that I've never heard of and don't care about. This seed has nothing to do with them. I attempted to create a large quantity of clay using this seed name and guess what... it worked! There is clay all over this level -- especially on Clay Island -- but there's more. There is plenty of sugar on this level for all you librarians out there. In addition, the south island is basically an empty shell that's hiding a massive cave complex. So be careful where you dig, because it can all end really badly. Without question, this map should be reserved for advanced users.

Can't Miss

So, I field questions all the time about my fascination with deep water. Not many people share it, but I for one am thrilled when I fall deep below the surface and uncover some cave or zombie spawn. Well, here's an example of deep water exploration (even though it's not that deep).

At -364.65.153, if you look off the southwest corner of the island, you will find a gaping hole in the ocean floor behind which sits glowing lava. If you swim down, you'll find a lava pit with a waterfall flowing into it. I can't swear that this isn't a glitch, so I hope it's there when you get there, but even if it isn't, dig in this spot and you'll find it. However, take caution: the entire floor is lava so you have to do some fancy swimming if you want to get in there without dying.

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.

• [-124.66.-42] clay, coal, and a spire
• [-169.69.-39] overhang and a spire
• [-178.82.34] shortcut cave with sandstone stalagmites and coal
• [-171.70.51] pitfall
• [-7.65.83] flat sand for town
• [149.65.-74] flat beach
• [265.69.-98] yellow flower patch and a lone wolf
• [279.65.-94] two sugar patches
• [304.66.-208] sugar
• [344.65.-322] medium flatland for town
• [361.65.-373] overhang and coal
• [307.65.-406] medium sugar
• [170.65.-327] two sugar patches
• [69.67.-335] massive "clay island"
• [-145.65.-310] hidi-hole and the sound of an underground waterfall somewhere behind the walls
• [-208.68.-291] hidi-hole on a gravel-ringed island
• [-231.66.-313] ZOMBIE SPAWN underneath the waterfalls includes redstone, gunpowder, two buckets, and a saddle
• [-282.65.-105] medium clay
• [-219.71.-143] land bridge
• [-400.63.112] deep cave
• [-364.65.112] exposed lava pit under the surface of the water
• [-379.65.344] clay
• [-174.75.341] deep cave, shortcut, and dead fall
• [-186.73.354] pumpkins
• [-123.66.199] shortcut cave
• [-23.73.322] deep cave, bring water buckets, two lava falls
• [-10.62.307] Indiana Jones style pitfall with deep cave
• [13.68.305] gargantuan cave complex
• [96.73.327] pitfall
• [107.65.378] medium gravel
• [193.67.396] large clay
• [335.64.390] dead drop
• [318.74.260] hidi-hole
• [314.74.230] small cave
• [254.65.234] sugar
• [242.65.215] coal hole, deep cave
• [292.72.174] red flower patch
• [388.69.113] hidi-hole and coal

Images

I found this mountain bursting through the top of the forest canopy just near my spawn. At right illustrating the can't miss section is a photograph of the underwater lava pit that I found. Hooray for deep water exploration. Finally, the lower right shows two magnificent spires jutting up out of the sandy valley.

Seed & Map: gimmeclay

Rating

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

Spawn Coordinates

315.65.268

Seed Score MH 7.1 DW 3.8 C 4.1 W 5.8 SP 5.2 VR 6.1 AF 4.2     36.3

My Review

This was from the wishful thinking pile. I asked it to give me clay and you know what? It gave me clay. I found several open air clay deposits peppered throughout the map. Amazing. So, if you feel strongly about building your castle out of bricks, then this is the place to do so. Outside of that piece of irony, the board itself is lovely. It's a good spot for beginners since there is plenty of wood and some really nice starter caves. The primary island runs latitudinal with microislands bordering on the north and south. As a rule, north is more frozen than south and there are lots of squid on the island.

Items of Interest

Warning: The following is a list of landmarks located around this map. If you prefer to discover these things for yourself, do not read this list and skip ahead to the final paragraph.

• [368.67.325] coal/lava cave
• [334.67.364] deep hole and a clay deposit
• [267.65.342] medium clay
• [114.66.349] sugar
• [-169.65.374] hidden cave
• [-184.65.389] clay
• [-265.65.338] pitfall
• [-362.71.-23] tall waterfall
• [-338.68.-34] massive cave complex with coal
• [-349.65.-140] big patch of clay
• [-331.70.-204] medium coal cave
• [-339.76.-240] deep dead drop
• [-172.73.-382] coal
• [-167.66.-343] clay
• [-20.65.-335] wolf pack, sugar
• [119.65.-332] crazy water feature, caves, and a lava fall
• [173.67.-308] caves
• [231.71.-319] cave
• [382.68.-313] red flower patch and a hidi-hole
• [351.73.-248] yellow flower patch
• [311.59.-239] medium cave with sandstone stalagmites
• [352.65.-149] clay
• [350.81.27] hidden lava pit
• [353.69.66] waterfall
• [121.81.164] deep cavern
• [40.73.160] coal
• [15.77.192] hidi-hole
• [-171.97.51] flat overhang
• [-176.65.-84] hidi-hole and wolf pack
• [-33.65.-144] dead drop

Images

It's a mountain.