Minecraft: Old Tekkit Diorama

This photo (my build) was taken before Feed the Beast came into popularity and dominated Tekkit (both of these are MC modpacks that enhance gameplay). On the left is an office with a recycling bin. To the right is a recycling center that returns trashed resources to a renewed state. Just wanted to share the pic because it looks fancy with Tekkit's computers, lights, and blocks.

Minecraft "Tree Spirit" Challenge: Singleplayer

These photos are from my 5th attempt of the Tree Spirit Challenge. I lost the game via starvation and fall damage.

These were the first few days when my tree was still young and peculiar.

My tree's roots were everywhere, stretching down caves and...

... even spreading underwater.

Further growth of my tree, noticeably with the thicker trunk.

A sky view of my World Tree after the game ended.

This was the most success I've had so far on the challenge. There's a certain tipping point when you no longer have to worry about sufficient wood because you'll have a profusion of saplings and trees will pop up incessantly. I might try this in multiplayer, which could mean the construction of a massive tree. That would be awesome.

If you haven't tried the challenge yet, go try it! Share your tree adventures and tips down in the comments.

Minecraft "The Tree Spirit" Challenge

This was my first attempt. Unfortunately, a skeleton ended the game on day two.

An amazing survival challenge practically changes Minecraft. With rules and guidelines that bring a fresh experience, entertainment meets imagination as well as discipline (not to cheat).

Lately, I've been playing the famous Tree Spirit Challenge. The "Spirit" (you or me) must nurture and grow a tree to become a gentle giant of the world. Using log pieces, branches can reach for the sky; roots can dig deeper and deeper. However, one must never leave their beloved tree, and death means game over.

I'll post updates on the growth of my tree to show progression. Stay tuned!

Minecraft Scarecrow

This is my design for a scarecrow. In survival, it requires 1 torch, 1 pumpkin, 1 log, 2 blocks of cobblestone and 9 wheat. Indeed, the hay bale is from the new version 1.6. It can also be used as a design for a training dummy in your barracks. In adventure maps, someone could put signs on them to portray dialogue from an NPC. Gee, Mr. Scarecrow is multi-talented!

Minecraft: Emulate Fog

To create this eerie sight, wait for dawn, turn your render distance on short, and spawn bats. That's all, folks!

Minecraft Posting

This post was imported from my private writing space and is here for time-based ("sentimental") reasons.

I'm creating a private space for some Minecraft posts in order to build it up a bit. I guess it's a way to develop my blogging voice when writing for MC. It also has to do with niche vs. generalized blogging, which has an influence on the mental blocks of writing. Eventually, I'll integrate these posts into Smell It Yet so they can join the family.

This is a "first-post style" first post for my little Minecraft journal. More Minecraft to come!

Minecraft: Pain-ting

I found this clever idea by Youtuber SimplySarc. He bashed together a cactus-painting combination: the "Pain-Ting"!

One of the most obvious secret entrances to build in Minecraft is a painting entrance. It's made by placing a painting in front of a door or some signs in order to conceal an opening. The Pain-Tings are a great repellent to this and will make neighbors think twice about snooping. They will also make a great prank, or as shown by the video, help hide the true secret painting entrance.

A little tip for this creation in survival: make extra paintings because most of the time when you punch the painting in order to try for a 2x1 vertical one, it will be destroyed as it hits the cactus.

What do you guys think? Thanks for reading/watching and thanks to SimplySarc!

4 Minecraft Bedrock Level Mining Tips

1) Dig out the stone entirely around your diamond ore before mining it.

This is a preventative measure against any diamonds accidentally falling in lava underneath or next to the ore. Instead, you'll be aware of lava and solve the situation without panicking (via water bucket, blocks, etc).

2) Use redstone dust to mark where your diamond ore is.

Some people prefer to retrieve their diamonds after they've finished their session so that they don't risk their character dying while carrying the diamonds. Or, they may want to run back upstairs to grab their favorite fortune pick and multiply their loot. However, it's very easy to forget which corridor, nook, or cranny contains the goodies. Because there is so much redstone at bedrock, I like to spare some to make a Hansel and Gredel style trail or at least an indication of "diamonds here."

3) Take advantage of that lava!

Since a recent update, the bucket from a "bucket of lava" is no longer consumed alongside the lava when used as fuel for a furnace. This means you can keep scooping from a lava pool with the same bucket. So go ahead: smelt your iron and make a couple of stacks (or a ton) of smooth stone. After all, 1 scoop of lava can cook 100 items.

4) Bring more than enough wood.

Down under, you'll have access to all the iron, minerals, and cobblestone you can mine. However, when the tools break and it's time to craft, you're going to need to make a crafting bench. Plus, there are tons of sticks to be accounted for in lighting more torches. If your inventory is full, you have no choice but to abruptly end your mining unless you can make a chest. All of these things require one resource in common: wood. This is why I suggest bringing 32-128 logs on a mining trip. If you brought too many, you can leave some in your mining base for your next trip in case you forget wood.

Hope these tips help, and thanks for reading!