The Spawn Chunks 171: Is Minecraft 1.18 Too Easy?

Dec 13, 2021 | podcast

Jonny and Joel touch on the bullet points of the Minecraft 1.18.1 release, as well as instructions from Mojang on the security vulnerability in Minecraft: Java Edition, followed by listener email sparked discussion on modern Minecraft difficulty.

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  • Jonny
    • Established a starter house, did some caving, found a lush cave with an abandoned mineshaft which is quickly becoming a favourite environment in Minecraft 1.18.
    • Raiding bastions for Pigstep on the Don’t Die December server.
      • Thanks to a server-mate sending discs over from a mob farm, the music disc collection is complete!

Chunk Mail

FROM: MrPiggyWig7
SUBJECT: Is Minecraft 1.18 Too Easy?

Hey Jonny and Joel,

I, like many others, have started a new survival world for Minecraft 1.18. It’s been a while since I’ve played the early game, and I’ve been finding it a bit too easy. 

While I am definitely enjoying myself – resources are abundant, and easy to get –  I’ve had to slow myself down so as to not progress too far, too fast. I may be a bit biased as I am a long-time player with experience, but I always play on hard mode, and it’s never very difficult for me.

Personally, I don’t notice a big enough change in mechanics between the difficulty settings besides damage values, and a few niche examples like zombie villagers. So I have resorted to making challenges for myself such as not crafting armour, playing with large biomes, and not having a single home base to go back to. Hardcore isn’t fun for me, as dying is I feel, part of the game, and hardcore offers no real in game challenges when compared to hard mode.

And so, my question to you is, should Mojang make the difficulties in Minecraft more distinct? Or should the player set the pace and challenges for themselves?

MrPiggyWig7 was struck by lightning, and turned into a zombified piglin.

FROM: Samantha N.
SUBJECT: New Solutions In 1.18

Heya Pix and Joel!

I’ve played a little Minecraft in 1.18 and realised the changes to lighting and mob spawning will change a couple of farm designs. Although very niche, passive mushroom farms will now be way safer, and simpler.

Have you been surprised by any gameplay or design changes this update has brought about?

Samantha was shot by a skeleton and impaled on a stalagmite.

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The Shift In Gameplay From Minecraft 1.17 to Minecraft 1.18

Now with some time in The Caves & Cliffs Update, Part II, Jonny and Joel discuss the first noticeable changes in player experience from Part I to Part II in new worlds, the technical challenges that come with updating old worlds, and the surprises in both.