The coolest changes coming in Minecraft 1.18 Caves and Cliffs Part 2

Part two of the Minecraft Caves and Cliffs update will completely overhaul Minecraft’s world generation systems later this year.

The Minecraft 1.8 update is the second half of the Caves and Cliffs update series. The title feature will allow for more dynamic landscapes both above and underground. The exact release date for Cave and Cliffs part two is yet to be revealed but Mojang intends to launch 1.8 around the 2021 holiday season. That could be any time between late October and early January 2022.

Minecraft’s cave generation is getting a total rework to allow for more complex and interesting underground formations. The cave layer will stretch down to -59 to allow for stacking and intertwining cave systems. Claustrophobic tunnels and steep mini-ravines will stretch across multiple layers. New cave types and biomes like the stalactite cavern and deep dark will reward avid spelunkers.

The new above-ground world generation system includes a substantial increase to Minecraft’s height limit. Players can now build up to 255 blocks above sea level. Naturally-generated mountains can come close to that limit. The new goat mobs, foxes, and polar bears will also spawn along cliff sides. The expanded skybox brings a massive sense of scale to Minecraft.

Several new mini-biomes are also being added. Snowy mountain summits will begin appearing above 170 elevations. Berry meadows filled with flowers can be found below them. The biggest addition is the new deep dark biome, which is found underground. New sculk blocks can activate redstone from a set distance based on nearby sounds. Sculk blocks from the deep dark will allow players to construct wireless redstone contraptions, but they won’t be easy to get.

The new warden enemy will be the scariest monster in Minecraft when it drops with 1.8. The protector of the deep dark biome, the warden is completely blind but will react to noises made by the player. The Caves and Cliffs warden hits extremely hard and ignores armor, so sneaking around it is often a safer choice.

New mobs, materials, ore veins, inventory storage tools, and lighting tweaks will be added to Minecraft in the 1.18 Caves and Cliffs part two update. The patch is set to be released during the 2021 holiday season. A 1.18 public beta or snapshot has not been announced.