Minecraft’s latest update is finally here, and while it might not be as wild as it was made out to be, it still has quite a few new things in it. Along with the Warden, the Allay, and Frogs, the update also added two whole new Minecraft 1.19 biomes.
Minecraft 1.19 biomes consist of the Deep Dark – the home of the Warden and the easiest source of the new Sculk blocks – and the Mangrove Swamp. While Mangrove Swamps are about the same, the Deep Dark is definitely more than what meets the eye.
Minecraft’s latest 1.19 biomes are jampacked with cool new blocks, features, mobs, and loads of utility. Things like wireless Redstone and transforming entire blocks are now possible.
Which Biomes Were Added in Minecraft 1.19?
The critically acclaimed “The Wild Update” has ended up being a lot less ‘Wild’ than initially planned. Long-term players have started calling it out and labeling it as “The Mild Update”. But is that really the case?
The two new biomes added in the 1.19 update are:
- Deep Dark
- Mangrove Swamps
Not really. The update brings quite a few new additions to Minecraft with it, including but not limited to two new biomes.
The Deep Dark in Minecraft 1.19
The Deep Dark is Mojang’s latest attempt at a Horror/Darkness biome that would make players think twice before actually going into it. And it seems that it’s finally worked.
The Deep Dark isn’t just a biome that players should be careful when venturing into, it’s a biome that even other mobs avoid. Literally, other mobs are unable to spawn in the Deep Dark at all.
It brings items such as Sculk Veins and Sculk Catalysts, and the annoyingly persistent Sculk Shriekers that summon the Warden. The Deep Dark is a biome best steered clear of whenever possible.
What is Sculk in Minecraft 1.19?
After my excessive mention of the different types of Sculk blocks, you’re probably wondering just what Sculk is. Sculk is one of the new blocks added to Minecraft in the 1.19 biome update.
Spawning exclusively in the Deep Dark, Sculk veins are jade-teal in color and have no unique properties except that they are where Sculk Sensors are generated. These Sculk Sensors are in turn responsible for activating Sculk Shriekers, who are in turn responsible for summoning the Warden.
Other than Sculk Shriekers and Sculk Veins, Sculk Catalysts are blocks that, when broken, turn the surrounding blocks into Sculk veins as well.
This makes them the only way, other than a Silk Touch tool, to generate Sculk anywhere other than the Deep Dark.
Who is The Warden?
To put it simply, The Warden is one of three new mobs added to Minecraft and exclusively spawns in one of the Minecraft 1.19 biomes.
Being a natural inhabitant of the Deep Dark, the Warden is summoned by Sculk Shriekers and serves only to ward players away from the Deep Dark itself. It protects the treasures that the Deep Dark hides, and guards the Ancient Cities that lie within.
He’s definitely something to be feared, but here’s a handy guide to make sure you survive meeting him.
What are Ancient Cities?
Ancient Cities are new structures that were added as part of the Minecraft 1.19 biome update.
Spawning exclusively in the Deep Dark, these structures are built entirely of a block called “Reinforced Deepslate” (which is currently unobtainable in Survival Minecraft.) They are also known for having the same anti-mob spawning properties as the Deep Dark.
On a more rewarding note, these Ancient Cities hide the new Swift Sneaking enchantment inside them. (Obviously, they’re protected by Sculk Shriekers and Sensors that will call the Warden as soon as they sense you.)
Oh and also, if you go through enough chests in an Ancient City, you might end up finding a fragment of a music disk. And if you’re lucky enough to find 9 fragments, you can use them to craft Music Disk 5.
But maybe you’ve had enough of the Deep Dark and want a change of scenery. Don’t worry, just trudge on over to the newly added Mangrove Swamps.
Mangrove Swamps in Minecraft 1.19
This ‘new’ biome serves as a rehash of the original swamp biome, but with a slight twist. With its generally browner color tone, and the addition of frogs that spawn mainly in swamps, the Mangrove Swamp is Minecraft’s new slippery slimy mud pool of a biome.
How are Mangrove Swamps different?
Mangrove Swamps differ from normal swamps in that they are defined by the Mangrove Trees that populate them.
While rowing through a river in a Mangrove Swamp, players will run into waterlogged leaves and Mangrove roots, both of which are new additions in the Minecraft 1.19 Biomes update. Players can break waterlogged leaves to produce water source blocks.
What Are Frogs In Minecraft 1.19?
In the same way that the Deep Dark introduced us to the Warden, Mangrove Forests have introduced us to Frogs.
Frogs are a passive mob that were added to Minecraft in the 1.19 update. They are best known for dropping Froglight blocks when they eat Magma Cubes. It’s okay if you’re confused. Feel free to check out our full guide on Frogs here.
How to Get Mud from a Swamp?
Mud generates in Mangrove Swamps instead of dirt and can be found starting from the surface and all the way down to wherever stone starts generating.
While mud cannot be broken and picked up the same way that dirt can, it can be made by using a water bottle on a dirt block. Mud can then be crafted into Packed Mud. Or alternatively left on top of a block with a dripstone to turn into Clay.
Other Features:
The Allay and the all-new Boat with a Chest are two other generalized additions to Minecraft in the 1.19 update that don’t entirely count as biome specific.
- The Allay is a friendly passive mob that loves bringing you items when you give it something you want. I know that sounds kinda broken. Check out the full guide here.
- The Boat with a Chest can be crafted and is practically the same as a Minecart with a Chest. The only difference is that this one goes on water and will probably be useful in the wider rivers of the Mangrove Forest.
Conclusion
The Deep Dark and Mangrove Forests are now in Minecraft. And while finding them might be a bit of a hassle, they’re definitely worth a visit.
Have you been exploring the 1.19 update yet? What were your favorite finds?
