Minecraft challenges: 7 exciting challenges and tips

Minecraft already offers countless ways to enjoy a completely different experience from other players. But you can go a step further and set yourself specific rules to make your gameplay even more challenging. That’s where challenges come in—some created by the community, others supported directly by the game. They give you a completely different way to play and experience Minecraft. And you might even discover mechanics you didn’t know about before!

Minecraft Skyblock challenge: tips for getting started

Skyblock is one of the best-known community-created challenges in Minecraft. The goal is to survive in the void and build your home on a small island with a single tree. You also get a chest containing water and lava. The aim is to survive as long as possible while trying to complete various tasks.

A few Skyblock tips:

• First, chop down the tree and try to get as many saplings as possible. If you don’t get any or they fall into the void, the challenge is practically over.
• Next, use water and lava to build a cobblestone generator, so you at least have a building material for tools.
• Now take care of food and mob drops.
• Depending on the map, other options may be available; you can even go to the Nether.
• Extra tip: Build safe platforms with railings early on so nothing falls into the void.

Minecraft Nomad challenge: play without a base

A nomadic lifestyle means always being on the move, only stopping for a few days or weeks at a time. In Minecraft you’d usually build a big base and live there, but this challenge turns that idea on its head. And thanks to Minecraft’s almost infinite world, it’s absolutely possible to walk in one direction for months. You’ll always find something new.

How to make the nomad life challenging:

• Avoid caves and work only with what you can find on the surface.
• Use different mounts to expand your inventory. Donkeys, mules or a caravan of llamas are perfect for the job.
• Focus on seeking out the world’s various structures. You’ll find valuable loot there.
• More tips in our guide: (Minecraft Nomads: The Best Tips and Strategies) .

Minecraft Survival Island challenge with seed tips

Most of us have wondered what we’d do on a deserted island. Minecraft can give you exactly that scenario—if you have the right world seed. Somewhere out there there’s always an island far from the mainland that’s perfect for a survival challenge.

Tips for your survival island:

• Find a good seed that fits your vision. Islands can include different biomes, sometimes even villages or hidden treasure.
• Familiarise yourself with your surroundings and check the island’s features. Is there a cave system? Which resources might be missing? How large is the island?
• Look out for shipwrecks and ocean ruins for early loot such as maps and iron.

Minecraft Vegan challenge without animal items

Even if you’re not vegan, this challenge can be extremely engaging. You’ll avoid not only meat, but also several other resources in the game that come from animals. It can give you a completely new perspective on the game—and might even influence your choices in the real world.

Things you should avoid:

• Don’t kill or eat animal-based foods. That includes meat, of course, but also items like honey, milk and eggs.
• Don’t use animal-derived items such as leather, wool, feathers, or even ink sacs from squids.
• You also can’t fish, and many players additionally avoid killing mobs. That makes the gameplay even harder.
• Focus on farming wheat, potatoes and carrots, and use composters to produce bone meal.

Minecraft Hardcore mode: strategies for survival

Hardcore mode is built into the game and is a major challenge for advanced players. We already have a full write-up if you want to learn more (Minecraft Hardcore Mode: The Ultimate Guide for Survival Experts!) . In short, this mode gives you only one life and forces you to make the most of your world. When you die, you can only observe the world in Spectator mode, not play it directly.

Best preparation for Hardcore:

• Always think twice before risking a dangerous situation—whether fighting mobs, going caving, or anything else.
• Avoid silly deaths such as fall damage, poisoning, or starvation. You’ll be surprised how easy it is to die in Minecraft.
• Build a secure base that protects you from all threats. Use a shield, a turtle shell, plenty of torches, and clear escape routes.

Minecraft Nether Start challenge: how to begin and thrive

The Nether is usually a later stop on your Minecraft journey, but there’s a challenge where you start there and fight your way to the Overworld. Especially since the Nether Update in version 1.16, this challenge is much more fun because you have far more options.

How to survive best in the Nether:

• Find one of the biomes with trees and start your adventure there. You can use blackstone to craft stone tools and mine gold.
• Barter with Piglins to obtain important items. This is the easiest way to get obsidian for a portal.
• Look for structures like bastions and Nether fortresses to find resources such as iron and even diamonds.
• Later you can search for Netherite, which naturally makes perfect sense in the Nether. Use explosives or beds very carefully.

Minecraft Single Biome world: choose it and master it

Another game-defined challenge is the option to generate only a single biome. This feature is usually intended for Creative mode, but it can also present major challenges in Survival. Of course, it depends heavily on which biome you choose.

Choosing the right biome for the challenge:

• It’s important to know that the landscape and terrain are defined by the seed. Mountains, lakes and structures are therefore independent of the biome you pick.
• Easier biomes: Plains, Forests, Savanna.
• Harder biomes: Oceans, Mushroom Fields, Beach, Desert.
• Before you start, check whether your biome provides wood, food, and ore deposits.

Conclusion: get to know the game better through challenges

Thanks to its sandbox design, Minecraft offers endless ways to make the game more challenging. You can try challenges provided by the game or pick some from the community. Some are genuinely tough and will give you a fresh perspective on the game. They’re even more fun with friends. So why not rent a Minecraft server from us and try a few challenges together to see who performs best?