Most Minecraft players have probably played a Superflat world at some point. However, this is usually only to test some projects or get familiar with Redstone. The idea of using this world type as a long-term world likely occurs to very few. But it is indeed possible! Surviving in such a flat world is not only possible but can also be a brand-new challenge for seasoned players. Therefore, today we will take a closer look at this and show you what you can do in a Superflat world.
How does the Superflat World work in Minecraft?
With the official release of Minecraft, a creative mode and a Superflat preset were added. Both were initially intended to go hand in hand to test your creative ideas and projects without having to worry about the environment and terrain. For many, Superflat is more of a playground with endless possibilities.
There are now various Superflat worlds you can choose from. Traditionally, you should stick to the classic setup with one layer of Bedrock, two layers of dirt, and one layer of grass. There are also complete water worlds, a desert, and various flat overworlds where ores also spawn.
But for our challenge, we will look at the normal template that you can select as the world type during world generation without opening the additional menu.
First Steps in the Minecraft Superflat World
When you first appear in a Superflat world, not much will catch your eye. Everything is flat, which can initially seem off-putting. You might see a few animals, but probably not much else. Well, at least you have something to eat, but what now?
First, you should search for a village, as these also spawn in a Superflat world and are your first best stop for the most important items. Here you will find trees, cobblestone and plant-based food, which you can also cultivate yourself. Of course, there are beds too, allowing you to set your spawn point. Setting up your first base near a village is definitely a good idea! Sooner or later, you can then trade with the villagers, which is one of your best sources for many important items.
Next, you should tame a horse to explore further villages and make travelling in Superflat much more enjoyable. Saddles can no longer be directly found in chests as of 1.21.6 but can now be crafted from leather and iron. You can obtain iron from the Iron Golems that spawn in villages. Later, you can also build a full-fledged iron farm, so you should not lack this resource. (How to Build an Iron Farm: Unlimited Supply of Iron)
If you play with monsters, you will surely notice the many slimes. These can be quite annoying, so you should either play on “Peaceful” or find other ways to avoid them. You can ward off slimes with water, carpets, a base above Y-level 40, or with a trench that fills the monster limit and collects slimes.
The Wandering Trader and His Valuable Items
While the villager dressed in blue is rather useless in the normal game, he is extremely useful in a Superflat world! He can offer you many items that you cannot obtain otherwise. You should definitely be on the lookout for him and his two llamas and always have some emeralds on hand to trade for rare items. After an adventure in a Superflat world, the wandering trader will probably become one of your favourite companions in Minecraft.
Exclusively available from the wandering trader:
- Sugarcane
- Packed ice and blue ice
- All types of wood (as saplings or logs)
- Moss
- Cactus
- Coral blocks
- Dripstone
- Seagrass
- Vines
Defeating the Ender Dragon in a Superflat World
Yes, you can indeed complete the game in a Superflat world. You can enter both the Nether and the End without major detours. The latter is even significantly easier than in a normal world. You should do both pretty much at the beginning of your challenge to gain access to important items and significantly simplify your time in Superflat. Both dimensions are not flat, by the way, but are generated normally.
For a Nether portal, you need obsidian, which you can sometimes find in chests in villages. Otherwise, you can use lava from the forges to cast yourself a portal. The flint and steel will be slightly more challenging, as flints are unfortunately not so easy to obtain. You need to try building burning wood directly at the portal using lava and hope that the fire spreads. This works, but it might take a few attempts. In the Nether, however, you can find gravel for flints.
Reaching the End is super easy! Strongholds also spawn in Superflat and are always at the same place due to the world type. They float in the air and are actually hard to miss.
Unobtainable Items in the Superflat World
Due to the specific conditions, there are also some blocks and items that you definitely cannot obtain. Villagers won’t help you here either. Fortunately, the list is not long, but there are a few things you will unfortunately have to do without. Depending on updates, this list can of course change and offer new possibilities to obtain them after all.
(Currently) you cannot obtain:
- Bamboo
- All prismarine blocks
- All ores and their raw variants
- Animals like axolotls, turtles, dogs, dolphins, rabbits, sniffers, or foxes
- Amethyst shard, spyglass, and tinted glass
- Frog lights
- Sweet berries
- Cocoa plants
- Tall variants of flowers
- Skulk blocks
- Mycelium
Long-Term Strategies for Your Superflat Adventures
In the end, you can do whatever you like with a superflat world. Since you don’t have terrain to work with, you can shape the world according to your own ideas. Large farms and automatic machines are your friends and help you gather enough materials for your construction projects.
By the way, if you want to learn more about Superflat, we recommend the YouTuber Mogswamp. He has a Superflat world that is over 10 years old! It is truly fascinating to see what can be created from a flat piece of earth.
Conclusion: Superflat as a Minecraft Experience
A Superflat world can be a great challenge in Minecraft if the normal game becomes too boring for you. You have to play significantly differently and use various mechanics to obtain specific items. But you will learn to appreciate some things anew, including the wandering trader or trading with villagers. Rent your own server for Minecraft with us and try this challenge with friends! It is a completely new way to experience Minecraft and rediscover the game.
