Most Minecraft players have probably played a Superflat world at some point, but likely just to test some projects or get familiar with Redstone. Few consider using this world type as a long-term world, but it is indeed possible! Surviving in such a flat world is not only feasible but can present a completely new challenge for experienced players. So today, we take a closer look 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 meant to go hand in hand, allowing you 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 infinite possibilities.
Nowadays, there are various Superflat worlds to 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, deserts, and various flat overworlds where ores can spawn.
But for our challenge, we’ll look at the standard template you can select as a 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 be off-putting. You might see a few animals, but probably not much more. Well, at least you have something to eat, but what now?
First, you should search for a village because they spawn in Superflat worlds and are your best initial source for essential items. Here you’ll find trees, cobblestone, and plant-based food that you can also grow yourself. 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 trade with villagers, which becomes one of your best sources for many important items.
Next, you should tame a horse to explore further villages and make traveling in Superflat much more enjoyable. With version 1.21.6, saddles can no longer be found directly in chests but are now crafted from leather and iron. You can obtain iron from Iron Golems that spawn in villages. Later, you can also build a full-fledged iron farm, which should provide you with plenty. (How to Build an Iron Farm: Unlimited Iron Supply)
If you’re playing with monsters, you’ll surely notice the many slimes. They can be quite annoying, so you should either play in “Peaceful” mode or find other ways to avoid them. You can fend off slimes with water, carpets, a base above Y-level 40, or 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, in a Superflat world, he is extremely useful! He can provide you with many items that you can’t obtain otherwise. You should definitely keep an eye out for him and his two llamas, always carrying some emeralds to trade for rare items. After an adventure in a Superflat world, the wandering trader might become one of your favorite companions in Minecraft.
Exclusively available from the wandering trader:
- Sugar cane
- 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 actually play through the game in a super flat 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 aim to do both fairly early in your challenge to access important items and make your time in Superflat much simpler. Both dimensions are not flat but are generated normally.
For a Nether portal, you need obsidian, which you can sometimes find in village chests. Otherwise, you can use lava from blacksmiths to cast a portal. The flint and steel can be a bit trickier, as flint is not so easily available. You’ll need to try building burning wood near the portal with lava and hope the fire spreads. It works but can take a few attempts. However, gravel for flint can be found in the Nether.
The End is super easy to reach! Strongholds also spawn in Superflat and are always in the same location due to the world type. They float in the air and are hard to miss.
Items Unavailable in the Superflat World
Due to the specific conditions, there are also some blocks and items that you definitely won’t be able to obtain. Villagers won’t be able to help you here. Fortunately, the list is not long, but you’ll have to do without some things. Depending on updates, this list might change and provide new ways to obtain them.
(Currently) unavailable items include:
- 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
- Sculk blocks
- Mycelium
Long-Term Strategies for Your Superflat Adventures
In the end, you can do whatever you want in a super flat world. Since there’s no terrain to work with, you can shape the world according to your own ideas. Large farms and automated machines are your friends and help you gather enough materials for your building projects.
If you want to learn more about Superflat, we recommend checking out the YouTuber Mogswamp. He has a Superflat world that is over 10 years old! It’s truly fascinating to see what can be achieved from a flat piece of land.
Conclusion: Superflat as a Minecraft Experience
A Superflat world can be a great challenge in Minecraft when the normal game becomes too mundane. You have to play quite differently and utilize various mechanics to obtain certain items. But you’ll come to appreciate some things anew, like the wandering trader or trading with villagers. Rent your own Minecraft server with us and try this challenge with friends! It’s a completely new way to experience Minecraft and rediscover the game.
