Minecraft seems built to last. Not only do new players join every day, but many veterans return after five or even ten years away. And a lot has changed since then! Minecraft never stands still, which means returning players can experience a game that feels completely new. Below, we’ll look at the biggest changes of recent years, along with smaller tweaks that might catch you off guard. It’s still the same game at its core, but progression and gameplay can feel quite different between older and newer versions.
Here you’ll find the most important changes explained concisely — including practical tips for jumping back in fast.
Minecraft world generation 1.18+: Higher, deeper, and new biomes
The biggest change is obvious right after you spawn: higher mountains, deeper mines, and much more varied biomes. The world now reaches up to about Y=320 and down to Y=-64. Ore distribution changed with it — diamonds are found especially deep, while iron appears more often high in the mountains. For efficient resource mining, check this guide: (Minecraft Mining Techniques: Efficiently Mine Resources) .
Updates also introduced entirely new cave systems (huge caverns, tight tunnels, underground biomes). Don’t go too deep unprepared: in the Deep Dark, the Warden lurks among Ancient Cities — avoid noise and rely on stealth tactics.
Nether update: Biomes, Bastion Remnants, structures, and new mobs
The Nether now has its own biomes: Crimson Forest, Warped Forest, Basalt Deltas, and Soul Sand Valley. You’ll also meet new mobs like Piglins, Hoglins, and Striders. Bastion Remnants contain rare loot — and tough opponents. Learn more in this guide: (The Ultimate Guide to Minecraft Bastion Remnants in the Nether) .
Tips:
- Wear at least one piece of gold armor so Piglins don’t attack on sight.
- Use Piglin bartering (trade gold ingots) for useful resources.
- Striders let you cross lava safely in the Nether.
Recipe book and crafting aids: Faster, mistake-free crafting
You no longer need to memorize every recipe: the recipe book in your inventory, crafting table, and furnace shows all unlocked recipes (once you’ve collected the ingredient at least once). The search function helps you find anything in seconds. Shift-click to craft stacks quickly. If you don’t want the helper, you can hide it anytime.
New ores: Copper mechanics and Netherite upgrades
Caves and the Nether now feature copper and Netherite.
- Copper: Oxidizes in the open air and changes color. You can wax blocks with honeycomb to preserve their current state. Crafting highlights: Lightning Rod, Spyglass, Cut Copper. More here: (The Ultimate Guide to Copper in Minecraft: Discoveries, Building Ideas, and Oxidation) .
- Netherite: Find Ancient Debris deep in the Nether (around Y≈15), smelt it into scraps and craft Netherite ingots. Since 1.20, you need the Smithing Template: Netherite Upgrade (often found in Bastion Remnants) to upgrade your diamond gear. Farming tips: (Farming Netherite in Minecraft: Best Methods & Tips for Armor and Tools) . Bonus: Netherite items are lava-proof.
New mobs and animal mechanics: Frogs, goats, and camels
The world is more alive than ever:
- Frogs (swamp/mangrove swamp) can produce Froglights when they eat small Magma Cubes.
- Goats ram mobs/players and can drop goat horns.
- Camels spawn in desert villages, carry two players, and have a handy sprint-jump.
You’ll also notice refreshed textures on classic animals like sheep, cows, and pigs.
Cats instead of ocelots: How taming works now
Ocelots no longer turn into house cats. Cats now spawn in villages and witch huts. Tame them with raw cod or raw salmon. Perks: Creepers and Phantoms avoid cats; they’ll also occasionally bring you gifts and will lie on you while you sleep.
Wandering Trader: Emerald trading, spawns, and worthwhile deals
After a few days, the Wandering Trader appears near you with two llamas. He sells rare items for emeralds — such as saplings, coral, or dyes. Not always useful, but sometimes worth it. The best way to get emeralds is villager trading (level up professions!).
Craft a Spyglass: Amethyst and copper for zoom
The Spyglass is now native to the game. Recipe: 2× copper ingots + 1× amethyst shard. Find geodes underground; for efficient shard farming, see this guide: (Effective Farming of Amethyst Shards in Minecraft: A Guide) . Don’t forget a Spyglass for exploration!
Travel faster: Elytra, camels, boats, Striders, and Soul Speed
Long distances are much easier today:
- Elytra + fireworks for long-range flight (find Elytra in End Cities). Use Mending and Unbreaking.
- Camels for relaxed overland travel for two and clearing obstacles.
- Striders in the Nether for safe lava crossings (saddle + Warped Fungus on a Stick).
- Boats on ice roads are extremely fast; dolphins boost your speed in water.
- The Soul Speed enchantment makes you much faster on soul sand and soul soil.
Conclusion: Back to Minecraft — what’s really changed
After years away, Minecraft can feel like a completely new game. Ongoing updates add fresh mechanics, biomes, and items that keep surprising you. Try new things, make use of recipe and quality-of-life features, and leverage the tips above for a swift restart. If you don’t want to play alone, you can rent a suitable Minecraft server from us and play with friends: https://www.4netplayers.com/en/gameserver-hosting/minecraft/
