I logged into Twitter and this post caught my eye.
Mojang has just released the first snapshot for version 1.17! Just 2-3 days after the official release of 1.16.4. And for a first snapshot, I must admit there are quite a few changes.
Among the previously mentioned things from Minecraft LIVE, they added: bundles, copper, amethyst, lightning rods, and spyglasses. In addition, a few things that weren’t announced were added: candles (which, although shown in clips, weren’t officially announced), the ability to fill cauldrons with lava, tinted glass, and a new mechanic related to Shulkers.
Before we move on to the rest, I want to briefly mention Shulkers. Now, when a Shulker hits another Shulker with its projectile, there’s a chance they will create a new one. Now, let’s move on to the rest.
Amethyst
Amethyst Block
They appears in geodes in two forms: the amethyst block and the budding amethyst. All amethyst blocks produce beautiful sounds when the player walks on them, destroys them, places them, or hits them with projectiles (like snowballs, arrows, etc.).
Amethyst Clusters
These grow from budding amethyst in geodes and have 4 stages of growth. When fully grown, breaking them will drop 4 amethyst shards, or more if using a tool with Fortune. They can be mined with an iron pickaxe or better. At every growth stage, they can be harvested with a tool that has Silk Touch.
Amethyst Geode
These appear underground everywhere. They have an outer layer made of a new stone called “tuff.” The middle layer consists of a new block, calcite, and the inner layer is made up of various types of amethyst blocks.
Budding Amethyst
Amethyst clusters can grow on any side of a budding amethyst block if the block next to it is air or water.
Bundles
These are items that can store other items. They can hold different types of blocks, but only up to a stack’s worth. For example:
- 64 pieces of dirt
- 32 pieces of dirt and 32 pieces of stone
- 32 pieces of dirt and 8 Ender Pearls
- One of each color of wool, concrete, carpet, and terracotta (total 64)
- One diamond helmet
Right-clicking on a bundle will store items inside, or empty it. Mojang suggests wrapping a gift in a bundle and giving it to a friend!
Candles
Candles are available in all 16 colors + an uncolored version. You can place 1 to 4 candles on a single block even underwater, but they can’t be lit then. You can also place a candle on a cake!
Copper
Copper Block
This is crafted from 9 copper ingots. A honeycomb can be used on a copper block to create a waxed block.
Copper Ore
Copper ore can be found in veins throughout the world, similar to iron and coal. However, this is not its final generation method and will likely be changed. When smelted, copper ore gives a copper ingot.
Lightning Rod
Crafted from 3 copper ingots. It keeps your builds safe during thunderstorms until blocks near the lightning rod that are flammable (like wood) are within a 16-block radius. If struck by lightning, it will send a redstone signal.
Oxidation
Copper will gradually oxidize over time (developing a greenish patina). This process takes between 50 to 82 in-game days (on active chunks). The process can be halted at any stage by waxing the blocks.
Spyglass
You can use the spyglass to see distant objects. You can pretend to be a pirate or catch your neighbor red-handed as they dye your sheep green (yes, that’s what’s written in the change list). It’s crafted from 2 copper ingots and an amethyst shard.
Tinted Glass
Tinted glass doesn’t allow light to pass through it. It is made by surrounding glass with 4 amethyst shards. It can be mined without Silk Touch and doesn’t shatter like regular glass.
A Few Smaller, Interesting Changes
- Experience now merges into larger orbs to reduce the number of floating orbs in the world and increase performance.
- Simple fireworks can now be crafted using the recipe book.
- Paths can now be created on dirt, podzol, mycelium, and coarse dirt, not just on grass blocks.
- Minecarts and rails now work underwater.
- Many bugs have also been fixed.
Phew! That’s all! As I mentioned, a lot for a first snapshot. There are a few things I really like, such as the candles and tinted glass. However, I was a bit disappointed with the bundles. I had hoped for a different kind of functionality, which will probably make me not use them very often.
Sources:
Post on Minecraft website
Tweet linked at the top of the article
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