What Are Ocean Ruins in Minecraft? A Comprehensive Guide
Ocean ruins, also known as underwater ruins, are minor structures found exclusively on the seabed of Ocean biomes in Minecraft. These fascinating, often dilapidated, buildings add an element of mystery and exploration to the game’s vast underwater world. Typically, they are constructed from stone bricks and chiseled stone, although Warm Oceans will see them made from sandstone variants instead. They vary greatly in size, from small, single-room structures to larger, more complex ruined buildings and sometimes small clusters. These ruins are not just aesthetic additions; they are also sources of valuable loot and, in some cases, clues to other locations. Their presence makes seafaring a more engaging experience, inviting players to explore every nook and cranny of the submerged world. The structures often have a sense of history, hinting at past civilizations or events, and adding lore to the Minecraft universe.
Different Types of Ocean Ruins
Ocean ruins are not all the same; they are categorized into two variant types: Cold and Warm Ruins. These variations are defined by their building materials and the biomes in which they generate. Understanding these differences is key to locating specific resources and understanding the types of loot available.
Cold Ruins
Cold Ruins are typically constructed of stone, cobblestone, or chiseled stone, and sometimes terracotta. These ruins generate in cold or frozen ocean biomes, reflecting the harsh environment in their structural design and materials. The presence of terracotta can be an early indication that you’ve stumbled upon a cold ruin. These ruins often feel more rugged and weathered, perfectly blending with the icy surroundings.
Warm Ruins
Warm Ruins, conversely, are built from sandstone variants and often andesite. They generate in warm, lukewarm, and deep lukewarm biomes. The use of sandstone gives these ruins a distinctly desert-like feel, and they often blend seamlessly with the warmer, sunnier ocean environments. The addition of andesite adds variation to the building materials. These ruins typically have a more weathered appearance due to the effects of sand and water.
Exploring Ocean Ruins: What to Expect
When exploring ocean ruins, players can expect a variety of things. While their appearance can vary, they generally share several common characteristics. One of the most notable aspects is that most Ocean Ruins will always have a Chest, either a small one or a large one. These chests are not always easily accessible and are often buried by sand or gravel.
Loot and Treasures
The primary appeal of ocean ruins is the potential loot they offer. Chests within these ruins can contain:
- Coal
- Gold Nuggets
- Emeralds
- Buried Treasure Maps: These maps are invaluable as they can lead players to Woodland Mansions, Ocean Monuments, or even more Buried Treasure.
- Various tools and resources.
- Armor and rotten flesh
- Various other common items like wheat, axes, and fishing rods.
In addition to chests, ocean ruins also contain suspicious blocks.
Suspicious Sand and Gravel
Suspicious sand generates naturally in buried rooms under desert pyramids and at the bottom of desert wells, as well as within warm ocean ruins. Brushing suspicious sand with a brush can reveal a variety of items, including a rare sniffer egg. In Cold Ruins, you’ll find suspicious gravel, which also requires brushing to reveal hidden items. These blocks add a layer of interactivity to the ruins, inviting players to carefully explore each area.
Size and Generation
Ocean ruins can vary significantly in size, adding to their unpredictable nature. 30% of ocean ruins generate as large ocean ruins, while the other 70% generate as small ruins. If the ocean ruin is large, there is a 90% chance for 4-8 (inclusive) small ocean ruins to generate around it in a cluster. This clustering effect can make an area feel rich with ruins, offering a greater chance of finding chests and suspicious blocks. Interestingly, although most ocean ruins generate underwater, some occasionally generate on land as well.
Comparison with Ocean Monuments
While both ocean ruins and ocean monuments are underwater structures, they are fundamentally different. Ocean Monuments are much larger, guarded by Guardians and Elder Guardians, and don’t contain chests with loot. Instead, Ocean Monuments are the only place to find Sponge blocks and are a plentiful source of Prismarine blocks. They also contain Sea Lanterns, but these shatter unless mined with a Silk Touch enchanted tool. Additionally, ocean monuments have a core with 8 gold blocks and a chance for rare armor trims. Unlike Ocean Ruins, they are not intended as a source of standard loot, though the items within them and the rewards from raiding them make them highly valuable.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the primary purpose of exploring ocean ruins?
The primary purpose of exploring ocean ruins is to obtain loot from chests and discover hidden items within suspicious blocks. These structures also provide clues through buried treasure maps, which can lead to more significant locations.
2. How do I differentiate between cold and warm ocean ruins?
Cold ruins are constructed from stone, cobblestone, chiseled stone, and sometimes terracotta, and generate in cold ocean biomes. Warm ruins are made of sandstone variants and andesite, found in warm ocean biomes.
3. Do ocean ruins always have chests?
Yes, nearly all ocean ruins contain at least one chest, either a small or a large one, which are often buried under sand or gravel.
4. What are the common loot items in ocean ruin chests?
Common loot items in ocean ruin chests include coal, gold nuggets, emeralds, buried treasure maps, various tools, and other resources.
5. What is suspicious sand, and where can I find it?
Suspicious sand generates in warm ocean ruins, buried rooms under desert pyramids, and at the bottom of desert wells. It can be brushed with a brush to reveal hidden items.
6. What is suspicious gravel, and where can I find it?
Suspicious gravel generates in cold ocean ruins and can be brushed with a brush to reveal hidden items.
7. How common are large ocean ruins?
30% of ocean ruins generate as large ruins, with the remaining 70% being small.
8. Do ocean ruins generate in clusters?
Large ocean ruins have a 90% chance to generate with 4-8 smaller ruins around them in a cluster.
9. Are ocean ruins only found underwater?
While most generate underwater, some ocean ruins can generate on land.
10. What is the key difference between ocean ruins and ocean monuments?
Ocean ruins have chests with loot and suspicious blocks, while ocean monuments do not. Instead, Ocean monuments are a source of Sponge blocks, Prismarine blocks, and Sea Lanterns, and are guarded by hostile mobs.
11. Can I find sea lanterns in ocean ruins?
Sea lanterns do not generate exclusively in ocean ruins, but they are present in ocean monuments.
12. Where can I find a sniffer egg?
Sniffer eggs can be found by brushing suspicious sand within warm ocean ruins.
13. Is there a specific method for raiding ocean ruins?
There is no specific method to raid ocean ruins, but being prepared with potions of water breathing and night vision can be useful. Be cautious of any hostile mobs that may reside within or around ruins.
14. What is the best loot to get from Ocean Monuments?
Sponge blocks, which are exclusive to this structure, Prismarine blocks, and Sea Lanterns. You also get tide armor trims from elder guardians, and gold blocks from the core.
15. How do I avoid being attacked by guardians?
In Java Edition, the eye does not follow unarmored players under the effects of a potion of Invisibility, which can prevent attacks. In other editions, try to avoid line of sight and use ranged attacks.
Exploring ocean ruins in Minecraft is a rewarding experience, offering valuable loot and the thrill of discovery. By understanding the different types of ruins and the items they contain, players can maximize their underwater adventures and unlock the secrets hidden beneath the waves.