Unraveling the Mystery: What is the Big Frame in Ancient City Minecraft?
The Ancient City in Minecraft, introduced in the Wild Update, is one of the most enigmatic and intriguing structures in the entire game. At its heart lies a colossal frame made of reinforced deepslate, often described as resembling a warden’s head or a non-functional portal. This structure, referred to in the game’s files as the “City Center,” dominates the landscape and serves as a focal point for the entire city. It’s not just a decorative element; it’s deeply intertwined with the lore and gameplay mechanics of the Ancient City. While it doesn’t function as a portal to another dimension (despite persistent rumors and fan theories), its presence and design are essential to understanding the story that the developers are trying to tell. This imposing frame is largely composed of reinforced deepslate blocks, a material that is (generally) unobtainable in Survival mode, adding to its mystique and signaling its significance. It is a visual anchor for the player.
Deciphering the Purpose and Design
The sheer size and prominent placement of the reinforced deepslate frame immediately suggest a deeper meaning. Here’s a closer look at its significance:
- Visual Cue and Landmark: The frame acts as a central landmark, orienting players within the sprawling, often labyrinthine layout of the Ancient City. Its distinctive shape makes it easily recognizable from a distance, helping players navigate and preventing them from getting hopelessly lost in the sculk-infested tunnels.
- Lore Implications: The structure’s resemblance to a warden’s head hints at the dominant power within the Deep Dark. This design choice isn’t accidental; it serves to constantly remind players of the warden’s presence and the dangers that lurk within the biome. It visualizes the warden’s domain.
- Architectural Centerpiece: The frame isn’t just plopped down; it’s integrated into the Ancient City’s architecture. Bridges, pathways, and smaller structures radiate outwards from it, suggesting that it was the original foundation for the city’s construction. The entire city seems to have grown around it.
- Redstone Connection: Directly beneath the frame is the infamous “Redstone Room,” a hidden area containing complex redstone circuits and contraptions. The Redstone Room highlights the use of Redstone in Minecraft. The entrance to this room is often found under a bridge attached to the main structure.
The Myth of the Warden Portal
Despite no concrete evidence within the game itself, the frame’s design has fueled speculation that it’s intended to be a portal. The shape, reminiscent of nether portals, and the use of reinforced deepslate, a material otherwise absent in Survival mode, have contributed to this theory. However, as of the latest updates, there is no way to activate the frame as a portal.
The persistent rumors about activating the portal often involve complex rituals, such as killing the warden and using a specific item (like the sculk catalyst or a nether star) to ignite it. These remain purely speculative and have not been implemented into the game by Mojang. It’s possible these rumors stem from wishful thinking or a misunderstanding of the structure’s intended purpose. Perhaps the Games Learning Society has some student projects that may focus on the warden.
Understanding Reinforced Deepslate
Reinforced deepslate is a unique block primarily found within the Ancient City structure. It’s characterized by its high blast resistance, making it difficult to break, and its distinctive appearance, setting it apart from other deepslate variants. It serves as a key building block for the large frame and other important structures within the city.
The fact that reinforced deepslate is (generally) unobtainable in Survival mode adds to the mystery of the Ancient City. This implies that the material was either created using means unavailable to players or sourced from a location beyond the dimensions currently accessible. It could potentially imply some future content with an additional challenge. This unavailability underscores the Ancient City’s unique and potentially ancient origins, suggesting a lost civilization or advanced technology beyond the player’s comprehension.
Why the Frame Matters
The reinforced deepslate frame is more than just a decoration; it’s a central element in the narrative and design of the Ancient City. It serves as a visual reminder of the warden’s power, a landmark for navigation, and a connection to the city’s underlying redstone mechanisms. Its presence invites players to explore, speculate, and piece together the story of this mysterious and dangerous location. It drives the narrative of the game.
The unobtained nature of the reinforced deepslate only serves to make the city more interesting. There are some mods that allow you to use reinforced deepslate, but there is no way to do it in vanilla survival.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the large rectangular structure in the center of the Ancient City?
The large rectangular structure is a frame made of reinforced deepslate, often referred to as the “City Center.” It’s a central landmark and a focal point for the entire Ancient City.
2. Is the big frame in Ancient City a portal?
No, despite its portal-like appearance, the frame does not function as a portal in the current version of Minecraft. There is no known way to activate it or travel through it.
3. Can you obtain reinforced deepslate in Survival mode?
Reinforced deepslate is generally unobtainable in Survival mode through conventional means. It’s primarily found within the Ancient City structure.
4. What is the Redstone Room in the Ancient City?
The Redstone Room is a hidden room located underneath the wooden bridge near the central frame. It contains complex redstone circuits and provides examples of redstone mechanics.
5. What is the point of exploring Ancient Cities?
Exploring Ancient Cities offers several benefits, including obtaining sculk catalysts, soul-related blocks, basalt, skeleton skulls, and unique loot.
6. Is there a secret room under the Ancient City portal?
Yes, the Redstone Room is the secret room located under the wooden bridge near the central frame.
7. What does the Redstone Room do?
The Redstone Room serves as a teaching tool, demonstrating various redstone mechanics and how redstone signals can be transmitted through different blocks.
8. Can you activate a Warden Portal?
No, there is currently no Warden Portal that can be activated in the Ancient City.
9. What does the Warden drop when defeated?
The warden drops a single sculk catalyst upon death, unaffected by looting. It also drops 5 experience if killed by a player or tamed wolf.
10. How do you make an Ancient City safe?
To make an Ancient City safer, focus on destroying sculk shriekers or surrounding them with wool to prevent them from triggering the warden. Also, move slowly and use sneaking to reduce vibrations.
11. Can the warden spawn in Peaceful mode?
Wardens in Peaceful mode should still spawn, but they will not actively attack or kill the player when spotted.
12. What is in the middle of the Ancient City?
The center of the Ancient City features the large reinforced deepslate frame, resembling a warden’s head.
13. Is Reinforced Deepslate a portal?
While its shape and appearance suggest it, Reinforced Deepslate is not a functional portal in the current version of Minecraft.
14. What item do you need to activate the Warden Portal?
There is no item that can activate the “Warden Portal” because there is no portal currently implemented in the game. Fan theories and speculation often suggest the use of a nether star, sculk catalyst, or a unique item dropped by the warden, but none of these activate a portal.
15. What light level is the end portal?
The end portal blocks emit a light level of 15, the highest light level in the game. This is unrelated to the Ancient City, which features sculk blocks that generally have low light levels.
The Ancient City remains a captivating and mysterious location in Minecraft. The reinforced deepslate frame is a key element of its design and lore. While it may not be a portal, its symbolic importance and central placement make it a landmark to the mysteries within. The Ancient City is one of the most interesting things about Minecraft and contributes to the GamesLearningSociety.org goals. It is a place that inspires both creativity and learning.