How to Find Badlands in Minecraft

Your Guide on How to Find Badlands in Minecraft Efficiently

Welcome, fellow crafters, to your ultimate guide to one of Minecraft’s most visually striking and sometimes challenging biomes: the Badlands. If you are looking for adventure, unique building materials, and a landscape that truly stands out, then you have come to the right place. The Badlands, with its vibrant colors and dramatic formations, features stunning rock formations that serve as a key visual attraction, making this biome an experience unlike any other in your Minecraft world.

What is the Badlands biome?

Imagine a landscape painted in a thousand shades of orange, red, and brown, with towering plateaus, deep canyons, and a distinct lack of lush greenery. That, in essence, is the Badlands biome. It is a dry, arid environment with a dry climate, characterized by its iconic terracotta blocks and red sand. Unlike the emerald green of a forest or the snowy white of a tundra, the Badlands offers a truly unique palette for exploration and creativity.

History: formerly known as Mesa

For those of you who have been playing Minecraft for a while, you might remember the Badlands by its old name: Mesa. The name change happened in the Minecraft 1.13 Village and Pillage update. This update also added mesa biomes with distinct terrain and features, expanding the variety and uniqueness of these regions. While the name is different, the essence of this fantastic biome remains the same: a stunning, desert-like region dominated by colored clay. This change helped to better categorize and describe the biome, bringing it more in line with its real-world inspirations.

Why is it unique and rare

The Badlands biome is considered one of the rarer biomes in Minecraft, making finding one a special event. Its rarity is partly due to the specific conditions required for its generation. It tends to appear in warmer climate zones, often bordering deserts or savannas, but it has its own distinct temperature and humidity values. Identifying a neighboring biome such as a desert or savanna can help players locate the Badlands, as these biomes are commonly found adjacent to it. Interestingly, Badlands biomes can sometimes generate next to oceans, though they usually border dry biomes.

What makes it truly unique are its exclusive blocks, primarily the vast quantities of terracotta in all its dyed forms, and the abundance of gold ore at higher elevations than in other biomes. These features make it incredibly valuable for certain resources and building styles.

Overview of biome variants and terrain features

The Badlands is not just one uniform biome. Oh no, it is a family of distinct sub-biomes, each offering its own twist on the classic Badlands theme. You will encounter everything from flat, expansive plateaus to dramatic, spire-filled eroded areas and even a few variants that manage to sprout some trees. The eroded Badlands features unique formations of terracotta hoodoos, including sharp mountain peaks that rise up from the ground, adding to its dramatic and artistic landscape.

The terrain itself is a spectacle, featuring mounds of colorful terracotta and arid, mountainous terrain. Expect to see stunning rock formations found throughout the biome, such as multicolored canyons, mesas, and large mounds of terracotta bands that create a mesmerizing landscape. There are often sheer terracotta cliffs, natural arches, and deep ravines that cut through the landscape. Unique surface landforms like crescent dunes contribute to the biome’s dramatic visual appeal. Flat or elevated plateau tops are notable, often hosting ponds or patches of vegetation. The biome was once nicknamed disco mountains due to its vibrant, flat-topped mesas and distinct terrain features. These elements create a world that is not only beautiful but also challenging to navigate, offering fantastic opportunities for parkour and exploration.

How to Find Badlands in Minecraft

Finding the Badlands can be a thrilling part of your Minecraft journey. The badlands biome generated is characterized by its multi-colored terracotta cliffs, red sand landscapes, and unique terrain features like mesas and steep canyons. Since it is one of the rarer biomes, you might have to put in a little effort, but the rewards are well worth it.

Natural generation: climate and geography

Badlands biomes generally generate in warmer climate zones. You are most likely to find them bordering other warm biomes such as deserts, savannas, and sometimes even jungles. They typically avoid colder biomes like tundras or taigas. Minecraft’s world generation algorithm tries to place biomes with similar temperatures next to each other, so expanding your search from a desert is often a good strategy. Additionally, all Badlands biomes do not experience rain, meaning lightning strikes are impossible.

The terrain surface of the Badlands biome varies with altitude and water depth, featuring layered clay and terracotta formations that create its unique geological and visual appearance.

They are not usually found near oceans or deep water bodies unless there is a significant landmass between them and a warmer biome.

Best exploration strategies

When you are looking for Badlands, here are some strategies that can help:

• • Go high: Climbing to the highest point in a desert or savanna biome and looking around can give you a good vantage point. The distinct red and orange hues of the Badlands often stand out against the more muted yellows and greens of other biomes.

• • Boats and elytra: If you are near a large body of water, using a boat to travel along coastlines can be efficient, as biomes often stretch along landmasses. If you have access to an elytra, flying at a moderate altitude will allow you to cover vast distances quickly and spot biome changes from above.

• • Patience and persistence: Sometimes, it just takes time. Keep exploring in a consistent direction. You might travel for thousands of blocks before stumbling upon one.

• Occasionally, you may encounter an extremely tiny badlands biome, which is a rare and visually distinctive miniature version of the biome. Keep an eye out for these small patches, as they can be easy to miss during exploration.

Using /locate biome minecraft:badlands

For those who prefer a more direct approach, especially in creative mode or if you are truly stuck, the /locate biome command is your best friend.

1. Open the chat window: Press ‘T’ (default key).
2. Type the command: Enter /locate biome minecraft:badlands.
3. Press Enter: The game will then provide the coordinates (X, Y, Z) of the nearest Badlands biome.
4. Teleport (optional): Once you have the coordinates, you can teleport there using /tp @p X Y Z (replace X, Y, Z with the given numbers). Be aware that the Y coordinate is the height, so pick a reasonable number like 100 to avoid spawning inside a block or falling from too great a height.

This command is incredibly useful for finding specific biomes quickly, whether for exploration, building, or just admiring the view.

Recommended seeds with Badlands spawn

While world generation is somewhat random, certain “seeds” (the numeric code that determines a world’s layout) are known to generate Badlands biomes close to the spawn point or at easily accessible locations. In a particular world (that is, a specific seed), the terracotta layer patterns in Badlands biomes will be consistent, making it easier to recognize terrain features. Searching online forums or dedicated Minecraft seed websites for “Badlands seeds” for your specific Minecraft version (Java or Bedrock) can yield some excellent results. Always make sure the seed is for your game version to ensure it works correctly.

Tools and mods for biome location

Several third-party tools and mods can assist with biome location, though these are typically for the Java Edition of Minecraft:

• • Chunkbase Biome Finder: This is a popular online tool where you can input your world seed, and it will generate a map of your world, showing all biomes. It is incredibly helpful for planning long journeys or finding specific biomes without in-game commands.

• • Xaero’s Minimap or Journeymap: These are client-side mods that add a minimap to your game screen. They often have features that display the biome you are currently in and can sometimes highlight nearby biomes on a larger map, making exploration more efficient.

• WorldEdit (for advanced users/creative mode): While primarily a building tool, WorldEdit has commands that can help identify or even generate specific biome types, though this is more for map-making than organic exploration. In Bedrock Edition, players may need to analyze the world seed or utilize third-party tools to locate Badlands.

Always be careful when installing mods and ensure they are from reputable sources and compatible with your game version.

Core Badlands Biomes

The Badlands biome is not a monolith; it is a collection of distinct sub-biomes, often referred to as badlands biome variants, each with its own unique terrain features and gameplay opportunities. Understanding these differences will help you appreciate the biome even more and plan your explorations or building projects accordingly.

Badlands Biome

This is the standard, classic Badlands biome, also known as the “regular badlands,” featuring steep terracotta hills and abundant gold ore, and often referred to as just “Badlands.”

Terrain features

The terrain here is typically rugged and undulating, with rolling hills and occasional cliffs. You will see a lot of exposed colored terracotta, forming natural striped patterns in the ground and cliff faces. At the highest points, the topmost layer is often weathered into regular terracotta, which affects the terrain’s appearance and structure. There can be small plateaus and narrow ravines, but generally, it is less extreme than the eroded variants.

Block types: terracotta, red sand

The primary blocks you will encounter are terracotta (all 16 dyed colors as well as uncolored) and red sand. Stained terracotta naturally generates in colorful layers throughout the biome, including orange terracotta and white terracotta, which are commonly found among the various colored layers. Red sandstone will also be present, both naturally occurring and craftable from red sand. Dirt patches are rare, and grass is almost non-existent. The standard variant of the Badlands biome is particularly known for its layered terracotta cliffs in various colors, creating a visually stunning and unique terrain.

Climate and mob spawning

The Badlands biome has a warm and arid climate. There is no rainfall; instead, you might see occasional dust particles in the air, creating a hazy effect.

Mob spawning is similar to deserts. Passive mobs like sheep, cows, pigs, and chickens are generally very rare or non-existent here, except in wooded variants. Farm animals are especially scarce in the Badlands biome, making survival more challenging for players who rely on them for food and resources. Hostile mobs like zombies, skeletons, spiders, and creepers will spawn at night, so be sure to light up your area or bring appropriate gear. Since the terrain can be uneven, watch out for mobs dropping from ledges above. Dead bushes are more common in the Badlands biome than in typical desert biomes, adding to its arid and sparse aesthetic.

Normal Badlands

This is often used interchangeably with “Badlands Biome” or “Mesa.” It refers to the basic, most common form of the Badlands.

Definition and terrain

The “Normal Badlands” variant is characterized by its expansive, rolling landscape of colored terracotta and red sand. Notably, red sand flats are a prominent and easily recognizable part of the terrain, standing out with their vivid red sand and terracotta layers. It features the signature striped hills and occasional flat-topped mesas. It is generally less extreme in its elevation changes compared to the eroded variants, making it slightly easier to traverse, though still challenging.

Differences from other variants

The key difference from other variants is the absence of significant tree cover (like in Wooded Badlands) and the lack of the dramatic, spire-like formations seen in Eroded Badlands. It is the baseline from which the other variants diverge.

Eroded Badlands

Prepare for a truly breathtaking and often perilous landscape when you encounter the Eroded Badlands. One of the key features of this biome is the mesa plateau, known for its rugged cliffs and striking rock formations.

Canyon-like formations

This variant is famous for its dramatic, towering pillars and spires of terracotta that seem to defy gravity. These features are characteristic of a badland landscape, shaped by erosion. It looks like nature is its own art gallery. These formations are often interspersed with deep, narrow canyons and chasms, creating a labyrinthine environment.

Visual characteristics

The visual appeal of Eroded Badlands is unparalleled. The sheer verticality of the terracotta pillars, often showing off distinct layers of different colored clay, is a sight to behold. It is a fantastic place for scenic screenshots and adventurous exploration.

Rarity and generation

Eroded Badlands is one of the rarer Badlands sub-biomes. It requires very specific conditions for its extreme terrain generation, making it a special find. The dramatic formations and features in the Eroded Badlands naturally generate due to specific world generation rules. When you do stumble upon it, take your time to appreciate the natural wonders it presents.

Eroded Badlands Biome

Technical biome classification

In the game’s code, this specific variant is distinctly identified as “eroded_badlands” or similar. This classification helps the game apply its unique terrain generation rules and environmental properties.

How it differs from standard eroded terrain

While the name might suggest “eroded terrain” generally, the “Eroded Badlands Biome” specifically refers to the one with the iconic terracotta spires and deep canyons. Other biomes might have erosion effects (like mountains), but none produce the same visual spectacle as this Badlands variant.

Wooded Variants

While most Badlands biomes are stark and barren, there are a few special variants that introduce a touch of green, offering some much-needed wood and a different aesthetic.

Wooded Badlands

This variant is a unique blend of the arid Badlands environment with sporadic tree generation. Wooded Badlands generate groves of trees at high altitudes and are the forest variant of the Badlands, providing a rare source of wood in this otherwise barren biome.

Additionally, lush caves can sometimes be found beneath the Wooded Badlands, offering unique resources and exploration opportunities.

Tree generation

In Wooded Badlands, you will find oak and sometimes dark oak trees growing on patches of coarse dirt or grass blocks that appear alongside the red sand and terracotta. These trees are usually thinly scattered, not forming dense forests, but they provide a crucial source of wood in an otherwise wood-scarce biome.

Passive mob spawning

With the presence of grass blocks, passive mobs like cows, pigs, sheep, and chickens can now spawn here. This makes Wooded Badlands a much more viable location for starting a new survival base if you want to stay within the Badlands biome but need access to basic resources.

Grass and foliage

Small patches of grass and occasional ferns will dot the landscape, offering a contrast to the dominant red and orange. The grass here is often a muted, yellowish-green color, reflecting the dry environment, but it is a welcome splash of life.

Wooded Badlands Plateau

This variant combines the flat, elevated terrain of a plateau with the presence of trees. The mesa forest plateau can also contain tunnels, gold ore patches, and mineshaft systems.

Flat terrain with trees

The Wooded Badlands Plateau is characterized by its relatively flat, high-elevation surfaces, similar to a standard Badlands Plateau, but with the bonus of trees. These plateaus are often quite expansive, making them excellent locations for building large structures without having to do extensive terraforming.

Ideal for building

If you are planning a large base or an elaborate Redstone contraption within the Badlands, a Wooded Badlands Plateau is an ideal spot. The flat surface provides a natural foundation, and the nearby trees offer a renewable source of wood for crafting and fuel. The combination of unique Badlands aesthetics and practical resources makes it a popular choice for builders.

Modified Wooded Badlands Plateau

This variant takes the Wooded Badlands Plateau and adds a touch of irregularity and visual complexity.

Irregular terrain

The Modified Wooded Badlands Plateau features more uneven and varied terrain compared to its unmodified counterpart. While still largely flat-topped, you might find more dips, rises, and irregular edges. It is as if the landscape is slightly rumpled.

Visual complexity and elevation changes

This “modification” introduces more visual interest, with more pronounced elevation changes within the plateau structure. It can create more interesting natural building sites or require a bit more groundwork if you are aiming for a perfectly flat base. Despite the irregularities, trees still grow here, providing that essential wood resource.

Plateau Variants

The Badlands biome is famous for its mesa-like structures, and the plateau variants truly showcase this iconic feature. These elevated, flat-topped landforms define much of the Badlands aesthetic.

Badlands Plateau

This is the quintessential mesa-style Badlands variant.

Flat-topped mesas

The Badlands Plateau features expansive, flat-topped mountains or hills, often with steep, colored terracotta sides. These large, elevated areas are quite common and contribute significantly to the rugged, layered appearance of the biome. From a distance, they resemble giant, multi-layered cakes.

Mining advantages

One of the most significant advantages of the Badlands Plateaus is the increased abundance of gold ore. Unlike other biomes where gold is typically found deep underground, in the Badlands (especially the plateau variants), gold ore can generate at much higher elevations, even near the surface. This makes the Badlands an excellent place for early-game gold gathering without needing to dig deep into dangerous caves.

Modified Badlands Plateaus

These variants are a more chaotic and complex version of the standard Badlands Plateau.

Chaotic terrain generation

Modified Badlands Plateaus often feature more irregular and broken-up terrain compared to the smoother, more defined Badlands Plateaus. You might find several smaller plateaus clustered together, often with deep ravines or sudden drops between them. The edges are less uniform, and the overall landscape appears more “fractured.”

Building challenges and aesthetics

While visually stunning, the chaotic terrain of Modified Badlands Plateaus can present challenges for building. Finding a perfectly flat, expansive spot might be harder, and you may need to do more terraforming. However, for those who enjoy integrating their builds with natural, complex landscapes, these variants offer incredible aesthetic opportunities for cliffside bases or structures that blend seamlessly into the dramatic environment.

Modified Badlands

This is a general term that encompasses any Badlands sub-biome that has undergone some form of “modification” in its generation, leading to more irregular or distinct terrain.

General term for altered terrain

The “Modified” tag in Minecraft biomes generally indicates a slight alteration or variation from the standard version of that biome. For Badlands, this usually means more pronounced or irregular terrain features compared to the “normal” variants.

Includes all modified sub-biomes

So, when you see “Modified Badlands,” it is a broader category that includes specific variants like the Modified Wooded Badlands Plateau and Modified Badlands Plateau. It signifies that the terrain generation for that area has been tweaked to produce a more complex or unique landscape than its unmodified counterpart. It is like the game is saying, “Here is a Badlands, but with a little extra flair!”

Badlands Structures and Resources

Beyond its stunning visuals, the Badlands biome offers some unique structures and resources that make it a highly desirable place for exploration and mining. One notable feature is the badlands mineshaft, a surface structure often found in this biome that can contain valuable loot.

Surface mineshafts: generation and loot

One of the most iconic features of the Badlands is the generation of abandoned mineshafts on the surface. Unlike other biomes where mineshafts are exclusively found underground, in the Badlands, they often generate exposed on the sides of cliffs or even sprawling across the surface, sometimes covered only by a thin layer of red sand. Finding a badlands mineshaft exposed on the surface is a rare and visually interesting occurrence, making it a notable point of interest for explorers. Additionally, dark oak mineshafts are a rare feature sometimes found within or near the Badlands biome, often visible on high terrain and recognized by their distinctive dark oak wood. These abandoned mineshafts offer valuable loot, making them a treasure trove for explorers.

These surface mineshafts are fantastic for early-game exploration as they are easy to spot and access. They contain:

• • Minecart chests: These chests can contain various valuable items such as iron ingots, gold ingots, diamonds, enchanted books, name tags, and even melon seeds.

• • Cobwebs: Useful for crafting wool or for slow-falling traps.

• • Torches: Providing an instant light source for your adventures.

• • Rails: A good source of iron if you need to build a railway system.

• Cave spiders: Be cautious, as cave spider spawners are a common sight in mineshafts. They can poison you, so bring milk or be prepared for a fight.

Gold ore abundance

As mentioned earlier, gold ore is significantly more abundant in the Badlands biome than anywhere else in Minecraft. It generates at a higher frequency and across a wider Y-level range, meaning you can find it closer to the surface. This makes the Badlands the best biome for mining gold, especially if you are looking for early-game enchantments or crafting golden carrots for superior food saturation.

In addition, badlands tunnels—underground passageways that generate within the Badlands biome—are rich in gold ore and often exposed at higher elevations, making mining much easier.

You can often spot veins of gold ore exposed on the sides of terracotta cliffs, saving you the effort of deep mining.

Terracotta layers and color variants

The most defining resource of the Badlands is, without a doubt, terracotta. The biome is made almost entirely of it, generating in vibrant, naturally striped layers. These layers include uncolored terracotta as well as all 16 dyed colors (white, orange, magenta, light blue, yellow, lime, pink, gray, light gray, cyan, purple, blue, brown, green, red, and black).

• • Uncolored Terracotta: This is the base material. You can smelt clay blocks (found in rivers and swamps) into terracotta, or simply mine it directly from the biome.

• • Dyed Terracotta: The beautiful striped patterns you see are naturally generated dyed terracotta blocks. You cannot craft these specific naturally occurring patterns, but you can dye uncolored terracotta with dyes to create single-colored blocks.

• Crafting: Terracotta is an excellent building material, offering a distinct aesthetic. You can also craft glazed terracotta by smelting dyed terracotta, which results in even more decorative and uniquely patterned blocks.

Red sand and its uses

Red sand is the other signature block of the Badlands. It acts similarly to regular sand but has a reddish-brown hue.

• • Red Sandstone: Like regular sand, red sand can be crafted into red sandstone, and further into chiseled, cut, smooth, and stairs/slabs/walls variations, offering a versatile building palette.

• • Glass: Smelting red sand produces regular glass blocks.

• • Concrete Powder: When combined with gravel, dye, and water, red sand can be used to make red concrete powder, which then turns into solid red concrete when it comes into contact with water.

• Aesthetic: Red sand provides a great contrasting block to the terracotta and is perfect for creating paths, desert-themed builds, or simply adding a touch of the Badlands to your creations.

Blocks Found in Badlands

Understanding the specific blocks available in the Badlands is crucial for both resource gathering and building. The underwater surface in the Badlands is typically covered with orange terracotta, with variations in shallow and deep water areas, sometimes interspersed with gravel. Here is a rundown of what you will typically find.

Terracotta (all colors)

As the defining block of the biome, terracotta is found everywhere. You will see it in its uncolored form and in all 16 dyed colors, often generating in beautiful, natural striped patterns along cliff faces and hillsides. These provide an incredible array of building materials that are unique to this biome. Remember, you can also smelt terracotta into glazed terracotta for even more decorative options.

Red sand and sandstone

The ground level of many Badlands variants is covered in red sand. This block behaves exactly like regular sand, meaning it is affected by gravity and will fall if the block beneath it is removed. Red sand can be crafted into various forms of red sandstone, including regular red sandstone, chiseled red sandstone, cut red sandstone, smooth red sandstone, and their respective stairs, slabs, and walls. These are fantastic for creating sturdy and visually appealing structures that complement the Badlands aesthetic. Additionally, sugar canes can generate along water sources within the Badlands biome, providing a rare touch of greenery.

Dead bushes

Dead bushes are a common sight in the Badlands, similar to deserts. They are a purely aesthetic block, providing a sparse, arid look to the landscape. You can break them easily, and they do not drop anything useful without shears. With shears, they can be collected and placed for decorative purposes. Cacti also commonly generate in the Badlands biome, often near its borders with desert biomes, adding to the arid environment.

Cacti (in bordering desert areas)

While not generating directly within the core Badlands areas, cacti are very common in the desert biomes that often border the Badlands. Since these biomes frequently generate adjacent to each other due to similar climate conditions, you will often find cacti within easy reach if you venture to the edges of the Badlands. Cacti are useful for making green dye and can also be used as a defensive block against mobs, as they cause damage to anything that touches them.

Biome ID and Technical Details

For those who delve into the technical side of Minecraft, understanding Biome IDs and how the game classifies Badlands variants can be incredibly useful for commands, datapacks, and custom map creation.

Biome IDs for each variant

In Minecraft Java Edition, biomes are identified by specific string IDs. For the Badlands family, these include:

• • minecraft:badlands (for the standard Badlands biome)

• • minecraft:wooded_badlands_plateau (for the variant with trees on plateaus)

• • minecraft:eroded_badlands (for the spiky, canyon-filled variant)

• • minecraft:modified_wooded_badlands_plateau (the irregular wooded plateau)

• • minecraft:minecraft:badlands_plateau (for the standard plateau variant)

• minecraft:modified_badlands_plateau (the irregular plateau)

In Minecraft Bedrock Edition, biome IDs are typically numerical, but they often correspond to similar names or properties. For Bedrock commands, it is usually sufficient to use the string name when locating biomes, as the game internally maps it.

How Minecraft classifies Badlands

Minecraft’s world generation system uses a complex algorithm that considers temperature, humidity, and elevation to determine which biome to place where. The Badlands biomes are classified as warm and arid, which limits where they can generate, usually next to other warm biomes like deserts or savannas.

Each variant has its own specific generation rules for terrain shape, block distribution, and feature placement (like trees or surface mineshafts). The “Modified” variants often occur when two biomes transition into each other or when the terrain generation is deliberately made more complex in that specific area.

Use in commands and datapacks

Knowing the exact biome IDs is essential for several in-game commands and for creating custom content:

• • /locate biome: As discussed, this command uses the biome ID to pinpoint the nearest instance of that biome. Example: /locate biome minecraft:eroded_badlands.

• • /fill and /setblock (with NBT data): While not directly related to biome ID, biome information can be used with more advanced commands in conjunction with coordinate data.

• • Datapacks: For map makers and modders, datapacks can modify world generation, including biome placement, features within biomes, and even create custom biomes. Knowing the vanilla biome IDs is the starting point for interacting with or overriding these systems. For example, you could create a datapack that increases the spawning rate of a specific mob only within a minecraft:wooded_badlands_plateau.

• Custom World Generation: If you are using custom world generation settings (like in a customized world type in older Java versions, or with data packs in newer versions), biome IDs are crucial for defining where specific features or blocks should appear.

Understanding these technical details allows for a much deeper level of interaction with your Minecraft world, giving you more control over your experience.

Building in Badlands

The Badlands biome, with its unique aesthetic, presents both exciting opportunities and interesting challenges for builders. If you are looking to create a base or structure that truly stands out, this is the place to do it.

Aesthetic appeal

The most striking aspect of building in the Badlands is the inherent beauty of the terracotta and red sand palette.

• • Vibrant colors: The natural layers of dyed terracotta create a stunning backdrop for any build. You can use this to your advantage, incorporating the natural stripes into your design or building structures that complement the existing color scheme.

• • Dramatic landscapes: The towering mesas, deep canyons, and eroded spires provide incredible natural foundations and scenic vistas. Imagine a cliffside base overlooking a vast expanse of red earth, or a hidden outpost nestled within a narrow canyon.

• Contrast: The warm, earthy tones of the Badlands contrast beautifully with certain other block types. Dark oak wood, stone bricks, or even prismarine can create striking visual effects against the reds and oranges. Glass, especially stained glass, can also look spectacular here.

Challenges: vegetation, water

Building in the Badlands does come with its unique set of challenges:

• • Lack of vegetation: Wood is scarce, especially in the non-wooded variants. This means you will either need to import wood from other biomes, find a wooded Badlands variant, or set up a tree farm. This applies to saplings as well; you might need to bring them in to start a local supply.

• • Water scarcity: Water sources are rare. You will likely need to carry water buckets with you for farming, crafting, or just for convenience. Creating infinite water sources is possible, but finding natural lakes or rivers within the Badlands is uncommon. This also impacts farming, requiring careful planning for irrigation.

• • Uneven terrain: While great for aesthetics, the rugged terrain means a lot of terraforming might be necessary if you desire flat building plots. Terrain composition and appearance can vary significantly at low altitudes, which can further affect building and navigation. This can involve extensive digging or filling.

• Mob spawning: Like deserts, hostile mobs will spawn at night. Without much natural cover, ensuring your build is well-lit is crucial for safety.

Tips for terraforming and base design

Here are some tips to help you build successfully and beautifully in the Badlands:

• • Embrace the verticality: Instead of flattening everything, consider building into the sides of mesas or constructing multi-level bases that follow the natural contours of the land. Staircases, ladders, and elevators will be your friends.

• • Use terracotta creatively: Experiment with the different colors of terracotta and glazed terracotta. The distinct patterns of glazed terracotta can add incredible detail to floors, walls, and roofs.

• • Red sandstone is your friend: Utilize red sandstone for foundations, walls, and paths. Its various forms (smooth, cut, chiseled) offer diverse textures.

• • Think about resource management: Plan for wood and water. Create a small tree farm and an infinite water source early on. Consider setting up a nether portal to quickly travel to other biomes for resources if needed.

• • Light it up: Use torches, glowstone, sea lanterns, or other light sources liberally to prevent hostile mob spawns, especially around your base perimeter.

• • Desert-friendly farms: For food, consider growing crops like cacti (for green dye, not food directly), sugar cane, or even setting up a small melon or pumpkin farm, which are relatively low-water. For animals, you will need to import them to start a farm.

• Consider a ‘hidden’ base: The dramatic canyons and varied terrain are perfect for creating well-hidden bases that blend into the environment.

Building in the Badlands is a rewarding experience that pushes your creativity and offers truly unique results.

Fun Facts and Trivia

The Badlands biome has a rich history and some interesting characteristics that make it stand out.

• Trivia: In the animated series ‘Around the Minecraft World in 80 Biomes,’ a character named Jonathan Minecraft is featured in a Badlands setting. There is a notable scene involving the narrator and MARILLA confronting Jonathan Minecraft, highlighting the narrative aspect of this biome.

Rare biome statistics

The Badlands biome is consistently ranked among the rarest biomes in Minecraft. While exact generation probabilities can vary slightly between game versions, it is generally considered rarer than jungles, mushroom fields (mooshroom islands), and even modified jungle edge biomes. This rarity adds to the excitement of discovering one during your explorations. Its specific generation conditions, requiring warm and arid climates, contribute to its infrequent appearance.

Real-world inspiration

The Badlands biome in Minecraft is heavily inspired by real-world badlands geological formations, particularly those found in places like Badlands National Park in South Dakota, USA, or the Painted Desert in Arizona. These areas are characterized by extensive erosion of soft sedimentary rocks, leading to rugged, arid terrain with colorful, layered rock formations, deep canyons, and sparse vegetation. The resemblance, especially in the vibrant colors of terracotta and the eroded spires, is quite striking.

Evolution from Mesa to Badlands

As mentioned earlier, the biome was originally known as the “Mesa” biome. The name “Mesa” comes from the Spanish word for “table,” referring to its flat-topped, table-like mountains. The renaming to “Badlands” in Minecraft 1.13 (The Update Aquatic) was part of a larger effort to standardize biome naming conventions and often to make them more descriptive of the biome’s actual characteristics. While the name changed, the iconic features and resources remained the same, solidifying its place as one of Minecraft’s most memorable biomes. It is a little piece of Minecraft history that long-time players will fondly remember.

Tips for Survival and Exploration

Venturing into the Badlands can be a fantastic adventure, but it requires some preparation and knowledge to survive and thrive.

• Look for river cave entrance locations along river valleys in the Badlands, as these can be useful for exploration and resource gathering.

Resource gathering

• • Wood is key: If you are not in a Wooded Badlands variant, you will quickly run out of wood. Prioritize finding a nearby forest biome or creating a sapling farm early on. Bring at least a stack of wood with you when you first enter.

• • Gold abundance: Take advantage of the easy-to-find gold ore. This can provide early gold armor, tools (though not very durable), golden apples for regeneration, or golden carrots for food.

• • Terracotta and red sand: These are your main building blocks and are incredibly plentiful. Stock up on them for future projects.

• • Water: Natural water sources are very rare. Always carry at least two empty buckets to create an infinite water source if you find a two-block deep pool, or bring a filled bucket from another biome.

• Food: Farming in the Badlands is challenging due to water scarcity and a lack of passive mobs. Consider bringing plenty of cooked food or establishing a small, irrigated farm as soon as possible. Cacti can be used for green dye, but they are not a food source.

Mob threats

• • Hostile mobs: Like most biomes, hostile mobs such as zombies, skeletons, spiders, and creepers will spawn at night. The uneven terrain can make fighting them tricky, as they might surprise you from above or below. Always carry a sword and wear some armor. The Badlands biome does not cast lightning, except in river areas, so there is a reduced risk of fire from lightning strikes compared to other biomes.

• • Cave spiders: Mineshafts, especially surface ones, are common in the Badlands and often contain cave spider spawners. These small spiders are dangerous because of their poisonous effect. Bring milk buckets to cure poison, or ensure you have good armor and a shield.

• Falling hazards: The dramatic cliffs and canyons are a constant threat. One wrong step can lead to a long fall. Always be careful, especially at night or when navigating steep terrain. Consider bringing a water bucket to perform a “water drop” if you fall, or an Elytra with slow-falling potions if you are more advanced.

Best gear and tools to bring

• • Pickaxe: Essential for mining terracotta, gold, and stone (if found). An iron pickaxe or better is recommended.

• • Shovel: For digging red sand quickly.

• • Axe: For any wood you might find or bring.

• • Sword: For self-defense against hostile mobs.

• • Armor: At least iron armor is recommended for protection.

• • Torches/Light Sources: Crucial for lighting up areas, preventing mob spawns, and navigating at night or in dark ravines.

• • Water bucket: Absolutely vital for survival, farming, and safety (water dropping).

• • Food: Bring a good supply, as natural food sources are scarce.

• • Bed: To set your spawn point and skip the night, avoiding hostile mobs.

• • Map: A blank map can be very useful for charting your exploration of the vast and visually similar Badlands landscape.

• • Compass: To help you find your way back to your spawn point or base.

• Elytra and Slow Falling Potions (late game): For advanced players, an Elytra makes navigating the highly vertical Badlands a breeze and protects against fall damage. Slow-falling potions offer extra safety.

With careful preparation and a keen eye for adventure, the Badlands can be one of the most rewarding biomes to explore and build in.

Conclusion

The Badlands biome in Minecraft is truly a unique and unforgettable part of any world. From its vibrant, layered terracotta to its dramatic canyons and gold-rich plateaus, it offers a distinct experience that sets it apart from every other biome.

Summary of biome features

We have covered a lot in this guide. To quickly recap, the Badlands:

• • It is a rare, warm, and arid biome, formerly known as Mesa.

• • Features iconic colored terracotta blocks and red sand.

• • Comes in several variants, including standard Badlands, Eroded Badlands with its spires and canyons, and Wooded Badlands with rare trees and passive mobs.

• • It is best found by exploring warm biomes, using the /locate biome command, or specific seeds.

• • It is home to unique surface mineshafts and an abundance of gold ore.

• Offers a stunning aesthetic for building, though it presents challenges with limited wood and water.

Why Badlands are worth exploring

Exploring the Badlands is an adventure in itself. It is a treasure trove of unique building materials, especially for those who love earthy tones and intricate patterns. The easily accessible gold ore makes it a fantastic place for resource gathering. Beyond the practical, the sheer visual grandeur of the Badlands makes it a must-see. Every turn can reveal a breathtaking vista, a towering natural monument, or a hidden canyon waiting to be explored. It pushes you to adapt your survival strategies and challenges your building creativity.

Final thoughts for builders and adventurers

Whether you are a seasoned explorer seeking new horizons, a dedicated builder looking for your next grand project, or a new player eager to discover all that Minecraft has to offer, the Badlands biome holds immense potential. Embrace its challenges, marvel at its beauty, and let its distinct charm inspire your next Minecraft endeavor. Grab your pickaxe, pack your bags, and get ready to immerse yourself in the vibrant, rugged world of the Badlands.