Sunday, November 4, 2012

1.8.2 Seed & Map: littleblackant

Total Score
96.8 / 170.0 ( 56.9% )
Ratings*
FLAT 4.4 V 5.5 M/H 9.1
RAV 5.2 C 6.6 AMS --
HOLD -- DW 3.1 OH 7.3
LB 9.7 FLOAT 7.8 SHADE 8.3
W 5.1 CLAY 6.2 LAVA 6.8
WF 7.1 LF 4.6    

*Each rating has a maximum value of 10.0

Awards

  • Premium! This seed has scored higher than 80 out of 170 in the overall score.
  • Rolling! 8.0 or higher in mountains and hills.
  • Spanned! 8.0 or higher in land bridges.
  • Dark! 8.0 or higher in shadows.

Rating

  • Beginner
  • Intermediate
  • Advanced
  • ++ Expert ++
  • Suicidal Expert

Technical Details

Seed Number: 1609147006
Version: XBL 1.8.2 (equiv PC 1.2)

Etymology

The little black ant, Monomorium minimum, may seem like little more than a common household pest, but it is situated in a unique part of it's ecosystem and fulfills a vital role -- they eat bird crap. Without the black ant (and car washes), the whole of the United States would be covered in bird crap. They are unusual for insects: they have multiple queens and can grow and shed wings for mating purposes.

My Review

Simply put, this is a stunning level that will melt your brain and then compress the resultant goo into diamonds that it will then hide by the massive underground lake of lava. This is without a doubt the longest single mountain range that I have found so far. "Shadow Lake" is gorgeous and situated in a great place to build a castle. For people who like floaters, this level also contains the biggest floater I've found so far (post-update) and a crazy village that is half-situated on a floater. The waterfalls and the shadows are absolutely amazing. If you know how to handle yourself, you have got to check this one out.

Can't Miss

There are tons of things to see and do, but the best of them all is the waterfall-covered triple land bridge. It is a flashback to some of the legendary mountain seeds of the previous Minecraft build. Water flows from everywhere and the shadows are beautiful yet void of bad guys.



Villages

  • [-221.73.117] village, x7 buildings, guard tower, water well
  • [-251.88.293] elevated village, x5 buildings, guard tower, water well

Underground

  • [-300.13.-5] lava lake
  • [-333.12.-21] x8 diamonds

Above Ground

  • [-52.122.-40] tallest point
  • [-17.71.-167] three small floaters
  • [-53.68.-78] pumpkins in amazing cave
  • [-46.69.-103] mega overhang
  • [8.82.-49] small land bridge
  • [48.66.-60] sinkhole
  • [131.117.-108] perfect shield mountain
  • [127.99.-62] tall waterfall
  • [186.78.-302] medium land bridge
  • [236.68.-314] "Shadow Lake" monster land bridge
  • [208.115.-340] two gnarly medium overhangs
  • [374.81.-247] medium overhang
  • [-31.95.-101] perfect cliff-side hidi-hole
  • [-110.94.-67] large floater
  • [-105.73.-23] medium overhang
  • [-93.66.90] medium land bridge
  • [-131.76.64] medium cascading waterfall
  • [-303.68.3] hidden lava pit

1.8.2 Seed & Map: misfitmadness

Total Score
82.5 / 170.0 ( 48.5% )
Ratings*
FLAT 5.2 V 6.8 M/H 7.7
RAV 4.8 C 4.2 AMS 5.5
HOLD -- DW 3.1 OH 6.6
LB 3.1 FLOAT 6.8 SHADE 5.2
W 4.8 CLAY 3.1 LAVA 5.2
WF 7.1 LF 3.3    

*Each rating has a maximum value of 10.0

Awards

  • Premium! This seed has scored higher than 80 out of 170 in the overall score.

Rating

  • Beginner
  • Intermediate
  • ++ Advanced ++
  • Expert
  • Suicidal Expert

Technical Details

Seed Number: 16899085
Version: XBL 1.8.2 (equiv PC 1.2)

Etymology

This is a Halloween-inspired seed name that came a little too late because of a small once-in-a-decade hurricane that wiped out my power grid. But you know what they say: "better late than never".

My Review

Here it is, people. The very first premium seed I've found in the post-update era. I'm very excited and you should be too because this thing is fantastic. The northwest corner of the map is riddled with nice mountains, buttes, floaters, and a magnificent shaded cove. There's a hillside village -- easily defensible. This level contains an oddly disproportionate number of pumpkins. Even where there aren't mountains, the forests and arctic regions are covered in interesting formations and full of nooks and crannies.

This seed had so many interesting things above ground that I had very little time to explore underground, so this seed probably contains a lot more stuff than is listed below. Amazing and worth at least one play-through.



Villages

  • [-253.73.-187] village, x12 buildings, guard tower, water well
  • [-252.84.36] hillside village, x9 buildings, blacksmith, water well
  • [69.74.291] village, x10 buildings, guard tower, water well
  • [-156.70.373] village, x9 buildings, water well

Underground

  • [-237.12.82] x8 lapis
  • [-213.13.45] medium underground ravine
  • [-194.33.24] abandoned mineshaft extensive
  • [-114.23.48] x4 gold
  • [-54.28.-23] x6 gold
  • [201.14.387] abandoned mineshaft, x4 gold
  • [176.27.382] medium ravine, very thin

Above Ground

  • [-63.68.-146] waterfall valley, x3 medium waterfalls
  • [-67.77.-108] pumpkins
  • [-34.117.-286] beautiful dome mountain
  • [-11.69.-204] pumpkins
  • [210.98.-383] tall cascading waterfall
  • [65.71.-381] medium overhang, dead drop cave
  • [28.70.-361] medium overhang
  • [7.82.-320] huge coal deposit
  • [-110.70.-306] lava pit
  • [-79.99.-396] small floater
  • [-32.111.-367] medium floater
  • [-182.111.-368] medium floater, small floater
  • [-277.65.-363] "Cobra Rock", medium overhang (photo below)
  • [-321.103.-305] medium overhang
  • [-352.114.-282] twisted butte
  • [-304.92.-277] tall waterfall
  • [-380.66.-354] shadowy cove (photo above)
  • [-411.78.85] abandoned water well
  • [-226.70-97] massive hidi-hole
  • [-57.64.267] open-air dungeon, x1 chest, x5 cocoa beans, x4 gunpowder
  • [113.116.397] medium arĂȘte
  • [169.84.380] small bay

1.8.2 Seed & Map: fallentree

Total Score
78.1 / 170.0 ( 45.9% )
Ratings*
FLAT 4.5 V 3.1 M/H 4.8
RAV 8.3 C 7.2 AMS --
HOLD -- DW 4.8 OH 4.2
LB 2.1 FLOAT 3.7 SHADE 2.8
W 5.1 CLAY 8.3 LAVA 4.2
WF 8.7 LF 6.3    

*Each rating has a maximum value of 10.0

Awards

  • Gashed! 8.0 or higher in ravines.
  • Kiln 'em! 8.0 or higher in clay.
  • Cascading! 8.0 or higher in waterfalls.

Rating

  • ++ Beginner ++
  • Intermediate
  • Advanced
  • Expert
  • Suicidal Expert

Technical Details

Seed Number: 1508840194
Version: XBL 1.8.2 (equiv PC 1.2)

My Review

Few seeds have captured my attention the way this one has. This is for several reasons. Firstly, there's a secret waterfall -- I love those! Secondly, this seed is balanced in such a way that a beginner could spend his or her time in the south of the map to their heart's content and never find themselves in trouble. However, more experienced players could find an epic challenge by venturing into the northwest mountain nightmare and rooting around until they find trouble. Finally, there are lots and lots of waterfalls, which makes the whole map quite scenic. A fantastic find.

Can't Miss

So, here's something that you need to see. This level has several crisscrossing ravine complexes, but there is one in particular: a triple ravine system that forms a U-shaped, underground complex full of gold at 227.17.272. It is absolutely worth taking the time to climb down to see.



Villages

  • [373.76.355] village, x8 buildings, blacksmith, water well

Underground

  • [-116.4.340] x4 diamonds
  • [-23.15.-15] underground ravine
  • [-17.12.-10] x3 diamonds
  • [4.12.15] x4 diamonds
  • [389.15.-68] x8 gold, lava lake
  • [388.15.-44] x5 diamonds
  • [202.13.332] underground ravine, lava floor
  • [227.17.272] U-shaped underground triple ravine complex, tons of gold
  • [-232.19.146] large underground cavern
  • [-224.13.136] x3 diamonds

Above Ground

  • [135.64.-1] lava pit
  • [373.70.52] abandoned water well
  • [314.61.168] open-air dungeon, x1 chest, gunpowder, saddle
  • [-91.48.186] intersection of two small ravines, Y=37
  • [-11.65.-32] deep pitfall hole
  • [-79.97.-151] gnarled butte over water
  • [-43.85.-176] small spire, small floater
  • [-91.73.-137] secret waterfall
  • [-124.99.-172] small floater
  • [-136.66.-231] small cave
  • [-204.57.-321] open-air ravine, tall lava fall, huge cascading waterfall
  • [-266.65.-403] underwater deep hole, massive cave complex
  • [-295.85.-284] tall lava fall
  • [-224.82.-261] double medium waterfalls
  • [-260.99.-173] tall waterfall
  • [-272.73.-155] large overhang

1.8.2 Seed: Bread

While I'm thinking about it, if you're looking for a map with a ridiculous number of villages, I suggest "Bread" (capital "B", no quotes).

1.8.2 Seed & Map: proposedposition

Total Score
70.2 / 170.0 ( 41.3% )
Ratings*
FLAT 6.1 V 8.7 M/H 4.1
RAV 6.6 C 8.1 AMS 3.8
HOLD -- DW 2.9 OH 3.3
LB 2.1 FLOAT -- SHADE 2
W 3.7 CLAY 5.5 LAVA 5.8
WF 3.3 LF 4.2    

*Each rating has a maximum value of 10.0

Awards

  • Populated! 8.0 or higher in villages.
  • Spelunked! 8.0 or higher in caves.

Rating

  • ++ Beginner ++
  • Intermediate
  • Advanced
  • Expert
  • Suicidal Expert

Technical Details

Seed Number: -1391575409
Version: XBL 1.8.2 (equiv PC 1.2)

My Review

This seed is all about the huge caverns that you can find peppered into the deep underground. They are equal parts breathtaking and full of bad guys. There are great villages and lots of flatland for those who like to build. The desert in between the two mountain ranges seems to be the place to make basecamp. I found an awesome double ravine with a cave system full of awesome features and lots of diamonds. A fantastic level for beginners with still enough to do to keep experienced players busy for a while.



Villages

  • [53.75.-203] village, x8 buildings, blacksmith, water well
  • [373.75.53] village, x5 buildings, guard tower, water well, cliff side above ravine
  • [-171.73.324] village, x7, blacksmith, water well
  • [-396.73.293] village, x8 buildings, blacksmith, guard tower, water well
  • [-250.77.-236] village, x7 buildings, blacksmith, water well
  • [309.71.372] abandoned water well

Underground

  • [-291.27.303] abandoned mineshaft, dungeon, x4 gold
  • [-278.26.233] large dirt room; mysterious!
  • [-229.15.-50] massive cavern, x4 lapis
  • [152.10.-293] x4 diamonds
  • [-53.4.-319] bedrock pool (rare)
  • [-52.10.-324] x4 diamonds
  • [-40.14.14] medium underwater ravine with lava floor
  • [-64.12.14] x4 diamonds
  • [-99.12.-42] x5 diamonds
  • [-109.15.-23] x3 diamonds

Above Ground

  • [159.73.-243] medium waterfall
  • [0.76.-270] lava pool
  • [-67.66.-232] open-air dungeon, x2 chest, music disc #13
  • [-52.49.-315] huge coal deposit
  • [-17.65.375] erosion with deep cave
  • [-64.71.291] lava pit
  • [-49.65.393] open-air dungeon, x2 chests, wheat
  • [-394.74.386] pumpkins
  • [-260.64.269] large flatland, sugar
  • [-319.65.31] hidden lava pit
  • [-274.94.-4] small overhang
  • [-245.114.-62] small overhang
  • [-289.92.-68] tall waterfall
  • [-331.114.-116] epic cliff dive
  • [-352.51.-154] small open-air ravine

1.8.2 Seed & Map: relegated

Total Score
66.3 / 170.0 ( 39.0% )
Ratings*
FLAT 4.1 V 3.9 M/H 3.7
RAV 2.5 C 4.8 AMS 1.1
HOLD 6.2 DW 3.9 OH 7.3
LB 4.8 FLOAT -- SHADE 5.5
W 6.2 CLAY 4.1 LAVA 2.8
WF 2.1 LF 3.3    

*Each rating has a maximum value of 10.0

Rating

  • Beginner
  • Intermediate
  • ++ Advanced ++
  • Expert
  • Suicidal Expert

Technical Details

Seed Number: 94627213
Version: XBL 1.8.2 (equiv PC 1.2)

My Review

Though failing to achieve any sort of outstanding achievements, this level is beautiful and a serious consider for those of you who like deep shadows -- something that has become depressingly rare in this new post-update Minecraft. Two dungeons and an eight pack of diamonds help flesh out this advanced map. Oh, and there's pumpkins!



Villages

  • [-389.84.-242] village, x9 buildings, guard tower, water well; on the edge of a cliff dropping off into a small ravine (unique)

Underground

  • [389.12.-19] dungeon, x2 chests, iron, x8 gunpowder, saddle
  • [332.12.-39] obsidian generator, huge lava cavern
  • [-275.14.19] x4 gold
  • [-261.12.45] x8 diamonds
  • [199.12.-421] x3 diamonds, x9 red stone
  • [180.28.-403] medium cavern
  • [173.29.-223] x5 gold
  • [203.17.148] small stronghold
  • [196.20.169] dungeon, x1 chest, x6 red stone

Above Ground

  • [-401.95.396] small butte
  • [-279.68.239] medium open air ravine, Y=35
  • [-215.65.298] shortcut cave
  • [-360.68.103] small cave
  • [-296.72.-178] lava pit
  • [266.75.-156] shadowy epic overhang
  • [256.71.-74] medium sinkhole
  • [249.67.125] pumpkins

1.8.2 Seed & Map: blastdamage

Total Score
52.8 / 170.0 ( 31.1% )
Ratings*
FLAT 7.4 V 8.3 M/H 1.2
RAV 4.7 C 3.1 AMS 5.5
HOLD -- DW 2.4 OH 1.1
LB -- FLOAT -- SHADE --
W 2.8 CLAY 4.3 LAVA 4.1
WF 2.2 LF 5.7    

*Each rating has a maximum value of 10.0

Awards

  • Populated! 8.0 or higher in villages.

Rating

  • Beginner
  • ++ Intermediate ++
  • Advanced
  • Expert
  • Suicidal Expert

Technical Details

Seed Number: -1893809305
Version: XBL 1.8.2 (equiv PC 1.2)

My Review

Holy villages! While the worst seed of the day, that's only because I tested dozens of seeds on Friday and this was the last of the best. This seed contains a massive desert with lots of flatland -- for those of you who don't want to cheat and use the superflat feature. There's a really nice village on top of a bluff and I found my first x8 diamond on this level -- though it wasn't the last. Not quite for beginners.



Villages

  • [-236.78.-219] village, x15 buildings, blacksmith, guard tower, water well
  • [325.72.21] village, x3 big houses, guard tower, water well, nearby forest
  • [325.76.374] village, x10 buildings, guard tower, water well
  • [-252.74.325] village, x6 buildings, blacksmith, water well
  • [-403.71.270] village, x3 buildings, blacksmith, guard tower
  • [-235.70.116] village, x8 buildings, blacksmith, water well

Underground

  • [64.11.192] x3 diamonds
  • [-111.12.-77] x8 diamonds
  • [-196.30.-164] x2 gold
  • [-160.35.-143] two ravines
  • [-141.39.-106] abandoned mineshaft, dungeon
  • [-193.39.-148] abandoned mineshaft
  • [-203.13.-175] x2 diamonds
  • [-8.21.-180] abandoned mineshaft, x2 chests, surprise!
  • [-154.14.-217] obsidian generator
  • [-269.9.321] x6 diamonds, x4 red stone

Above Ground

  • [-34.67.7] lava pit
  • [-161.72.-342] lava pit
  • [-11.64.-171] small erosion with coal
  • [113.47.326] small ravine above another hidden ravine
  • [-354.73.212] lava pit, obsidian generator
  • [-393.112.-12] tall butte, tallest point
  • [-16.64.114] lava pit
  • [140.69.134] open air dungeon, x1 chest, dig down for cave

1.8.2 Seed & Map: 6921814811422130416

Total Score
10.0 / 170.0 ( 5.9% )
Ratings*
FLAT -- V -- M/H --
RAV -- C -- AMS --
HOLD -- DW 10 OH --
LB -- FLOAT -- SHADE --
W -- CLAY -- LAVA --
WF -- LF --    

*Each rating has a maximum value of 10.0

Awards

  • Perfection! This seed has achieved one or more perfect scores.
  • Abyssal! 8.0 or higher in deep water.

Rating

  • Beginner
  • Intermediate
  • Advanced
  • Expert
  • ++ Suicidal Expert ++

Technical Details

Seed Number: 6921814811422130416
Version: XBL 1.8.2 (equiv PC 1.2)

My Review

If you happen to be looking at the home page of my blog and you see this post there, I can understand that and forgive you for looking upon this festering boil and -- in fact -- apologize for subjecting you to it. However, if you clicked on this thinking, "Gee, that looks kinda cool" or worse, bookmarked it, you are a diseased and leprous ogre. You are a troglodyte with the IQ of a dung beetle. You should reconsider your life's choices and if you have told others about this seed -- people who are now your former friends -- you should enter the witness protection program to save your own life.



Landmarks

  • [?.64.?] Yeah, right! ROFLMAO!

Today's Seeds: Nov 4, 2012

What's crackin' people. I have finally fully recovered from the effects of Hurricane Sandy and now I am back up and running and I have a half dozen seeds for you and, frankly, one entry that isn't a seed so much as it is a broken husk of a map -- a shameful survival nightmare set against the backdrop of a tiny island in the middle of a lake in the middle of nowhere.

  • [ 96.8 ] littleblackant
  • [ 82.5 ] misfitmadness
  • [ 78.1 ] fallentree
  • [ 70.2 ] proposedposition
  • [ 66.3 ] relegated
  • [ 52.8 ] blastdamage
  • [ 10.0 ] 6921814811422130416

In addition to these other seeds, I also have a bonus seed that I didn't feel like writing up, but was a very nice beginner level. The seed "intemerata" (no quotes) was one of the best mega-forests I've found. Outside of the trees/wood/forests you won't find much of anything else, but it's a nice place to start for noobs. Here is the map:

Saturday, November 3, 2012

Off Topic: Disney Acquires Star Wars

I consider the acquisition of Star Wars by the Walt Disney Corporation to be one of the most depraved and soul-wrenching events to ever happen in my lifetime. I consider it particularly cowardly that they waited to make their move until I was struck with a hurricane and unable to raise an army in opposition. The hero we needed to pull the Star Wars universe from out of the Pop 100 bin of history has failed to arrive, replaced instead by a big-eared antichrist that will take the feeble and embittered franchise down a path of Edward D. Wood Jr.-esk exploitation and mindlessness the likes of which you have only seen from the Skeksis in the 1982 classic The Dark Crystal.

Since I can't bear to think of it another minute, I present to you a YouTube video by gamer-goddess Raychul, who will give you a significantly more delightful and less jaded take on the death of this once-cherished franchise.