The submerged realms of Minecraft are teeming with mysteries and treasures, offering adventurers a chance to explore unique mobs, blocks, and hidden structures beneath the waves. Among these submerged wonders lies the ocean monument, a colossal underwater structure housing laser-wielding guardians and coveted sponge blocks. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll unveil the secrets of acquiring, drying, and harnessing the power of sponges in Minecraft.
Understanding Sponges:
Sponges are specialized blocks found exclusively within ocean monuments. There are two variants: wet sponges and dry sponges. To utilize their water-absorbing capabilities, you must first convert wet sponges into their dry counterparts. Let’s delve into the details of locating these valuable blocks and the process of sponge transformation.
Where to Find Sponges in Minecraft:
Sponges can only be sourced from ocean monuments, where they are typically located within sponge rooms, randomly situated within the monument’s structure. Keep in mind that sponges cannot be crafted; they must be acquired by raiding ocean monuments. While not every ocean monument contains sponge rooms, you are guaranteed to find at least one sponge block as a drop from an elder guardian mob. Each monument houses three elder guardians, equating to a minimum of three sponges when defeated.
To optimize your sponge collection, target ocean monuments that contain multiple sponge rooms, as each room can yield approximately 30 sponges. Sponges can be harvested manually or with a hoe as the preferred tool for breaking them.
Drying Sponges in Minecraft:
As you venture into ocean monuments, you’ll primarily encounter wet sponges. These must be dried before they can be used effectively. Fortunately, the drying process is straightforward and offers two viable methods:
Method 1: Furnace Drying
- Place a wet sponge in a furnace.
- Add fuel to the furnace.
- Wait for the furnace arrow to fill completely.
- The wet sponge will transform into a dry sponge.
Method 2: Nether Drying
In the blazing depths of the Nether dimension, sponges can be dried by merely placing them anywhere within this fiery realm. It is not necessary to position them near lava or in a specific biome. Nether drying is significantly faster and eliminates the risk of random explosions by ghasts. This method requires crafting a Nether portal, a task essential for completing Minecraft.
How to Utilize Sponges in Minecraft:
The primary function of a sponge block in Minecraft is water absorption. When placed, a sponge can instantaneously transform water blocks, both flowing and stagnant, into air blocks within a seven-block radius. However, this effect only applies when water is at the same Y level as the sponge.
It’s important to note that a single sponge can absorb a maximum of 65 water blocks. The game calculates this absorption as an octahedron, not a cube or sphere, based on the distance between water blocks and the sponge. After absorbing any water, the sponge reverts to its wet state, requiring the removal of the water to reuse it.
While drying smaller areas with sponges is straightforward, managing larger volumes of water can be challenging. To drain expansive underwater spaces efficiently, players often create vertical sections from the surface to the bottom. These sections, typically 4×4 grids, are initiated from the top and work downwards to prevent water from flowing back in. Strategically placing sponge blocks on opposite sides ensures all remaining water is absorbed.
With this knowledge, you’re equipped to embark on aquatic adventures in Minecraft, utilizing sponges to achieve remarkable feats such as constructing guardian farms or crafting spectacular underwater bases. Share your experiences with sponges and their creative applications in the comments below!
