The Caves and Cliffs update is making some major changes to Minecraft, including how players will mine for precious materials and ores. One of the biggest changes the update is making to Minecraft is increasing the maximum height and depth of worlds. This not only allows players to build higher and dig deeper than ever before but also changes where players can strip mine to find the most diamonds.
Currently, diamonds are the most precious resource in Minecraft. Even with the addition of Netherite, the new item is useless without diamonds. However, diamonds are rare materials that are hard to find. Players have found that the best level to strip mine for diamonds before the Caves and Cliffs update was Y-level 12, but with the additional 60 levels added to the world's depth that has changed. This guide will show players the new best level to mine diamonds while also explaining a better way to obtain them.
Minecraft's New Best Level To Strip Mine For Diamonds
Minecraft's Caves & Cliffs update has expanded the world's maximum depth from Y-level 0 to Y-level -60 which means there are sixty additional layers added to the bottom of each world. While Y-level 12 was the optimal level for strip mining, that level has now been lowered to Y-level -35. What this means is that diamonds will appear on or around this level more frequently than any other. When a player strip mines these levels, it means they ignore caves and dig either in a straight line or clear out an entire area in search of diamonds. However, strip mining is no longer the best method of finding diamonds in Minecraft 1.17.
With the introduction of new Minecraft cave generations, a new type of mega cave is the best source of diamonds. These mega caves are massive open areas underground that expose a ton of ore blocks. Players will need to drink potions of night vision so they can see in these caves as it is much more difficult to light up these open areas. These caves are big enough for players to fly through with their elytra or boat through which makes finding ore easier than ever. However, that doesn't mean strip mining is obsolete. For players who just want to relax and mine in a single direction, they can still do so on the new and improves Y-level -35.
Minecraft is available on PC, Android, iOS, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and Nintendo Switch.
