The Ancient City is one of Minecraft’s most intriguing and deadly structures, situated far under the Overworld’s surface. Tucked down in the Deep Dark biome, this desolate and lonesome place is brimming with valuable treasures and terrifying foes, especially this Warden.
Analyzing an Ancient City is not the same as analyzing a normal mineshaft or a fortress. Patience, delicacy, and careful planning are necessary for survival in this environment. This guide will help you thrive in the Ancient City, regardless of your level of experience as an explorer.
Table of Contents
🌌 What is the Ancient City?
The Ancient City, a naturally occurring structure in Minecraft 1.19 (The Wild Update), is situated deep within the Deep Dark biome. It has intriguing ruins, Redstone gadgets, and Sculk blocks, but the Warden, a blind but highly powerful gang that monitors players by vibrations and sound, is its most dangerous tenant.
🧭 How to Find an Ancient City
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Y-level -51 was below the development of ancient cities.
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Look for mountainous areas (such as stony or snowy peaks), as the Deep Dark biome frequently forms underneath them.
- To locate the Deep Dark biome underground, bring a Night Vision Potion or use Spectator Mode (if you are scouting in creative mode or using cheats).
🧰 What to Bring Before Entering
Before you set foot into an Ancient City, schedule the following items:
Essential Gear:
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🛡️ Full Netherite Armor (Enchant with Protection IV and Swift Sneak if you have it)
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⚔️ Netherite Sword & Bow/Crossbow (Silk Touch Pickaxe optional)
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🥾 Swift Sneak Enchanted Boots (optional but extremely useful)
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🕯️ Plenty of Torches/Soul Lanterns (Soul Lanterns don’t trigger sensors)
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🧪 Invisibility & Night Vision Potions
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🎣 Snowballs (to distract the Warden)
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🍗 Plenty of Food (Golden Apples, Cooked Steak, etc.)
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📦 Shulker Boxes (to carry loot)
🥷 Stealth is Key
Stealth is key in the Ancient City. Sculk Shriekers are activated by loud noises, and after four strikes, they call forth the Warden
Avoid these mistakes:
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❌ Breaking blocks carelessly
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❌ Sprinting or jumping
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❌ Opening chests directly without disabling Shriekers
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❌ Fighting mobs loudly
Use These Techniques:
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✅ Crouch-walk everywhere
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✅ Use Wool blocks to block or muffle sound
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✅ Place wool under chests before opening
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✅ Throw snowballs to distract the Warden or trigger sensors far away from you
👹 Dealing With the Warden
If you accidentally trigger the Warden, don’t fight it. Seriously. Don’t.
How to survive:
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🏃 RUN and HIDE — the Warden is faster than you think
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🕳️ Dig a 2-block high tunnel to escape (Wardens are 3 blocks tall)
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🚪 Use ender pearls to teleport away fast
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🍃 Stay silent — crouch, use wool, and wait it out
The Warden despawns after 60 seconds of not catching any pulsations. Be patient.
💰 Loot Worth Risking
If you manage to avoid the Warden, the Ancient City offers astonishing loot, including
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🧵 Swift Sneak Enchanted Books
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💎 Diamonds, Echo Shards, and Amethyst
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🧿 Disc Fragments (craft to make Disc 5)
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🗃️ Enchanted Armor and Tools
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📜 Name Tags, Saddles, and more
Look inside Loot Chests hidden throughout the city. Always disable surrounding Sculk Shriekers before opening them.
🧠 Pro Tips for Survival
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🧱 Carry wool blocks: Place them under pressure plates or on top of sensors.
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🐺 Don’t bring pets: Wolves or cats can trigger sensors.
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🧨 Use Redstone wisely: Some redstone contraptions in the city are booby-trapped or can trigger noise.
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🎮 Practice in creative mode: Learn the layout before risking it all in survival.
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🧭 Place markers: Use colored wool or torches to help navigate back.
⚠️ What Not to Do
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❌ Don’t attack the Warden—it has 500 HP and hits harder than the Ender Dragon.
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❌ Don’t go unprepared or without armor.
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❌ Don’t loot too fast; be deliberate and quiet.
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❌ Don’t trigger Shriekers multiple times in a row.
🎉 Final Thoughts
Exploring the Ancient City in Minecraft is one of the most exciting and challenging experiences in the game. However, with careful planning, the proper equipment, and a silent step, you can outwit the Warden and escape with legendary loot.
Crawl low, step silently, and light a soul lantern; danger and adventure await in the dark.
Have you ever survived an Ancient City raid? Please share your tips and stories in the comments section below!
Happy mining! ⛏️
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