Minecraft 1.2: The Guide pt.1

There were plenty of changes and new content in last week’s patches. This guide will help lead you thru some of the new features.

ANVIL

Is the new map generator software in Minecraft. The noticeable change that ANVIL brings to Minecraft is the increase of the upper limits of maps. World height is now a total of 256 blocks, allowing for taller structures and higher mountains.
ANVIL is retroactive so, any older map will be converted upon loading into the new format. Terrain that has already been loaded will be unaffected but, all new terrain will load under the new format. In rare instances this will create sheered cliff faces where a new mountain are being created.

Desert wells
Desert wells are sandstone structures that can be found in the desert biome. Their placement is random, and despite their mystique have no added function beyond being something to look at.

Jungle biome
Jungle biomes were introduced in patch 1.2. Jungles feature thick foliage and very tall trees. Jungles are also covered in vines and often include small secluded lakes. Within the jungle ocelots can be found which can be tamed like wolves can from other biomes.

Ladders and Vine changes
Ladders once again have a collision box. This will allow players to stand on the top of a ladder rather than bouncing on it or sliding down it.
Vines are now able to be climbed like ladders as long as the vine is against a solid surface like trees foliage, trunk, or a wall. Vines do not have a collision box and therefore cannot be stood on.

Ocelots
Taming ocelots will cause it to turn into a domestic cat. The domesticated cat can take one of three forms; siamese, tabby or, tuxedo. Ocelots will despawn so a wild ocelot cannot be kept penned for long. To tame an ocelot a player must have a raw fish in hand. Unlike wolfs which can be walked up to an ocelot will flee if a player approach. If the player remains still the ocelot will approach the player and once it is close enough the player can give the fish to the ocelot causing it to become domesticated.

Minecraft 1.2 is here!

Mojang rolled out the latest patch for Minecraft this morning and it looks great! A new biome, smarter mobs, giant robots, and cats, are just a few of the new changes.
Love creative mode? If you do this patch is as good as it gets. ANVIL has arrived raising the height limit to 256 blocks. Some brand new creations await you, and because ANVIL is retroactive you can go back to your old works of art and take them to a whole new level.

If you’re a fan of survival mode check out the new jungle biome and see if you can’t find an ocelots to tame. If your feeling really brave turn on hard mode and see how long it takes before zombies break in for a snack.

For the conspiracy theory folks, there is a patch note again noting the removal of the fabled  Herobrine. There was no Herobrine data in Minecraft 1.1’s jar file it is safe to assume that the Mojang team is just playing more dirty tricks.

The official patch notes from Mojang are posted below:

+ New jungle biome
+ Added ocelots
+ Added cats
+ Added iron golems
+ New AI for mobs
+ Tame wolves can have puppies
+ Villagers will have children if there is room in their village
+ Added rare drops for mobs
+ New items and blocks
* New map height limit (256 instead of 128)
* Doors have been updated so that double-doors work better with redstone
* Many other minor tweaks and fixes
– Removed Herobrine

Edit: We are actually in 1.2.2. In an early morning tweet Jens explained the need for the updated patch, “Updated Minecraft to 1.2.2 because birches and pine trees were missing. Birches love pine trees.”