Minecraft Snapshot 20w06a adds Netherite & new biome to Nether Update

The new 20w06a Snapshot has been released for Minecraft, adding a whole host of new blocks to the game, including Netherite, a material that’s even stronger than diamond. 

The popular sandbox title might have been released over 10 years ago but is still one of the most popular games in the world, with Mojang releasing new content on a regular basis with updates.

Whether it’s a crossover with a big franchise like Toy Story, or adding some neat new features, the Swedish video game developer is always looking to add enough to keep players occupied.

This time, with the first Snapshot for patch 1.16, there’s not just new blocks for players to get excited about, but fresh biomes and a never-before-seen ore as well.

Minecraft Nether Update – What’s changed?

New blocks added

Let’s start with blocks, as they will be the thing many fans will be looking for right after downloading the update. Full list, courtesy of Minecraft’s official website, can be found here:

• Crimson Stems and Warped Stems
• Basalt blocks
• Crimson Nylium and Warped Nylium
• Nether Sprouts, Crimson Roots and Warped Roots
• Crimson and Warped Fungi
• Warper Wart blocks
• Weeping vines
• Shroomlights
• Soul Soil
• Soul Torches and Soul Lanterns
• Nylium spreads on Netherrack with bone meal

Crimson Forest & Warped Forest

Two brand new features have been added to the Nether, Crimson Forests and Warped Forests.

Crimson forests are home to a whole host of fresh vegetation, with huge Crimson Fungi making up the trees and Shroomlights stopping them from being completely dark. If you want to see new materials and blocks, finding a Crimson forest might be your idea of heaven.

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On the other hand, Warped forests have huge Warped Fungi for trees and a dark blue fog covers the spaces. Interestingly, they are also the least hostile and safest places to visit in the Nether.

Netherite

Have you ever wondered if there would be anything added to Minecraft that’s stronger than diamond? Well, if you’re one of those people, finally you have been given an answer – yes. Netherite has been added.

Its official description, from the patch notes, reads: “A new high-level material found in the Nether. Use it to upgrade your diamond gear.”

One of the most interesting qualities about it, too, is that it floats when it lands in lava, unlike diamond. There’s nothing worse than losing all of your diamonds while mining, never to be seen again, but with this new material players will be able to go back to the place they died and their Netherite items will be waiting to be picked back up.

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Tools made with Netherite also last longer than diamond, with its weapons and knockback resistant armor also superior, making it a really interesting addition to the game.

Other changes

Minecraft’s latest update has also introduced a numbers of other changes, a full list of which can be found in the patch notes, including a tweak to the name of the Nether biome – which is now known as the Nether Wastes biome.

Shipwrecks and ocean ruins are less common now, too. A number of fixes for problems in-game have also been resolved.