Minecraft, the global gaming sensation, is played by a staggering 204.33 million people every month across all mobile devices and video game consoles.
The game's appeal lies in its simplicity to start playing, but don't be fooled - Minecraft offers an incredibly deep gaming experience.
Filled with secrets waiting to be discovered through exploration and gameplay, the scope of Minecraft is so vast that it's almost impossible to uncover everything. Here are 18 secrets you might not know about, as compiled by thegamer.com..
Did you know llamas can carry items for you?
These amusing creatures aren't just there for entertainment - they can also help you out when your inventory space is running low. By clicking on a llama while holding a chest, the chest becomes the llama's inventory space, reports the Mirror.
Llamas' inventory spaces vary based on their strength, ranging from 15 slots to a mere three. You can breed them to increase this strength.
Breaking blocks can assist in navigation.
When you break a block, the breaking pattern always appears on its north side. This can be useful if you need to quickly determine your direction.
Lava serves as an excellent fuel source.
Lava lasts significantly longer as a furnace fuel than wood or coal. So, remember to mark any lava locations you discover and return with plenty of buckets.
Digging for diamonds.
In the earlier days of Minecraft, diamond hunters would focus their search efforts between levels five to twelve, but in the game's recent versions this has changed. Adventurers will now find diamonds lurking anywhere from levels fifteen to sixty-three, with chances increasing as you delve deeper into the depths.
For those looking to add a splash of colour to their livestock, a quirky in-game tip suggests that if a blue sheep isn't matching your aesthetic and you need red wool instead, there's a crafty solution: simply expose your blue sheep to an Evoker, and with a few arm wiggles and a "wololo" incantation, the creature will turn your sheep red. Fans of the classic 90s strategy game Age of Empires will notice the nostalgic nod, as the tactic mirrors how priests could convert enemy troops.
Minecraft is full of practical tips, such as utilising torches for more than just light and monster protection. Since sand and gravel are gravity-affected blocks, by strategically placing a torch on the spot you just mined, any falling blocks will shatter instantly, allowing for rapid collection.
Another little-known fact about Minecraft's vast world is the safety of mushroom biomes. These rare areas are free from hostile mob spawns, offering players a safe haven from nightly terrors.
If you find yourself in a Mushroom biome, you can breathe easy. This is the only location in the game where hostile mobs do not spawn at night or in caves, allowing you to build a home or explore freely.
However, mob spawners are still operational, so there's a slim chance of encountering enemies.
Pumpkins are your secret weapon.
Endermen, the terrifying creatures of Minecraft, only attack when you make eye contact. But there's a trick to avoid this - wear a carved pumpkin on your head.
This way, you're not technically making eye contact with the Endermen, and they won't attack you. They won't even retaliate if you strike first.
Create your own protector.
Facing mobs can be overwhelming, so having some backup is always beneficial. You can construct an Iron Golem to defend you by arranging iron blocks in a T-shape on the ground and topping it with a Carved Pumpkin or a Jack O'Lantern as a head.
Scatter a few around your base for added security.
Cats are more than just pets.
Similar to llamas, cats offer more than companionship. Creepers fear cats, and if you have enough around your house, they will steer clear.
This is particularly useful when you need to complete tasks without being disturbed.
Doors can provide a breather.
Interestingly, doors can form air pockets underwater. If you place a door, it will create an air bubble where you can stand - handy for lengthy underwater adventures.
Snowball fight!
The Blaze is a formidable adversary, but it has one vulnerability - snowballs. The optimal strategy to defeat them is to hurl snowballs from a distance.
There's no need to destroy mob spawners.
It might seem appealing to obliterate mob spawners to halt the onslaught of foes. However, there's an alternative.
Remember, adversaries only spawn in dark areas, so if you position torches on or around the spawner, it'll cease producing enemies.
Sneak swiftly.
While sneaking can be useful, it can also be sluggish. But with the Swift Sneak enchantment, you can crouch and walk at an increased pace - enabling you to slip away unnoticed at twice the speed.
Milk a Mooshroom.
If you find yourself in the mushroom biome, you're likely to encounter a Mooshroom. As its name implies, it's a hybrid of a mushroom and a cow.
And if you attempt to milk it, you'll receive mushroom stew. It may not be appetising, but it's beneficial for warding off hunger.
Name your dog.
Having a pack of dogs to assist in your defence is a brilliant idea - and you can differentiate them by giving them different-coloured collars. All you need is a dye in the colour you desire and right click on the dog.
Simple as that.
Protect your incredible creations.
The possibilities in Minecraft appear to be virtually limitless. One of the more surprising things some players have done is create pixel art with their maps.
The issue is if you make any alterations to your base, the map changes.
If you're looking to secure a design, simply add a glass pane to your map. This allows for endless modifications while keeping your original masterpiece intact.
Zombies have an affinity for turtle eggs.
Facing a horde of zombies typically spells doom. However, there's a secret weapon at your disposal - zombies are inexplicably drawn to turtle eggs.
Toss one and they'll trail behind it. This can also be used as a trap to lead zombies to their demise, yielding some valuable gold in the process.
