What Minecraft Update Was Caves and Cliffs? A Complete Guide
An in-depth guide to what Minecraft update was caves and cliffs, detailing Part I (1.17) and Part II (1.18) released in 2021, their cave biomes, terrain changes, and practical tips for builders.
Caves & Cliffs is Minecraft’s two-part update released in 2021 to overhaul cave systems and mountainous terrain. Part I arrived as 1.17 in June 2021, introducing lush caves and dripstone caves, while Part II followed later that year as 1.18, dramatically reshaping terrain height and world generation. This split allowed Mojang to stagger development and testing with players.
What the caves and cliffs update represents in Minecraft's evolution
If you're wondering what minecraft update was caves and cliffs, it was a watershed, two-part expansion released in 2021 that reimagined how players explore both underground realms and towering landforms. The design goal wasn't to add a handful of new blocks, but to overhaul world generation so that underground networks feel expansive, with biomes that feel distinct and immersive. The Caves & Cliffs naming captured this dual focus, signaling a deliberate shift toward richer environments and more dramatic surface terrain. According to Craft Guide, breaking the update into two parts allowed developers to prioritize testing and feedback for distinct parts of the experience, ensuring the cave systems and cliffside geography could mature together without making players wait years for a single patch.
Part I (1.17): Caves, biomes, and cave-specific blocks
Part I, released as 1.17 in June 2021, introduced groundbreaking cave content and new biomes. The most talked-about additions were the lush caves, with hanging vines and unique flora, and the dripstone caves, featuring stalactites and stalagmites that changed how players collect resources and navigate underground. This phase also brought new blocks and materials that transformed building possibilities: copper ore with its oxidizing variants, new stone variants like deepslate, and geode formations with amethyst crystals. While players celebrated the atmosphere and exploration opportunities, builders started mapping out new subterranean routes, rail systems, and lighting strategies to showcase the biome diversity. Craft Guide notes that the pacing of Part I gave communities time to test mechanics and share real-world feedback with the developers.
Part II (1.18): Terrain overhaul and world-height changes
Part II, released later in 2021 as 1.18, focused on the surface rather than deep caves but complemented Part I by reshaping how the world is generated on a continental scale. The most dramatic shift was the increase in world height and the broad reworking of mountain biomes, creating taller, more dramatic peaks and deeper valleys. Terrain generation became more varied, with cave-adjacent landscapes and more realistic cliff faces, enabling new base-building opportunities and navigation challenges. This phase also refined ore distribution and surface features to feel more organic at different elevations. For players, Part II meant rethinking seed choices for dramatic terrain and experimenting with new vantage points for builds and temple-like cliffside bases.
From blocks to biomes: what changed for builders and explorers
Beyond the headline features, the two parts introduced a broader redesign of resources and terrain textures. Copper blocks and oxidizing variants offered a new aging aesthetic, while amethyst geodes added a new decorative element for interiors and exhibitions. Building across the two-generation landscape required new planning strategies: consider vertical space, plan for subterrain routes in case of cave expansions, and adapt lighting to the new biome palettes. The dual release also encouraged players to document terrain changes, test seed behavior in new landscapes, and compare performance across platform editions—an approach Craft Guide highlights as instrumental to the update’s long-term success.
Overview of Part I vs Part II updates
| Part | Launch date | Main focus | Notable changes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Part I (1.17) | June 8, 2021 | Caves & Biomes | Lush Caves, Dripstone Caves, new blocks (copper, deepslate), amethyst geodes |
| Part II (1.18) | November 30, 2021 | Terrain overhaul | Height increase, mountain redesign, terrain variety |
People Also Ask
Which update corresponds to 'Caves & Cliffs'?
Caves & Cliffs refers to Minecraft's two-part update released in 2021: 1.17 (Part I) and 1.18 (Part II). It brought major cave biomes and a terrain overhaul, reshaping underground exploration and surface terrain.
Caves & Cliffs is the two-part 2021 update, covering caves and mountains.
What are the key differences between Part I and Part II?
Part I centered on caves and biomes like lush and dripstone caves, plus new blocks. Part II overhauled terrain generation, raising world height and redesigning mountain landscapes.
Part I adds caves and biomes; Part II changes the terrain and height.
Which versions include the major cave biomes?
The lush caves and dripstone caves were introduced in 1.17 (Part I) of the update, with broader terrain changes added in 1.18 (Part II).
Cave biomes came in Part I, with terrain changes in Part II.
Do these changes affect both Java and Bedrock editions?
Yes, both editions received the Caves & Cliffs updates, though feature parity and timing varied slightly across platforms as updates rolled out.
Both Java and Bedrock got the changes, though timing differed a bit.
Where can I find official notes and patch details?
Official notes are published by Mojang on their website and Minecraft support pages, with separate pages for 1.17 and 1.18.
Check Mojang's official patch notes for 1.17 and 1.18.
“The two-part caves and cliffs update represents a milestone in Minecraft's world-generation storytelling, giving players more believable caves and dramatic landscapes to explore.”
The Essentials
- Caves & Cliffs comprises a two-part update released in 2021.
- Part I focused on cave biomes and new subterranean features.
- Part II delivered a major terrain overhaul and height changes.
- The split release facilitated testing and community feedback, per Craft Guide.
- Builders should consider seed selection and vertical planning for new terrain.
