Ocean Monument Raiding: An Expert-Grade Complete Guide

Ocean Monuments are among Minecraft's most visually striking and resource-rich structures, inhabited by formidable guardians and elder guardians that pose a significant challenge. Successfully raiding and repurposing these structures requires precise preparation, strategic execution, and in-depth knowledge of mob mechanics and underwater navigation. This guide provides a comprehensive, expert-level approach to conquering ocean monuments efficiently and safely, maximizing resource gains, and transforming the monument into a valuable asset.

Advanced Preparation

Entering an ocean monument unprepared is a surefire way to meet failure. A meticulous loadout ensures survivability and efficiency.

Essential Enchantments and Potions

• Water Breathing (Extended and Lingering):

  • Duration: Standard (3 min), Extended (8 min).
  • Strategy: Use multiple potions for prolonged dives. Lingering potions allow you to place clouds of the effect in key areas, extending your breathing temporarily.
  • Optional: Brew Conduit Power if planning to set up a nearby conduit for unlimited water breathing, night vision, and haste.

• Night Vision:

  • Benefit: Clear visibility in the dark, murky underwater environment. Use extended versions (8 min) or a permanent Conduit for continuous effect.

• Depth Strider (up to III):

  • Function: Significantly enhances underwater mobility, crucial for quick repositioning and dodging guardian attacks. Combine with Riptide for rapid transit during rain or thunderstorms.

• Aqua Affinity (Helmet):

  • Function: Restores mining speed underwater to normal. Combine with Efficiency V on your pickaxe for rapid block-breaking, especially after removing Mining Fatigue.

• Protection Enchantments:

  • Best Practice: Full Protection IV armor to mitigate the high damage output from guardians and environmental hazards.

• Impaling V & Riptide III:

  • Usage: Tridents with Impaling V deliver massive damage to guardians, while Riptide III allows rapid movement through water, aiding in both combat and repositioning.

Tactical Gear

• Shields:

  • Use: Block guardian laser beams with precise timing. Shields are especially effective if you learn to "swing" and block in quick succession, reducing damage significantly.

• Milk Buckets:

  • Critical: Remove Mining Fatigue (Elder Guardians' primary hindrance). Carry multiple to quickly clear the effect and proceed with block-breaking or combat.

• Air Pockets and Doors:

  • Purpose: Create safe zones for oxygen replenishment and safe combat spots. Use doors or signs to form mini air bubbles in water-filled chambers.

• Lighting & Marking:

  • Tools: Use torches or Jack o'Lanterns to mark explored areas, preventing disorientation in maze-like corridors. Place them on walls or ceilings for maximum coverage.

• Food:

  • Priority: High-saturation foods such as Steak, Cooked Porkchop, or Golden Carrots to sustain health and hunger during prolonged fights.

Utility Items

• Pickaxes:

  • Ideal: Efficiency V, Unbreaking III diamond or netherite pickaxes for fast prismarine mining once elder guardians are defeated.

• Conduit (Optional):

  • Benefit: Once set up, provides permanent Conduit Power, removing the need for potions and enabling free underwater breathing and night vision within its radius.

• Scaffolding:

  • Use: Rapid vertical movement, reaching high or recessed areas efficiently.

Locating the Ocean Monument

• Biome: Deep Ocean biomes are the exclusive spawn locations. Look for the distinct, darker water tones and large prismarine structures visible from afar, especially with high render distance.

• Exploration Techniques:

  • Maps: Obtain Ocean Explorer Maps from Cartographer villagers at Journeyman level. These maps precisely mark the location of the nearest monument.
  • Elytra & Flaring: Use Elytra for aerial scouting, especially over vast oceans to quickly spot the monument’s outline.
  • Boat Navigation: Traditional but effective. Combine with ocean landmarks or coral reefs to maintain orientation.

Expert Raid Strategy

1. Approach & Base Setup

• Establish a nearby safe base, out of initial guardian firing range—preferably on an island or a floating platform.
• Include storage chests, a bed for respawn, and essential supplies.
• Use your boat to approach the monument, making a quick descent once in position.

2. Guardian Engagement & Control

• Guardians attack with charged laser beams; avoid line of sight or use cover to mitigate damage.
• Tactical Tip: Use shields to block laser beams and erratic movement to avoid sustained hits.
• Combat: Engage guardians from a distance with bows or from air pockets. Use Impaling V tridents for maximum damage.

3. Elder Guardians — The Critical Threat

• Locations: Usually in the top central chamber and wing rooms.
• Effects: Inflict Mining Fatigue III within 50 blocks, crippling block breaking.
• Elimination:
  • Prioritize: Find, locate, and kill all three Elder Guardians early.
  • Tools: Use Milk Buckets to temporarily remove fatigue.
  • Combat: Use high-damage weapons; stay mobile. Cornering them helps control the fight.

4. Efficient Resource Extraction

• Prismarine & Variants: Mine after elder guardians are dead for maximum speed.
• Sea Lanterns: Drop Prismarine Crystals when mined; consider Silk Touch if you prefer to preserve blocks.
• Gold Core: Deep within the central chamber, often requires careful mining and exploration.
• Sponges:
  • Locate sponge rooms; break sponges manually for immediate absorption.
  • Smelt Wet Sponges to Dry Sponges for large-scale water removal projects.

5. Navigation & Clearing

• Use torches or lanterns to map your progress.
• Break through walls or create custom pathways for faster traversal.
• Establish safe zones with air pockets in flooded sections.

Post-Raid Optimization

1. Transform into an Underwater Base

• Drain sections using sponge farms.
• Replace prismarine with glass for stunning ocean views.
• Use the structure's natural defenses for a secure base.

2. Build a Guardian Farm

• Exploit spawning mechanics within the monument to generate a sustainable source of:
  • Prismarine Shards & Crystals
  • Raw Cod
  • XP
• Requires draining water and manipulating flow systems—an advanced project but highly rewarding.

3. Additional Uses

• Use the monument’s resources for decorative builds.
• Create custom aquariums, coral farms, or underwater villages within the cleared structure.

Final Tips for Expert Raiders

• Always carry extra potions, milk, and backup gear.
• Practice guardian laser timing for shield blocking.
• Use Riptide and Depth Strider synergistically for maximum mobility.
• Map Elder Guardian locations early to plan your attack.
• Consider building a temporary scaffolding or using TNT to accelerate clearing large sections.

Raiding an ocean monument is a monumental challenge, but with meticulous preparation, expert tactics, and resource management, you can conquer and repurpose these underwater fortresses into your own aquatic domain—an impressive achievement in any Minecraft world.