Minecraft 1.20: Trails & Tales Update

Released on June 7, 2023, Minecraft 1.20, titled "Trails & Tales", truly leaned into its name, focusing on enhancing player storytelling, deepening world exploration, and providing new avenues for self-expression. This update wasn't about a single headline feature, but rather a collection of additions designed to enrich the player's journey. It introduced the fascinating archeology system, expanded biome diversity with the Cherry Grove, added charming new mobs like the camel and sniffer, provided a wealth of decorative and functional blocks, and implemented the highly anticipated armor trimming system—all encouraging players to venture out, uncover secrets, customize their world, and ultimately, create and share their own unique Minecraft adventures.

New Biome Content

Cherry Grove

• Biome Type: A relatively rare, mountain-based biome characterized by its stunning pink-leaved cherry blossom trees. It often generates on the slopes of mountains, nestled near meadows or plains, creating breathtaking vistas.
• Visuals & Atmosphere: The ground is covered in a unique layer of pink petals, and the air is filled with falling pink petal particles, creating a serene and almost magical atmosphere. The vibrant pink contrasts beautifully with the surrounding greens and grays of typical mountain terrain. It's a peaceful biome, typically spawning passive mobs like sheep, pigs, rabbits, and crucially, bees, which are attracted to the cherry blossoms.
• Blocks:
  • Cherry Wood Set: Includes Cherry Logs (with a distinct pinkish hue and green accents), Stripped Cherry Logs, Cherry Wood, Stripped Cherry Wood, Planks (a soft, pastel pink), Stairs, Slabs, Fences, Fence Gates, Doors, Trapdoors, Buttons, and Pressure Plates. This full wood set allows for cohesive and aesthetically pleasing builds.
  • Cherry Saplings: Can be planted to grow new cherry trees. Requires bone meal or time, like other saplings.
  • Pink Petals: A unique ground cover block. Found naturally in Cherry Groves, up to four petals can be placed on a single block. Bone mealing the ground in a Cherry Grove can spread pink petals. They function purely decoratively, adding a delicate touch to gardens or natural paths.
• Building Potential: The unique color palette makes Cherry Wood highly sought after for creative builds, adding a splash of gentle color not previously available in wood types. It's perfect for tranquil gardens, Japanese-inspired structures, fantasy builds, or simply adding a distinct accent to any creation. The peaceful atmosphere also makes it an ideal location for a scenic base.

New Mobs

Camel

• Biome: Found naturally spawning in Desert villages. They add significant life and utility to these previously somewhat sparse locations. Usually, only one or two camels spawn per village.
• Features:
  • Two-Player Riding: Camels are the first mob natively designed for two riders, making cooperative exploration much easier. Both players face forward, with the front player controlling movement.
  • Tall Stature: Their height means many common hostile melee mobs (like Zombies, Husks, and Vindicators, but not Spiders) cannot reach the riders, offering significant protection during travel, especially at night. Baby zombies, however, can sometimes still pose a threat.
  • Dash Ability: Camels possess a unique movement ability. By pressing the jump key while riding, the camel performs a long forward dash, capable of clearing gaps up to 10-12 blocks horizontally. This dash has a short cooldown period, indicated by the camel briefly lowering its head. It consumes more stamina than walking but allows for rapid traversal across flat terrain or crossing ravines.
  • Slow Stride & Step Height: While their regular walking speed isn't exceptionally fast, their long legs give them a high step height (1.5 blocks), allowing them to walk directly over fences and walls without needing to jump.
• Taming & Breeding: Camels are passive and don't require taming to ride; simply place a saddle on them. They can be bred using Cactus, which they happily munch on despite the spikes. Breeding two camels produces a baby camel, which takes time to grow or can be sped up with more cactus. They can be leashed for easy transport.
• Strategic Use: Ideal for desert exploration, cooperative journeys, and safely navigating dangerous areas at night due to their height. The dash ability adds a new layer to exploration challenges and map making.

Sniffer

• Origin: The winner of the Minecraft Live 2022 mob vote, chosen by the community for its unique concept and connection to ancient life.
• Behavior: A large, gentle, six-legged ancient mob covered in mossy textures. It's entirely passive towards players and other mobs. Its primary behavior involves wandering aimlessly, periodically stopping to press its large snout to the ground, perform a lengthy sniffing animation, and then dig. If it successfully finds something, it will unearth ancient seeds. It can dig in a variety of natural blocks like dirt, grass, podzol, moss, mud, and rooted dirt.
• Obtaining: Sniffers cannot be found naturally spawning in the world. Players must find Sniffer Eggs through the archeology system, specifically by brushing Suspicious Sand in Warm Ocean Ruins.
• Hatching: A Sniffer Egg must be placed on a block to begin hatching. While it hatches on any block over time (roughly 20 minutes), placing it on a Moss Block significantly speeds up the process (hatching in about 10 minutes). The egg visibly cracks over time before hatching into a small Snifflet.
• Snifflet: The baby version, which follows adult Sniffers or players holding Torchflower Seeds. It cannot dig for seeds until it matures (growth can be accelerated by feeding it Torchflower Seeds).
• Use: The Sniffer is the only source for two unique ancient plant types:
  • Torchflower Seeds: When dug up, these can be planted on farmland. They grow into a Torchflower, a vibrant orange and red flower. Torchflowers can be crafted into orange dye. Feeding Torchflower Seeds to Sniffers initiates breeding.
  • Pitcher Pods: These seeds, also found by Sniffers, must be planted on farmland. They grow through five stages into a large, two-block-tall Pitcher Plant. The fully grown plant drops itself when broken. It currently serves primarily as a unique decorative element.
• Value: Adds a layer of discovery and reward to archeology, providing unique decorative plants and connecting players to Minecraft's fictional prehistoric past. They also introduce a new, engaging mob interaction loop: find egg, hatch, raise, get seeds, breed.

Archeology System

• Concept: A new gameplay mechanic allowing players to uncover hidden artifacts and resources from specific blocks, adding depth to exploration and providing tangible links to the past.
• Brush Tool: Crafted using a Feather, a Copper Ingot, and a Stick. Holding the use button while targeting a suspicious block begins the brushing process. It's a delicate action; you must continue brushing the same block for several seconds until an item pops out. Brushing slowly reveals the item embedded within the block texture before it emerges. The brush has durability and can be enchanted with Mending and Unbreaking.
• Suspicious Sand & Suspicious Gravel: These blocks look very similar to their regular counterparts but have a slightly coarser, grainier texture. They are fragile and will break (dropping nothing) if mined directly or if the block beneath them is broken. They must be brushed to yield loot.
  • Locations:
    • Suspicious Sand: Found in Desert Temples (within the hidden chamber and side rooms), Desert Wells (buried beneath the central structure), and Warm Ocean Ruins.
    • Suspicious Gravel: Found in Cold Ocean Ruins and Trail Ruins (a new structure type composed mostly of terracotta and gravel, partially buried).
• Loot Table Variety: The potential loot depends on the structure where the suspicious block is found:
  • Desert Temples: Common loot includes Emeralds, TNT, Gunpowder, and Diamonds. Rare loot includes specific Pottery Shards (e.g., Archer, Miner, Prize, Skull).
  • Desert Wells: Primarily yield Pottery Shards (e.g., Arms Up, Brewer), Emeralds, Sticks, or Suspicious Stew.
  • Warm Ocean Ruins: Common loot includes Iron Axes, Coal, Emeralds, Wheat, Gold Nuggets. Rare loot includes Sniffer Eggs and specific Pottery Shards (e.g., Angler, Shelter, Snort).
  • Cold Ocean Ruins: Yield similar common loot to warm ruins but contain different Pottery Shards (e.g., Blade, Explorer, Mourner, Plenty).
  • Trail Ruins: A treasure trove for archeology. Contain a wide variety of loot including Glass Panes (various colors), Candles, Leads, Tools, Armor Trims (Wayfinder, Raiser, Shaper, Host), Music Disc (Relic), and numerous Pottery Shards (e.g., Burn, Danger, Friend, Heart, Heartbreak, Howl, Sheaf).
• Pottery Shards (Formerly Sherds): Fragments depicting various symbols or images related to Minecraft lore or features. There are 20 different shard designs obtainable through archeology.
• Decorated Pots:
  • Crafting: Can be crafted using four Pottery Shards arranged in a diamond pattern in the crafting grid. Alternatively, Bricks can substitute for any shard. Using four Bricks creates a plain Decorated Pot. Using shards results in the corresponding image appearing on each side of the pot.
  • Functionality: Purely decorative blocks. They can be placed and look distinct from standard clay pots. Unlike terracotta, they are fragile and will break if mined directly, dropping the constituent shards/bricks. They can be broken instantly by projectiles (like arrows). When interacting with Hoppers, items can be inserted into the top. They also interact with Comparators, emitting a signal based on item insertion.

New Blocks & Items

Bamboo Wood Set

• Source: Crafted from Blocks of Bamboo, which are made from 9 Bamboo items. This provides a useful sink for large bamboo farms.
• Includes: A full set including Bamboo Planks (a pale yellow, fibrous texture), Stairs, Slabs, Fences, Fence Gates, Doors, Trapdoors, Buttons, Pressure Plates, and Signs.
• Unique Block: Bamboo Mosaic. Crafted with two Bamboo Slabs in a vertical line. It features a unique, intricate woven pattern distinct from regular planks, excellent for flooring or decorative wall paneling.
• Rafts: Bamboo variants of boats. Crafted like boats but with Bamboo Planks. They function identically to regular boats but have a distinct, open raft-like appearance. A Chest Raft variant is also available, adding storage to water transport. Their appearance fits well with jungle, river, or beach-themed builds.

Hanging Signs

• Variants: Come in three main placement styles:
  • Standard Hanging: Placed underneath a block, hanging straight down from two chains.
  • Angled Hanging: Placed on the side of a block, hanging from a single perpendicular bracket.
  • Fence Post Hanging: Placed on the side of fences or walls, hanging from two chains attached horizontally.
• Crafted With: 6 Stripped Logs (any type) and 2 Chains. Yields 6 Hanging Signs. The wood type determines the sign's color and texture.
• Use: Offer more versatile and aesthetically pleasing ways to display information or directions compared to standard signs. Perfect for shop signs, street signs, labeling storage areas, or adding decorative flair. Text can be added, edited, dyed, and made to glow with Glow Ink Sacs, just like regular signs.

Chiseled Bookshelf

• Function: A functional storage block specifically for books. It can hold up to 6 items: regular Books, Books and Quills, Written Books, and Enchanted Books. Books are added or removed by interacting directly with a specific slot on the shelf face. The visual appearance changes to show the books being stored.
• Redstone Interaction: This is its key feature. When used with a Redstone Comparator, the Chiseled Bookshelf emits a Redstone signal. The signal strength corresponds to the slot number that was last interacted with (1 through 6). For example, placing a book in the bottom-right slot (slot 6) outputs a signal strength of 6. Removing a book from the top-left slot (slot 1) outputs a signal strength of 1.
• Use: Revolutionizes library builds, making them interactive. Perfect for creating secret passages activated by removing or placing a specific book, combination locks, tracking reading progress in adventure maps, or simply adding functional clutter to a wizard's tower or study.

Armor Trims

• Use: Allows players to add cosmetic patterns to their armor using Smithing Templates. This system provides a new layer of visual customization without affecting armor stats.
• Smithing Templates: A new item type required for trimming armor (and upgrading diamond gear to Netherite). There are 16 different armor trim patterns found in various structures throughout the world:
  • Pillager Outpost: Sentry Trim
  • Desert Pyramid: Dune Trim
  • Shipwreck: Coast Trim
  • Jungle Temple: Wild Trim
  • Ocean Monument: Tide Trim
  • Woodland Mansion: Vex Trim
  • Nether Fortress: Rib Trim
  • Bastion Remnant: Snout Trim (Piglin-related chests), Netherite Upgrade Smithing Template (Treasure room)
  • Stronghold: Eye Trim (Libraries)
  • End City: Spire Trim
  • Ancient City: Ward Trim, Silence Trim
  • Trail Ruins: Wayfinder, Raiser, Shaper, Host Trims
• Application Process: Performed at a Smithing Table. Requires one Smithing Template, one piece of armor (Iron, Gold, Diamond, or Netherite - Leather cannot be trimmed), and one trimming material.
• Materials: The color of the trim is determined by the material used: Iron (Silver), Copper (Copper), Gold (Gold), Lapis (Blue), Emerald (Green), Diamond (Light Blue), Netherite (Dark Grey/Black), Redstone (Red), Amethyst (Purple), Quartz (White). Using the same material as the armor base is possible (e.g., Gold trim on Gold armor).
• Template Duplication: Smithing Templates are consumed on use, but they can be duplicated. Crafting recipe: 7 Diamonds + 1 Block corresponding to the template's material (e.g., Terracotta for Wayfinder, Mossy Cobblestone for Wild) + 1 Smithing Template = 2 Smithing Templates. This makes rare trims renewable, though costly.
• Purely Cosmetic: It's crucial to remember armor trims offer no gameplay advantage; they are solely for player expression and visual flair.

Gameplay Improvements

• New Advancements: Several new advancements were added to guide players through the new features:
  • Respecting the Remnants & Careful Restoration: Related to using the brush on suspicious blocks and crafting a Decorated Pot from 4 shards.
  • Planting the Past: Plant Torchflower or Pitcher Pod seeds.
  • Smells Interesting: Obtain a Sniffer Egg.
  • Little Sniffs: Feed a Snifflet.
  • Crafting a New Look & Smithing with Style: Apply an armor trim at a Smithing Table.
  • The Power of Books: Read the power signal of a Chiseled Bookshelf using a Comparator.
  • Glow and Behold!: Apply Glow Ink to a sign. (Though signs existed, Hanging Signs make this more relevant).
• Creative Inventory Revamp: The creative inventory tabs were reorganized for better navigation. Items are grouped more logically (e.g., colored blocks together, functional blocks together), and there's improved search functionality. Spawn eggs are now in their own tab.
• Vibration & Interaction Changes: Further refinements to how vibrations work with Sculk Sensors and the Warden. Notably, actions like placing items on Decorated Pots, adding/removing books from Chiseled Bookshelves, or interacting with Sniffer Eggs now generate vibrations. Player head equipping/unequipping sounds were also adjusted.
• Accessibility Features: New accessibility options were added, including improved menu navigation and options for panorama scroll speed.
• Bug Fixes & Optimizations: As with any major update, numerous bugs were squashed, and performance optimizations were implemented for both client and server, improving overall stability and gameplay smoothness. Technical changes were also made to commands and game events.

Conclusion

Minecraft 1.20: Trails & Tales delivered a rich tapestry of features that significantly enhanced the core Minecraft experience without drastically altering its fundamental loop. It successfully wove together themes of history, exploration, and personalization. With rideable camels transforming desert travel, sniffers unearthing ancient flora, cherry groves providing serene beauty, archeology revealing hidden treasures and lore, and armor trims allowing unprecedented visual customization, this update truly empowered players to delve deeper into the world, express their individuality, and craft their own unique stories within the blocky sandbox like never before. It was an update focused on adding charm, depth, and creative outlets across the board.