Minecraft 1.18 update: Release date, features, leaks and more

Minecraft's 1.18 update entitled “Caves and Cliffs part 2” is quickly approaching, so players are curious to know all the upcoming changes. From the content perspective, Sculk Sensor, Bundles, and Warden Mob are some of the confirmed additions of Minecraft’s 1.18 patch.

Besides this, the new world generation mechanics is the main attraction of the forthcoming update that will revamp the structure of caves and introduce new mountains to the game. Moreover, as confirmed earlier by the devs, the 1.18 update will alter the overall terrain generational algorithms to make it all fit together. From the update’s release date to features and leaks, here’s everything you should know about Minecraft’s 1.18 version.

Minecraft 1.18 update release date

The Minecraft 1.18 update, Caves and Cliffs part 2, will be released in late 2021 for Java and Bedrock editions. According to the official statement, Mojang has decided to release the Caves and Cliffs update in two instalments, giving adequate time to the development team. This will allow them to deliver an array of exciting features without compromising on quality, reliability, or functionality for players.

While the exact date of the update isn't known yet, after considering the previous release patterns, players can expect version 1.18 to roll out within the next few months. Until then, one can look at the upcoming features initially spotted during the testing of the 1.18 experimental snapshot. 

Minecraft 1.18 update - features and leaks

With the launch of Minecraft’s 1.18 experimental snapshot, three new features have been teased so far by Mojang Studios. 

Bundles 

Bundles are one of the new features that is explicitly designed to assist players with inventory management. Simply, Bundles will act as a storage space in which players can store many items until the whole storage is exhausted. 

The total capacity of the Bundles is unknown at the moment, but one thing that should be noted is that Bundles can also be stored within themselves. Still, it will eventually consume the same storage slot as the original bundle i.e. + 1.

Sculk Sensor

Alongside Bundles, 1.18 will also be introducing a new kind of Redstone block called Sculk Sensor that can detect vibrations in a nine-block radius. The sensor activates when a vibration is made within its range for 40 game ticks that’s something around two seconds. 

If a Sculk Sensor encounters vibrations or detects the destruction of a block, it will emit a new Redstone signal. However, the only downside is that it cannot detect any other vibrations while a signal is travelling to it and neither while it’s activated.

Increased Mountain Heights 

As per the changelog, mountain height is increasing as well, which is pretty evident in the latest experimental snapshot. It reaches about Y 254 while standing on the extreme hills, whereas the maximum height of the world is supposed to be increased up to Y 320 from Y 255 in the upcoming 1.18 patch. 

While it’s an agreeable decision to increasing the mountain’s height, it’s also worth noticing that it’s less than the entire height of the world. Therefore, players will have a chance to build something indifferent at the peak of the tallest mountain.

All of the above information is sourced from the newest Snapshot, a testing version of Minecraft, periodically released by Mojang Studios. The main aim of releasing this version is to gather feedback and bug reports before introducing the features into the global update.

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