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DON'T DIG DOWN, A Pop-Up Miner's Guide to Minecraft

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_IcecreamGhost_'s Avatar _IcecreamGhost_
Level 27 : Expert Princess
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This is a pop-up guide. Click under the pixeled images for more information!
Search for bolded words in the glossary.







Introduction



I wrote this for you, traveller, for whenever something goes wrong. And believe me, something will go wrong- mistakes are inevitable.


So here's a book that will help you during the darkest, scariest, peeing-in-your-pants-iest moments that you might face. In the great words of Notch, “I'm not a camper, I just like s'mores.” Here's to hoping you make it out alive.





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Chapter One – Preamble (4 Parts)



The first day is always the worst. (Unless you're very unlucky on day two. In which case day one could be the second worst.)
The point is, day one is just awful.


So when you spawn in, you may find yourself in one of many different biomes. It doesn't matter where you spawn. Go find yourself a tree and punch it. Punch it until it breaks. And then make yourself an axe and go axe-punch more trees. Wood is VERY important for your survival.



My lesson to you, traveller, is to always come prepared. Your chances of survival will improve significantly if you know what you're doing. I'll start by teaching you the basics.




And in the off-chance that you get an apple, pop that sucker into your mouth and enjoy it.





Which brings me on to our next lesson:






Food



Food is a great thing. And if you know what you're doing, you can have a lot of it. There are different types of food, such as carrots, potatoes, bread, and steak. Different foods are better to eat. Steak will give you more drumsticks (undefined) and more saturation. Never eat raw food, raw food will make you sick.


Farm foods can be found in villages. Meat can be collected by killing various animals. Cows drop raw beef, for example. Take care when killing animals, you'll want to keep two alive so that you can breed them later. (Also, wolves DO NOT drop meat.)





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Getting Cozy



You won't survive long if you don't have a safe place to curl up and write a “Burn my diaries if I don't make it. Love you.” letter to grandma. Things will get a lot different in your world when the sun goes down. All sorts of monsters will rise from the shadows, and you need some way of keeping them out.


Build a makeshift camp if you need one. A dirt box will do, it doesn't need to be anything fancy. Don't forget to make a bed, either. The night will go on much faster if you sleep. Monsters can't spawn in the sunlight and it will be safer for you to travel. Bring a friend along if it makes you feel better. I've complied a list, including information, about the four most common monsters you'll encounter.


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Hostile Mobs

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Creepers

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Beware of creepers! They are more of a danger to your property than the are to your health. Make sure to light up your base!
Creepers are afraid of cats and will run away if they see one.

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Skeletons

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Skeletons typically use bows and will attack you from far away. Some skeletons can spawn with armor and may be hard to kill.
Dogs hate skeletons and will attack them on sight. Skeletons also burn up in the sunlight.


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Spiders

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Spiders can climb up walls and will ruin your day! Spiders are only aggressive during the nighttime, unless provoked.
A spider's greatest weakness is Bane of Arthropods.

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Zombies

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Quite possibly one of the dumbest monsters to make the list. There's no need to fight one, just walk slightly faster than you were before.
Like skeletons, a zombie can spawn with armor. Zombies are weak against sunlight and Smite.










Ghouls, Tools, and Armor



Like you, monsters can die. Swords are the best for if you ever feel like stabbing a zombie in the eye. Like swords, all tools have a different purpose. Swords are meant for fighting, but axes are meant for chopping wood and pickaxes are used to mine through stone. Use the right tool for the right job!


You're never ready to pick a fight with a beast if you don't have the right armor. Armor will protect you for when a creeper decides he doesn't feel like living anymore or for when you take a nasty fall. There are five types of armor. Leather, gold, chain, iron, and diamond. Diamond is the best. However, it's good to start off with iron. Remember, it takes 24 iron ingots in order to craft a full set of iron armor. Don't use leather armor. Leather armor is bad and you will need the extra leather for later.




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Enchantments



Enchantments will save your life. Enchantments can do anything from cutting grind time in half to lighting pigs on fire. (It's not a bad as sounds.) 


Popular enchantments are Efficiency, Unbreaking, Looting, Fortune, Silk Touch, and Fire Aspect! These enchantments are a MUST HAVE. Don't leave your house if you don't plan on AT LEAST enchanting your sword. A sword will always come in handy and it's better to have one that's enchanted.




Never forget. A sword is your greatest weapon.




Now that you know the basics, you're ready to play! But I won't leave you just yet, traveller. There are things that happen, bad things. And for every abstract situation that you find yourself in, there is always a solution.



Here, I have created a list of anything that can go wrong in your game, including a solution. Nothing will catch you off guard by the time you finish reading! From this point on, I would consult the table of contents. Good luck, traveller.







Nether Travel For The Emotionally Compromised


The Nether is a dangerous place for an up-and-coming player like yourself. But don't worry, it's not as bad as it sounds.


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It's only slightly worse.


But with every horrible, horrible thing, comes an AWESOME bonus. You can make potions now! Take out that pickaxe and grab as much glowstone as you need. That ghast over there has NOTHING on you.


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Things to remember about the Nether -

1. For the love of Notch, DO NOT punch a pigman. 

2. Lava hurts. A lot.

3. Nothing is sacred.

4. PLEASE don't go to the Nether.

5. Studies show you will be a lot more alive if you DON'T go into the Nether.

6. Soul sand is a Nether  exclusive item.







For When You Trap Yourself In a Sheep Pin



Don't panic! Sheep are vile and they can smell fear. Luckily for you, I specialize in fear and sheep are dumb. They won't understand the basic notion of intuition. 


If you ever build a pin for your animals, make sure you include a fence gate. A sheep won't know how to open a fence gate and so he wont be able to escape. You can also lay carpet on top of a fence post. This gives you something to climb onto and you will be able to lift yourself above the fence.




Always bring a sword with you. A sheep might charge at any moment and you need to be prepared when it does. A Looting III sword is recommended.







For When You're Half-Dead Because You Forgot You Took Your Armor Off To Take A Screenie



There is no cure for stupidity. Go put your pants back on.







I Mistook A Witch For A Villager And Now I Can't Leave My House



Sadly, there's no way to get rid of a witch other than killing her or waiting for her to de-spawn. Witches may be hard to kill because they can heal themselves with different potions, such as healing or fire resistance. I would suggest engaging her if you have a back door or other means of escape. She may be waiting at your front door to kill you, so you need to work quickly in order to come out on top.


Witches will always start by poisoning you. After which she will throw a damage potion. Kill her quickly before she can throw either. The poison is meant to weaken you before she goes in for the head-shot. Don't give her the chance.


Fall back if a witch poisons you. This is where a back door or another room will come in handy. Allow yourself some time to rest before you try to kill her again. A witch doesn't have a lot of health and it shouldn't take long. Send that goodbye letter to your grandma if you think you need to.







For When You Find Yourself Trapped Inside an Obsidian Box



Stay calm, you will need your energy in order to escape. Obsidian is a very tough material but if you are patient, you can break it.


Assuming that you don't own a diamond pick, obsidian may take four minutes or longer to break. Pass the time with a jaunty tune. I hear “Cat” is a good one.
                                                                    




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What To Do When Your Horse Gets Stuck In A Minecart



I've had this happen plenty of times and it almost always results in the death of my prized steed. Luckily, activator rails are a thing and if you use one you can make a minecart spit the horse out instantly! Make sure to check in with your horse and offer him food. Minecarts are very upsetting and your horse could be traumatized by the experience. The best thing to do is to let him rest for a little while.


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Domesticated Mobs


There are a small number of mobs that can be domesticated in your world. Horses are among them! A domesticated mob can either serve you or follow you around as a pet. A horse will carry a player anywhere as long as it has a saddle. Saddles are un-craftable and can only be found as treasure.


Horses can be bred, however the baby will need to be tamed once it grows older. The enslaved mob will then love you unconditionally, no matter how many times you 'accidentally' light it on fire. You horrible, horrible person.





All's Well That Ends


The End is one of the biggest challenges that you as a player can undertake. Like the Nether, the End is another dimension completely separate from the over-world. Do you wanna build a snowman? You probably should; Endermen hate snow. And while you're at it, you might wanna prepare yourself for a battle with a freaking dragon.

The Ender Dragon is one of two bosses, the other being a Wither. The Ender Dragon lives in the End, and will attack you whenever you enter. That's why it's better to kill the dragon before you do anything else.


Oh, and the only way out of the End at this point is by dying. So put on your big kid britches and fight the dragon.



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1. REMEMBER: Endercrystals are the diamond-shaped block at the top of an obsidian pillar. They heal the Ender Dragon. Destroy them before you fight her!

2. Bows will be an important part of your battle. The Ender Dragon will rarely swoop low enough for you to stab, so you need to shoot her. In the knee. With an arrow!

3. Don't let her knock you into the void. That's a sure way of dying. Like, NO return. Just don't fall, okay?

4. Tell her a 'yo mama' joke. She HATES those.

5. You win!


By beating the Ender Dragon, you've ensured yourself a spot on the “you're-a-pro-and-the-ender-dragon-sucks” list. Good Game!






I Found A Block Where It Wasn't Supposed To Be And Now I'm Convinced That Herobrine Is Real




Endermen like to move blocks. If you ever find a grass block missing, chances are an Enderman smuggled part of your property and ran off! The best thing to do is take revenge on his family. Also keep some dirt on hand so you can patch up those ugly trouble spots. The Enderman will get the message and back off, but don't wait around for a formal apology. Most Endermen have anger issues and do not like to socialize. And if you appreciate your internal organs remaining… Well, internal, don't make eye contact.



An Enderman will occasionally drop a block, and that is more than likely your “Herobrine.”






For When You Give A Pig A Saddle And He Wont Give It Back



Kill him. He's disposable.






I Made A Castle Out Of Sand And I Accidentally Broke The Bottom Layer And Now Everything Is Exactly One Block Shorter Than It Needs To Be



Blocks like sand and gravel cannot stand on their own. For this reason, sand will collapse if you take out the block beneath it. If you ever need support, try using sandstone. Sandstone is a solid block and it will be able to hold up by itself. Mixing in sand, sandstone, smooth sandstone, and chiseled sandstone can make a huge difference!









And Finally, What To Do If You Find Yourself Trapped Inside a Cave





I don't have a lot of time left. If I'm right, I'm going to die of hunger soon and I won't be able to finish this book for you if I don't wrap it up. So, my final advice, always come prepared. I cannot stress this enough. Caves are dangerous and if you don't traverse them properly you won't live long enough to get out. Always mark a way out. Some caves can be expansive and you don't want to get lost. Always investigate, and keep your caves lit up! Bring food with you, and repair a broken bridge when you see one. (It's a long story.)


It may seem hypocritical of me to create a survival guide in a completely hopeless situation, but you'll be a lot luckier than I am. By now you should know what items to take with you and how not to lose them. It won't be too hard for you to find your way out.
And there's one last thing you need to know. My co-ords.



My base is hidden but it won't be too hard to find if you know where to look. I won't need it if I die tonight and so I want all of my stuff to go to you. Good luck.





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Oh, and one last thing. The first and most important rule of playing Minecraft:






Never,







ever,







ever






dig straight down.





-With love, Steve.                






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Glossary

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Biome -
A biome is a word used to describe a major region or a habitat, such as a forest. 

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Efficiency -
Efficiency is an echantment that increases the rate at which you mine. The highest level of Efficiency is V.

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Fire Aspect -
Fire Aspect is strictly a sword enchantment. As the name suggests, it will light your enemy on fire. The highest level of Fire Aspect is II.

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Fortune -
Fortune is an enchantment that can be applied to Axes, Shovels, and Pickaxes. Fortune increases the amount of drops you will get for breaking certain blocks. The highest level of Fortune is III.

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Looting -
Looting is a sword enchantment that increases the amount of drops you get upon killing a mob. The highest level of Looting is III.

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Saturation -
Saturation is how long your drumsticks will last before they begin to deplete. Some foods have a higher saturation, and are therefore better to eat. Saturation drains faster when you run or break blocks.

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Silk Touch
Silk Touch is an enchantment that will allow you to collect certain items such as glass, leaves, and smooth stone. The highest level of Silk Touch is I.

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Smite -
Smite is a sword enchantment that increases the amount of damage you do to "undead" mobs. The highest level of Smite is V.

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Unbreaking -
Unbreaking is an enchantment that can be applied to both tools and armor. Unbreaking increases the durabilty of any item. The highest level of Unbreaking is III.





An author's note:

Fianlly, here it is! As of now, 11/29/2015, it isn't done, but I wanted to post it as quickly as possible. All images (including the pixel-art) were created, captured, and edited by me! (Even the skin, too!) I started the first draft of this guide yesterday afternoon. More updates to come soon!



Thanks for reading. <3

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4 Update Logs

Update #4 12/12/2015 : by _IcecreamGhost_ 12/12/2015 2:31:46 amDec 12th, 2015

Spent some time editing and revising before the contest ends in 9 hours. Good luck everyone! I had a lot of fun making this and I hope you enjoy it. :)
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1
12/05/2015 6:01 am
Level 60 : High Grandmaster Meme
CroatiaTheMan
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Really good job, Its kinda similar to my entry too XD
1
12/06/2015 4:27 am
Level 27 : Expert Princess
_IcecreamGhost_
_IcecreamGhost_'s Avatar
It is! You did a great job as well :)
1
12/06/2015 6:05 am
Level 60 : High Grandmaster Meme
CroatiaTheMan
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Thanks ;)
1
12/02/2015 8:24 am
Level 13 : Journeyman Pokemon
SD_Amra
SD_Amra's Avatar
Very nice I like it! Good luck on the contest! Please see my entry also. I just made it today I will add more later Thanks!
1
12/02/2015 3:24 pm
Level 27 : Expert Princess
_IcecreamGhost_
_IcecreamGhost_'s Avatar
Thank you! I'll check it out. :)
1
12/02/2015 6:33 am
Level 69 : High Grandmaster Architect
Xoyjaz
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Make more? ^^
1
12/02/2015 3:24 pm
Level 27 : Expert Princess
_IcecreamGhost_
_IcecreamGhost_'s Avatar
Oh, don't worry. There's more to come soon. ;)
1
12/01/2015 9:17 pm
Level 43 : Master Network
hooptiecoupe
hooptiecoupe's Avatar
This is an awsome tutorail :) 20,000 Diamonds to you!




Hey, are going to update with more pics? That was the best part about reading this :D
1
12/01/2015 10:46 pm
Level 27 : Expert Princess
_IcecreamGhost_
_IcecreamGhost_'s Avatar
Oh yeah, of course! This is still just an early draft. :) Thanks for the comment!
1
11/30/2015 9:59 pm
Level 15 : Journeyman Caveman
Pootis Looti
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I LUV your Glossary Section!!! I would diamond it but you're competition... hehehe...

I will diamond it after the competition though :D
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