Org Minecraft Server

**Csargo** · 03-28-2013, 17:52

What is this mob grinder you speak of?

**TinCow** · 03-28-2013, 19:25

Sorry, when I say mob grinder I mean mob farm. A mob grinder is the killing mechanism that is part of a mob farm, but I'm really talking about the entire farm itself. A mob farm is basically a structure that is designed to create optimal conditions inside for monsters to spawn. The structure then forces them into an area where they are killed, thus dropping their loot. If built well, they can constantly spawn very large numbers of mobs, even during the day, producing a constant flow of mob items, such as gunpowder. To increase the spawn concentration, it's best to eliminate as much of the surrounding terrain as possible from possible spawning spots. As such, they're best built in areas that have been completely lit above and below ground (difficult to accomplish), or out in the middle of the ocean. The one I built didn't work well because it was underground in my lair. Because there was a lot of unlit area all over the place nearby, particularly underground, the spawn rate of the system was really, really low. I actually started preparing an island for a better grinder, but never actually started construction. The island is at x=970 z=-380.

http://www.minecraftwiki.net/wiki/Tutorials/Mob_Farm

There are tons of youtube tutorials on various configurations.

**Sigurd** · 03-28-2013, 20:32

Originally Posted by TinCow

To increase the spawn concentration, it's best to eliminate as much of the surrounding terrain as possible from possible spawning spots. As such, they're best built in areas that have been completely lit above and below ground (difficult to accomplish), or out in the middle of the ocean

My enderman farm is built on this principle.
Make it ideal for spawning by isolating it away from the mainland. Make a tower high enough for them to die if they fall off it. Make sure they only can spawn on the pressureplates that will activate the pistons that push them off to the killing platform (endermen needs 3 height on any given opaque surface to spawn and they can't spawn on water or half blocks (non opaque) including glowstone. They can't teleport to places that has water on it.)

I bet you could make a similar farm out in the sea as TinCow suggests. Have rings of opaque blocks with either tripwire or pressure plates that will activate pistons that push anything spawning on the rings. Make multiple rings of this kind with the lowest one at the killing height of mobs. Make sure the island ground level is lighted enough to prevent any mobs spawning there during the night. You can seal the tower to make it a night and day farm.. and make sure nothing can spawn on the top by placing non opaque blocks on the roof (e.g stone slabs or water sources). Then watch the killing field on ground level as raining mobs fills it up with drops. Make sure the thing is not too high as mobs despawn 128 blocks away from the player.

Yeah... these kind of farms only produces when the player is present.

**Nigel** · 03-28-2013, 22:13

Interesting, all the things that can be done....

Meanwhile, I have checked out of the Noob Hotel and moved into a little wooden shack, which I put up next to my building site.

I also figured out how to write books (thanks TC). That's a neat way of placing longer texts inside the game world. Took the opportunity to put down a few tips for beginners, which I found useful when getting started. The little guide is now available at the reception desk.

**Vladimir** · 03-29-2013, 09:05

Originally Posted by Sigurd

My enderman farm is built on this principle.
Make it ideal for spawning by isolating it away from the mainland. Make a tower high enough for them to die if they fall off it. Make sure they only can spawn on the pressureplates that will activate the pistons that push them off to the killing platform (endermen needs 3 height on any given opaque surface to spawn and they can't spawn on water or half blocks (non opaque) including glowstone. They can't teleport to places that has water on it.)

I bet you could make a similar farm out in the sea as TinCow suggests. Have rings of opaque blocks with either tripwire or pressure plates that will activate pistons that push anything spawning on the rings. Make multiple rings of this kind with the lowest one at the killing height of mobs. Make sure the island ground level is lighted enough to prevent any mobs spawning there during the night. You can seal the tower to make it a night and day farm.. and make sure nothing can spawn on the top by placing non opaque blocks on the roof (e.g stone slabs or water sources). Then watch the killing field on ground level as raining mobs fills it up with drops. Make sure the thing is not too high as mobs despawn 128 blocks away from the player.

Yeah... these kind of farms only produces when the player is present.

This is basically what I'm planning and acquiring resources for. It's largely original and likely resource inefficient but will cover most of the spawn radius.

Originally Posted by spankythehippo

So that's what that island is for.

If you're not planning on doing anything with it, can I take over the reins? I could use a break from my very slow castle building.

EDIT: A lot of the mob grinders use a lot of redstone circuitry, which I am apprehensive about. I'm not sure how much the server will lag.

I think I'll just make a standard mob grinder... if I can find a standard to work with.

Using a fortune pickaxe is working incredibly well and redstone is the least of my worries. Iron is the scarcest resource. A good slime farm or swamp with a looting enchantment can produce a lot of slime. By rare luck I enchanted an amazing sword the other day. I'm not using circuits, just repeaters.

**spankythehippo** · 03-29-2013, 02:23

Originally Posted by TinCow

The island is at x=970 z=-380.

So that's what that island is for.

If you're not planning on doing anything with it, can I take over the reins? I could use a break from my very slow castle building.

EDIT: A lot of the mob grinders use a lot of redstone circuitry, which I am apprehensive about. I'm not sure how much the server will lag.

I think I'll just make a standard mob grinder... if I can find a standard to work with.

**TinCow** · 03-29-2013, 11:47

Originally Posted by spankythehippo

So that's what that island is for.

If you're not planning on doing anything with it, can I take over the reins? I could use a break from my very slow castle building.

Be my guest, though be aware that the nether-side of the portal has not been rebuilt.

**spankythehippo** · 03-29-2013, 13:45

Originally Posted by TinCow

Be my guest, though be aware that the nether-side of the portal has not been rebuilt.

Yeah, it's linked to the stronghold portal. I'll build the grinder further out to sea.

**TinCow** · 03-29-2013, 14:00

Originally Posted by spankythehippo

Yeah, it's linked to the stronghold portal. I'll build the grinder further out to sea.

You don't need to move it anywhere in the overworld, just rebuild the nether portal. That island should be far enough out already.

**spankythehippo** · 03-30-2013, 09:15

Originally Posted by TinCow

You don't need to move it anywhere in the overworld, just rebuild the nether portal. That island should be far enough out already.

I have built a path to the grinder. There's a sign to signify where it is.

I have made no progress on the grinder itself.

I'm not sure what the best type would be. I've seen very compact grinders, but that requires a lot of redstone. I'd rather not use that, because of the server lag.

Currently, my plan is to build a stacked compact canal design. I'm planning on stacking it all the way to the maximum build height, for the highest yield. If you guys have a better design, I'd love to hear it. I'm pretty sure my design is flawed.

EDIT: Should I make it a mob item/EXP farm or just a mob item farm? There is a danger of creepers exploding if I make it an EXP farm.