Minecraft’s latest update expanded the Nether, the eerie biome filled with fire and lava. The update adds more biomes to the otherwise bland but huge location. It’s a much-needed expansion that brings more life into the game. The Nether expanded from one, bland biome to several.
There are four new biomes added in the Nether update, and one renamed one. Like the biomes in the main map, they each have their own resources, mobs, and flora. Some of these biomes were released early in a snapshot of the update. With the official release of version 1.16 and the Nether update, the patch notes also cover the different biomes in greater detail.
Basalt Deltas
The Basalt Deltas are a large, volcanic biome with chunks of blackstone, magma cubes, and basalt. The Basalt Deltas look a bit like what we originally saw of the Nether, but split in half and into its own biome (the other half is the Nether Wastes). Nether Fortresses have a chance to spawn here, as do mobs like Ghasts and Striders.
Crimson Forest
The Crimson Forest is an entirely new, and entirely red, biome. It’s a thick forest of red mushrooms and vines. You’ll find Zombie Pigmen, Pigmen, Striders, and Hoglins here, along with the potential for Fortresses and Bastions. If it’s red, it’s probably here: Netherrack, Crimson Nylium, Crimson Stem, Nether Wart, and more.
Nether Wastes
This is the Nether that we’re used to: a barren wasteland, dripping with lava, with neutral, Zombie Pigmen and Ghasts wandering through it. With it’s stereotypical lava lake, it won’t look much different to the first iteration of the Nether. Netherrack, Glowstone, Soul Sand, Nether Ore, and Nether Quartz are common blocks in the Nether Wastes. Since it’s a renamed version of the first Nether, it’s not surprising that most of the resources are the same.
Soulsand Valley
The Soulsand Valley is a misty blue biome made up of Soul Sand and Soul Soil. The primary blocks in the Soulsand Valley are, unsurprisingly, Soul Sand, Soul Soil, Soul Fire, Netherrack, Lava, Gravel, and Basalt. Mobs are on the spooky side with Endermen, Ghasts, and Skeletons making this biome their home.
Warped Forest
The Warped Forest is similar to the Crimson Forest, but blue. The Warped Forest is made of Warped Fungi, Warped Wart, Warped Nylium, Netherrack, and Shroomlights. Bastions and Fortresses can spawn in the Warped Forest, but it doesn’t have a lot of hostile mobs, making it relatively safe. The only hostile mob is Endermen.
