Minecraft 101: Stained Hardened Clay

Stained Clay, also known as Stained Hardened Clay, is a colored variation of hardened clay. It is available in the same 16 colors that wool can be dyed, although the shading of the color is less vibrant. Nevertheless, stained clay is a beneficial alternative to colored wool, due to its smoother and softer texture when used in building structures, the fact that fire does not spread when struck by lightning or set on fire, as well as its greater blast resistance. Dyed clay cannot be recolored.

These are the different shades of Hardened Clay:

Minecraft 101: Player (commonly known as Steve)

The Player is the character that users control in Minecraft. The default player is popularly known as Steve and is confirmed on the 'Profile' page near the section that allows you to change your skin, a name suggested by Notch as a joke, and is intended to be a generic, genderless representation of a human being, although the player's skin can be changed. The player's skin has dark brown hair, brownish skin, and indigo eyes, with a cyan-blue shirt, a pair of indigo jeans, and grayish-black shoes. Steve seems to have a slight stubble of a light brown beard.

-Raphael

Minecraft 101: Wither

The Wither is a three-headed mob  with skeletal kind of  appearance. It is the second boss mob introduced in Minecraft, the other being the Ender Dragon.

HOW TO SPAWN A WITHER

By placing soul sand in a T shape, and putting 3 Wither Skeleton Skulls on top of each three upper blocks, the Wither can be created. The last block placed must be one of the three Wither skeleton skulls; it will not spawn if the final component placed is soul sand.

WEAPONS NEEDED TO FIGHT THE WITHER

Because the Wither does a great deal of damage, the best equipment for combat is a diamond sword (Preferably enchanted with Smite. The best sword for the fight is one enchanted with Smite V and Knockback II) Instant Health II Splash Potions, Strength II Potions, one or two enchanted golden apples, a Bow (Preferably enchanted with Power, the best bow for the fight would be Power IV or V, Punch II, and Infinity I) and Diamond Armor (Protection IV protects from the withering effects. The 'Thorns' enchantment may also be an advantage, but it is expensive and not as important as proper protection). Make sure to bring about a stack or two of arrows if you don't have the Infinity enchantment. Fire enchants do not work on the Wither. Smite is better than Sharpness, but a high level Sharpness should be good enough.

For more info about the Wither go to this link: http://www.minecraftwiki.net/wiki/Wither

-Raphael

Minecraft 101: Superflat

Superflat or flatland is a world which is absolutely flat. This is a perfect world for creative mode, since you can create anything without certain obstacles in the way, but it won't be a good world for survival. Also if you wander far from where your building location is, you might get lost unless you have built a beacon or landmarks of some sort.

** If you want to create your own Superflat world, check the instructions in this link: http://www.minecraftforum.net/topic/1550525-how-to-create-your-own-superflat-presetbasic/

That's all!!

-Raphael

I really recommend you guys to watch this cool Minecraft series (starting from episode 1). This is the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUMKmuckpbI&list=PLDDF0F21F7BD23F4A

This series is about 2 people (Mary and Dad) who gets stranded on an island. They survive on the island while finding ways to go back home. Think they can? Watch the series to find out!

-Raphael

ATTENTION!!

New game update! Minecraft 1.6.1 is out!! Mojang calls this the 'Horse Update'.

**In order to get this update, you need to install the latest Minecraft Launcher. Download it here: minecraft.net/download

This update includes:

• Added Horses
• Added Donkey and Mules
• Added Horse Armor
• Added Leads
• Added Carpets
• Added Hardened Clay and Stained Clay
• Added Block of Coal
• Added Name tags 
• Added Hay Bales
• Texture packs are now 'Resource packs' that can also hold sound, etc.
• Food meter is now drained when healed by full food meter (I don't really get this)
• Cannot destroy blocks with sword in creative (Why?)
• Remove Herobrine

I think that they added good updates to Minecraft especially the Block of coal and the Resources packs.

Also out is Minecraft 1.6.2! This update has bug fixes:

• Fixed Horses getting hurt when bumping walls
• Fixed animals escaping their pens
• Improved sprinting behavior
• Ctrl + left click on Mac now acts as right click

Well that's all!!

-Raphael

For information about Minecraft: go to this link:

minecraftwiki.net

To buy the game and to register for an account go to this link:

minecraft.net

-Raphael