Dripstone (feature)

From Minecraft Wiki

Dripstone

👁 Large dripstone.png: Infobox image for Minecraft structure 'Dripstone'

Biomes	👁 Image Dripstone caves
Generates in existing chunks	No
Consists of	👁 Image Dripstone Block 👁 Image Pointed Dripstone 👁 Image Water

{
 "title": "Dripstone",
 "rows": [
 {
 "field": "<span class=\"nowrap\"><span class=\"sprite-file\" style=\"\">(link to File:BiomeSprite dripstone-caves.png article, displayed as 16x16px|link=Dripstone caves|alt=|class=pixel-image|)</span>(link to Dripstone caves article, displayed as <span class=\"sprite-text\">Dripstone caves</span>)</span>",
 "label": "(link to Biome article, displayed as Biomes)"
 },
 {
 "field": "No",
 "label": "Generates in<br>existing chunks  "
 },
 {
 "field": "\n* <span class=\"nowrap\"><span class=\"sprite-file\" style=\"\">(link to File:BlockSprite dripstone-block.png article, displayed as 16x16px|link=Dripstone Block|alt=|class=pixel-image|)</span>(link to Dripstone Block article, displayed as <span class=\"sprite-text\">Dripstone Block</span>)</span>\n* <span class=\"nowrap\"><span class=\"sprite-file\" style=\"\">(link to File:BlockSprite pointed-dripstone.png article, displayed as 16x16px|link=Pointed Dripstone|alt=|class=pixel-image|)</span>(link to Pointed Dripstone article, displayed as <span class=\"sprite-text\">Pointed Dripstone</span>)</span>\n* <span class=\"nowrap\"><span class=\"sprite-file\" style=\"\">(link to File:BlockSprite water.png article, displayed as 16x16px|link=Water|alt=|class=pixel-image|)</span>(link to Water article, displayed as <span class=\"sprite-text\">Water</span>)</span>",
 "label": "Consists of"
 }
 ],
 "invimages": [],
 "images": [
 "Large dripstone.png"
 ]
}

Dripstone features can be found commonly in dripstone caves biomes. There are three types of dripstone feature: large dripstone, speleothem cluster and speleothem (also known as small dripstone).

Description

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Dripstone features generate inside large hollows in the dripstone caves biome. They can generate in water.

There are three types of dripstone feature:

The first type is the "large dripstone", which takes the form of either a separated stalagmite and stalactite, or a stalagnate, and is composed of dripstone blocks. Stalagnates generate around two positions selected on the floor and ceiling of a cave, which may potentially be separated by several blocks horizontally. The maximum possible size of a large dripstone varies depending on the available space. Can be confused with dripstone cluster generated on noise pillar, but generated with solely dripstone blocks.

The second type is the "speleothem cluster", a patch of dripstone blocks replacing a section of a cave’s walls, floor and ceiling. Some pointed dripstone blocks will generate hanging from the ceiling and growing on the floor in these patches, attached to the dripstone blocks, forming detailed speleothem growths. Water puddles can also occasionally be found on the floor patches.

The third type is the "speleothem", which is similar to the dripstone cluster, but only has a single stalagmite or stalactite.

When these types overlap, it results in pointed dripstone generating on the large columns of dripstone blocks.

Data values

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ID

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Java Edition:

Feature type	Identifier
👁 EnvSprite large-dripstone.png: Sprite image for large-dripstone in Minecraft [No displayed name]	`large_dripstone`
👁 EnvSprite large-dripstone.png: Sprite image for large-dripstone in Minecraft [No displayed name]	`speleothem_cluster`
👁 EnvSprite large-dripstone.png: Sprite image for large-dripstone in Minecraft [No displayed name]	`speleothem`

Configured feature	Identifier
👁 EnvSprite large-dripstone.png: Sprite image for large-dripstone in Minecraft [No displayed name]	`large_dripstone`
👁 BlockSprite pointed-dripstone.png: Sprite image for pointed-dripstone in Minecraft [No displayed name]	`speleothem_cluster`
👁 BlockSprite pointed-dripstone.png: Sprite image for pointed-dripstone in Minecraft [No displayed name]	`speleothem`

Bedrock Edition:

Feature	Identifier
👁 BlockSprite pointed-dripstone.png: Sprite image for pointed-dripstone in Minecraft [No displayed name]	`dripstone_cluster_feature`
👁 EnvSprite large-dripstone.png: Sprite image for large-dripstone in Minecraft [No displayed name]	`large_dripstone_feature`

Feature	Identifier
👁 BlockSprite pointed-dripstone.png: Sprite image for pointed-dripstone in Minecraft [No displayed name]	`pointed_dripstone_feature`

which is used in:

Feature	Identifier
👁 BlockSprite pointed-dripstone.png: Sprite image for pointed-dripstone in Minecraft [No displayed name]	`small_dripstone_snap_to_surface_feature`

which is used in:

Feature	Identifier
👁 BlockSprite pointed-dripstone.png: Sprite image for pointed-dripstone in Minecraft [No displayed name]	`small_dripstone_feature`

Config

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Main article: Configured feature

Java Edition:

If type is speleothem_cluster:

[NBT Compound / JSON Object] config
- [Int] floor_to_ceiling_search_range For how many blocks the feature searches for the floor or ceiling. Value between 1 and 512 (inclusive).
- [Int][NBT Compound / JSON Object] height The height of the cluster. Value between 1 and 128 (inclusive).
  - Int provider see Template:Nbt inherit/int_provider/template
- [Int][NBT Compound / JSON Object] radius The radius of the cluster. Value between 1 and 128 (inclusive).
  - Int provider see Template:Nbt inherit/int_provider/template
- [Int] max_stalagmite_stalactite_height_diff The maximum height difference between stalagmites and stalactites. Value between 0 and 64 (inclusive).
- [Int] height_deviation The height deviation. Value between 1 and 64 (inclusive).
- [Int][NBT Compound / JSON Object] speleothem_block_layer_thickness The dripstone block layer's thickness. Value between 0 and 128 (inclusive).
  - Int provider see Template:Nbt inherit/int_provider/template
- [Float][NBT Compound / JSON Object] density Value between 0.0 and 2.0 (inclusive).
  - Float provider see Template:Nbt inherit/float_provider/template
- [Float][NBT Compound / JSON Object] wetness Value between 0.0 and 2.0 (inclusive).
  - Float provider see Template:Nbt inherit/float_provider/template
- [Float] chance_of_speleothem_column_at_max_distance_from_center Value between 0.0 and 1.0 (inclusive).
- [Int] max_distance_from_edge_affecting_chance_of_speleothem Value between 1 and 64 (inclusive).
- [Int] max_distance_from_center_affecting_height_bias Value between 1 and 64 (inclusive).
- [String] base_block Describes the block forming the base of the speleothem.
- [String] pointed_block Describes the block creating the columns of the speleothem.
- [String] replaceable_blocks Describes which blocks the feature can generate on.

An example

{
"type":"minecraft:dripstone_cluster",
"config":{
"chance_of_speleothem_column_at_max_distance_from_center":0.1,
"density":{
"type":"minecraft:uniform",
"value":{
"max_exclusive":0.7,
"min_inclusive":0.3
}
},
"speleothem_block_layer_thickness":{
"type":"minecraft:uniform",
"value":{
"max_inclusive":4,
"min_inclusive":2
}
},
"floor_to_ceiling_search_range":12,
"height":{
"type":"minecraft:uniform",
"value":{
"max_inclusive":6,
"min_inclusive":3
}
},
"height_deviation":3,
"max_distance_from_center_affecting_height_bias":8,
"max_distance_from_edge_affecting_chance_of_speleothem":3,
"max_stalagmite_stalactite_height_diff":1,
"radius":{
"type":"minecraft:uniform",
"value":{
"max_inclusive":8,
"min_inclusive":2
}
},
"wetness":{
"type":"minecraft:clamped_normal",
"value":{
"deviation":0.3,
"max":0.9,
"mean":0.1,
"min":0.1
}
}
}
}

If type is large_dripstone:

[NBT Compound / JSON Object] config
- [Int] floor_to_ceiling_search_range (optional, defaults to 30) The search range from start point to cave floor or ceiling (rather than from floor to ceiling). Value between 1 and 512 (inclusive).
- [Int][NBT Compound / JSON Object] column_radius Used to provide a min and max value for radius. Note that this int provider doesn't provide a single int, but provides the min and max value of the specified distribution. Value between 1 and 16 (inclusive). See the graph for details.
  - Int provider see Template:Nbt inherit/int_provider/template
- [Float][NBT Compound / JSON Object] height_scale Higher value leads to higher height. Value between 0.0 and 20.0 (inclusive).
  - Float provider see Template:Nbt inherit/float_provider/template
- [Float] max_column_radius_to_cave_height_ratio The ratio of the max radius to the height of the cave. Value between 0.0 and 1.0 (inclusive).
- [Float][NBT Compound / JSON Object] stalactite_bluntness Truncate the tip of stalactite. Higher value leads to lower height. Value between 0.1 and 10.0 (inclusive).
  - Float provider see Template:Nbt inherit/float_provider/template
- [Float][NBT Compound / JSON Object] stalagmite_bluntness Truncate the tip of stalagmite. Higher value leads to lower height. Value between 0.1 and 10.0 (inclusive).
  - Float provider see Template:Nbt inherit/float_provider/template
- [Float][NBT Compound / JSON Object] wind_speed Larger value results in larger inclination. Value between 0.0 and 2.0 (inclusive).
  - Float provider see Template:Nbt inherit/float_provider/template
- [Int] min_radius_for_wind The min column radius to used for the wind. Value between 0 and 100.
- [Float] min_bluntness_for_wind The min value of the bluntnesses to used for the wind. Value between 0.0 and 5.0 (inclusive).
- [String] replaceable_blocks Describes which blocks the feature can generate on.

An example

{
"type":"minecraft:large_dripstone",
"config":{
"column_radius":{
"type":"minecraft:uniform",
"value":{
"max_inclusive":19,
"min_inclusive":3
}
},
"floor_to_ceiling_search_range":30,
"height_scale":{
"type":"minecraft:uniform",
"value":{
"max_exclusive":2.0,
"min_inclusive":0.4
}
},
"max_column_radius_to_cave_height_ratio":0.33,
"min_bluntness_for_wind":0.6,
"min_radius_for_wind":4,
"stalactite_bluntness":{
"type":"minecraft:uniform",
"value":{
"max_exclusive":0.9,
"min_inclusive":0.3
}
},
"stalagmite_bluntness":{
"type":"minecraft:uniform",
"value":{
"max_exclusive":1.0,
"min_inclusive":0.4
}
},
"wind_speed":{
"type":"minecraft:uniform",
"value":{
"max_exclusive":0.3,
"min_inclusive":0.0
}
}
}
}

If type is speleothem

[NBT Compound / JSON Object] config
- [Float] chance_of_taller_generation (optional, defaults to 0.2) Value between 0.0 and 1.0 (inclusive). Probability for double-block dripstone.
- [Float] chance_of_directional_spread (optional, defaults to 0.7) Value between 0.0 and 1.0 (inclusive). Probability that the dripstone spreads in a horizontal direction.
- [Float] chance_of_spread_radius2 (optional, defaults to 0.5) Value between 0.0 and 1.0 (inclusive). Probability of horizontal spread by two blocks.
- [Float] chance_of_spread_radius3 (optional, defaults to 0.5) Value between 0.0 and 1.0 (inclusive). After the spread by two blocks, probability of spreading the third block.
- [String] base_block} Describes the block forming the base of the speleothem.
- [String] pointed_block Describes the block creating the columns of the speleothem.
- [String] replaceable_blocks Describes which blocks the feature can generate on.

An example

{
"type":"minecraft:speleothem",
"config":{
"chance_of_directional_spread":0.7,
"chance_of_spread_radius2":0.5,
"chance_of_spread_radius3":0.5,
"chance_of_taller_dripstone":0.2
}
}

History

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Announcement

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October 3, 2020							Dripstone clusters are announced and shown at Minecraft Live 2020.
November 18, 2020							Henrik Kniberg tweeted a picture of the equation used to generate the shape of stalagmites.

Java Edition

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Java Edition
1.17	20w49a	Added dripstone features.
1.17	21w13a	Dripstone clusters can now be found rarely in regular caves.
1.18	Experimental Snapshot 1	All three types of dripstone features now generate naturally in dripstone caves.
	Experimental Snapshot 1	Dripstone clusters can no longer generate outside dripstone caves biomes.
	Pre-release 5	Pointed Dripstone clusters no longer have a chance of spawning only stalagmites of height one.^[1]
	Pre-release 6	Dripstone now generates at high y values.^[2]
		Pointed dripstone no longer makes holes in lava pools.^[3]
		Dripstone features are generated a bit more sparsely.
	Pre-release 7	The numbers of dripstone features have been increased again.
26.2	snap1	`pointed_dripstone` has been renamed to `speleothem`.
		`dripstone_cluster` has been renamed to `speleothem_cluster`.
		Added the `base_block`, `pointed_block`, and `replaceable_blocks` fields to the renamed features, as well as the latter to `large_dripstone`.
		Additional fields have been renamed (e.g. `chance_of_taller_dripstone` to `chance_of_taller_generation`) to account for the name changes.
	snap6	The maximum vaule allowed for the `column_radius` field in `large_dripstone` has been reduced to 16 to prevent the feature from reaching beyond neighboring chunks.

Bedrock Edition

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Bedrock Edition
1.16.220	beta 1.16.220.50	Added the dripstone clusters. They don't naturally generate yet and are only accessible through add-ons.
1.17.0	beta 1.17.0.50	Dripstone clusters now generate throughout caves in the Overworld.
1.17.30 Experiment Caves and Cliffs	beta 1.17.20.22	Dripstone clusters can now generate below Y=0 to Y=-64 if the Caves & Cliffs experimental gameplay toggle is enabled.
1.18.10	beta 1.18.10.21	The numbers of dripstone features have been increased to match Java Edition.
	beta 1.18.10.26	Pointed Dripstone now sometimes generate on large stalactites and stalagmites.^[4]
		Pointed Dripstone clusters no longer have a chance of spawning only stalagmites of height one.^[5]
		Large Dripstone feature does not generate floating on top of lava anymore.^[6]

Issues

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Issues relating to "Dripstone (feature)" are maintained on the bug tracker. Issues should be reported and viewed there.

Trivia

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For a brief time in snapshot 21w06a, dripstone clusters were one of the only underground structures that did not generate correctly in negative y levels. This was because the developers initially hardcoded the minimum y level to be 0, intending to change it when changing the world height, then forgot to.^[7]

Gallery

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Screenshots

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👁 A large dripstone stalagmite that generated in a cave.

A large dripstone stalagmite that generated in a cave.
👁 A large dripstone stalactite that generated in a flooded cave.

A large dripstone stalactite that generated in a flooded cave.
👁 Two dripstone stalagnates that generated in a flooded cave.

Two dripstone stalagnates that generated in a flooded cave.
👁 A dripstone cluster on the side of a ravine.

A dripstone cluster on the side of a ravine.
👁 A pointed dripstone column in a dripstone cluster.

A pointed dripstone column in a dripstone cluster.
👁 A large cave filled with dripstone.

A large cave filled with dripstone.

Development images

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👁 A geode inside a dripstone cluster.

A geode inside a dripstone cluster.
👁 Debugging pointed dripstone.

Debugging pointed dripstone.
👁 Debugging pointed dripstone.

Debugging pointed dripstone.
👁 The math behind the shape of dripstone features.

The math behind the shape of dripstone features.

References

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↑ MC-235567
↑ MC-242016
↑ MC-242479
↑ MCPE-128128
↑ MCPE-148588
↑ MCPE-141131
↑ "(paus for meetings... back again, poking around in the code). Hmmm. Wait. What? Oh LOL! Yeah you'd be surprised how many bugs are caused by dumb things like this :)" (archived) – @henrikkniberg on X (formerly Twitter), February 12, 2021

Navigation

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