Minecraft Pocket Edition (PE), now known as Minecraft Bedrock Edition on mobile, offers the same sandbox experience as its PC counterpart but in a portable package. One of the most common tasks players undertake is clearing areas for building bases, farms, or even just to create a more aesthetically pleasing landscape. This process, however, can be time-consuming and requires careful planning. This guide details various methods and strategies for clearing an area efficiently in Minecraft PE.
Understanding The Task Ahead
Before diving into specific techniques, it’s crucial to understand what “clearing an area” entails. This can involve removing trees, breaking blocks of stone or dirt, draining water bodies, and flattening the terrain. The scale of the project will significantly influence the best approach. Are you clearing a small patch for a house or flattening a large area for a sprawling village?
Consider the resources available. Early game, options are limited, but as you progress, access to better tools and techniques will drastically speed up the process. The biome also matters. Clearing a forest requires different strategies than clearing a desert or a mountainous region.
Most importantly, think about the purpose of the cleared area. Will it be a flat building platform? Or a terraformed landscape? The end goal shapes the methods used.
Basic Manual Clearing Techniques
In the early stages of Minecraft PE, manual labor is often the only option. While tedious, it’s a necessary rite of passage and a good way to gather resources.
Chopping Down Trees
The first step in any clearing project is often dealing with trees. Crafting a stone axe is a priority. While wooden axes are faster initially, they break quickly. A stone axe provides a good balance of speed and durability.
To efficiently chop down a tree, focus on breaking the lower blocks of the trunk. This will cause the entire tree to fall apart (unless it’s a mega tree in a swamp biome). Be mindful of your surroundings. Trees can damage nearby structures if they fall in the wrong direction.
Collect all the wood. It’s a valuable resource for crafting tools, building materials, and fuel. Saplings will also drop, allowing you to replant trees later if needed.
Breaking Ground Blocks
Removing dirt, sand, gravel, and other ground blocks is another essential task. A shovel is the tool of choice for these materials. As with axes, stone shovels are a good early-game option.
For large areas, consider digging in a systematic grid pattern. This ensures that you don’t miss any blocks. Mining in a straight line is helpful for large areas. Pick a target area and just dig out the blocks in that area.
Dealing with gravel can be annoying due to its tendency to fall. Digging two blocks down and then removing the top block usually works well.
Handling Water And Lava
Water and lava present unique challenges. Water can be drained using sponges (found in ocean monuments) or by filling the area with solid blocks. Sand and gravel are commonly used for this purpose.
Lava is more dangerous. Approach with caution and use a water bucket to turn it into obsidian. Obsidian is a valuable resource, but be careful not to get trapped.
Building temporary barriers to contain water or lava flows can make the process easier. Dirt blocks are suitable for this purpose.
Advanced Clearing Methods
As you progress in Minecraft PE, you gain access to more efficient clearing methods. These methods involve using better tools, exploiting game mechanics, or even using external tools.
Utilizing Better Tools And Enchantments
Diamond tools are significantly faster and more durable than stone or iron tools. Investing in a diamond axe and shovel is a major time-saver.
Enchantments can further enhance their performance. Efficiency increases the speed at which you break blocks. Fortune increases the number of items dropped (useful for collecting more resources). Unbreaking increases the durability of the tool.
Mending is arguably the most valuable enchantment. It uses experience orbs to repair the tool, making it virtually indestructible. Combine Mending with an XP farm for unlimited tool usage.
Haste beacons are the best way to increase your mining speed. By placing a beacon nearby and activating the haste effect, you will be able to break blocks very quickly. This is a game changer for clearing large areas.
Exploiting Game Mechanics: TNT
TNT is a powerful tool for clearing large areas quickly. However, it’s also destructive and can leave uneven terrain.
Crafting TNT requires gunpowder and sand. Gunpowder is obtained from creepers, so building a creeper farm is a good way to automate TNT production.
To use TNT effectively, place multiple blocks in the area you want to clear. A common strategy is to create a grid pattern with TNT blocks spaced apart. Detonating the TNT will create a large explosion, clearing a significant area.
Be aware of the blast radius and the potential for collateral damage. TNT can destroy valuable resources and damage nearby structures. Use it cautiously and consider building blast-resistant barriers.
Using WorldEdit-like Tools (Limited Availability On PE)
While Minecraft PE doesn’t have native WorldEdit support like the Java Edition, some third-party apps and mods offer similar functionality. These tools allow you to select an area and fill it with a specific block, replace blocks, or flatten the terrain.
However, proceed with caution when using third-party tools. They may not be compatible with all versions of Minecraft PE and could potentially corrupt your world. Always back up your world before using any external tools.
Some resource packs also offer functionalities that could help with clearing. However, these functionalities are usually limited and could impact the game’s performance.
Specific Clearing Scenarios
The best approach for clearing an area depends on the specific situation. Here are some common scenarios and strategies for dealing with them.
Clearing A Forest
Clearing a forest involves removing trees and undergrowth. A diamond axe with Efficiency and Haste is essential.
Start by chopping down the trees. Focus on the lower trunk blocks to bring down the entire tree. Collect the wood and saplings.
Next, remove the undergrowth, such as bushes and ferns. A shovel is the best tool for this.
Finally, clear the ground blocks. This may involve removing dirt, grass, and roots. Consider using TNT for larger areas.
To prevent regrowth, consider placing a layer of non-spawnable blocks, like slabs, on the ground. This will prevent trees from growing back.
Flattening Terrain
Flattening terrain involves removing hills, filling in valleys, and creating a level surface.
Start by identifying the highest and lowest points in the area. Use these points as reference to determine the desired level.
Remove the high points by mining the blocks. Use a shovel for dirt and sand, and a pickaxe for stone.
Fill in the low points with dirt or other readily available blocks. Use the fill command if available (check third-party tools) to expedite the process.
Use a water bucket to create flowing water to check the level of the terrain. The water will level itself, which will help you know how to level the terrain.
For large areas, consider using TNT to remove large chunks of terrain.
Draining Water Bodies
Draining water bodies can be challenging, especially if they are large.
The simplest method is to fill the water with solid blocks, such as sand or gravel. This is effective for smaller bodies of water.
For larger bodies of water, sponges are more efficient. Ocean monuments contain large quantities of sponges.
Another method is to create a perimeter of blocks around the water body and then pump the water out using buckets. This is a slow process, but it can be effective for deep bodies of water.
Consider using the /fill command (if available through third-party tools) to replace all water blocks with air. This is the fastest method, but it may not be available on all versions of Minecraft PE.
Removing Mountains
Removing mountains is a massive undertaking. It requires significant planning and resources.
Start by creating a detailed plan. Determine the desired shape of the terrain after the mountain is removed.
Use TNT to blast away large chunks of the mountain. This will significantly speed up the process.
Mine the remaining blocks using a diamond pickaxe with Efficiency and Haste.
Fill in any valleys or gaps with dirt or stone.
Consider using world-editing tools (if available) to reshape the terrain.
Resource Management And Efficiency Tips
Clearing an area in Minecraft PE can be a resource-intensive process. Here are some tips for managing your resources and maximizing efficiency.
Plan ahead: Before starting, create a detailed plan of the area you want to clear and the desired outcome. This will help you avoid wasting resources and time.
Optimize your tools: Invest in the best tools you can afford and enchant them with Efficiency, Fortune, Unbreaking, and Mending.
Automate resource gathering: Build farms for wood, stone, sand, and gunpowder. This will provide a steady supply of resources.
Use TNT strategically: TNT is a powerful tool, but it can also be wasteful. Use it carefully and consider building blast-resistant barriers.
Recruit help: Enlist the help of other players. Clearing an area is much faster with multiple people working together.
Take breaks: Clearing an area can be tedious. Take regular breaks to avoid burnout.
Explore alternative methods: Don’t be afraid to experiment with different clearing methods. You may discover a new technique that works well for you.
Final Considerations
Clearing an area in Minecraft PE is a fundamental skill that allows you to create the base or build of your dreams. By understanding the various techniques, planning ahead, and managing your resources, you can efficiently clear any area, regardless of its size or complexity. Remember to be patient, persistent, and creative, and you’ll be amazed at what you can achieve. Always back up your world before making significant changes. Happy clearing!
What Are The Basic Methods For Clearing An Area In Minecraft PE?
The fundamental techniques involve manual labor using tools like shovels for dirt and sand, pickaxes for stone, and axes for wood. These methods are straightforward and suitable for small-scale clearing projects. Simply equip the appropriate tool and start breaking the blocks you want to remove. Remember to consider the efficiency of different tool materials; diamond tools are faster and more durable than iron, stone, or wooden tools.
Another common method involves the use of TNT (trinitrotoluene). TNT is a powerful explosive that can quickly clear large areas, but it also destroys resources in the blast radius. Therefore, use TNT carefully and sparingly, especially if you intend to recover the materials that are destroyed. To use TNT, place the block and activate it with a flint and steel, redstone, or another ignition source. Be sure to stand clear before the explosion!
How Can I Clear Large Areas Efficiently In Minecraft PE?
For larger areas, consider using the TNT duping glitch (if it’s available in your current version of Minecraft PE) or employing a strategic grid pattern for manual clearing. The TNT duping glitch, though often patched, allows you to create copies of TNT using specific redstone contraptions, effectively creating near-unlimited explosives. This drastically reduces the time needed to clear massive areas, but it might be considered cheating by some players.
Alternatively, setting up a grid system for manual clearing can make the process more organized and efficient. Divide the area into smaller sections and methodically clear each section using the most efficient tools available. Consider using beacons with haste effects to further increase your mining speed. Remember to also use efficiency enchantments on your tools to further accelerate the clearing process.
What Are The Safety Precautions I Should Take When Using TNT?
Always maintain a safe distance from TNT before it explodes. The blast radius is significant, and being too close can result in death or severe damage to your character. Ensure you have adequate health and armor before using TNT. Create a safe viewing platform or escape route to observe the explosion from a distance and avoid being caught in the blast.
Be mindful of the surrounding environment. TNT explosions can trigger chain reactions, especially in areas with flammable materials like wood or leaves. Consider the risk of accidental destruction and take precautions to contain the blast if necessary. Also, avoid using TNT near valuable structures or areas you want to preserve, as the explosion is indiscriminate.
What Are The Best Tools To Use For Clearing Different Types Of Blocks?
The ideal tool depends on the type of block you are clearing. Shovels are most effective for dirt, sand, and gravel. Pickaxes are best for stone, ores, and other hard materials. Axes are designed for efficiently chopping wood. Using the correct tool will significantly increase your clearing speed and reduce tool wear.
Enchantments can further enhance the efficiency of your tools. Fortune enchantments increase the number of resources dropped when mining certain blocks, while Silk Touch allows you to collect blocks intact, such as grass blocks or ice. Efficiency enchantments increase your mining speed, making the clearing process faster and more streamlined.
How Do I Deal With Water Or Lava When Clearing An Area?
Water and lava can be challenging obstacles when clearing land. For small bodies of water, simply filling them with solid blocks like dirt or sand is often the easiest solution. You can then remove these temporary blocks after the water is filled. Alternatively, using sponges can quickly absorb large amounts of water, but sponges need to be dried in a furnace after use.
Lava requires a slightly different approach. Pouring water over lava will turn it into obsidian, which can then be mined with a pickaxe. For larger lava pools, repeatedly pouring water over the surface can gradually convert the entire pool to obsidian. Just be mindful of the steam created by the water interacting with the lava, as it can temporarily obscure your vision.
What Are Some Creative Uses For The Cleared Area Once It’s Finished?
A cleared area provides a blank canvas for your Minecraft creations. You can build a sprawling base, create a farm, construct a village, or even design a custom terrain landscape. The possibilities are limited only by your imagination. Consider the resources available and your overall goals for the area when planning your construction.
Another interesting option is to use the cleared area for redstone contraptions and experiments. The flat terrain is ideal for building complex redstone circuits, automatic farms, or even mini-games. The large space allows for elaborate designs and experimentation without being constrained by existing terrain features. A cleared area offers the perfect starting point for any ambitious redstone project.
Are There Any Alternatives To Clearing An Area Manually Or With TNT?
Yes, depending on your Minecraft PE version and access to commands, you can use commands to fill large areas with air blocks, effectively removing all existing blocks. This is the fastest method but considered cheating in survival mode. The `/fill` command is especially useful for creating hollow structures or modifying large sections of the map quickly.
In creative mode, you can also use the “superflat” world generation option. This creates a world that is entirely flat and devoid of pre-existing structures, making it easy to build from scratch without needing to clear any land. While not technically clearing, it bypasses the need to remove existing terrain entirely and provides an immediately usable blank space.