The 1.18 update of Minecraft features one of the biggest terrain changes ever added to the game. It has completely overhauled the world generation system, including mountains and caves. Alongside that, the patch also adds a number of new blocks for players to use. While some of them are already part of 1.17, they don't really spawn in the world until 1.18.

In this article, we are going to showcase the 5 special blocks to use in Minecraft 1.18 update.

1. Dripstone

The dripstone block is a rock block that allows pointed dripstone to grow beneath it. While players can sometimes find Dripstone while playing Minecraft 1.17, they are now much more abundant now, spawning in huge numbers within a Dripstone cave.

Minecraft Pointed Dripstone
In the latest update, Dripstone is abundant.

Stalactites are created when a pointed dripstone is placed on the bottom of a block. If a stalactite is hanging from a dripstone block with a water source above, the stalactite grows slowly. In addition, if there is a solid block within eleven blocks below this stalactite, a stalagmite grows on that block toward the stalactite.

2. Azalea

The Azalea blocks are part of the Azalea tree, added to the game during the 1.17 update. However, as Azalea trees only spawn on top of a lush cave biome, there is no way for players to find it. The Minecraft 1.18 patch change that, with the trees extending roots down to the cave.

Azalea Trees Spawn Minecraft
Players can now approach Azalea tree and grow it.

Azalea trees' flowers can be used for bee pollination and Azalea wood can be used as fuel in furnaces. Players can grow an Azalea tree from an Azalea block with some bone meal. They are the only plants in Minecraft that have subterranean roots.

3. Moss blocks

Another rare block that was added to the game in the 1.17 update. It does not spawn until 1.18's debut though. Overall, these blocks are mainly for decoration. They allow players to craft mossy cobblestone and mossy stone bricks, which were not available for crafting prior to Minecraft 1.18.

Moss Blocks
The moss blocks can be used to decorate your base.

Additionally, moss blocks can be spread to some other blocks by using bone meal. With enough moss, players can craft moss carpets, a thin version of moss blocks for decoration. In Java Edition, all plants can be placed on moss except for cactus.

4. Powder Snow

Powder snow is a new trap block that is naturally generated in 1.18. It slows entities who stepped on top of it. When an entity is inside a powder snow block, they begin to freeze, taking damage. A player submerged in powder snow sees a frosty vignette slowly fade in at the sides of the screen and the FOV slowly decreases.

Minecraft Powder Snow
The brand new powder snow block in Minecraft

The frozen effect kicks in after 7 seconds, which damages the player by 1/2 heart every 2 seconds. Wearing any piece of leather armor stops the freezing effect and damage - this applies to all entities which can wear armors.

5. 'Otherside' Music Disc

Otherside is a rare new music disc added to the game as part of the Minecraft 1.18 update. Unlike other music discs, it does not drop from creepers... you need to loot Otherside music disc from either Dungeon chests or Stronghold chests instead.

Otherside music disc
Minecraft 1.18 added one of the rarest music disc: the Otherside.

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