Snowy Plains: Difference between revisions

Ice Spikes
Features	Ice spike; Ice Patch
Blocks	Packed Ice; Snow Block; Snow; Dirt; Ice
Climate
Temperature	0.0
Downfall	0.5‌[Java Edition only]; 1.0‌[Bedrock Edition only]
Precipitation	Yes
Colors
Grass color	; #80B497
Foliage color	; #60A17B
Water color	; #3F76E4‌[JE only]; ; #14559B‌[BE only]

Snowy Plains
Structures	Igloo; Snowy village; Pillager outpost
Blocks	Snow; Grass Block; Ice; Spruce Log; Spruce Leaves
Climate
Temperature	0.0
Downfall	0.5
Precipitation	Yes
Colors
Grass color	; #80B497
Foliage color	; #60A17B
Water color	; #3F76E4‌[JE only]; ; #14559B‌[BE only]
Underwater fog color	; #050533‌[JE only]; #14559B‌[BE only]

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Revision as of 03:02, 25 March 2024

The snowy plains biomes are snow-covered flat biomes in the Overworld that usually generate near other snowy biomes.

Description

Snowy plains are flatlands covered with snow layers, which are often stacked in Bedrock Edition. Aquifers and springs freeze over soon after generation due to the temperature if not exposed to light; thus, sugar cane that generates alongside water sources often uproot themselves shortly after. Lava lakes and lava springs that generate within the snowy plains biomes melt the snow layers around them. Polar bears, rabbits and strays spawn here; the latter is a variant of the skeleton that shoot arrows of Slowness.

Snowy plains can border plains, snowy taigas, snowy beaches, snowy slopes, and groves. Regular snowy plains are often separated from ice spikes or snow taigas by frozen rivers.

Survival in snowy plains biomes is quite difficult due to the sparseness of the biome and the lack of animals; only polar bears and rabbits may naturally spawn here, though cows, sheep, pigs and horses may spawn as part of villages. Infrequent spruce trees are the only natural source of wood in the regular snowy plains biome and maintaining water sources, for farming crops for example, can be tough due to water in this biome freezing into ice, if it is not protected by light or a roof. Strays often spawn in place of skeletons which can make dealing with hostile mobs even more difficult due to their Slowness arrows, and aggravating polar bears, or even coming near one if accompanied by cubs, can lead to fatal consequences if the player is unprepared. The ice spikes variety can be valuable to late-game players due to the occurrence of ice spikes that can be used for a base or as a source of packed ice blocks.

As the snowy plains is a snow-covered biome, lightning never strikes in these biomes.

Variants

There are two snowy plains biome variants.

Snowy Plains

Snowy plains are grasslands covered with snow layers. Spruce trees, short grass, dandelions and poppies generate infrequently. The exposed grass and leaves take an aqua tone.

Villages that generate in snowy plains are made of spruce wood, snow blocks, ice, blue ice and packed ice. Pillager outposts and igloos are also found. Igloos are difficult to spot in the plains due to the snow blocks camouflaging among the snow layers.

The following mobs are naturally spawned here：

In **Java Edition**
Mob	Spawn weight	Group size
Monster category
Creeper	¹⁰⁰⁄₅₁₅	4
Slime^{[note 1]}	¹⁰⁰⁄₅₁₅	4
Spider	¹⁰⁰⁄₅₁₅	4
Zombie	⁹⁵⁄₅₁₅	4
Stray	⁸⁰⁄₅₁₅	4
Skeleton	²⁰⁄₅₁₅	4
Enderman	¹⁰⁄₅₁₅	1–4
Witch	⁵⁄₅₁₅	1
Zombie Villager	⁵⁄₅₁₅	1
Creature category
Rabbit	¹⁰⁄₁₁	2–3
Polar Bear	¹⁄₁₁	1–2
Underground water creature category
Glow Squid	1	4–6
Ambient category
Bat	1	8

↑ Spawn attempt succeeds only in slime chunks.

In **Bedrock Edition**
Mob	Spawn weight	Group size
Monster category
Slime^{[note 1]}	¹⁰⁰⁄₂₂₀	1
Stray	⁹⁶⁄₂₂₀	1–2
Skeleton	²⁴⁄₂₂₀	1–2
Creature category
Glow Squid	¹⁰⁄₁₅	2–4
Rabbit	⁴⁄₁₅	2–3
Polar Bear	¹⁄₁₅	1–2

↑ Spawn attempt succeeds only in slime chunks.

Ice Spikes

This rarer variety ice spikes biome features large numbers of ice spikes and ice patches dotting across its landscape. Additionally, all grass blocks are replaced with snow blocks so that no trees nor other vegetations can generate. Snow layers still form atop the snow blocks, making them seem taller than they actually are. No buildings may generate in this biome.

In Java Edition, the ice spikes biome uses the same mob spawning chances as the regular snowy plains.

In **Bedrock Edition**
Mob	Spawn weight	Group size
Monster category
Creeper	¹⁰⁰⁄₅₃₅	1
Slime	¹⁰⁰⁄₅₃₅	1
Spider	¹⁰⁰⁄₅₃₅	1
Stray	⁹⁶⁄₅₃₅	1–2
Zombie	⁹⁵⁄₅₃₅	2–4
Skeleton	²⁴⁄₅₃₅	1–2
Enderman	¹⁰⁄₅₃₅	1–2
Witch	⁵⁄₅₃₅	1
Zombie Villager	⁵⁄₅₃₅	2–4
Creature category
Glow Squid	¹⁰⁄₁₅	2–4
Rabbit	⁴⁄₁₅	2–3
Polar Bear	¹⁄₁₅	1–2

Data values

ID

Java Edition:

Name	Identifier	[hide]Translation key
Snowy plains	`snowy_plains`	`biome.minecraft.snowy_plains`
Ice spikes	`ice_spikes`	`biome.minecraft.ice_spikes`

Bedrock Edition:

Name	Identifier	[hide]Numeric ID
[No displayed name]	`ice_plains`	`12`
[No displayed name]	`ice_plains_spikes`	`140`

Video

History

[hide]Java Edition Alpha
v1.0.4							Added Winter Mode. {"type": "java Alpha", "version": "v1.0.4", "exp": "", "snap": "", "content": "Added (link to Winter Mode article, displayed as Winter Mode)."}
v1.0.4							Maps now have a snowy or grassy theme randomly determined when creating the world. {"type": "java Alpha", "version": "v1.0.4", "exp": "", "snap": "", "content": "(link to Map article, displayed as Maps) now have a (link to snow article, displayed as snowy) or (link to grass block article, displayed as grassy) theme randomly determined when creating the world."}
v1.2.0			preview				Added biomes, including tundras with oak trees and frozen deserts. {"type": "java Alpha", "version": "v1.2.0", "exp": "", "snap": "preview", "content": "Added (link to biome article, displayed as biomes), including (link to tundra article, displayed as tundras) with oak trees and frozen deserts."}
[hide]Java Edition Beta
1.8			Pre-release				Biomes have now recieved an overhaul, removing the tundra. See here for more details. {"type": "java Beta", "version": "1.8", "exp": "", "snap": "Pre-release", "content": "Biomes have now recieved an overhaul, removing the tundra. (link to Biome/Before Beta 1.8 article, displayed as See here for more details)."}
[hide]Java Edition
1.0.0			September 15, 2011				Markus Persson teased a screenshot of what he called "snow biomes".^[1]^[2] {"type": "java", "version": "1.0.0", "exp": "", "snap": "September 15, 2011", "content": "(link to Markus Persson article, displayed as Markus Persson) teased a screenshot of what he called \"snow biomes\"."}
			Beta 1.9 Prerelease				Tundras have been re-added. {"type": "java", "version": "1.0.0", "exp": "", "snap": "Beta 1.9 Prerelease", "content": "Tundras have been re-added."}
							Tundras have been renamed to ice plains. {"type": "java", "version": "1.0.0", "exp": "", "snap": "Beta 1.9 Prerelease", "content": "Tundras have been renamed to ice plains."}
							Ice plains contain tall grass. {"type": "java", "version": "1.0.0", "exp": "", "snap": "Beta 1.9 Prerelease", "content": "Ice plains contain tall grass."}
1.7.2			13w36a				Ice plains no longer contain oak trees. Instead, spruce trees generate. {"type": "java", "version": "1.7.2", "exp": "", "snap": "13w36a", "content": "Ice plains no longer contain oak trees. Instead, spruce trees generate."}
							An ice plains spikes variant has been added, along with many other biomes. Prior to the Update Aquatic, this biome was the only source of packed ice in the game. {"type": "java", "version": "1.7.2", "exp": "", "snap": "13w36a", "content": "An ice plains spikes variant has been added, along with many other (link to biome article, displayed as biomes). Prior to the (link to Update Aquatic article, displayed as Update Aquatic), this biome was the only source of packed ice in the game."}
							In addition to the ice spikes, the terrain in this biome is more erratic and taller than the snowy mountains, comparable to the mountains. {"type": "java", "version": "1.7.2", "exp": "", "snap": "13w36a", "content": "In addition to the ice spikes, the terrain in this biome is more erratic and taller than the snowy mountains, comparable to the (link to mountains article, displayed as mountains)."}
							This biome now tends to generate near snowy and cold biomes. {"type": "java", "version": "1.7.2", "exp": "", "snap": "13w36a", "content": "This biome now tends to generate near snowy and cold biomes."}
1.9			15w43a				Added igloos, which now generate in ice plains and snowy taigas. {"type": "java", "version": "1.9", "exp": "", "snap": "15w43a", "content": "Added (link to igloo article, displayed as igloos), which now generate in ice plains and (link to snowy taiga article, displayed as snowy taigas)."}
1.10			16w20a				Polar bears and strays have now added; both now spawn in ice plains and variants. {"type": "java", "version": "1.10", "exp": "", "snap": "16w20a", "content": "(link to Polar bear article, displayed as Polar bears) and (link to stray article, displayed as strays) have now added; both now spawn in ice plains and variants."}
1.10			16w20a				Ice plains, ice plains spikes and ice mountains no longer spawn most passive mobs. {"type": "java", "version": "1.10", "exp": "", "snap": "16w20a", "content": "Ice plains, ice plains spikes and ice mountains no longer spawn most passive (link to mob article, displayed as mobs)."}
1.13			18w19a				Renamed ice plains to snowy tundra. {"type": "java", "version": "1.13", "exp": "", "snap": "18w19a", "content": "Renamed ice plains to snowy tundra."}
							Renamed ice mountains to snowy mountains. {"type": "java", "version": "1.13", "exp": "", "snap": "18w19a", "content": "Renamed ice mountains to (link to snowy mountains article, displayed as snowy mountains)."}
							Renamed ice plains spikes to ice spikes. {"type": "java", "version": "1.13", "exp": "", "snap": "18w19a", "content": "Renamed ice plains spikes to ice spikes."}
			pre5				Changed the ID `ice_flats` to `snowy_tundra`. {"type": "java", "version": "1.13", "exp": "", "snap": "pre5", "content": "Changed the ID <code>ice_flats</code> to <code>snowy_tundra</code>."}
							Changed the ID `ice_mountains` to `snowy_mountains`. {"type": "java", "version": "1.13", "exp": "", "snap": "pre5", "content": "Changed the ID <code>ice_mountains</code> to <code>snowy_mountains</code>."}
							Changed the ID `mutated_ice_flats` to `ice_spikes`. {"type": "java", "version": "1.13", "exp": "", "snap": "pre5", "content": "Changed the ID <code>mutated_ice_flats</code> to <code>ice_spikes</code>."}
1.14			18w49a				Villages can now spawn in snowy tundras. These villages can be composed of packed ice and blue ice. {"type": "java", "version": "1.14", "exp": "", "snap": "18w49a", "content": "(link to Village article, displayed as Villages) can now spawn in snowy tundras. These villages can be composed of packed ice and blue ice."}
1.18			Experimental Snapshot 1				Snowy mountain and ice spike biomes no longer generate. {"type": "java", "version": "1.18", "exp": "", "snap": "Experimental Snapshot 1", "content": "Snowy mountain and ice spike biomes no longer generate."}
			experimental snapshot 2				Ice spike biomes generate once again. {"type": "java", "version": "1.18", "exp": "", "snap": "experimental snapshot 2", "content": "Ice spike biomes generate once again."}
			?				This biome now tends to generate near other snowy biomes. {"type": "java", "version": "1.18", "exp": "", "snap": "?", "content": "This biome now tends to generate near other snowy biomes."}
			21w40a				"Snowy tundra" has been renamed to "snowy plains". {"type": "java", "version": "1.18", "exp": "", "snap": "21w40a", "content": "\"Snowy tundra\" has been renamed to \"snowy plains\"."}
							The ID `snowy_tundra` has been changed to `snowy_plains`. {"type": "java", "version": "1.18", "exp": "", "snap": "21w40a", "content": "The ID <code>snowy_tundra</code> has been changed to <code>snowy_plains</code>."}
							The snowy mountain biome has been removed. {"type": "java", "version": "1.18", "exp": "", "snap": "21w40a", "content": "The snowy mountain biome has been removed."}
1.20			23w17a				"A Familiar Room" can now be played in snowy plains and ice spikes. {"type": "java", "version": "1.20", "exp": "", "snap": "23w17a", "content": "\"A Familiar Room\" can now be played in snowy plains and ice spikes."}
[hide]Pocket Edition Alpha
v0.1.0							Added biomes, which includes small tundras without trees or tall grass. {"type": "pocket Alpha", "version": "v0.1.0", "exp": "", "snap": "", "content": "Added (link to biome article, displayed as biomes), which includes small (link to tundra article, displayed as tundras) without trees or tall grass."}
v0.9.0			build 1				Added the ice plains and ice plains spikes biomes and many others. {"type": "pocket Alpha", "version": "v0.9.0", "exp": "", "snap": "build 1", "content": "Added the ice plains and ice plains spikes biomes and many others."}
v0.9.0			build 1				Added tall grass and spruce trees to ice plains. {"type": "pocket Alpha", "version": "v0.9.0", "exp": "", "snap": "build 1", "content": "Added tall grass and spruce trees to ice plains."}
v0.13.0			build 1				Added rabbits, which can now spawn in snowy plains biomes. {"type": "pocket Alpha", "version": "v0.13.0", "exp": "", "snap": "build 1", "content": "Added (link to rabbit article, displayed as rabbits), which can now spawn in snowy plains biomes."}
v0.14.0			build 1				Chickens, cows, pigs and sheep now rarely spawn in snowy plains. {"type": "pocket Alpha", "version": "v0.14.0", "exp": "", "snap": "build 1", "content": "(link to Chicken article, displayed as Chickens), (link to cow article, displayed as cows), (link to pig article, displayed as pigs) and (link to sheep article, displayed as sheep) now rarely spawn in snowy plains."}
v0.15.0			build 1				Added strays, which can now spawn in snowy plains biomes and variants. {"type": "pocket Alpha", "version": "v0.15.0", "exp": "", "snap": "build 1", "content": "Added (link to stray article, displayed as strays), which can now spawn in snowy plains biomes and variants."}
v0.15.0			build 1				Villages can now generate in snowy plains biomes. {"type": "pocket Alpha", "version": "v0.15.0", "exp": "", "snap": "build 1", "content": "(link to Village article, displayed as Villages) can now generate in snowy plains biomes."}
[hide]Pocket Edition
1.0.0			alpha 0.17.0.1				Added igloos, which can now generate in snowy plains. {"type": "pocket", "version": "1.0.0", "exp": "", "snap": "alpha 0.17.0.1", "content": "Added (link to igloo article, displayed as igloos), which can now generate in snowy plains."}
1.0.0			alpha 0.17.0.1				Added polar bears, which can now spawn in snowy plains biomes and variants. {"type": "pocket", "version": "1.0.0", "exp": "", "snap": "alpha 0.17.0.1", "content": "Added (link to polar bear article, displayed as polar bears), which can now spawn in snowy plains biomes and variants."}
[hide]Bedrock Edition
?							Chickens, cows, sheep and pigs no longer spawn in snowy plains biomes and variants. {"type": "bedrock", "version": "?", "exp": "", "snap": "", "content": "Chickens, cows, (link to sheep article, displayed as sheep) and pigs no longer spawn in snowy plains biomes and variants."}
?							Zombies, creepers, spiders, endermen, witches and spider jockeys no longer spawn in snowy plains and snowy mountains biomes. {"type": "bedrock", "version": "?", "exp": "", "snap": "", "content": "Zombies, creepers, spiders, endermen, witches and spider jockeys no longer spawn in snowy plains and snowy mountains biomes."}
1.10.0			beta 1.10.0.3				Added pillager outposts, which can generate in snowy plains biomes. {"type": "bedrock", "version": "1.10.0", "exp": "", "snap": "beta 1.10.0.3", "content": "Added pillager outposts, which can generate in snowy plains biomes."}
[hide]Legacy Console Edition
Xbox 360	Xbox One	PS3	PS4	PS Vita	Wii U	Switch
TU5	CU1				Patch 1	1.0.1	Added the tundra biome, along with changes to many other biomes. {"type": "console", "xbox": "TU5", "xbone": "CU1", "ps3": "", "ps4": "", "psvita": "", "wiiu": "Patch 1", "switch": "1.0.1", "content": "Added the (link to tundra article, displayed as tundra) biome, along with changes to many other biomes."}
TU7	CU1				Patch 1		Tundras have been renamed to ice plains. {"type": "console", "xbox": "TU7", "xbone": "CU1", "ps3": "", "ps4": "", "psvita": "", "wiiu": "", "switch": "", "content": "Tundras have been renamed to ice plains."}
TU43	CU33				Patch 13		Added igloos and polar bears, which are both features of ice plains. {"type": "console", "xbox": "TU43", "xbone": "CU33", "ps3": "", "ps4": "", "psvita": "", "wiiu": "Patch 13", "switch": "", "content": "Added (link to igloo article, displayed as igloos) and (link to polar bear article, displayed as polar bears), which are both features of ice plains."}
TU46	CU36				Patch 15		Added strays, which can now spawn in ice plains. {"type": "console", "xbox": "TU46", "xbone": "CU36", "ps3": "", "ps4": "", "psvita": "", "wiiu": "Patch 15", "switch": "", "content": "Added (link to stray article, displayed as strays), which can now spawn in ice plains."}
							Added pillager outposts, which can generate in snowy tundra biomes. {"type": "console", "xbox": "none", "xbone": "none", "ps3": "", "ps4": "", "psvita": "", "wiiu": "none", "switch": "none", "content": "Added pillager outposts, which can generate in snowy tundra biomes."}

Gallery

Screenshots

An Ice Plains biome in Beta 1.9 after it was re-added for the new world generator.
The image teased by Notch of snowy biomes.
Survival in the ice spikes biome was more difficult due to the steep terrain.
An igloo on the shore of a frozen lake, with some polar bears.
A pumpkin patch in snowy plains.
Another view of ice spikes.
Ice spikes that generate under overhangs can create "icefalls", such as this.
A snowy plains village reaching to the neighboring savanna. There is also a ruined portal nearby.
A sparse jungle and snowy plains generated next to each other.
Monsters in a snowy plains biome at night.
An ice spikes biome.
A frozen river running through a snowy plains biome.
A hill terrain in a snowy plains biome.
A narrow area of ice spikes containing small spikes.
Snowfall in an ice spikes biome.
An ice spikes biome surrounded by a large frozen lake.
Ice spikes on a mountain.
Several ice biomes in java and bedrock.
Narrator in an ice spike biome.
A snowy tundra.
A mountain surrounded by ice spikes.
Mountainous terrain in snowy biomes.

In other media

Artwork of Ari underneath a snowy plains, as monsters roam above.

Artwork of Ari underneath a snowy plains, as monsters roam above.

References

External links

Around the Block: Snowy Tundra – Minecraft.net on October 2, 2020
Around the Block: Ice Spikes – Minecraft.net on July 29, 2021

[Slime-1] Spawn attempt succeeds only in slime chunks.

[Slime-2] Spawn attempt succeeds only in slime chunks.

[3] ttps://twitter.com/notch/status/113986669312622592

[4] ttps://twitter.com/notch/status/114323919279886336

[note 1]

[note 1]

[1]

[2]

@@ Line 25: / Line 25: @@
 | watercolor = {{color|#3F76E4}}{{only|java|short=y}}<br>{{color|#14559B}}{{only|bedrock|short=y}}
 | underwaterfogcolor = {{color|#050533}}{{only|java|short=y}}{{color|#14559B}}{{only|bedrock|short=y}}
-| structures = {{EnvLink|Igloo}}<br>{{EnvLink|Village}}<br>{{EnvLink|Pillager outpost}}
+| structures = {{EnvLink|Igloo}}<br>{{EnvLink|Snowy village}}<br>{{EnvLink|Pillager outpost}}
 | blocks = {{BlockLink|Snow}}<br>{{BlockLink|Grass Block}}<br>{{BlockLink|Ice}}<br>{{BlockLink|Spruce Log}}<br>{{BlockLink|Spruce Leaves}}
 }}