How to Drain an Ocean Monument: A Definitive Guide

Draining an Ocean Monument in Minecraft is a challenging but rewarding feat, providing access to valuable resources and the opportunity to transform a submerged fortress into a unique base. Effectively draining a monument involves careful planning, resource gathering, and employing specific techniques to replace water with a non-water block.

Understanding the Challenge

Ocean Monuments are imposing structures guarded by Guardians and Elder Guardians, making the initial exploration and securing the area a significant hurdle. The monument’s solid block structure also presents logistical challenges, as simply breaking blocks will not drain the water. The key lies in replacing the water with a non-water block, such as sand, gravel, or sponges.

The Importance of Preparation

Before even approaching an Ocean Monument, meticulous preparation is essential. This includes:

• Gear: Diamond or Netherite armor with protection enchantments is strongly recommended. A good sword with sharpness and looting enchantments, a strong bow with power and infinity or mending, and respiration and depth strider enchantments on your helmet and boots are crucial for survival.

• Potions: Potions of Water Breathing, Night Vision, Healing, Strength, and Regeneration are invaluable for combating Guardians and navigating the underwater environment.

• Materials: A significant amount of sand, gravel, or sponges is required. The exact quantity depends on the size of the monument and the chosen method, but err on the side of having too much rather than too little. Conduits can also be extremely helpful in providing unlimited water breathing and strength.

• Food: Carry a plentiful supply of food to replenish your hunger bar, especially during extended underwater operations.

Methods for Draining an Ocean Monument

Several methods can be employed to drain an Ocean Monument, each with its own advantages and disadvantages.

The Sponge Method

The Sponge Method is arguably the most efficient, albeit resource-intensive, option. Sponges absorb water within a certain radius, effectively removing it from the monument.

• Obtaining Sponges: Sponges are primarily found in Sponge Rooms within Ocean Monuments, obtained as drops from Elder Guardians, or rarely from naturally spawning sponges.

• Dry vs. Wet Sponges: Wet sponges must be dried in a furnace before being reused. Building a dedicated furnace room near the monument can significantly speed up the process.

• Strategic Placement: Place sponges in water-filled areas to absorb the water. Start from the bottom and work your way up for maximum efficiency. Consider using the water physics update (BUD) to your advantage, where water will update and drain as you place and remove sponges. This can further accelerate the draining process.

The Sand/Gravel Method

The Sand/Gravel Method involves filling the monument with sand or gravel, displacing the water. This is a time-consuming process, but can be less resource-intensive if sand or gravel is readily available.

• Creating Columns: Start by building columns of sand or gravel from the seafloor to the ceiling of each room.

• Filling the Gaps: Gradually fill in the gaps between the columns, ensuring all water is displaced.

• Removing the Sand/Gravel: Once the monument is drained, the sand or gravel can be removed using pistons or simply digging it out, although this requires considerable time.

The Conduit Method

Conduits provide a bubble of air and strength, regeneration, and night vision within their area of effect. Draining with a conduit is not directly possible; however, a strategically placed and powered conduit can greatly assist with either the sponge or sand/gravel method by making the player more efficient at completing their work.

• Conduit Setup: 16 prismarine shards and one heart of the sea is used to craft a conduit, which is activated by being completely surrounded by prismarine blocks. The more prismarine, the larger the area of effect of the conduit.

• Placement: Conduits can be placed strategically to make water breathing less of a concern, increasing the efficiency of draining with sponges or sand.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions about draining Ocean Monuments, offering further insights and solutions to common challenges.

1. How many sponges do I need to drain an entire Ocean Monument?

The exact number varies based on the monument’s size and the efficiency of your placement, but expect to use hundreds, possibly thousands. A good starting point is to collect at least 64 dry sponges before starting. Using the BUD method of sponge placement can drastically reduce the number of sponges used.

2. Is it necessary to kill the Elder Guardians before draining the monument?

Yes. Elder Guardians inflict Mining Fatigue, significantly slowing down your progress. Eliminating them is essential for efficient draining.

3. Can I use lava to drain the water?

No. Lava turns water into obsidian or cobblestone, creating a mess that is difficult to remove. The goal is to replace water with air, not solid blocks.

4. What is the fastest way to gather large quantities of sand or gravel?

Using a beacon with the Haste effect and a shovel enchanted with Efficiency V and Fortune III will drastically speed up sand or gravel collection. Explore desert biomes or riverbeds for readily available sources.

5. How do I deal with the Guardians spawning inside the monument?

Keep the monument lit up with torches or sea lanterns. This won’t prevent Guardians from spawning entirely, but it will significantly reduce their numbers. Conduits also provide a strong buff against them.

6. Can I use pistons to move sand or gravel more efficiently?

Yes. Pistons can be used to create automated systems for pushing sand or gravel into the monument, speeding up the filling process.

7. What are some alternative uses for the drained Ocean Monument?

A drained Ocean Monument can be transformed into a unique base, a mob farm, an underwater park, or a visually stunning underwater display.

8. Is it possible to drain the monument without killing the Elder Guardians?

While technically possible, it is extremely difficult and time-consuming due to the constant Mining Fatigue effect. It is highly recommended to eliminate them first.

9. Can I use a world editor like MCEdit to drain the monument?

Yes, but this is considered cheating by many players. Using a world editor can quickly drain the monument, but it removes the challenge and satisfaction of doing it legitimately.

10. What are the benefits of draining an Ocean Monument compared to just looting it?

Draining the monument allows for complete access to all its interior spaces, providing more resources and the opportunity for creative base-building projects.

11. Does the type of pickaxe I use affect how quickly I can remove the prismarine blocks?

Yes, a pickaxe with Efficiency V will significantly speed up the process of breaking prismarine blocks. Haste effect from a beacon or conduit will further boost the speed.

12. What is the optimal placement strategy for sponges for maximum water absorption?

Start at the bottom of each room and work your way up. Focus on filling the largest open spaces first. Drying the sponges quickly and returning them to the water is key to efficiency. Experiment with smaller scale setups to determine the best patterns for your own work flow. Using the BUD technique where water is updated can further optimize this.

Conclusion

Draining an Ocean Monument is a significant undertaking in Minecraft, but the rewards are well worth the effort. By carefully planning, gathering the necessary resources, and employing effective draining techniques, you can transform this formidable structure into a valuable asset. Whether you choose the sponge method, the sand/gravel method, or a combination of both, remember to prioritize safety, efficiency, and a healthy dose of perseverance. Good luck, and happy draining!