MZZ's Desert Survival

(disclaimer: My use of bulleted points with bolded headers is not due to AI use, but because it is an effective way to write. I do not condone the use of AI; _Desert Survival_ is a 100% human project :D)

# Preamble _Desert Survival_ is a vanilla-like datapack that, among much more significant changes, makes the whole world a desert. Without a tree to punch, you’ll find yourself working hard to survive through detoured and rerouted progression. Through changes to crafting, loot, and world generation, I’ve upped the difficulty, meaningfully extended all stages of the game, and brought some of _Minecraft's_ overlooked features to light.

### Desert Survival has: - Less stuff. The desert really is a blank slate. I’ve found ways to implement many interesting and/or beloved features, and the rest of _Minecraft's_ glut of features are nowhere to be seen. It’s a simpler life out here. - Revitalized vanilla features. Some features in _Minecraft_ are terribly outclassed or have absurd barriers to entry. Why craft a crossbow when you can use a bow? Why should you ride a camel when saddles are uncraftable? I’ve removed many of these barriers and better options to create a novel metagame. - Decisions in progression. By nature of having clear best options and linear progression, vanilla _Minecraft_ makes a lot of decisions for you. I’ve added a variety of competing choices for gear as well as multiple progression pathways throughout the game to counteract this. - Mechanical depth. What I mean by that, is that _Desert Survival's_ resources and features are all generally useful in multiple ways rather than being one-note. I’ve reworked many of these one-note features (why is wolf armor made of armadillo scutes? I made the recipe use copper instead) and excluded many others. You’ll never be unhappy to pick up an item other than diorite. - Limited new content. I didn’t want to take away from the vanilla feel, so the custom features that exist are aligned with vanilla principles, are designed to maintain immersion, and uphold the design principles I’ve detailed. They’re also really fun!

### Desert Survival isn’t: - Strictly additive. This datapack modifies many of _Minecraft's_ features and excludes many more, but it doesn't add much new content. _Desert Survival_ is a renovation, not an added floor. - Divorced from vanilla. I developed this datapack as a close alternative to vanilla _Minecraft_, not as a modded experience. A lot has been edited, but everything I’ve done is specifically chosen and designed to feel vanilla. - Overly difficult. This datapack's got a kick to it, but making the game difficult isn't the focus of _Desert Survival_. If you're good at vanilla survival, you'll be fine. - Drawn out. When I say I meaningfully extended progression, the emphasis is on the meaning. You won’t find yourself grinding, and you won’t be subjected to tedium. I went about _Desert Survival's_ lengthened progression in an intentionally natural way.

Enjoy the _Desert Survival_ experience! I guarantee you won’t miss your crafting table :)

# Rundown ## Avoid this section if you want to go in blind! Inaccuracies may be present if you are not playing the latest version.

### First Days