How to Avoid the Warden

Quick answer

• The Warden only spawns after a Sculk shrieker goes off 4 times.
• Sneak everywhere and walk on wool to stay silent.
• If it spawns, stop running. It finds you by sound and smell.

Ancient cities hold some of the best loot in Minecraft, guarded by a mob that can take you down in a couple of hits. The trick is never waking it up.

Max Gear ChecklistThe best enchantments for every Minecraft armor piece, tool and weapon, as a checklist you can tick off→

How the Warden is summoned

1. A Sculk sensor hears a vibration, like footsteps or a block breaking.
2. It sets off a nearby shrieker, which raises your warning level and gives you Darkness.
3. At the 4th shriek, the Warden digs out of the ground.

Staying quiet

• Sneak all the time. Sneaking footsteps don't trigger sensors.
• Place White wool (or any wool) on the floor. Walking on wool is silent, even when running.
• Eating makes noise. Eat before you go in.
• Climbing down a ladder without sneaking makes noise.

If the Warden shows up

You get about 7 seconds while it climbs out. Get away, then stand still.

Throw a Snowball or an egg away from you to distract it. If it detects nothing for 60 seconds, it digs back into the ground.

Why it's worth the risk

Ancient cities generate around Y -51 in the deep dark. They are the only place to find Echo shard items and Swift Sneak books, and their chests can hold enchanted golden apples.

Cheat sheet

• 4 shrieks summons the Warden
• Sneak, walk on wool, don't eat inside
• Distract it with snowballs, wait 60 seconds
• Ancient cities: around Y -51

Ore DistributionFind the best Y level for diamonds, iron, gold, redstone, copper and every ore→