The opportunities within Minecraft are constantly expanding thanks to the many content updates that the game periodically releases. These updates are highly anticipated elements of the title's life cycle, introducing new mechanics and providing much-needed improvements to pre-existing ones.
Minecraft is set to receive the high-profile Tails and Trails 1.20 update in the near future, with Mojang already giving fans teases of what to expect. While the involved content of the 1.20 update is massive, there is one unsung aspect of it that deserves more praise. In particular, the changes that the update is set to bring to the amethyst material of the sandbox title are perfect, being just what the resource needs.
The Current State of Minecraft's Amethyst
Amethysts were added to Minecraft with Part 1 of the Caves and Cliffs content update in 2021. Being a staple addition to how the update re-worked cave generation, amethysts can be found underground in their own cluster structures or within subterranean hidden city chests. Amethyst shards in Minecraft can be collected in this way, but players are already growing tired of the relatively small range of uses for the material. Players can use amethyst shards to create things like spyglasses or tinted glass, but the current use for them does not really extend beyond this.
Of course, amethyst blocks can also be obtained by the player, with a large portion of amethyst's current use simply being for decorative purposes. It seems that Mojang is aware of the current lack of utility behind amethyst shards, and it is looking to rectify this in the upcoming 1.20 update.
Minecraft 1.20 Update: Changes to Amethyst
There are many ways in which the uses of amethyst will be extended in the upcoming Tails and Trails update. For example, amethyst shards will be suitable for use in crafting Minecraft armor trims, with these being of many changes to Minecraft's customization levels. Other resources like emeralds and diamonds can also be used for this purpose, so it's not exclusive to amethyst. However, amethyst is additionally set to receive its own dedicated new utility with 1.20. Specifically, the 1.20 update will see the introduction of calibrated skulk sensors. This builds off of the deep dark mechanics that were introduced alongside amethyst in the Caves and Cliffs update, being a step above normal skulk sensors. Using three amethyst shards, a skulk sensor can be upgraded to a calibrated one, allowing for a range of new benefits.
For example, a calibrated skulk sensor can detect vibrations from twice the distance of a regular sensor. Also boasting a shorter cool-down, a calibrated skulk sensor can be altered to listen out for one of fifteen different types of movement nearby. Being powered by redstone, calibrated skulk sensors are on the higher end of Minecraft's more complex mechanics. Nevertheless, skulk sensors are still an important element of the game, with their upcoming calibrated counterparts holding even greater utility.
Like copper within Minecraft, amethysts were suffering greatly from the lack of real utility that they offered. These upcoming new possibilities for the material are a much-needed breath of fresh air, making amethysts feel like a purposeful and important element of the game.
Minecraft is available on mobile, PC, PS4, Switch, Xbox One, and most legacy platforms.