At Minecraft Live 2020 the Mojang Team finally confirmed that the next big expansion, officially the 1.17 update to the worlds most popular game, would be called 'Caves and Cliffs'.

Following on from the roaring success of the 2020 Nether Update, 'Caves and Cliffs' looks to be, by all accounts, absolutely massive.

Clearly, fans are excited since this new update will look to transform what has historically been quite a dingey underappreciated part of the game; the underground caves.

These once lifeless locations will be given a new lease of life following the launch of the 1.17 update. But that's of course not all.

The games many mountainous areas will also get plenty of TLC too, but in fairness, this next big expansion to the game is all about what's under the surface.

Without further ado, let's take a closer look at the games upcoming update, including all the important details, starting with the biggest question of all: when is Minecraft update 1.17 coming out?

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1.17 Update Release Date

April 22 Update - Minecraft 1.17 Snapshot patch notes are available now.

April 14 Update - Mojang announces 1.17 Update will be released in two parts. More info further down.

Original Story - During Minecraft Live 2020, Mojang confirmed that we can expect to see the 1.17 update release in mid-2021. 

Whether the developers are able to keep to this promised, albeit rough, launch period isn't clear. We know that the global COVID pandemic has caused many games and expansions planned for 2021 to be delayed.

We would not at all be surprised if update 1.17 is pushed back, at least for a few months.

That being said, the game has been quietly ticking along with beta updates, testing new features and more. So who knows, maybe it will arrive mid-2021 as first promised.

Will update 1.17 launch at the same time on all platforms?

We would imagine so. We expect to see the 1.17 Caves and Cliffs update arriving at the same time on PC, Xbox, PS4, Nintendo Switch and Mobile simultaneously.

1.17 Update To Release In Two Parts

Mojang announced on April 14, 2021 that the highly anticipated Minecraft Cliffs and Caves update will now release in two parts.

The first part is still set to release Summer 2021, but the second part of the update will launch in Holiday 2021.

Mojang's statement said that the updated release schedule is "the result of taking on our most ambitious update to date while our team also continues to navigate the challenges of working remotely."

The announced then added: "By giving our development team some extra time, they will be able to deliver an array of exciting features without compromising on quality, reliability, or functionality for players."

You can read the full statement on the new release schedule for Minecraft Caves & Cliffs on the link.

1.17 Beta Access

Players can test out some of the upcoming features included by downloading a new Bedrock Beta, just follow the link here. 

Caves And Cliffs 1.17 New Features

There are a lot of new features coming to the game as part of the 1.17 update, but we'll try to break it down into sections just below.

1.17 New Mobs

Below is a rundown of the main new mobs coming to the game as part of the Caves and Cliffs update.

The Warden

Found in the Deep Dark biome and absolutely terrifying, not to mention hostile. The Warden is a giant creature and is technically blind, but can still sense your movements, so you'll need to keep quiet around them. 

Any vibrations from footsteps or thrown objects will be like red to a bull. You can attempt to sneak around the Warden, but you'll have to be so careful.

Although they might be blind, once they do sense you, they can actually be incredibly fast and really wallop your health. To make them even more deadly, damage taken also ignores armour.

We'll need plenty of practice before we get used to this mob, that's for sure.

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Axolotls

Minecraft's very first amphibian, the Axolotls, are coming to the game in 1.17. They're found in the games new Lush Caves biome (more on that further down).

You'll want to catch them using a bucket to help you with exploring the new underwater caves. They will help you attack enemies and better yet, they can play dead when damaged to regain health. 

It's been confirmed that they'll attack the following enemies: drowned, guardians, squids, glow squids and fish.

Goats

Yes, goats. You'll find these in the games overhauled cliff areas.

Annoy them enough, and they'll wallop you off the mountains. So keep on their good side. It's also been mentioned that when Goats ram into a block, they could drop a Goat Horn.

1.17 New Biomes

Below is a rundown of the new biomes being added to the game as part of Caves and Cliffs update.

Noise Caves

The new Noise Caves technically come in two different types. Cheese and spaghetti.

The Cheese caves are bigger caverns, whilst the Spaghetti caves are quite long and very narrow.

Lush Caves

One of the biggest new additions part of the 1.17 update and certainly one of the more colourful changes to the cave system.

Lush Caves will typically be covered in moss, with cave vines and glow berries growing on the ceiling too. You'll be able to eat glow berries for a small hunger meter boost.

We've been told that to find the new Lush Caves, played will need to keep their eyes peeled for Azalea trees.

These will indicate that there are Lush Caves to be found below.

Dripstone Caves

Ever heard of Stalagmites and stalactites? They're like big spikey rock formations.

This is what you'll discover in the Dripstone Caves biome.

Deep Dark

This was another new Biome mentioned during the Minecraft Live presentation, although Mojang is keeping its cards close to its chest when it comes to information about the new area.

All we really know is that the 'Deep Dark' will contain some of the new items and mobs, and with a name like 'Deep Dark' we're betting it will be very spooky!

1.17 New Blocks

The next big update plans to add plenty of new blocks to the game, we'll attempt to do our best to explain all of them, just below:

Amethyst Blocks

Lets start with the coolest looking one. This new block can be found in amethyst geodes. You can mine for it and craft if using 4 amethyst shards.

You'll need these new Crystals if you want to craft the games new Telescope, which are you can imagine, lets you see things very far away.

Copper Blocks

This is another new resource coming with the 1.17 update and will also be needed to make that special telescope. 

It's a little like Iron, and can be found in ore veins. Over time, anything copper will oxidize and change texture to a turquoise-green colour. 

New Candle

There's also a new candle (and candle cake), which is crafted using honeycomb and string.

The Spyglass (Telescope)

The games new Spyglass (read: Telescope) will require amethyst shards and copper ingots in order to be crafted.

As you might imagine when used, it zooms in on wherever the player is looking.

Sculk blocks

A new block which generates within the new 'Deep Dark' biome, home to the Warden.

Whilst not yet confirmed, it seems likely that Sculk blocks may have multiple uses in redstone.

1.17 Archeology system

A new form of mining will arrive with the Caves and Cliffs Update thanks to the new Archeology system.

It's very cool and allows players to carefully excavate rare and fragile artifacts by brushing away debris rather than whacking things with a pickaxe.

You'll find excavations site dotted around the map with chests nearby that contain brushes.

Brushes are used to excavate different items in the excavation sites.

Safe to say, this will be taking up a lot of our time when the 1.17 update drops.

1.17 Bundle Items System

You can now manage your inventory that little bit easier thanks to a new "Bundle Items" feature planned for Caves and Cliffs update.

In short, it will allow players to bunch together similar things in their inventory.

The overall capacity of these bundles you create is unknown at this time, but there's no doubt it will help to create plenty more space in the player's inventory.

It's also confirmed that these bundles can be stored in chests.

Stay tuned for more info on Minecraft's 1.17 update as it arrives in 2021.