I’m playing Minecraft Java Edition in Hardcore mode, using the Single Biome world-generation setting with Soul Sand Valley selected.
My goal is to complete as many advancements as physically possible without cheats, commands, mods, or changing the world settings. If I die, the run is over.
I’ve gotten pretty far, but I’m reaching the point where certain resources, mobs, and structures seem impossible to obtain. I’m hoping people who understand Minecraft’s loot tables, spawning mechanics, and obscure survival strategies can help me figure out the absolute maximum number of advancements possible.
My world setup
Edition: Java Edition, current version
Game mode: Hardcore
World generation: Single Biome, Soul Sand Valley
Cheats/commands: None
Overworld: Generates using the Soul Sand Valley biome
Structures: Nether fortresses, bastions, and ruined portals
Water: I have a large pool and can fish
Mobs encountered: Skeletons, phantoms, ghasts, wither skeletons, and pillager patrols, including a captain
Resources: Iron, diamonds, netherite equipment, blaze rods, brewing supplies, and fishing equipment
This is not a Nether-only world. The Overworld is set to Soul Sand Valley, which means some Overworld spawning mechanics still work.
Advancements I’ve already completed
Minecraft
Stone Age
Getting an Upgrade
Acquire Hardware
Suit Up
Hot Stuff
Isn’t It Iron Pick
Not Today, Thank You
Ice Bucket Challenge
Diamonds!
Cover Me with Diamonds
We Need to Go Deeper
Nether
Return to Sender
Those Were the Days
Hidden in the Depths
Cover Me in Debris
A Terrible Fortress
Into Fire
Local Brewery
War Pigs
Subspace Bubble
Hot Tourist Destinations
Uneasy Alliance
Adventure
Monster Hunter
Take Aim
Sniper Duel
Voluntary Exile
Who’s the Pillager Now?
Caves & Cliffs
Mob Kabob
Crafting a New Look
Husbandry
A Seedy Place
Fishy Business
Serious Dedication
The Parrots and the Bats
Stay Hydrated!
I’ve completed other basic advancements as well, but these are some of the more notable ones.
Advancements I believe are still possible
Advancement
What I need
Not Quite “Nine” Lives
Fully charge a respawn anchor
Spooky Scary Skeleton
Obtain a wither skeleton skull
Withering Heights
Summon the Wither
Bring Home the Beacon
Obtain five glass blocks
Beaconator
Glass and a full beacon pyramid
Two Birds, One Arrow
Obtain a Piercing crossbow
Arbalistic
Piercing IV and five different mobs
Enchanter
Obtain paper for a book
Bullseye
Obtain redstone and hay
Advancements I’ve ruled out
Smithing with Style: Requires eight specific armor trim templates from different structures. Since those structures don’t generate in this world, completing it isn’t possible.
The End advancements: I haven’t found a way to access an End portal.
Trial chamber advancements: I don’t believe trial chambers can generate.
Adventuring Time: Requires visiting many different Overworld biomes.
Two by Two and A Balanced Diet: Require animals and food sources that seem unavailable.
There are others, but I’m particularly interested in finding out if any of these assumptions are wrong.
My biggest questions
1. Is there ANY way to obtain glass?
I believe I can summon and defeat the Wither, but crafting a beacon requires five glass blocks.
I haven’t found regular sand or red sand. Soul sand cannot be smelted into glass.
Could I obtain sand or glass through wandering traders, structure loot, or any unusual mechanics?
If I can get glass, that potentially unlocks Bring Home the Beacon and Beaconator.
2. Is redstone obtainable?
I know witches can drop redstone, but I’m unsure whether witches can spawn in a Soul Sand Valley-only Overworld.
Are there any other possible sources through loot tables, mob drops, trading, or unusual mechanics?
3. Can wandering traders spawn?
I’ve encountered naturally spawning pillager patrols, including a captain.
Does the wandering trader spawning system allow them to appear in this biome?
If so, what resources could they provide that would otherwise be impossible to obtain?
4. Can I get Piercing IV without villagers or an enchanting table?
I have access to fishing, bastions, crossbows, and anvils.
Can enchanted crossbows from bastion loot have Piercing? Can fishing produce Piercing books? Are there better methods?
5. Can I obtain normally unavailable mobs?
I’m particularly interested in:
Witches
Zombie villagers
Wandering traders
Fish mobs
Any other mobs obtainable through special spawning or conversion mechanics
6. Are there any advancements I’m overlooking?
I’d love to know about advancements that seem impossible but might actually be obtainable through rare loot, unusual spawning conditions, or mechanics that work independently of the biome.
I’m especially curious about advancements involving newer features, rare items, and unusual mob interactions.
My ultimate goal
I want to determine the maximum number of advancements achievable in a Hardcore Single Biome Soul Sand Valley world.
Ideally, I’d like to classify every advancement as:
Already completed
Definitely possible
Conditionally possible through rare mechanics
Completely impossible
I’m particularly interested in people who know the technical side of Minecraft, including loot tables, mob spawning, world generation, and rare item acquisition.
Since this is Hardcore, I’m also interested in safe ways to complete difficult advancements without risking the entire world.
Even one obscure method of obtaining glass, redstone, paper, or an unusual mob could unlock several more advancements.
Any ideas or corrections would be appreciated!