Enter the world of Minecraft for the first time can be scary. Without extensive tutorials, the game throws you into a hostile environment, where survival depends on your actions in the first few minutes. If you are not prepared when the sun sets, you will be attacked by hostile mobs as zombies, skeletons and creepers.
To avoid a tragic fate, it is essential to follow a plan: collect resources, build tools, create shelter and secure food. This guide will teach you step by step how to survive your first night and prepare for the challenges that follow in Minecraft.
1. Collecting materials and building tools
The first few minutes of the game are crucial. First of all, look around and locate trees, animals and high ground. Once you've identified a good location, follow the steps below.
A. Collecting wood
THE wood is the first essential resource in Minecraft. To collect it:
- Aim at a tree trunk and hold the left mouse button (PC) or right trigger (consoles).
- About 16 trunks are enough to start with.
- Take it seedlings that fall and replant to ensure more trees in the future.
Now, open your inventory (“E” key on PC) and convert the logs into wooden planks.
B. Creating the crafting table
With four boards, create one craft table (crafting table), which will allow you to manufacture advanced tools. To do this:
- In your inventory, place four planks into the crafting slots.
- Grab the table and move it to the shortcut bar.
- Choose a safe place and put the table on the floor.
C. Creating basic tools
With the crafting table ready, craft tools that will make resource gathering easier:
- Twigs: Use two stacked planks on the crafting table to obtain 4 sticks.
- Wooden Pickaxe: Combine 2 sticks vertically and 3 planks on top, forming a “T”.
- Wooden Axe: Put 3 “L” shaped planks and 2 vertical sticks.
- Wooden Shovel: 1 plank on top and 2 sticks vertically.
These tools speed up obtaining stones, wood and earth, preparing the ground for the next stage.
2. Building a safe shelter
When the ambient music starts playing, it is a sign that the sun is setting. This means that hostile mobs of Minecraft are about to emerge.
A. Simple shelter (excavated in the earth or stone)
If you are in a hurry, dig a hole in the side of a mountain and close the entrance with blocks of earth or stone. This type of shelter does not need many resources and protects against night attacks.
B. Basic shelter with walls
If you have enough time and materials, create a basic shelter:
- Choose a flat location.
- Build walls with earth, wood or stone in a space 5×4.
- Leave a space for the door, which can be done with 6 wooden planks on the craft table.
- If possible, place torches inside to prevent enemies from appearing.
Having a shelter prevents skeletons from shooting arrows and creepers explode near you.
3. Ensuring food and survival
With hunger increasing, it's time to look for food. Your hunger meter (chicken drumstick icon on screen) depletes as you walk, run, and jump. If it runs out, you will gradually lose health until you die (on Hard mode).
A. Collecting initial food
In the beginning, the easiest way to get food is hunting animals:
- Cows and pigs provide raw meat, which can be eaten immediately (but it is better to roast it).
- Sheep provide meat and there, needed to make a bed.
- Chickens provide meat and feathers for arrows.
B. Cooking the meat
To increase the benefits of food in Minecraft, cook it in a furnace:
- Mine 8 stones and create a furnace on the craft table.
- Place coal or wood in the lower slot and the meat in the upper one.
- Wait a few seconds and remove the roast meat.
With food guaranteed, you'll have the energy to explore and prepare for the next day.
4. Creating a bed for the night
If you can 3 blocks of wool and 3 wooden planks, you can create a bed on the craft table. The bed allows skip the night and establish a respawn point.
If you don't have any wool on the first day, stay inside the shelter and take the time to mine or organize items.
5. Extra tips for survival
- Avoid digging straight down: You can fall into lava or deep holes. Dig in a ladder to get down safely.
- Take torches when exploring caves: They light the way and prevent mobs from appearing.
- Mark your path: Use torches, pillars or trails to avoid getting lost.
- Store important materials: Whenever possible, store iron, coal, and valuable items in chests.
- Expand your home little by little: Start with a simple shelter and as you gather materials, build more advanced structures.
What now? Exploring new possibilities in Minecraft
Surviving the first night is just the beginning. On day two, you can:
✔️ Explore the map and find villages to get resources.
✔️ Mining for iron and coal to create better tools.
✔️ Create farms to have a sustainable food source.
✔️ Expand your home to prepare for future challenges.
Minecraft is a game without limits, where every decision shapes your experience. Now that you've mastered the initial survival, the next step is to explore, build, and transform the world around you.
Good luck and have fun!