Updated 25 October 2026. Facts on this page come from minecraft.wiki, minecraft.net and the live Artemis PvP server; sources are listed at the bottom.
Soul Sand Valleys, Basalt Deltas and Nether Wastes
The Nether has five biomes. Nether wastes are the classic red netherrack biome and the most common at about 36%. Soul sand valleys (about 17%) are blue-lit plains of soul sand with fossils, skeletons and ghasts. Basalt deltas (about 16%) are jagged basalt and blackstone with lava pools and magma cubes. The other two are the crimson and warped forests.
How do these Nether biomes compare?
| Biome | Share | Blocks | Mobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nether wastes | About 36% | Netherrack, glowstone, quartz and gold ore | Ghasts, zombified piglins, magma cubes, piglins, striders, endermen |
| Soul sand valley | About 17% | Soul sand, soul soil, Nether fossils, soul fire | Skeletons, ghasts, endermen, striders |
| Basalt deltas | About 16% | Basalt, blackstone, magma, lava pools | Magma cubes, ghasts, striders |
The forests: crimson and warped forests.
What is useful in a soul sand valley?
- Soul sand for Nether wart farms, wither summoning and upward bubble columns; see water elevators.
- Soul soil and bone blocks from fossils.
- Dried ghasts near the fossils, which become happy ghasts; see happy ghast.
- Soul fire and soul torches for blue light. Glowstone is rare here.
Why are basalt deltas hard to cross?
The ground is broken up by countless shallow pools of lava and magma, the fog is thick, and magma cubes spawn often. Ore is actually more common here to make up for the lack of netherrack, but it is hard to reach. Nether fortresses and ruined portals can generate here. See magma cubes.
What is in the Nether wastes?
Lava seas, glowstone on the ceiling, quartz, gold and ancient debris, and nearly every Nether mob. Fortresses, bastions and ruined portals are common, and a thin strip of wastes often separates other biomes. See fortresses and bastions.
Are there Nether events on ArtemisPvP?
Frequently asked questions
How many Nether biomes are there?
Five: Nether wastes, soul sand valley, basalt deltas, crimson forest and warped forest.
What is the most common Nether biome?
The Nether wastes, at about 36% of the Nether.
Sources
Every fact on this page was checked against these pages; the wording is ours.