Whether you want to make structures on the ocean surface or make killing fish easier, the sponges are your best friend. But, they are also one of the very few noncraftable functional blocks in the game. This makes them extremely hard to obtain, especially on the competitive Minecraft survival servers. Here we are with some of the easiest and best methods to support you. So, let's dive in and uncover how to get sponges in Minecraft and make a splash!
How to Get Sponges in Minecraft (2023)
Our guide covers all the basics of sponges in Minecraft along with the process of obtaining and using them. Go through each section thoroughly to unlock a complete understanding of a sponge block in the game.
What is a Sponge in Minecraft
Sponges are unique functional blocks in Minecraft that can absorb and remove water within an area. They exist in two states: "wet" and "dry," which can be effortlessly interchanged by evaporating or absorbing moisture.
These blocks are perfect for removing water bodies and swiftly remedying accidental spills. But, when it comes to how to get sponges in Minecraft, it isn't as straightforward as crafting them through a recipe. So, let's delve into various methods to get our hands on a sponge block.
How to Get Sponges in Minecraft
There are three main methods to obtain sponges in Minecraft. We are going over each of them in different sections to help you find the solution that fits your playstyle.
Which Mob Drops Sponge (Method 1)
One of the most reliable ways to obtain sponges in Minecraft is by defeating an Elder Guardian. This hostile mob drops one wet sponge block when killed. However, taking it down can be quite challenging. It only spawns next to the ocean monument structure and can give you mining fatigue, leading to serious combat disadvantages.
So, it's best to equip yourself with a crossbow or a bow, as these weapons allow you to engage the Elder Guardian from a safe distance. Since it is the largest aquatic mob in Minecraft, landing hits on it shouldn't pose a significant challenge.
Where Do Sponges Spawn (Method 2)
If fighting a strong hostile mob doesn't go as planned, you can also find sponges naturally in your world. These sponges can be discovered in the "sponge rooms" found within ocean monument structures. On average, each room contains around 30 wet sponge blocks.
However, it's important to note that ocean monuments are located underwater and are guarded by hostile guardian mobs. So, alongside your weapons, make sure to grab a Potion of Water Breathing or a helmet with Respiration enchantment to survive.
Command to Get Sponges in Minecraft (Method 3)
If you want the easiest way to obtain sponges in Minecraft then there is nothing better than the "give" command. Simply, turn on cheats in your world by going to the LAN settings in Java edition and the world settings of Bedrock edition.
Then, use the following command in Minecraft to get a full stack of sponge blocks:
/give @p sponge 64
Dissimilar to other methods, this command gives you dry and ready-to-use sponges. Moreover, you can change the numerical "64" to any number to get as many sponges as you need in Minecraft. Though, keep in mind that many popular Minecraft SMP servers don't allow players to use commands, and breaking the rule can get you banned.
How to Dry Sponges in Minecraft
When you use survival (such as defeating Elder Guardians or finding them in ocean monument structures) methods to get sponges in Minecraft, the blocks will always be in their wet state by default. But, to utilize them effectively, you need to dry them out and convert them into their usable form. Here's how.
Smelting
Follow these steps to easily dry your sponge in Minecraft by smelting:
1. First, make a furnace in Minecraft and find fuel like charcoal, wood, or planks to power it.
2. Then, open your furnace and place the wet sponge in the top slot.
3. Next, place the fuel in the bottom slot of the furnace to turn it on. It should only take a few seconds for the sponge to dry up.
4. If you don't want to waste the water from the wet slime, you can place a bucket in the fuel slot before the smelting finishes. Doing so will automatically fill the bucket up with water.
Hot Biome
One of the easiest ways to dry up a sponge block is by placing it in a hot location. This mechanic works in the following Minecraft biomes:
- Nether dimension
- Desert
- Savanna (and its variants)
- Badlands (and its variants)
Due to a lack of parity, the overworld biomes only affect sponges on Minecraft's Bedrock edition. But, you can use the Nether to dry sponges on both Java and Bedrock.
How to Use a Sponge
Once you have a dry sponge in your inventory, follow these steps to use it to dry out the water in your world:
1. To begin, find a spot with flowing or still water. It's best not to go for something like an ocean in the beginning because your absorbed water will be replaced in no time.
2. Then, place your sponge on top or side of any other block. As soon as you do, it will get rid of water up to 7 blocks away in all directions. One sponge can absorb 65 blocks of water.
3. Later, you can dry the sponge and reuse it to remove more water.
FAQs: How to Get Sponges in Minecraft
How to make a sponge in Minecraft?
Sponges have no crafting recipe in Minecraft. However, you can find a wet sponge in your world and dry it to make it useable.
Where can you find sponges?
You can find sponges in ocean monuments of Minecraft. They generate in the "sponge rooms" of this structure.
Who sells sponges in Minecraft?
You cannot trade for sponges in Minecraft. They are only obtained via monuments and Elder Guardians.
What is the easiest way to get sponges in Minecraft?
The easiest way to obtain sponges in Minecraft is with the help of the "give" command. But, if you don't want to cheat, the ocean monument's sponge rooms are your best option.
How to Get and Use Sponges in Minecraft
With access to sponges, you are now ready to terraform the lakes, rivers, and oceans of Minecraft. But the first step in doing so is making a boat in Minecraft to get to a reliable water body. You might even find some astounding frogs on the way. Later, you have a chance to take over the dried area and build your new base. Though, if you are playing on the best Minecraft 1.20 servers, the sponges can also help you uncover trail ruins and get some amazing loot. But, these are just the ideas on top of our heads. Do you have some better ideas? Don't forget to drop some of them on our Discord server!