I love playing Minecraft. Hardcore Survival has to be my favorite way to play at the moment. I've ran several survivals. The appeal to me is the idea that death has a real consequence. I've lost several really cool games because of simple mistakes. (for those who read my survival journal, that guy is still alive) Here are some quick tips for survival. Tip #1: Don't go out at night. Often times, I'll die because I was caught out of my home at night. It's simple, but when you are working objectively, you can get so caught up in the moment you won't want to stop. Safety is key. Tip #2: Don't go into ravines. ravines offer way to many dangers for the risk. As much as Coal and Iron are important for survival, risking your life for added defense is defeating the purpose. Iron is easy enough to find without having to climb down into a monster filled crack in the earth. Coal can actually be made by burning a block of wood (preferably with wooden planks as the fuel, making fuel renewable) Tip #3: Stone tools are the best. Stone tools may not last all that long, but unless you are working far away from your basecamp, there is no reason to use anything else. Wood is renewable, and stone is practically unlimited. Tip #4: Armor is better than life insurance. Armor, preferably Iron armor, is one of the most important things you can build. As much as we'd all like to think otherwise, there will be times where you are attacked. I can't count the number of times I've been in the woods in the middle of the day and had a creeper give me a hug. Iron armor will be the difference between a hole and the ground and a new game. Tip #5: Walls. Walls keep you in, and them out. The more walls you have, the less likely something will try to eat you. With the new update, zombies can break down doors, so the more you have between them and your front door, the better. Tip #6: Don't kill (all of) the animals. Farming may provide a steady stream of food, but when it comes time for traveling, bread will only last so long. Taking from the local area is a great way to supplement your food, but don't kill them all. Be sure to save a few to breed for later. Tip #7: Have a goal. As absurd as it sounds, without a goal, you could loose focus and make a simple, but fatal mistake. Keep working on something, even if it is pointless to your survival (so long as your base needs are met.) Making cool things adds to the accomplishments of survival, and keeps you motivated to stay alive. Tip #8: Stockpile. Nothing should be thrown out if you can help it. Have plenty of chests so you can store everything you find. I didn't think I needed 10 stacks of stone, but I started to lack food provisions, the extra stone allowed my to build a wall for a huge garden in one day. By the end of the week, I had a regenerating food supply. Tip #9: Swords and Practice. Make sure you always have a weapon with you. No matter where you are, you may have to defend yourself. Having a sword (or two) and knowing how to effectively keep enemies at bay will pay out big time when you get cornered by 3 creepers and a skeleton. Tip #10: Don't leave home without the basics. While inventory space my be limited, It's still a good idea to have some basic things with you, just in case. I keep an iron pickaxe, 5 cooked steaks, 1 bed, 10 blocks of wood, 5 coal, 5 torches, and 1 crafting table with me at all times. While that may sound like a lot, it's only 7 blocks of inventory space. With that configuration you can get out of just about any situation. Tip #11: Keep thinking. Unless you die, you have not lost. There have been plenty of times I've been down to a half heart, surrounded by skeletons, underground, and out of food, and I've gotten away. If you are attacked and nearly dead, dig under the ground, place a stone/dirt block over your head, and start thinking of ways to get away. One time, I tunneled my way back home.