Plains Biome in Minecraft: The Easiest Place to Start a Base
Plains are flat grassland with villages, horses and farm animals, which makes them the easiest biome to build in. What you'll find, and why to settle here.
Plains are flat, open grassland with a few scattered oak trees, lots of farm animals and frequent villages. They’re the easiest biome to build in and one of the best places to start a survival world, as long as a forest is nearby for wood.
What you’ll find
- Grass, flowers and tall grass. Dandelions, poppies, azure bluets, oxeye daisies and tulips grow everywhere. Break tall grass for wheat seeds.
- A few oak trees, sometimes with bee nests on them. Enough for a crafting table, not enough for a house.
- Ponds and rivers for early water.
Sunflower plains are a variant packed with sunflowers. Sunflowers always face east, so you can use them as a compass on day one.
Plains animals
Plains are packed with food. Cows, sheep, pigs and chickens spawn here, which means leather, wool for your first bed and plenty of meat.
Horses and donkeys spawn in herds on plains and savannas. Our horse taming guide explains how to ride one, and a saddle from a village chest or a fishing trip gets you going. A fast horse on flat plains is the quickest way to travel before you have an elytra.
Villages
Plains villages are the classic oak-and-cobblestone villages, and they’re common. Use one for:
- Free beds, food in chests and a ready-made shelter.
- Villager trading. Farmers, librarians and armorers make an early trading hall worthwhile.
- Iron golems for an iron farm later on.
Pillager outposts also generate on plains. If you see a dark wooden tower, either clear it with a shield and good armor or keep your distance. Killing the captain gives you Bad Omen.
Why build here
Flat land means less terraforming. You can lay out a big farm, wide paths and big buildings without leveling hills. Visibility is good too, so creepers have a harder time sneaking up. Check our guide to starting a farm for the first crops to plant.
The weak spots: little wood and nowhere to hide. A plains base next to a forest is the strongest setup, with timber on one side and open land on the other.
Most other biomes are harder to start in. Compare them on the biomes hub.
Common questions
Are plains a good biome to start in?
Yes. Plains are flat, have lots of animals, often have villages, and usually border forests for wood. Visibility is good, so mobs can't surprise you easily.
Where do horses spawn?
Horses spawn in herds in plains and savannas. Donkeys spawn in the same biomes. Mules come only from breeding a horse with a donkey.
What is special about sunflower plains?
It's a plains variant with fields of sunflowers. Sunflower heads always face east, which makes them a handy compass.
Sources & verification
Facts on this page are checked against these references and in-game behavior for the stated edition(s). how we verify.
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