Finding this is straightforward once you know where to look; the hard part is that the game never points you there.

Nothing below requires mods, paid tools or an account on some sketchy site. Carrying capacity ruins more of these trips than combat does. There is a fast way and a safe way, and they are not the same thing.

The short answer

There is one reliable route and several unreliable ones. Take the first, and bring what the list below suggests.

Where to look

Give the first attempt an honest try before deciding the method does not work. Most advice on this topic assumes you already know half the answer, which is exactly the problem. If something here stops matching what you see on screen, the game has probably changed a value in an update. The approach below has been checked against the current version rather than a patch from two years ago.

The route below avoids the two encounters people most often die to on the way. Randomised placement means the exact spot can differ, but the area does not. Most advice on this topic assumes you already know half the answer, which is exactly the problem.

What to bring

The approach below has been checked against the current version rather than a patch from two years ago. Most advice on this topic assumes you already know half the answer, which is exactly the problem. If the game has a day-night cycle, timing changes what you meet en route.

  • Write down what you changed, so you can undo it if the result gets worse.
  • Back up your save if the game gives you the option.
  • Restart fully after a change rather than trusting a quick reload.
  • Test one change at a time instead of five at once.
  • Check the version you are running before following any step-by-step advice.
  • Keep a spare loadout for the attempts that go badly.

Getting there safely

People often blame the game when the actual cause is a setting they changed weeks ago. If the game has a day-night cycle, timing changes what you meet en route. Mark the location the moment you arrive, because coming back is common. Carrying capacity ruins more of these trips than combat does.

Anything marked optional really is optional, so skip it without guilt. Most advice on this topic assumes you already know half the answer, which is exactly the problem. It helps to know why a step exists, because then you can adapt it when your situation differs slightly.

Mistakes worth avoiding

  • Following a guide written for an older version and assuming nothing moved.
  • Changing several settings at once, then having no idea which one helped.
  • Skipping the preparation step because it looks boring, then repeating the hard part four times.

Frequently asked questions

Can I get it early?

Usually yes, with enough patience. Whether that is worth doing depends on how much the item actually helps at that stage.

Is there a faster method?

Usually yes, and usually it is riskier. The route above trades a little speed for a much lower chance of having to start over.

Is the location randomised?

The general area is fixed in most versions; the exact placement within it can shift between saves.

How to Find Ancient City Minecraft is not complicated once the order of operations is clear, and now it is.