Started a new world, turned on the Caves and Cliffs experimental feature, branch mined for hours, not a single iron_ore was found. Tons of copper, coal, red stone, even some gold and diamonds, but no iron.
Seems statistically unlikely.
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Yep, that’s consistent with what I’ve seen in my world today. Decent amounts of most things, especially coal and emeralds, but no iron ore.
Having this same issue on XBOX, in both the most recent beta build 1.17.20.23 with experimental features and also using the experimental features on the base (none beta) game 1.17.10.
I've only found surface Iron Ore at high altitudes y120+ and only infrequently. Branch mining below y64 didn't turn up any, exploring in creative I did find some at between y0 and y10, but very poor distribution. I have found plenty of Copper ore and more emerald ore on the surface than Iron!
Can confirm this issue from 1.17.20.23 up to and including 1.17.30.21(Android).
The distribution and relative scarcity of all the ores has definitely changed. Coal has become almost too common (I have never needed to make charcoal in any of the new worlds I generated in early survival mode play, just go to exposed stone and quickly find exposed coal).
Iron has become rare and is now found either at altitude or deep down. This is quite a problem, as iron tools are needed for the good ores.
I think diamond is slightly more common than before, especially at great depths.
Gold is definitely much more common, as is redstone.
Emeralds are more common, as was intended. Lapis seems to have the same frequency as prior, but a different distribution.
As another reporter mentioned, the presence of the aquifers, which I understand are undrainable, greatly impedes cave mining because many caves are completely full of water, and in early survival mode access to enchantments which help, such as Depth Strider and Aqua Affinity, is limited (now even more so by the amount of iron that an anvil needs!).
In short, the new iron generation mechanics are affecting gameplay, and not positively.
I can unconfirm this I have tested this your just incredibly unlucky I have found plenty of iron in my world and I have tested 35 worlds.
To give an idea of the present relative frequencies of the minerals, I have attached a screenshot of my yield from mining from y= 82 to y= -40, including exploration of a large cave system I found at that depth.
(Corrections: Coal +6 blocks[smelting & cooking], iron +6 ingots[tools], diamonds +7[tools/weapons], gold +4 blocks[entire set of armour & gold apple], lapis lazuli +2 blocks[enchanting])
I am also having problems finding Iron in experimental 1.17.2. Strip mined at various levels between y-55 and y-5. Also most large caves are filled with water on surface. Very few small caves even available.
i am playing on ios and when using experimental gameplay, i cant find ANY iron ore. Ive looked EVERYWHERE!!!