Cave Compendium
The Cave Compendium is an item added by Alex’s Caves. It is an encyclopedia-style guidebook authored by Dr. Prof. Alexander Caverns, PhD that provides comprehensive information about the six cave biomes added by the mod.
The Cave Compendium serves as an in-game reference manual for Alex’s Caves content. Players can right-click with the Cave Compendium to open a detailed guidebook interface that displays information about cave biomes, including their resources, inhabitants, utilities, and special mechanics. The book starts with only basic information and must be enhanced by unlocking chapters with Cave Codices.
Each of the six cave biomes has multiple chapters that can be unlocked by using the corresponding Cave Codex. This makes the Cave Compendium an essential tool for learning about Alex’s Caves without needing external wikis or guides.
Obtaining
The Cave Compendium can be obtained in two ways. The first method is crafting a Cave Compendium using 1 Book, 1 Cave Tablet (any variant), and 1 Gold Nugget in a shapeless crafting recipe. This creates a Cave Compendium with only basic introductory information about Alex’s Caves.
Crafting the Cave Compendium grants the advancement “Once Upon a Cave,” which challenges players to document their knowledge of rare cave biomes. This advancement confirms that the Cave Compendium was successfully created.
The second method is finding a Cave Compendium in Underground Cabin chests. Every Underground Cabin contains 1 Cave Compendium in addition to the Spelunkery Table and Cave Tablets. Cave Compendiums found in cabins contain the same basic information as crafted ones and must still be enhanced by unlocking chapters.
Players only need one Cave Compendium for their entire playthrough. The same Cave Compendium can have all six biome chapters unlocked by using six different Cave Codices. There is no need to craft multiple Cave Compendiums unless playing in multiplayer where each player wants their own copy.
Usage
To use the Cave Compendium, right-click while holding it in your hand. This opens the Cave Compendium interface, displaying an interactive book with detailed information about Alex’s Caves biomes. The interface can be navigated by clicking on chapter titles and turning pages using the arrow buttons.
The Cave Compendium initially contains only basic information about the mod and its discovery system. To unlock detailed chapters for each of the six cave biomes, players must obtain Cave Codices by translating Cave Tablets using a Spelunkery Table. Each Cave Codex unlocks one chapter for its corresponding biome when used.
To unlock a chapter, right-click while holding a Cave Codex. This consumes the Cave Codex and adds the next chapter for that biome to the Cave Compendium. A message appears confirming the addition: “Added [Biome Name]: [Chapter Name] to the Cave Compendium.” The player can then open the Cave Compendium to view the newly unlocked information.
Chapters unlock in a specific order for each biome. The first Cave Codex unlocks General, the second unlocks Resources, the third unlocks Inhabitants, and the fourth unlocks Utilities. Primordial Caves and Toxic Caves have a fifth Secrets chapter that unlocks after all other chapters. Players cannot skip ahead to later chapters without unlocking earlier ones first.
The Cave Compendium plays sound effects when opened, closed, and when pages are turned, creating an immersive book-reading experience. The sound effects are titled “Cave Compendium opens,” “Cave Compendium closes,” and “Page turns” in the subtitles.
Chapter Structure
Each cave biome in Alex’s Caves has its own chapter system in the Cave Compendium. Most biomes have four chapters that unlock in sequence: General, Resources, Inhabitants, and Utilities. Primordial Caves and Toxic Caves have a fifth chapter called Secrets that provides additional hidden information about those biomes.
The General chapter provides an overview of the biome, including its appearance, generation conditions, and key features. The Resources chapter details the blocks, ores, plants, and materials found in the biome. The Inhabitants chapter describes all mobs that spawn in the biome, including their behaviors, drops, and taming methods where applicable. The Utilities chapter explains special mechanics, crafting stations, tools, weapons, armor, and other functional items unique to that biome.
The six cave biomes documented in the Cave Compendium are Magnetic Caves, Primordial Caves, Toxic Caves, Abyssal Chasm, Forlorn Hollows, and Candy Cavity. Each biome has completely unique content, making the Cave Compendium an extensive encyclopedia of over 20 chapters when fully unlocked.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, the Cave Compendium can be crafted using 1 Book, 1 Cave Tablet (any variant), and 1 Gold Nugget in a shapeless recipe. It can also be found in every Underground Cabin chest.
No, you only need one Cave Compendium. Each Cave Codex used unlocks additional chapters in the same Cave Compendium, so all six biomes can be documented in a single book.
Most biomes have four chapters: General, Resources, Inhabitants, and Utilities. Primordial Caves and Toxic Caves have a fifth chapter called Secrets that unlocks after the other four chapters are completed.
No, chapters unlock in a specific order. Each Cave Codex unlocks the next chapter in sequence for its biome. You must unlock General before Resources, Resources before Inhabitants, and so on.
Once all chapters for a biome are unlocked, additional Cave Codices for that biome cannot unlock more chapters. Players should craft those Cave Codices into Cave Biome Maps instead of using them on the Cave Compendium.
No, the Cave Compendium is not required for progression. It serves as an optional in-game reference guide. Players can explore and complete all content without ever opening the Cave Compendium, but it provides valuable information about biomes, mobs, items, and mechanics.
Chapter unlocks are stored per-player, not per-item. If you give your fully-unlocked Cave Compendium to another player, they will see only the chapters they have unlocked themselves. Each player must unlock chapters individually by using Cave Codices.
Any Cave Tablet variant works for crafting the Cave Compendium. The resulting Cave Compendium is the same regardless of which Cave Tablet is used. Most players use a duplicate Cave Tablet they don’t need for translation.