Overcast Columns
The Overcast Columns is the safest biome in The Otherside dimension, added by the Deeper and Darker mod. Unlike other Otherside biomes, no hostile mobs spawn here naturally, making it an ideal location for establishing a base or gathering resources without constant combat.
This biome features towering Gloomslate columns with Crystallized Amber cores that can contain valuable loot. Gloomy Geysers scattered across the floor launch players into the air, providing a unique traversal mechanic. The biome also contains all Overworld ores in Gloomslate variants, making it a valuable mining destination.
Overcast Columns
Generation
The Overcast Columns generates throughout The Otherside dimension between Y-levels 0 and 128. It is one of four biomes in the dimension, alongside the Deeplands, Echoing Forest, and Blooming Caverns.
The biome has a mild temperature of 0.6, warmer than the freezing Deeplands. Smoke particles drift through the air, creating an atmospheric haze. The Overcast Columns has its own ambient music and sound design distinct from other Otherside biomes.
Terrain
The Overcast Columns is composed primarily of Gloomslate, a dark stone type unique to this biome. Gloomslate can be mined and crafted into building blocks including Cobbled Gloomslate, Polished Gloomslate, Gloomslate Bricks, Gloomslate Tiles, and Chiseled Gloomslate.
Gloomy Sculk patches and vegetation cover parts of the terrain, similar to vanilla Sculk but with a darker appearance. Soul Sand and Magma Blocks generate naturally throughout the biome. Minecraft fossils also spawn here, creating bone structures embedded in the Gloomslate.
Gloomslate Columns
The biome’s signature feature is the towering Gloomslate columns that rise from the floor. These columns are made of solid Gloomslate with Crystallized Amber blocks embedded in their centers. Approximately 33% of columns generate incomplete, creating natural archways and broken pillars.
Crystallized Amber
Crystallized Amber blocks glow faintly and can contain valuable loot. When broken, fossilized Crystallized Amber has two possible outcomes: it may spawn a Sculk Leech, or it may drop an item from its loot table.
Breaking fossilized Crystallized Amber may spawn a Sculk Leech instead of dropping loot. While Sculk Leeches are weak individually, they can be dangerous in groups if you break multiple amber blocks quickly.
Gloomy Geysers
Gloomy Geysers are scattered across the floor of the Overcast Columns. When stepped on, they launch the player high into the air with a velocity of 2.5 blocks per tick. The geyser emits smoke particles and a distinctive sound when triggered.
Sculk mobs are immune to geyser launches, but players and other entities will be launched. Geysers can be picked up with a Silk Touch tool and relocated, making them useful for building vertical transportation systems or defensive traps.
Collect Gloomy Geysers with Silk Touch and place them strategically around your base for quick vertical movement. They provide an alternative to ladders or water elevators in The Otherside.
Resources
The Overcast Columns contains all Overworld ores in Gloomslate variants: Coal, Iron, Copper, Gold, Redstone, Emerald, Lapis Lazuli, and Diamond. These ores function identically to their Overworld counterparts and drop the same materials when mined with appropriate pickaxes.
Combined with the lack of hostile mob spawns, the Overcast Columns is an excellent location for mining expeditions. You can gather ores without constantly fighting off enemies, unlike the dangerous Deeplands where the same ores exist in Sculk Stone.
Exploration Tips
The Warden Helmet is still recommended for exploring the Overcast Columns, as The Otherside applies constant Darkness. However, the lack of hostile mobs makes this biome significantly less dangerous than other Otherside biomes.
Consider establishing a forward base in the Overcast Columns before venturing into the Deeplands or other dangerous biomes. The peaceful environment allows you to safely store resources, set up crafting stations, and recover from difficult expeditions.
Build a small outpost in the Overcast Columns with chests, a crafting table, and a bed. Use it as a staging area for mining trips into the ore-rich terrain or for recovery between Ancient Temple runs in the Deeplands.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, the Overcast Columns is the safest biome in The Otherside. No hostile mobs spawn here naturally. The only dangers are fall damage from geysers and the occasional Sculk Leech from breaking Crystallized Amber.
The Warden can spawn in The Otherside if Sculk Shriekers are triggered. However, the Overcast Columns does not naturally generate Sculk Shriekers, so you would only encounter a Warden if you placed one yourself or if one followed you from another biome.
All Overworld ores generate in Gloomslate variants: Coal, Iron, Copper, Gold, Redstone, Emerald, Lapis Lazuli, and Diamond. They drop the same materials as their Overworld counterparts when mined.
Use a Silk Touch pickaxe to mine Gloomy Geysers. Without Silk Touch, the block will be destroyed and drop nothing. Once collected, you can place geysers anywhere to create launch pads.
Breaking fossilized Crystallized Amber can drop valuable items including Diamonds, Diamond Axes, Enchanted Iron Boots, Gold Ingots, Sculk Bones, and Soul Dust. However, there’s also a chance to spawn a Sculk Leech instead of getting loot.
Yes, the Overcast Columns is the best biome in The Otherside for building a base. With no hostile mob spawns, you can build and explore without constant combat. The Gloomslate blocks provide plenty of building materials, and the geysers offer convenient vertical transportation.