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Bandlands are striking terrain features with horizontal bands of different colored blocks, like the terracotta layers in Minecraft’s Badlands (Mesa) biomes. Lithostitched provides a powerful system for creating custom bandlands patterns.

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Understanding Bandlands

Bandlands generate horizontal layers of blocks at different Y-levels with slight noise-based variation. The system consists of:
  • Base block: Default block used when no band applies
  • Bands: Layers of specific blocks at configurable intervals
  • Band offset noise: Adds natural variation to layer heights

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Basic Bandlands Structure

Bandlands are defined using JSON and referenced in surface rules: 
{
  "type": "lithostitched:bandlands",
  "base": {
    "Name": "minecraft:terracotta"
  },
  "bands": [
    {
      "type": "lithostitched:base_band",
      "count": 10,
      "size": 3,
      "state": {
        "Name": "minecraft:orange_terracotta"
      }
    }
  ]
}
This creates a bandlands with terracotta as the base and random orange terracotta bands.

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Band Types

Lithostitched provides two types of bands:

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Base Bands

Random bands placed throughout the height range: 
{
  "type": "lithostitched:base_band",
  "count": {
    "type": "minecraft:uniform",
    "min_inclusive": 8,
    "max_inclusive": 12
  },
  "size": {
    "type": "minecraft:uniform",
    "min_inclusive": 2,
    "max_inclusive": 4
  },
  "state": {
    "Name": "minecraft:red_terracotta"
  }
}
  • count: Number of bands to place (supports IntProvider)
  • size: Thickness of each band in blocks (supports IntProvider)
  • state: Block state to use for the band

​
Repeating Bands

Regularly spaced bands at consistent intervals: 
{
  "type": "lithostitched:repeating_band",
  "interval": {
    "type": "minecraft:uniform",
    "min_inclusive": 10,
    "max_inclusive": 15
  },
  "size": 2,
  "state": {
    "Name": "minecraft:white_terracotta"
  }
}
  • interval: Spacing between bands (supports IntProvider)
  • size: Thickness of each band (supports IntProvider)
  • state: Block state to use for the band

​
Creating Mesa-Style Terrain

1

Create the bandlands file

Create a bandlands definition at:
data/your_namespace/lithostitched/bandlands/mesa.json
2

Define base and bands

{
  "base": {
    "Name": "minecraft:terracotta"
  },
  "bands": [
    {
      "type": "lithostitched:base_band",
      "count": 12,
      "size": {
        "type": "minecraft:uniform",
        "min_inclusive": 2,
        "max_inclusive": 5
      },
      "state": {
        "Name": "minecraft:orange_terracotta"
      }
    },
    {
      "type": "lithostitched:base_band",
      "count": 8,
      "size": {
        "type": "minecraft:uniform",
        "min_inclusive": 1,
        "max_inclusive": 3
      },
      "state": {
        "Name": "minecraft:red_terracotta"
      }
    },
    {
      "type": "lithostitched:repeating_band",
      "interval": 20,
      "size": 1,
      "state": {
        "Name": "minecraft:white_terracotta"
      }
    }
  ]
}
3

Apply via surface rule

Reference the bandlands in a surface rule using a custom surface rule condition:
{
  "type": "lithostitched:bandlands",
  "bandlands": "your_namespace:mesa"
}

​
Complex Bandlands Patterns

​
Multi-Color Badlands

Create intricate patterns with multiple band types: 
{
  "base": {
    "Name": "minecraft:terracotta"
  },
  "bands": [
    {
      "type": "lithostitched:base_band",
      "count": 15,
      "size": {
        "type": "minecraft:uniform",
        "min_inclusive": 2,
        "max_inclusive": 6
      },
      "state": {
        "Name": "minecraft:orange_terracotta"
      }
    },
    {
      "type": "lithostitched:base_band",
      "count": 12,
      "size": {
        "type": "minecraft:uniform",
        "min_inclusive": 1,
        "max_inclusive": 4
      },
      "state": {
        "Name": "minecraft:red_terracotta"
      }
    },
    {
      "type": "lithostitched:base_band",
      "count": 8,
      "size": {
        "type": "minecraft:uniform",
        "min_inclusive": 1,
        "max_inclusive": 3
      },
      "state": {
        "Name": "minecraft:yellow_terracotta"
      }
    },
    {
      "type": "lithostitched:base_band",
      "count": 6,
      "size": 2,
      "state": {
        "Name": "minecraft:brown_terracotta"
      }
    },
    {
      "type": "lithostitched:repeating_band",
      "interval": {
        "type": "minecraft:uniform",
        "min_inclusive": 15,
        "max_inclusive": 25
      },
      "size": 1,
      "state": {
        "Name": "minecraft:white_terracotta"
      }
    },
    {
      "type": "lithostitched:repeating_band",
      "interval": {
        "type": "minecraft:uniform",
        "min_inclusive": 30,
        "max_inclusive": 40
      },
      "size": 2,
      "state": {
        "Name": "minecraft:light_gray_terracotta"
      }
    }
  ]
}

​
Canyon Walls

Create stratified rock layers: 
{
  "base": {
    "Name": "minecraft:stone"
  },
  "bands": [
    {
      "type": "lithostitched:repeating_band",
      "interval": 8,
      "size": 2,
      "state": {
        "Name": "minecraft:andesite"
      }
    },
    {
      "type": "lithostitched:repeating_band",
      "interval": 12,
      "size": 1,
      "state": {
        "Name": "minecraft:diorite"
      }
    },
    {
      "type": "lithostitched:base_band",
      "count": 5,
      "size": {
        "type": "minecraft:uniform",
        "min_inclusive": 2,
        "max_inclusive": 5
      },
      "state": {
        "Name": "minecraft:granite"
      }
    }
  ]
}

​
Sedimentary Layers

Simulate geological sediment: 
{
  "base": {
    "Name": "minecraft:sandstone"
  },
  "bands": [
    {
      "type": "lithostitched:repeating_band",
      "interval": 5,
      "size": 1,
      "state": {
        "Name": "minecraft:red_sandstone"
      }
    },
    {
      "type": "lithostitched:base_band",
      "count": 10,
      "size": {
        "type": "minecraft:uniform",
        "min_inclusive": 1,
        "max_inclusive": 2
      },
      "state": {
        "Name": "minecraft:smooth_sandstone"
      }
    },
    {
      "type": "lithostitched:base_band",
      "count": 3,
      "size": {
        "type": "minecraft:uniform",
        "min_inclusive": 3,
        "max_inclusive": 6
      },
      "state": {
        "Name": "minecraft:cut_sandstone"
      }
    }
  ]
}

​
Applying Bandlands with Surface Rules

Bandlands are applied through surface rules. While Lithostitched provides a custom surface rule type for bandlands, you need to integrate it into your dimension’s surface rules.

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Basic Application

{
  "type": "lithostitched:add_surface_rule",
  "levels": [
    "minecraft:overworld"
  ],
  "surface_rule": {
    "type": "minecraft:condition",
    "if_true": {
      "type": "minecraft:biome",
      "biome_is": [
        "your_namespace:mesa_biome"
      ]
    },
    "then_run": {
      "type": "lithostitched:bandlands",
      "bandlands": "your_namespace:mesa"
    }
  }
}

​
Conditional Bandlands

Apply different bandlands based on height: 
{
  "type": "minecraft:sequence",
  "sequence": [
    {
      "type": "minecraft:condition",
      "if_true": {
        "type": "minecraft:y_above",
        "anchor": {
          "absolute": 100
        },
        "surface_depth_multiplier": 0,
        "add_stone_depth": false
      },
      "then_run": {
        "type": "lithostitched:bandlands",
        "bandlands": "your_namespace:high_mesa"
      }
    },
    {
      "type": "lithostitched:bandlands",
      "bandlands": "your_namespace:low_mesa"
    }
  ]
}

​
Biome-Specific Bandlands

{
  "type": "minecraft:sequence",
  "sequence": [
    {
      "type": "minecraft:condition",
      "if_true": {
        "type": "minecraft:biome",
        "biome_is": [
          "your_namespace:red_mesa"
        ]
      },
      "then_run": {
        "type": "lithostitched:bandlands",
        "bandlands": "your_namespace:red_bandlands"
      }
    },
    {
      "type": "minecraft:condition",
      "if_true": {
        "type": "minecraft:biome",
        "biome_is": [
          "your_namespace:white_mesa"
        ]
      },
      "then_run": {
        "type": "lithostitched:bandlands",
        "bandlands": "your_namespace:white_bandlands"
      }
    }
  ]
}

​
IntProvider Patterns

Use IntProviders for dynamic band sizing:

​
Uniform Distribution

Random value in range: 
"size": {
  "type": "minecraft:uniform",
  "min_inclusive": 2,
  "max_inclusive": 6
}

​
Biased Distribution

Weighted toward certain values: 
"size": {
  "type": "minecraft:weighted_list",
  "distribution": [
    {
      "weight": 5,
      "data": 2
    },
    {
      "weight": 3,
      "data": 3
    },
    {
      "weight": 1,
      "data": 5
    }
  ]
}

​
Clamped Normal

Bell curve distribution: 
"size": {
  "type": "minecraft:clamped_normal",
  "mean": 3.0,
  "deviation": 1.0,
  "min_inclusive": 1,
  "max_inclusive": 6
}

​
Design Tips

  • Too many bands creates visual noise
  • Too few bands looks monotonous
  • Aim for 15-25 total bands across 192 height units
  • Use 2-4 different band types for variety
  • Use complementary colors for contrast
  • Vary brightness levels
  • Include occasional accent colors
  • Consider the base block carefully
  • Use repeating bands for regular features (e.g., thin white layers)
  • Use base bands for irregular patterns (e.g., thick colored sections)
  • Layer different types for complexity
  • Test different combinations
  • Use IntProviders for natural variation
  • Vary band thickness within each type
  • Avoid all bands being the same size
  • Occasional thick bands create focal points

​
Technical Details

​
Height Range

Bandlands use a fixed array of 192 height levels. The system maps these 192 slots to your world’s Y-coordinates with noise-based offset.

​
Band Offset Noise

The system adds vertical variation using noise:
  • Noise value multiplied by 4.0
  • Creates wave-like variation in band heights
  • Prevents perfectly flat horizontal lines
  • Adds natural geological appearance

​
Band Application Order

Bands are applied in order:
  1. Array filled with base block
  2. Each band processes in order defined
  3. Later bands can overwrite earlier bands
  4. Use this for layered effects

​
Performance Considerations

Band count

More bands = more processing
  • Keep total bands under 30
  • Use repeating bands efficiently
  • Profile with timing reports

IntProvider complexity

Complex providers add overhead
  • Prefer constant values when possible
  • Use uniform for simple randomization
  • Avoid nested weighted lists

Surface rule integration

Bandlands in surface rules matter
  • Apply conditionally by biome
  • Use stone_depth predicates
  • Don’t apply to all blocks

Testing at scale

Test performance in-game
  • Check with multiple chunks loaded
  • Monitor frame rate impact
  • Test with other worldgen features

​
Rainbow Cliffs

{
  "base": {"Name": "minecraft:white_terracotta"},
  "bands": [
    {"type": "lithostitched:repeating_band", "interval": 12, "size": 2, "state": {"Name": "minecraft:red_terracotta"}},
    {"type": "lithostitched:repeating_band", "interval": 12, "size": 2, "state": {"Name": "minecraft:orange_terracotta"}},
    {"type": "lithostitched:repeating_band", "interval": 12, "size": 2, "state": {"Name": "minecraft:yellow_terracotta"}},
    {"type": "lithostitched:repeating_band", "interval": 12, "size": 2, "state": {"Name": "minecraft:lime_terracotta"}},
    {"type": "lithostitched:repeating_band", "interval": 12, "size": 2, "state": {"Name": "minecraft:light_blue_terracotta"}},
    {"type": "lithostitched:repeating_band", "interval": 12, "size": 2, "state": {"Name": "minecraft:purple_terracotta"}}
  ]
}

​
Ancient Ruins Stone

{
  "base": {"Name": "minecraft:stone_bricks"},
  "bands": [
    {"type": "lithostitched:base_band", "count": 8, "size": {"type": "minecraft:uniform", "min_inclusive": 1, "max_inclusive": 3}, "state": {"Name": "minecraft:cracked_stone_bricks"}},
    {"type": "lithostitched:base_band", "count": 5, "size": {"type": "minecraft:uniform", "min_inclusive": 2, "max_inclusive": 4}, "state": {"Name": "minecraft:mossy_stone_bricks"}},
    {"type": "lithostitched:repeating_band", "interval": 20, "size": 1, "state": {"Name": "minecraft:chiseled_stone_bricks"}}
  ]
}

​
Nether Basalt Columns

{
  "base": {"Name": "minecraft:basalt"},
  "bands": [
    {"type": "lithostitched:repeating_band", "interval": 6, "size": 1, "state": {"Name": "minecraft:blackstone"}},
    {"type": "lithostitched:base_band", "count": 6, "size": {"type": "minecraft:uniform", "min_inclusive": 2, "max_inclusive": 5}, "state": {"Name": "minecraft:smooth_basalt"}},
    {"type": "lithostitched:base_band", "count": 3, "size": 1, "state": {"Name": "minecraft:gilded_blackstone"}}
  ]
}

​
Troubleshooting

  • Verify bandlands file location and syntax
  • Check surface rule references correct bandlands ID
  • Ensure surface rule conditions are met (biome, height, etc.)
  • Test with /fill command to verify blocks place correctly
  • Add IntProvider variation to size and interval
  • Mix base_band and repeating_band types
  • Increase band count for more variety
  • Use different colors with varying brightness
  • Reduce total band count
  • Use more repeating_band types
  • Narrow IntProvider ranges
  • Simplify color palette
  • Reduce total band count
  • Simplify IntProvider configurations
  • Apply conditionally by biome
  • Test in smaller areas first

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Next Steps

Surface Rules

Learn more about surface rule integration

Common Patterns

Explore common worldgen patterns and techniques

Custom Biomes

Create custom biomes with bandlands terrain

Examples

Browse more bandlands examples and inspiration

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