Minecraft wiki entry for Things_not_to_do, associated text: Normally, the first nights are used to gather more resources, because the player is not well-equipped yet. The player should stay away from anything that can kill them during the beginning of the game, as the player does not have much in the way of resources such as armor, food, or weapons. For some experienced players, this is not a problem, as it provides them a challenge that they are experienced enough to handle. Some mobs are more difficult than others and the player should be extra careful about them (see Tutorials/Combat). Players playing on Peaceful mode do not have this problem. If the player plans on spending nights outside, certain biomes such as plains are safer than others such as forests and jungles as the player can see monsters coming from a distance. An area with lots of barriers can be dangerous because the player can easily be surprised by a hidden mob hiding behind a barrier, or be cornered by mobs. Shields should be used when exploring, as they can help you get out of situations where there are too many mobs to kill.