Hidden in the Depths
Obtain Ancient Debris
Overview
Hidden in the Depths is a task advancement in the Nether tab of Minecraft's advancement system, carrying the in-game description "Obtain Ancient Debris." It branches directly off Nether, so that earlier advancement is its prerequisite and must be earned first. The Nether tab covers advancements for exploring and conquering the Nether dimension, from entering the portal to brewing potions. Hidden in the Depths was added in Minecraft 1.16, from the Nether Update, and remains part of the current 1.21 advancement set.
It is rated Hard difficulty on this site: requires significant effort, rare resources, or dangerous encounters. It uses the standard task frame, meaning it is a normal step in the tree rather than a goal or challenge milestone. One further advancement, Cover Me in Debris, is gated behind it.
In tree terms, Hidden in the Depths sits first along its line: the full path from the Nether root reads Nether -> Hidden in the Depths. That means 1 advancement must be completed before this one becomes available, and Hidden in the Depths is one of 22 total advancements in the Nether tab. It shares its parent with 7 sibling advancements (Return to Sender, Those Were the Days, A Terrible Fortress, Who is Cutting Onions?, Oh Shiny, This Boat Has Legs, and A Horrible Place), all of which open from the same point in the tree.
How to Complete Hidden in the Depths
Earning Hidden in the Depths comes down to the following, performed in order:
- Mine ancient debris in the Nether using a diamond pickaxe or better.
- Ancient debris generates most commonly at Y 15, rarely spawning between Y 8 and Y 22.
- Bed explosions or TNT mining are popular methods.
Tips & Fastest Route
Tips & Fastest Route- Fastest route: Dig to Y 15 in the Nether and mine ancient debris with a diamond or netherite pickaxe.
- Ancient debris is blast-resistant, so bed explosions and TNT clear the surrounding netherrack while leaving the debris exposed.
- It never burns and floats in lava, so it is safe to blast toward a lava lake.
- Make sure Nether is already ticked off before you start, otherwise Hidden in the Depths will not be tracked even if you perform the steps correctly.
- At Hard difficulty, Hidden in the Depths rewards preparation over speed — line up the items and conditions in the steps first rather than improvising mid-attempt.
Common Mistakes
Common Mistakes- An iron pickaxe will not drop ancient debris; you must use diamond tier or higher.
- Remember that Hidden in the Depths will not appear as available until Nether is done, since the game only tracks an advancement once its parent has been unlocked.
Reward & What It Unlocks
Reward & What It UnlocksCompleting Hidden in the Depths grants 10 experience points. The XP drops at your position the moment the advancement fires.
Earning it unlocks Cover Me in Debris, which becomes the next step along this branch of the tree.
Details
- Advancement ID
minecraft:nether/obtain_ancient_debris- Icon Item
- Ancient Debris
- Category
- Nether
- Difficulty
- Hard
- XP Reward
- 10 XP
- Version Added
- 1.16
Advancement ID
Category
Version Added
Hidden in the Depths Advancement FAQ
How do you get the Hidden in the Depths advancement in Minecraft?
Dig to Y 15 in the Nether and mine ancient debris with a diamond or netherite pickaxe. In full, mine ancient debris in the Nether using a diamond pickaxe or better. Ancient debris generates most commonly at Y 15, rarely spawning between Y 8 and Y 22. Bed explosions or TNT mining are popular methods.
What do you need for Hidden in the Depths?
Before you can work on it you must have completed Nether. Mine ancient debris in the Nether using a diamond pickaxe or better. Ancient debris generates most commonly at Y 15, rarely spawning between Y 8 and Y 22.
Which advancement tab is Hidden in the Depths in?
Hidden in the Depths is in the Nether tab, hanging beneath Nether. Its in-game advancement ID is minecraft:nether/obtain_ancient_debris.
Is Hidden in the Depths part of the Nether branch?
Yes. Hidden in the Depths sits directly below Nether in the Nether tree, so you must earn Nether first. Completing Hidden in the Depths then opens Cover Me in Debris.
How much XP does Hidden in the Depths give and how hard is it?
Hidden in the Depths awards 10 XP and is rated Hard difficulty.
When was Hidden in the Depths added to Minecraft?
Hidden in the Depths was added in Minecraft Java Edition 1.16 and is present in the current 1.21 advancement set.