In this part of the tutorial we consider some various methods for improving the efficiency of our mob system. The main way we do this is by decreasing the probability that mobs will spawn in other areas outside of our spawning pads.
Lighting up the surface area with torches improves efficiency at night by preventing hostile mobs from spawning on the surface. Lighting up tunnels and cave systems is also very important for decreasing the amount of surface area hostile mobs can spawn on.
Most important is that we light up any tunnels in the area of our spawning pads within 32 blocks from the surface. It is also very important that we light up all tunnels directly below our spawning pads.
By decreasing the unwanted surface area where hostile mobs may spawn, and increasing the surface area of our spawning grounds, we increase the probability of making the mobs spawn where we want them to.
If you are wondering about the numbers I talk about, these graphs explain it better than I ever could: http://www.minecraftforum.net/viewtopic.php?f=1020&t=117374&p=1854918&hilit=mob+science#p1787514
#1: No mobs will spawn within a 24 block radius sphere (48 diameter, 1810 surface area) all around your player.
#2: No mobs will despawn within a 32 block radius sphere (64 diameter, 3217 surface area) all around your player.
#3: Mobs within a 128 block radius sphere (256 diameter, 51472 surface area), but outside the 32 block radius sphere will randomly despawn after a certain time. This amount of time I estimate to be roughly 1 minute to 1.5 minutes on average. It may be shorter or longer. Different people have posted conflicting information about how this actually works.
#4: Mobs spawn within a 144 block radius square (288x288 total, 82944 surface area) all around your player, except within the 24 block radius sphere. Any mobs outside of the 128 block radius sphere will almost immediately despawn.
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