I think the hoe is what I've seen folks use to easily break the skulk catalysts and shriekers, which might save time in the future! Also, that was so brave of Buddy to face tank the wardens for you, even if it didn't work out exactly as planned!
Some tips for raiding the Deep Dark (if you want to know): Shriekers (block white tendrils on the top corners) and Sensors (the all blue blocks with waving tendrils) don’t make noise when you break them. Sensors don’t make noise at all (unless you stand on them). These are the things that spawn the Warden. Putting a wool block on top of them before you break them does nothing. Sensors detect when audio happens nearby. This is why, when you break a block (even a Shrieker or Sensor block), you may hear a shriek; this is because there was ANOTHER Sensor nearby that heard the block break. These Sensors then relay a warning to any nearby Shriekers or Sensors. If this warning comes to another Sensor, then THAT Sensor will relay the warning. If this warning comes to a Shrieker, you’ll get the shriek audio queue. At the fourth shriek, a Warden will spawn (and then every shriek thereafter). With this in mind, you can strategize on how to “clear” an area. For example, if there is one Shrieker and four Sensors, then it is best to take out the Shrieker first. If you break a Sensor, then other nearby Sensors may hear the block break and relay a warning to the Shrieker. You can also use wool blocks to block sounds and relays because it is the only block that Sensors cannot hear you place or break. You can walk on them safely, and you can block a Shrieker from receiving a warning. So if there is a Sensor to the left of a Sensor that you want to break, then you can place a wool block between them (effectively cutting off the path between them). Here’s also a great video from SimplySarc that explains these mechanics better: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-EC53po-u4_s.htmlsi=VQK88IkdowdOo7Gl Hope these things help!
I feel for you! I remember when my daughter and I thought we were well prepared to take on an ocean monument. It was a disaster and we lost everything. Even all the back up gear we had prepared! I hope you don't get too discouraged. I have really enjoyed this series so far, for your calm demeanor and simple enjoyment of the game. Glad to see you back and look forward to the next episode.
I'm a strategic wimp with the warden. I set up a base out of sonic range in the deepslate, bed for respawning, lots of wool, and I go in naked except pickaxe, wool, torches and food. No other mobs spawn so it is just a matter of being quiet. That way if the warden kills me and I can't get back in time I don't lose anything important.
I think the best way to do a ancient city is to not have any armour (since the warden can one shot you) and a hoe so that you can get rid as much of the shriekers as possible. Then loot after you have cleared up all of the shriekers.
It would be fine to just use any basic armor or no armor at all since Warden attacks ignore armor protection. Also it's faster to break all sculk blocks with a hoe :)
