Navigation Options in the Game?

[DeddyFS]

Hey everyone,

I recently posted some pics of my current world and I added an edit after updating to 1.21.2 I'll just copy/paste here for some background:

Edit* - Updated to 1.21.2, I was in the woods seen behind my base, logged in, a bear spawned on me https://media.invisioncic.com/r268468/emoticons/sad.png (I'm guessing the update respawned some bears?) died and I guess the game didn't see?  or didn't register my spawn point that I set with a gear.

Sooooo respawned 5k blocks away, I am hurt https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/gh/twitter/twemoji@14.0.2/assets/72x72/1f972.png I've never been able to find my way back spawning so far away without a map I always end up starting a new world

My question is, are there any built in navigation mechanics built in to the game? I like the challenge of not having the map immediately available, I haven't progressed much in terms of tech, I am curious if there are craftable maps, how accurate is it to navigate with the rising and setting of the sun, and just some general tips and tricks for navigation without a map. I usually just do packed dirt towers. Also I remember looooong time ago in TOBG I think gravel or dirt had a little corner with an arrow that pointed north. So yea, just wondering if there is a mechanic or some tips I am missing to avoid deleting a world every time I die.

 

[LadyWYT]

1 hour ago, DeddyFS said:

My question is, are there any built in navigation mechanics built in to the game? I like the challenge of not having the map immediately available, I haven't progressed much in terms of tech, I am curious if there are craftable maps, how accurate is it to navigate with the rising and setting of the sun, and just some general tips and tricks for navigation without a map. I usually just do packed dirt towers. Also I remember looooong time ago in TOBG I think gravel or dirt had a little corner with an arrow that pointed north. So yea, just wondering if there is a mechanic or some tips I am missing to avoid deleting a world every time I die.

There are not, at least not currently. However, there are at least a handful of mods that tackle that kind of functionality. Here are a few of them:

Minimal Mapping: https://mods.vintagestory.at/minimalmapping

Held Map: https://mods.vintagestory.at/show/mod/26424

Craftable Cartography: https://mods.vintagestory.at/craftablecartography

[DeddyFS]

7 hours ago, LadyWYT said:

There are not, at least not currently. However, there are at least a handful of mods that tackle that kind of functionality. Here are a few of them:

Minimal Mapping: https://mods.vintagestory.at/minimalmapping

Held Map: https://mods.vintagestory.at/show/mod/26424

Craftable Cartography: https://mods.vintagestory.at/craftablecartography

Thanks for these great suggestions! I'll definitely give Craftable Cartography a try. 

[DeddyFS]

Just adding this as well, it popped up recently and looks neat

CAN Antique Atlas: https://mods.vintagestory.at/show/mod/32289

[Maelstrom]

On 10/6/2025 at 7:42 AM, DeddyFS said:

I remember looooong time ago in TOBG I think gravel or dirt had a little corner with an arrow that pointed north. So yea, just wondering if there is a mechanic or some tips I am missing to avoid deleting a world every time I die.

Orienteering in vanilla - hopefully it's obvious that clouds travel west to east.   Knapped tools ALWAYS face the same direction, like saaaaayyy the flint spear head I believe points north; regardless of the way one is facing when placing the knappable rock.

Edited October 8, 2025 by Maelstrom

[DeddyFS]

5 hours ago, Maelstrom said:

Orienteering in vanilla - hopefully it's obvious that clouds travel west to east.   Knapped tools ALWAYS face the same direction, like saaaaayyy the flint head I believe points north; regardless of the way one is facing when placing the knappable rock.

Wow thanks for this information! I do prefer vanilla over mods. Although a combination of craftable Cartography and or antique atlas doesn't sound too bad.

My brain is weird when it comes to mods, it almost feels like cheats to me but these don't sound too bad. hmm 

Edit**: I created a few test worlds and it seems knapped tools face West, at least for me.

Edited October 8, 2025 by DeddyFS

[Maelstrom]

I don't pay too close attention to this as I play with map and minimap.  I have hopeless orienteering skills in game.