Currently, the method of acquiring Nautilus Shells is very grind-y. They are found as fishing treasure or as loot from Drowned.
"3%[Java Edition only] or 8%[Bedrock Edition only] of drowned will spawn with a nautilus shell that will always be in their offhand, and they will always drop it when killed, since drowned always drop equipment in their offhand."
This is the same issue as with Wither Skeletons dropping their skulls. You have to spend hours in order to acquire the treasured item. So how about we change that by appealing to the first word in Minecraft's name?
Nautilus Fossil would be a new block found deep in flooded caves, underwater ravines, and thermal vents. It would have the following traits:
- The vein rarity of Gold Ore | "gold ore's occurrence underground is at 0.1437%"
- The vein size of one block
- Drops 1-2 Nautilus Shells when mined with Fortune
- Drops itself when mined with Silk Touch
Minecraft would benefit from Nautilus Fossils because they would be another useful ore, a reason to explore underwater cave structures and a definite method of acquiring the all-too-rare Nautilus Shells.
This would be a very simple yet helpful addition. You have all of my support!
While I feel that a nautilus mob of some sort would be more aesthetically pleasing, I love the attempt to turn underwater ravines and caves into a worthwhile destination. You have my vote.
Like MacchuPicchu96, I've thought a nautilus mob would be nice. But this: this is a very creative alternative! It would certainly add to the feel of the deepest ocean depths with having physical remnants of an extinct sea creature.
this would definitely make me want to bother to visit an underwater ravine ^^