Echo shards are a reason to explore an ancient city carefully. Minecraft introduced them with the Wild Update as an ingredient for the recovery compass.
Where to find echo shards
Search chests in ancient cities. They are not guaranteed in every chest. The official Wild Update notes identify ancient city chests as their source.
What can you craft?
Surround an ordinary compass with eight echo shards to make a recovery compass. It points toward the location of your last death, which can be useful when retrieving lost gear. Minecraft’s recovery compass feature explains the recipe and suggests keeping it safely at home rather than carrying it into danger.
Is it worth the trip?
For a high-risk explorer, yes. For a peaceful builder who rarely dies far from home, it may be a collector’s goal. Ancient cities are dangerous, so prepare before making the trip.
Sources: Minecraft Wild Update notes and recovery compass guide.
