Finding and Looting Extractor and Regular Ruins in Tetra

Locating the Ruins

Both extractor ruins and regular ruins are structures added by the Tetra mod. They share the same generation rules, so the methods for finding one apply to the other. Each structure attempts to generate once per a 14x14 chunk region, and any two instances of these ruins will spawn at least 8 chunks apart from each other. This spacing means you will not find them clustered together; instead, you must travel across the landscape to encounter them.

Because they are rare and spread out, you should not rely on random wandering alone. Instead, explore systematically. Travel in straight lines across different biomes, and use high ground or flight to spot their distinctive shapes from a distance. If you have access to maps or waypoint tools from other mods, mark your search grid to avoid covering the same area twice. Patience is key, as the 14x14 chunk region attempt means many areas will have none at all.

Distinguishing the Two Types

When you do find a ruin, check its appearance and surroundings to determine if it is an extractor ruin or a regular ruin. Both generate in the same set of biomes and dimensions, so location alone will not tell them apart. The key difference is in behavior: regular ruins override mob spawning for the monster category. This means that in and around a regular ruin, normal hostile mob spawns are suppressed. If you approach a ruin and notice an unusual lack of zombies, skeletons, or creepers at night, it is likely a regular ruin. Extractor ruins do not have this effect, so hostile mobs will spawn there as usual.

Looting Strategies

Before looting either type, clear the immediate area of any threats. For extractor ruins, expect standard monster spawns, so bring weapons and armor. For regular ruins, the spawn suppression makes them safer, but do not assume they are empty—mobs may wander in from nearby areas, and other dangers like falls or traps can still exist.

Search every visible container, but also look for hidden compartments or breakable walls. Valuable materials are often stored in out-of-the-way spots. Use tools to break through suspicious blocks, and check beneath floors or behind pillars. The loot in these ruins is the primary reason to visit, so be thorough.

Efficient Multi-Ruin Runs

Since both ruin types share the same generation pattern, you can plan an expedition that visits several in one trip. Mark the first ruin you find, then continue in a consistent direction. Because they are at least 8 chunks apart, you will need to travel a considerable distance between finds. Bring enough supplies for a long journey, including food, torches, and spare tools. If you find an extractor ruin first, treat it as a signal that a regular ruin may be nearby in the same region, and vice versa.

Remember that regular ruins are safer for looting due to the monster spawn override, so if you are low on health or supplies, prioritize them. Extractor ruins offer their own rewards but require more caution. By combining careful exploration with an understanding of their spacing, you can efficiently harvest the valuable materials hidden inside both types of Tetra ruins.

Covers the mod’s in-game guide topics: Extractor Ruin Regular Ruin