Atum 2: Return to the Sands Mod Wiki

Atum 2: Return to the Sands is a massive overhaul and expansion of the original Atum mod, designed for Minecraft. It adds a completely new dimension—a harsh, eternal desert known as Atum. This realm is governed by ancient Egyptian gods and is populated by nomadic tribes, undead mummies, and petrified guardians. Players can explore over nine unique biomes, delve into trap-filled pyramids, and battle powerful Pharaoh bosses to claim legendary artifacts with divine powers.

To enter the dimension of Atum, players must construct a specific portal and offer a Scarab to the gods.

The Scarab

The Scarab is the key to the dimension. It is crafted using gold and a diamond.

Portal Construction

The portal is a multi-block structure made of Sandstone (or Limestone).

1. Create a 5x5 base of Sandstone blocks.
2. Build a 1-block high wall around the outer edge of the base, leaving a 3x3 hollow area in the center.
3. Add 2-block high pillars to each of the four corners.
4. Fill the 3x3 hollow center with water source blocks.
5. Throw the Scarab into the water. The water will turn a golden-yellow hue, signaling the portal is active. Jump in to travel to Atum.

Atum is not just a flat desert; it features a variety of specialized biomes, each with unique terrain and flora.

• Sand Plains: Vast, flat stretches of sand. The most common biome.
• Sand Hills: Elevated dunes that offer a vantage point over the plains.
• Sand Dunes: Rolling waves of sand that are difficult to traverse.
• Limestone Mountains: Massive peaks made of limestone, often containing valuable ores.
• Limestone Crags: Jagged, rocky terrain filled with steep drops.
• Oasis: Rare, lush areas with water, Palm trees, and fertile soil. This is the only place where water can be placed on the surface without evaporating.
• Dead Oasis: A dried-up version of the Oasis, filled with Deadwood trees and hostile mobs.
• Deadwood Forest: Dense or sparse forests of Deadwood trees, where the ground is often covered in strange sand.
• Dried River: Ancient riverbeds that now serve as paths through the desert.

The sands of Atum hide many ancient structures filled with loot and danger.

• Pyramids: Massive dungeons containing a maze of traps (Arrow, Poison, Fire, Tar, and Smoke). At the heart lies the Sarcophagus of a Pharaoh.
• Ruined Villages: Abandoned settlements inhabited by Brigands and Nomads. They contain lootable crates and barrels.
• Lighthouses: Tall structures that often house the Heart of Ra, a powerful light source.
• Gate Houses: Small fortified structures that often guard paths or ruins.
• Girafi Tomb: A special memorial structure containing unique loot like the Idol of Labor.
• Tents: Small nomadic camps found throughout the plains.

Atum is home to a variety of creatures, many of which are hostile to intruders.

Hostile Mobs

Passive and Neutral Animals

• Camel: Can be tamed and ridden. They can be equipped with chests and specialized Camel Armor (Iron, Gold, Diamond).
• Desert Wolf: Tameable with Dusty Bones. They are aggressive until tamed.
• Desert Rabbit: A variant of the rabbit found in the sands.
• Quail: Small birds that provide Quail Meat and Feathers.
• Serval: Wild cats found in villages that can be tamed with fish.

The Pharaoh is the ultimate challenge in Atum. There are 13 variants, each representing a different Egyptian god and possessing unique abilities.

Summoning the Pharaoh

To summon a Pharaoh, you must reach the bottom floor of a Pyramid. Place four Nebu Torches (formerly Royal Torches) on the Quandary Blocks surrounding the Sarcophagus, then right-click the Sarcophagus.

Pharaoh Variants and Abilities

• Cyan/Dark Pink: Summons Mummies to assist in battle.
• Black: Applies Hunger to the player.
• Red: Sets the player on fire.
• Blue: Applies Nausea.
• Dark Purple: Applies Blindness.
• Green: Applies Poison.

Defeating a Pharaoh rewards the player with a guaranteed Artifact and the "Marked" effect, which prevents summoning another Pharaoh for a short duration.

Artifacts are legendary items with power comparable to Netherite. They cannot be crafted and are primarily obtained from Pharaohs.

Notable Artifacts

• Ra's Fury (Bow): Sets enemies on fire and creates a small explosion on impact.
• Anubis' Mercy (Mace): Heals the user when dealing damage but increases hunger consumption.
• Atem's Protection (Shield): Has a chance to grant a brief period of invulnerability after blocking.
• Eyes of Atum (Helmet): Grants night vision and significantly reduces the fog distance in the dimension.
• Geb's Might (Hammer): Deals massive knockback and can smash blocks.
• Nut's Agility (Boots): Increases movement speed and grants immunity to fall damage.

God Forge

The God Forge is a utility block used to break down unwanted artifacts into Godshards. These shards can then be used to craft specific Nebu Torches to summon a particular Pharaoh variant, allowing players to target specific loot sets.

Atum 2 introduces several unique machines to process desert resources.

• Quern: Used to grind materials. It can turn Emmer Wheat into Emmer Flour and flowers into dyes. It is operated by right-clicking and holding.
• Spinning Wheel: Used to process Flax or Cloth Scraps into Linen Thread. Three threads can be combined into a Bolt of Linen Cloth, used for Wanderer Armor.
• Kiln: A 2x2 multi-block furnace made of Kiln blocks. It is specialized for firing stone, clay, and ceramic blocks much faster than a standard furnace.
• Limestone Furnace: A desert-themed furnace that functions like a standard furnace but is made from Limestone.
• Crates and Barrels: Thematic storage blocks. Crates have a unique animation where the lid opens when accessed.

Survival in Atum requires understanding its unique environmental mechanics.

Sandstorms

Sandstorms occur randomly and significantly reduce visibility. During a storm, sand layers can accumulate on the ground. Wearing a full set of Wanderer Armor or Desert Armor reduces the visual impairment caused by the storm.

Fog and Visibility

The dimension is naturally foggy. Visibility can be improved by wearing specialized headgear like the Desert Helmet or the artifact Eyes of Atum.

Water and Farming

Water placed on the surface in most biomes will instantly evaporate. To farm, players must find an Oasis or dig below Y-level 48. Fertile Soil is required for crops like Emmer Wheat and Flax to grow. Fertile soil must be hydrated by nearby water or it will eventually turn back into sand.