Netherite is the strongest material in Minecraft and sits above Diamond gear.

Since the 1.20 update, you cannot craft Netherite items directly. Instead, you upgrade Diamond gear using Netherite Ingots at a Smithing Table. The full process involves mining rare resources in the Nether, crafting ingots, and upgrading each item individually.

This was done to push players into exploring Bastion Remnants and make the resource feel like an actual endgame item.

Items Required

To craft a full Netherite armor set and tools, you need:

• 4 Netherite Ingots (for armor)
• Additional Netherite Ingots for tools (1 per item)
• Netherite Upgrade Smithing Templates (1 per upgrade)
• Full Diamond Armor set
• Diamond tools (sword, pickaxe, axe, shovel, hoe)
• Smithing Table

Optional:

• 7 Diamonds and 1 Netherrack to duplicate templates

Step 1: Find Ancient Debris

Note: Since Ancient Debris is only found in the Nether, carrying or wearing at least one piece of gold gear is recommended to avoid being targeted by the Piglins.

Ancient Debris is the key resource for Netherite.

• Found only in the Nether
• Best mined with a Diamond or Netherite pickaxe
• Spawns deep underground, commonly around lower Y-levels
• Does not get destroyed by explosions, making TNT mining effective

Each Ancient Debris block gives 1 Netherite Scrap after smelting.

Step 2: Craft Netherite Ingots

To create Netherite Ingots:

• Smelt Ancient Debris → Netherite Scrap
• Combine 4 Netherite Scrap + 4 Gold Ingots → 1 Netherite Ingot

You need:

• 4 Ingots for full armor
• Extra ingots for each tool upgrade

Step 3: Get Netherite Upgrade Smithing Templates

These templates are required for every upgrade.

• Found in Bastion Remnants in the Nether
• Rare, but guaranteed in certain treasure chests
• Can be duplicated using:

Duplicating is faster than farming multiple templates.

Note: Beware of Piglin Brutes - they are extremely dangerous mobs and will target the player on sight and are unaffected by gold.

Step 4: Use the Smithing Table

To upgrade gear:

1. Open the Smithing Table
2. Place the Netherite Upgrade Template in the first slot
3. Place a Diamond item (armor or tool) in the second slot
4. Place a Netherite Ingot in the third slot

This converts the Diamond item into Netherite.

Repeat this process for every armor piece and tool.

Step 5: Craft Full Netherite Set

Upgrade all items:

Armor:

• Helmet
• Chestplate
• Leggings
• Boots

Tools:

• Sword
• Pickaxe
• Axe
• Shovel
• Hoe

Each upgrade consumes:

• 1 Netherite Ingot
• 1 Smithing Template

Key Benefits of Netherite Gear

• Higher durability than Diamond
• Increased armor toughness
• Knockback resistance (armor)
• Fire and lava resistant (gear does not burn)

Enchantments and Customization

Upgrading keeps all existing enchantments from Diamond gear.

Recommended enchantments:

• Mending
• Protection or Blast Protection
• Feather Falling (boots)

You can also apply armor trims for visual customization using materials like Diamonds, Quartz, or Amethyst.

The hardest part of crafting Netherite gear is resource collection, not the upgrade itself. Once you have enough Ancient Debris and templates, the Smithing Table process is straightforward.

Read more at Gaming Community by Max Level!

Written by

Nilendu Brahma

Edited by

Pulkit Prabhav