Minecraft Wiki

Minecraft Wiki

Updated for 1.21 Tricky Trials

Overview & Current Version

Minecraft is the best-selling video game of all time, offering a procedurally generated 3D world of blocks. Players can explore, gather resources, craft tools, and combat hostile mobs. The game has no specific goal, allowing players a large amount of freedom in choosing how to play the game.

New in 1.21 (Tricky Trials Update):
  • The Crafter: A redstone block that automates crafting.
  • Trial Chambers: New underground structures filled with traps and loot.
  • The Breeze: A new hostile mob found in Trial Chambers that shoots wind charges.
  • The Mace: A new heavy weapon that deals more damage the further you fall before hitting.
  • Copper Bulb: A light source that can be toggled and dimmed.

Mining & Ore Distribution (1.18+)

Since the Caves & Cliffs update, ore generation is no longer linear. You must mine at specific Y-levels to maximize efficiency. Use F3 on Java Edition to see your coordinates.

Ore Type Best Y-Level Range Notes
Diamond Y = -58 Y 16 to -64 Reduced air exposure. Strip mine at -58 in Deepslate.
Gold Y = -16 Y 32 to -64 Much more common in Badlands (Mesa) biomes at surface level.
Iron Y = 16 Y 256 to -64 Also spawns very high up in mountains (Y=232).
Redstone Y = -58 Y 16 to -64 Becomes more common the deeper you go.
Lapis Lazuli Y = -1 Y 64 to -64 Required for enchanting tables.
Emerald Y = 232 Mountains Only Exclusive to Mountain biomes. Better to trade with Villagers.
Ancient Debris Y = 15 Nether Only Use beds or TNT to blast mine at Y=15 in the Nether.
Pro Tip: When mining for Diamonds in Deepslate (below Y=0), always bring a Water Bucket. Lava pools are massive and generate quickly at these depths.

Essential Crafting Database

While the recipe book exists in-game, here are the critical recipes you need for progression.

Tools & Combat

Pickaxe

3x Material (Top), 2x Sticks (Middle).

Usage: Mining stone/ores.

Sword

1x Material (Top), 1x Material (Mid), 1x Stick.

Usage: Melee damage.

Shield

1x Iron Ingot, 6x Planks (Y-shape).

Usage: Blocks 100% damage.

Bow

3x Sticks, 3x String.

Usage: Ranged damage.

Utility Blocks

Item Recipe Function
Furnace 8x Cobblestone (Ring) Smelts ores and cooks food.
Blast Furnace 5x Iron Ingot, 1x Furnace, 3x Smooth Stone Smelts ores 2x faster than Furnace.
Smoker 4x Logs, 1x Furnace Cooks food 2x faster than Furnace.
Anvil 3x Iron Blocks, 4x Iron Ingots Repairs items and combines enchantments.
Enchanting Table 2x Diamonds, 4x Obsidian, 1x Book Adds magic properties to tools/armor.
Eye of Ender 1x Ender Pearl, 1x Blaze Powder Locates Strongholds / Activates Portal.

Enchanting Guide

Enchanting turns standard gear into god-tier equipment. To get maximum level (Level 30) enchantments, you need to surround your Enchanting Table with 15 Bookshelves, leaving one block of air between the table and shelves.

Must-Have Enchantments

Tools (Pickaxe/Shovel/Axe)

  • Efficiency V: Mines blocks faster.
  • Unbreaking III: Increases durability.
  • Mending: Repairs item using XP (Treasure enchant).
  • Fortune III: Multiplies ore drops (Coal, Diamond, etc.).
  • Silk Touch: Drops the block itself (Stone, Glass, Ores). Incompatible with Fortune.

Armor

  • Protection IV: Reduces all damage.
  • Feather Falling IV (Boots): Reduces fall damage.
  • Respiration III (Helmet): Breath underwater longer.
  • Thorns III: Deals damage back to attacker.
  • Swift Sneak III (Leggings): Move faster while crouching (Ancient City loot).
Warning: "Mending" cannot be obtained from the Enchanting Table. You must find it in chests, fishing, or trading with a Librarian Villager.

Alchemy & Brewing

Potions are brewed in a Brewing Stand. You need Blaze Powder to power the stand. Almost all potions start with a Nether Wart to create an "Awkward Potion".

Potion Base Ingredient Effect
Healing Awkward Potion Glistering Melon Instantly restores health.
Fire Resistance Awkward Potion Magma Cream Immunity to lava/fire.
Night Vision Awkward Potion Golden Carrot See in the dark.
Strength Awkward Potion Blaze Powder Increases melee damage.
Speed Awkward Potion Sugar Increases movement speed.
Invisibility Night Vision Potion Fermented Spider Eye Makes player invisible.
Slow Falling Awkward Potion Phantom Membrane Immunity to fall damage.

Modifiers: Add Redstone to extend duration. Add Glowstone to increase potency (Level II). Add Gunpowder to make it a Splash Potion.

The Nether Dimension

A dangerous, hell-like dimension filled with lava and hostile mobs. Accessed by building a portal frame of Obsidian (minimum 4x5) and lighting it with Flint & Steel.

Biomes

  • Nether Wastes: Standard netherrack terrain. Zombified Piglins spawn here.
  • Crimson Forest: Red forest. Home to Piglins and Hoglins (food source).
  • Warped Forest: Blue forest. Safest biome; only Endermen spawn here.
  • Soul Sand Valley: Dangerous. Soul sand slows you. Skeletons and Ghasts abound.
  • Basalt Deltas: Volcanic terrain. Magma Cubes everywhere. Hard to traverse.

Structures

  • Nether Fortress: Dark brick bridges. The ONLY place to find Blazes (Rods) and Wither Skeletons (Skulls). Essential for progression.
  • Bastion Remnant: Massive blackstone castles. Home to Piglins and Piglin Brutes. Contains gold and the "Pigstep" music disc.

Gold Trading: You can throw Gold Ingots at Piglins to barter for items like Ender Pearls, Fire Resistance Potions, and Obsidian.

The End & Elytra

The final dimension. To reach it, you must find a Stronghold in the Overworld using Eyes of Ender. You need up to 12 Eyes to activate the End Portal.

The Boss: Ender Dragon

1. Destroy the End Crystals atop the obsidian pillars (use a bow or climb). Some are caged.
2. When the dragon perches in the center, attack her head with a Sword/Axe.
3. Avoid the purple dragon's breath on the ground.

Post-Game: End Cities
After killing the dragon, a small floating portal (End Gateway) appears. Throw an Ender Pearl into it to teleport to the outer islands. Look for purple towers called End Cities.

Loot:
  • Elytra: Found in the flying ship floating near some cities. Allows flight.
  • Shulker Shells: Drop from Shulkers. Used to craft Shulker Boxes (portable chests).

Redstone Basics

Redstone is Minecraft's equivalent of electricity. It enables automation, traps, and complex machines.

Component Function
Redstone Dust Transmits power. Signal dies after 15 blocks.
Repeater Extends signal strength back to 15. Adds delay (1-4 ticks). Acts as a diode (one-way).
Comparator Reads inventory fullness of chests/hoppers. Compares signal strengths.
Observer Detects block updates (placing, breaking, growing) in front of it and emits a 1-tick pulse.
Hopper Moves items from container to container.
Piston / Sticky Piston Pushes blocks. Sticky pistons can pull blocks back.