How to Make Netherite Tools in Minecraft 1.20 Fast and Easy

If you’ve already mastered diamond gear, you’re not done yet. In Minecraft 1.20, Netherite is still the ultimate material stronger, tougher, and fireproof. But getting it isn’t simple. Between hunting Ancient Debris, crafting ingots, and understanding the new upgrade system, it’s easy to get lost in the lava.

Here’s everything you need to know to make Netherite tools in Minecraft 1.20, from mining to upgrading and repairing like a pro.

Why Netherite Still Rules in 1.20

Netherite isn’t just for bragging rights. It’s the strongest material in Minecraft, outlasting diamond gear by about 30%. It’s also lava-proof so if your sword falls into the fire, it won’t burn up.

In version 1.20, Mojang changed how Netherite upgrades work. You can no longer just drop a diamond tool and a Netherite ingot into the Smithing Table. Now, you’ll also need a Netherite Upgrade Template. This adds a layer of progression and, let’s be honest, a bit more grind.

So before you start crafting, you’ll need:

• Diamond tools (pickaxe, sword, shovel, axe, or hoe)
• Netherite ingots
• Smithing Table
• Netherite Upgrade Template (new in 1.20)

Let’s break down how to get all of this step by step.

Where to Find Ancient Debris

Ancient Debris is the starting point for everything Netherite. It’s only found in the Nether, buried deep under the fiery wasteland.

Here’s where to look:

• Best mining level: Between Y-level 8 and 22. Most players swear by Y-level 15 as the “sweet spot.”
• Tool required: Diamond or Netherite pickaxe (anything less won’t work).
• Spawn frequency: Around two to three blocks per chunk. So patience is key.

Tips to find it faster:

• Use beds or TNT. Explosives reveal huge tunnels quickly. Ancient Debris is blast-resistant, so it survives while Netherrack blows up.
• Fire Resistance Potion = essential. You’ll be swimming in lava otherwise.
• Bring extra pickaxes and food. Long mining trips can wear you down fast.
• Mark your route. The Nether is chaotic; easy to get lost.

When you find those shiny brown blocks, that’s Ancient Debris. Each one drops 1 Netherite Scrap once smelted.

Smelting Ancient Debris into Netherite Scraps

Once you’ve collected enough Ancient Debris, head back to your Overworld base or a safe Nether hub with furnaces.

Here’s the process:

• Place Ancient Debris into a Furnace or Blast Furnace.
• Use coal, lava buckets, or blaze rods as fuel.
• Each block turns into one Netherite Scrap.

Now you’ll need four Netherite Scraps + four Gold Ingots to make one Netherite Ingot.

Use this crafting recipe:

It’s a steep cost. To make one full set of tools and armor, you’ll need about 36 Ancient Debris in total. Yep, this isn’t for casual players.

The Smithing Table Update in 1.20

Here’s where many players get tripped up.

In Minecraft 1.20, you can’t upgrade directly using just the ingot and diamond tool anymore. You need a Smithing Template specifically, a Netherite Upgrade Template.

How to Find Netherite Upgrade Templates

• They spawn in Bastion Remnants in the Nether.
• Each Bastion chest has about a 10% chance of containing one.
• The Treasure Room variant guarantees one, so focus on those.

Once you find a template, you can duplicate it using:

• 1 Netherite Upgrade Template
• 7 Diamonds
• 1 Netherrack block

Crafting them is expensive but necessary you’ll need one template for every upgrade.

Step-by-Step: Making Netherite Tools

Now that you’ve got your Netherite Ingot and Upgrade Template, let’s upgrade each tool.

How to Make a Netherite Pickaxe in Minecraft 1.20.1

• Place your Smithing Table on the ground.
• Add the Netherite Upgrade Template in the top slot.
• Put your Diamond Pickaxe in the middle slot.
• Add 1 Netherite Ingot to the bottom slot.
• Boom you’ve got a Netherite Pickaxe.

Stat comparison:

It’s stronger, faster, and lasts longer ideal for massive mining projects or tunnelling through the Deep Dark.

How to Make a Netherite Sword in Minecraft 1.20.1

Follow the same process, but use your Diamond Sword instead.

• Smithing Table → Template → Diamond Sword → Netherite Ingot.
• You’ll now wield a Netherite Sword with boosted damage and knockback resistance.

Damage comparison:

Combine it with enchantments like Sharpness V, Unbreaking III, and Looting III, and you’ve got one of the strongest melee weapons in the game.

How to Make Netherite Shovel, Axe, and Hoe

Each of these follows the same method:

• Add Netherite Upgrade Template
• Add Diamond Tool
• Add Netherite Ingot

The Axe in particular is a powerhouse it deals more damage than a sword in Java Edition and works for both combat and woodcutting.

Can You Craft Netherite Tools Directly?

No.
You can’t craft Netherite tools on a Crafting Table anymore. Since the 1.20 update, Mojang has locked the process behind the Smithing Table to balance gameplay.

The logic is simple: Netherite is end-game content. You’re meant to upgrade diamond gear, not skip it.

How to Repair Netherite Tools 1.20.1

Your Netherite tools will last longer, but they’re not invincible. Here’s how to fix them:

Option 1: Use an Anvil

• Combine your damaged Netherite tool with a Netherite Ingot.
• Each ingot repairs roughly 25% durability.

Option 2: Combine Two Damaged Tools

• Use an Anvil to merge two tools of the same type.
• The durability stacks, and you keep the best enchantments (though it costs XP).

Option 3: Mending Enchantment

• Add Mending to your gear using an Enchanted Book.
• XP orbs will repair your tool automatically while you play.

Pro tip: keep an Unbreaking III + Mending combo on all Netherite tools. You’ll barely need to repair them again.

Best Enchantments for Netherite Gear

If you’ve gone through the trouble of collecting Netherite, don’t stop short max it out.

For Tools

• Efficiency V – Mines blocks lightning-fast.
• Unbreaking III – Extends lifespan.
• Mending – Auto-repairs using XP.
• Fortune III / Silk Touch – Depending on your preference.

For Weapons

• Sharpness V – Boosts melee damage.
• Looting III – Better mob drops.
• Sweeping Edge III – For crowd fights.
• Knockback II – Keeps mobs at a distance.

How to Duplicate Netherite Upgrade Templates

Each upgrade requires its own template, so duplicating is vital.

Craft one copy using:

• 1 Netherite Upgrade Template (original)
• 7 Diamonds
• 1 Netherrack

Place them in the same pattern as an armor trim template.
It’s costly, but once you have one template, you can make endless copies.

Why You Should Still Use Diamond Gear First

Even though Netherite is the peak, diamond tools remain essential.
You can’t skip straight to Netherite because:

• Netherite only upgrades existing diamond tools.
• Diamonds are easier to find in caves than Ancient Debris in the Nether.
• You’ll lose less if you die exploring for debris.

Think of Netherite as the final evolution, not a replacement.

Common Mistakes Players Make

Let’s save you a few wasted hours.

• Skipping Fire Resistance Potions.
  Lava is everywhere in the Nether. Without potion protection, one wrong move ends your trip.
• Forgetting to Bring Gold Armor.
  Piglins will attack if you’re not wearing at least one gold item.
• Mining Without Markers.
  The Nether’s labyrinth-like structure can make you lose your base fast. Use torches, cobblestone trails, or coordinates.
• Upgrading Random Tools First.
  Prioritise Pickaxe → Sword → Axe. Save Netherite for essentials before cosmetic upgrades.
• Ignoring the Template Duplication System.
  Players often think the template disappears permanently it doesn’t if you duplicate it early.

Quick Recap: The Netherite Crafting Process

Bonus Tip: Keep Your Gear Fireproof

Even though Netherite items don’t burn, your XP, inventory, and enchantments still can.
So:

• Carry Ender Chests to store valuables.
• Keep a backup set of diamond tools in case you fall into lava.
• Avoid mining above your head it’s the fastest way to trigger a lava shower.

The Real Value of Netherite in Minecraft 1.20

Netherite isn’t just another upgrade it’s a symbol of survival. It proves you’ve conquered both the Overworld and the Nether, faced Piglins, and mined through lava oceans.

But what makes Minecraft brilliant is that the journey still matters more than the gear. Getting Netherite feels earned. Every block of Ancient Debris, every dangerous Bastion run it all builds up to that satisfying moment when your diamond tool turns into a sleek, dark weapon of power.

So when you finally swing your first Netherite sword, you’ll know it wasn’t just about the stats. It’s about persistence.

FAQs:

Can I craft Netherite tools directly in Minecraft 1.20?
No. In Minecraft 1.20, Netherite tools can’t be crafted directly. You must upgrade diamond tools using a Smithing Table, a Netherite Ingot, and a Netherite Upgrade Template.

How do I make a Netherite pickaxe in Minecraft 1.20.1?
Use a Smithing Table. Place a Netherite Upgrade Template, a diamond pickaxe, and one Netherite ingot to upgrade it into a Netherite pickaxe.

How do I make a Netherite sword in Minecraft 1.20.1?
You upgrade a diamond sword using a Smithing Table with a Netherite Upgrade Template and a Netherite ingot. Crafting tables no longer work for this.

Where do I find Netherite Upgrade Templates?
Netherite Upgrade Templates are found in Bastion Remnants in the Nether. Treasure Room Bastions always contain at least one template.

What is the best Y level to find Ancient Debris?
The best Y level to find Ancient Debris is between Y-level 8 and 22, with Y-level 15 being the most popular spot among players.

How many Ancient Debris are needed for one Netherite ingot?
You need four Ancient Debris blocks. Each one smelts into a Netherite Scrap, and four scraps combined with four gold ingots make one Netherite ingot.

How do I repair Netherite tools in Minecraft 1.20.1?
You can repair Netherite tools using an anvil with a Netherite ingot, combine two damaged tools, or use the Mending enchantment to repair them with XP.

Do Netherite tools burn in lava?
No. Netherite tools are fireproof and won’t burn in lava or fire, unlike diamond tools. They’ll float safely until picked up.