Minecraft How to Make Netherite Armor: The Ultimate 2026 Guide

Why Netherite Armor is the Endgame Goal

If you're looking up Minecraft how to make netherite armor, you already know that diamond gear isn't the final stop. Netherite is the strongest material in the game, offering superior durability, knockback resistance, and the ability to survive lava. While diamond armor is great, it melts in lava and offers no special perks. Upgrading to netherite transforms your survival experience, especially during intense PvP battles or dangerous Nether expeditions.

The process isn't as simple as mining a new ore and crafting at a workbench. Since the 1.20 Trails & Tales update, Mojang changed how players obtain netherite gear. Instead of using four Netherite Scraps and four Gold Ingots to craft a Netherite Ingot directly, you now need a specific smithing template. This guide will walk you through every step, from gathering resources to applying the upgrade.

What is Netherite Armor and Why Upgrade?

Netherite armor is the upgraded version of diamond armor. It provides the same base protection points but adds significant bonuses that make it worth the effort.

Key benefits of netherite armor:

• Higher durability than diamond (lasts longer before breaking)
• +1 knockback resistance per piece
• Items float in lava when dropped (you won't lose them instantly)
• Better enchantment compatibility
• Higher toughness rating (reduces damage from strong hits)

According to official Minecraft Wiki data, a full set of netherite armor provides 20 armor points (same as diamond) but has a toughness value of 12 compared to diamond's 8. This means you take less damage from powerful attacks like explosions or Wither hits.

Step 1: Gather Your Diamond Armor Set

Before you can even think about netherite, you need a complete diamond armor set. This is non-negotiable — you cannot craft netherite armor from scratch.

Diamond armor crafting requirements:

Pro tip: Enchant your diamond armor before upgrading. Enchantments carry over to the netherite version, so you save experience and lapis lazuli. Popular enchantments include Protection IV, Unbreaking III, and Mending.

Step 2: Create or Find a Smithing Table

A smithing table is essential for upgrading gear. You can craft one or find them in villages.

Crafting recipe:

• 2 Iron Ingots
• 4 Wooden Planks (any type)

Place the iron ingots in the top two slots of a crafting table, then place the planks in the bottom four slots. This gives you one smithing table.

Smithing tables naturally generate in Toolsmith houses in villages. If you're lucky, you might find one during exploration. Once you have one, place it anywhere in your base.

Step 3: Obtain a Netherite Upgrade Smithing Template

This is the part that changed in recent updates. Instead of crafting Netherite Ingots directly, you now need a Netherite Upgrade Smithing Template. This template is found exclusively in Bastion Remnant chests.

Where to find Bastion Remnants:

• Located in the Nether (crimson forests, nether wastes, basalt deltas)
• Look for large structures made of blackstone and gold blocks
• Be prepared for Piglins and Brutes

Template spawn rates:

According to community reports, the treasure room bastion chest always contains one template. You might need to explore multiple bastions if you want extra templates for tools.

Duplicating the template: You can duplicate the Netherite Upgrade template using:

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

Place the template in the center of a crafting table, surround it with diamonds, and put netherrack in the remaining center slot. This creates two templates. Repeat as needed.

Step 4: Gather Ancient Debris and Smelt into Netherite Scraps

Netherite Ingots require Ancient Debris, which only spawns in the Nether between Y-levels 8 and 22.

Mining strategy:

• Use a diamond or netherite pickaxe (ancient debris is blast-resistant)
• Mine at Y-level 15 (sweet spot between lava lakes and ceiling)
• Bed mining is popular but risky (explosions can destroy drops)

Smelting requirements:

You need one Netherite Ingot per armor piece. That means:

• 4 Netherite Ingots total
• 16 Ancient Debris (4 per ingot)
• 16 Gold Ingots

Gold is easy to obtain from Zombie Piglin farms or mining at lower Y-levels. Ancient Debris is the bottleneck.

Step 5: Upgrade Your Diamond Armor at the Smithing Table

Now for the main event. Place your smithing table and interact with it.

Upgrade process:

1. Place the Netherite Upgrade Smithing Template in the first slot (left)
2. Place your diamond armor piece in the second slot (middle)
3. Place one Netherite Ingot in the third slot (right)
4. Take your new netherite armor from the output slot

Repeat for all four pieces:

Complete Materials Checklist

Before you start, gather everything. Here's your shopping list:

Time estimate: Expect 2-4 hours for a casual player, less if you have efficient farms.

Comparison: Diamond vs. Netherite Armor

Pro Tips for Netherite Armor Crafting

1. Enchant first, upgrade later Enchanting diamond armor costs less experience than enchanting netherite. Apply Protection IV, Unbreaking III, and Mending before upgrading.

2. Carry a backup template If you die in the Nether with your only template, you'll need to find another bastion. Duplicate your template and store one safely.

3. Use a blast-proof room for smelting Ancient Debris mining often involves explosions. Build a safe room with obsidian or blast-resistant blocks.

4. Consider a gold farm Zombie Piglins drop gold nuggets and ingots. A simple farm near your Nether portal can supply all the gold you need.

5. Don't forget tools Netherite swords, pickaxes, axes, and shovels follow the same upgrade process. The extra durability and efficiency are worth it.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Forgetting the template: You cannot upgrade without the Netherite Upgrade Smithing Template. The old recipe (4 scraps + 4 gold) no longer works.
• Upgrading unenchanted armor: You waste potential. Always enchant diamond gear first.
• Using all your templates: Duplicate before using. You might need extras for tools or friends.
• Mining too low in the Nether: Ancient Debris spawns between Y-8 and Y-22. Mining at Y-15 avoids most lava.
• Not bringing fire resistance: The Nether is dangerous. Bring potions or enchanted golden apples.

FAQ: Minecraft How to Make Netherite Armor

Q: How many Netherite Ingots do I need for a full set of armor? A: You need exactly 4 Netherite Ingots — one for each armor piece (helmet, chestplate, leggings, boots). Each ingot requires 4 Ancient Debris and 4 Gold Ingots.

Q: Can I craft netherite armor directly without diamond? A: No. You must upgrade existing diamond armor. There is no recipe to craft netherite armor from scratch. The process always requires a diamond piece, a Netherite Upgrade Template, and a Netherite Ingot.

Q: Does enchantment level affect the upgrade process? A: No. All enchantments transfer exactly as they are. If you have Protection IV on your diamond chestplate, your netherite chestplate will also have Protection IV. The upgrade doesn't change enchantment levels.

Q: Where is the best place to find Netherite Upgrade Templates? A: Bastion Remnant treasure chests have a 100% spawn rate for one template. You can also find them in generic bastion chests with a 10% chance. After obtaining one, duplicate it using diamonds and netherrack.

Q: Is netherite armor worth the effort? A: Absolutely. The knockback resistance alone makes a huge difference in PvP and against mobs. Plus, netherite items don't burn in lava or fire, saving you from losing gear to accidents. For serious Minecraft players, it's the ultimate goal.