The Ultimate Minecraft Smithing Guide: Upgrade, Trim, and Master the Smithing Table

Why Smithing Matters in Modern Minecraft

If you’ve been playing Minecraft for a while, you know that raw power isn’t everything. Sure, a full set of diamond armor is impressive, but true endgame mastery comes from understanding the smithing table. This Minecraft smithing guide will walk you through everything you need to know, from crafting the table itself to upgrading your gear to netherite and customizing your look with armor trims. Whether you’re a returning player confused by the 1.20 changes or a new player looking to optimize your gear, this guide has you covered.

Smithing is no longer just about combining two items. As of Minecraft 1.20 and continuing into 1.21, the mechanic has been completely overhauled. Today, you need smithing templates, specific materials, and a clear understanding of the process. This Minecraft smithing guide will help you avoid costly mistakes and get the most out of your resources.

What Is a Smithing Table and How Do You Get One?

The smithing table is a utility block that allows players to alter tools and armor. According to the Minecraft Wiki, smithing is "a gameplay mechanic that allows players to upgrade tools and armor both in material and in appearance through the use of a smithing table." In simpler terms, it’s your one-stop shop for gear upgrades and cosmetic customization.

Crafting a Smithing Table

You can craft a smithing table using just two resources:

Place the two iron ingots in the top row of a crafting table and the four planks in the two rows below. The recipe is shapeless, meaning you can arrange the ingredients in any order as long as the quantities are correct.

You can also find smithing tables naturally generated in villages. Specifically, they appear in toolsmith houses in plains villages. If you’re lucky, you might find one early in your playthrough without spending any resources.

Understanding Smithing Templates

Smithing templates are the key to the modern smithing system. These items are consumed when used, but you can duplicate them using an existing template and some basic materials. According to community reports from the Minecraft Wiki, templates are "used in smithing tables to alter tools and armor" and "can be duplicated using an existing template."

Types of Smithing Templates

There are two main categories of templates:

1. Netherite Upgrade Template – Required to upgrade diamond gear to netherite.
2. Armor Trim Templates – Used to apply cosmetic patterns to armor.

Netherite Upgrade Template

This is the most important template for progression. Without it, you cannot create netherite tools or armor. You can find this template in bastion remnants in the Nether. Specifically, look for chests in bridge and housing units.

Yes, every bastion remnant chest contains at least one netherite upgrade template. However, the quantity varies from one to three.

Armor Trim Templates

There are 16 different armor trim patterns, each found in specific structures across the Overworld and the Nether. Here’s a quick overview:

Each template can be duplicated using seven diamonds and one block of the material associated with its pattern. For example, the snout template requires seven diamonds and one gold block.

How to Upgrade Diamond Gear to Netherite

Upgrading your diamond gear to netherite is the primary use of the smithing table. This process was simplified in Minecraft 1.20, making it more straightforward than ever.

Step-by-Step Upgrade Process

1. Gather your materials: You need a smithing table, a netherite upgrade template, one netherite ingot, and the diamond item you want to upgrade.
2. Place the smithing table: Right-click it to open the smithing interface.
3. Insert the template: Place the netherite upgrade template in the first slot.
4. Insert the diamond item: Place your diamond sword, pickaxe, armor piece, or tool in the second slot.
5. Insert the netherite ingot: Place one netherite ingot in the third slot.
6. Collect your upgrade: The resulting netherite item appears in the output slot.

What Upgrades to Prioritize

Not all upgrades are created equal. Here’s a priority list based on player experience and community reports:

Keep in mind that netherite items float in lava, have higher durability, and deal more damage than their diamond counterparts. They also provide knockback resistance when worn as armor.

Applying Armor Trims for Style

Armor trims are purely cosmetic, but they add a huge layer of personalization to your gear. You can apply any trim pattern to any piece of armor, regardless of material. The process is similar to upgrading to netherite, but with different materials.

How to Apply an Armor Trim

1. Open your smithing table.
2. Place the armor trim template in the first slot.
3. Place the armor piece in the second slot.
4. Place the trim material in the third slot.
5. Collect your trimmed armor.

Trim Material Options

The color of the trim depends on the material you use. Here are the available options:

You can mix and match patterns and materials to create unique looks. For example, a diamond chestplate with a netherite trim looks completely different from one with a gold trim.

Duplicating Smithing Templates

Smithing templates are consumed when used, so you’ll want to duplicate them before applying them to your gear. The duplication process is simple and requires an existing template plus some materials.

How to Duplicate a Template

1. Place the smithing template you want to duplicate in the first slot of a crafting table.
2. Add seven diamonds in the surrounding slots.
3. Add the required block material for that specific template.
4. Collect two templates from the output.

Required Materials for Each Template

Duplicating templates is resource-intensive because of the diamond cost, but it’s worth it if you want to trim multiple pieces of armor or upgrade several tools to netherite.

Common Mistakes and Pro Tips

Even experienced players make mistakes with the smithing table. Here are some common pitfalls and how to avoid them.

Mistakes to Avoid

• Forgetting the template: You cannot upgrade diamond gear to netherite without the netherite upgrade template. The process will simply not work.
• Using the wrong material: Make sure you’re using a netherite ingot, not a block of netherite. Blocks cannot be used in the smithing table.
• Trimming before upgrading: If you plan to upgrade diamond armor to netherite, apply the trim after the upgrade. Trims are preserved during the upgrade process, but it’s safer to do it in the correct order.
• Not duplicating templates: Always duplicate your templates before using them. Otherwise, you’ll lose the pattern and have to find another one.

Pro Tips

• Use a librarian villager: You can trade for diamond gear with a librarian, then upgrade it to netherite. This saves you from having to mine diamonds.
• Combine with enchantments: Apply enchantments before upgrading to netherite. The enchantments are preserved during the upgrade process.
• Plan your trims: Think about the color scheme you want before applying trims. You can always remove a trim by combining the armor with a grindstone, but you’ll lose the template.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you upgrade netherite gear further?

No, as of Minecraft 1.21, netherite is the highest tier available. There is no way to upgrade netherite gear further using the smithing table. However, you can still apply armor trims to netherite gear for cosmetic purposes.

Do armor trims affect gameplay stats?

No, armor trims are purely cosmetic. They do not change the protection value, durability, or any other gameplay stat of the armor. According to the Minecraft Wiki, the process "keeps all enchantments" and does not alter the item's functionality.

How many netherite upgrade templates do I need?

You need one netherite upgrade template per upgrade. However, you only need to find one template initially. After that, you can duplicate it using seven diamonds and netherrack. This Minecraft smithing guide recommends duplicating at least two or three templates before starting your upgrades.

Can I remove an armor trim after applying it?

Yes, you can remove an armor trim by placing the trimmed armor in a grindstone. However, this destroys the trim template and does not return it. You’ll need to apply a new template if you want to re-trim the armor. Some players recommend keeping a backup set of templates in a chest for this reason.

Final Thoughts

Mastering the smithing table is essential for any serious Minecraft player. Whether you’re upgrading to netherite for the first time or experimenting with armor trims, understanding the system will save you time and resources. This Minecraft smithing guide has covered everything from crafting the table to duplicating templates and applying trims.

Remember to always duplicate your templates before using them, prioritize your upgrades wisely, and experiment with different trim combinations to find your perfect look. For more information, check out the official Minecraft Wiki page on smithing for detailed mechanics and updates.

Happy crafting, and may your netherite gear last for ages!