Minecraft the End Achievement

Nine distinct advancements await players brave enough to venture into Minecraft’s most formidable dimension: The End. This isn’t merely about defeating a boss; it’s a comprehensive journey through alien landscapes, fraught with unique challenges and guarded by formidable foes, culminating in some of the game’s most coveted treasures.

To truly conquer The End, players must not only face the iconic Ender Dragon but also explore its desolate outer islands, navigate treacherous End Cities, and master new forms of movement. This guide will walk you through every step, every achievement, and every crucial piece of preparation needed to emerge victorious and fully accomplished from the void.

Understanding The End: Core Mechanics

Before embarking on this perilous journey, a firm grasp of The End’s fundamental mechanics is essential. These unique elements define the dimension and dictate the strategies required for survival and success.

• End Portal Activation: The gateway to The End is a structure found within a Stronghold. To activate it, players must place up to 12 Eyes of Ender into the empty frames of the portal. This is the first critical step in reaching the dimension.
• Ender Dragon Battle: The primary objective on the main End island is the defeat of the Ender Dragon. This colossal airborne beast draws its power from End Crystals situated atop obsidian pillars. Destroying these crystals is paramount to weakening the dragon and preventing its healing.
• End Gateways: Once the Ender Dragon is defeated for the first time, a small End Gateway portal materializes around the main island. These gateways serve as conduits to the vast outer End islands, where End Cities and Chorus Forests are found. Subsequent dragon defeats can generate additional gateways, offering more access points.
• Dragon Egg: A unique trophy, the Dragon Egg, appears atop the exit portal immediately after the Ender Dragon’s initial defeat. It’s a symbolic prize signifying your victory.
• Respawning the Dragon: The Ender Dragon is not a one-time challenge. It can be resummoned by placing four End Crystals on the exit portal in the End, allowing players to re-experience the battle and gather more experience or Dragon’s Breath.
• Shulkers and Levitation: End Cities are home to Shulkers, stationary creatures that launch projectiles. These projectiles inflict a “Levitation” effect, causing players to float upwards, which can be both a hazard and a tool for reaching high places.
• Elytra: Among the most sought-after items in Minecraft, Elytra are rare gliders found exclusively in End Ships. These ships are often found docked beside End Cities on the outer islands.

The Journey: A Step-by-Step Achievement Guide

Completing all “The End” related achievements involves a clear progression, each building upon the last. Here’s how to tackle them in a logical order:

1. “The End?” (Enter the End Dimension):

   Your adventure begins by locating a Stronghold using Eyes of Ender. Once inside, find the End Portal room. Carefully place Eyes of Ender into any empty frames until all 12 are filled, activating the portal. Step through to be transported to the main End island.

2. “Free the End” (Defeat the Ender Dragon):

   Upon arrival, the Ender Dragon immediately engages. Your priority must be to destroy the End Crystals atop the obsidian pillars. Some are exposed, while others are encased in iron bars, requiring you to mine through them. Once all crystals are gone, the dragon can no longer heal. Engage the dragon directly with a sword when it swoops down, or with a bow when it flies. The advancement is granted to the player who lands the final blow.

3. “The Next Generation” (Obtain the Dragon Egg):

   After the Ender Dragon’s first defeat, the Dragon Egg will materialize on top of the exit portal. To collect this unique trophy, do not attempt to mine it directly with a pickaxe, as it will teleport. Instead, place a non-transparent block two spaces below the egg, then remove the block directly beneath the egg. Finally, place a torch in the newly created empty space; the egg will fall and break into an item you can pick up. Alternatively, a piston can be used to push the egg, causing it to drop as an item.

4. “Remote Gateway” (Enter an End Gateway):

   With the dragon defeated, a small, one-block-wide End Gateway portal will appear around the main island. These gateways lead to the outer End islands. To enter, you can throw an Ender Pearl through it, fly into it if you have Elytra, or use a method to crawl through its one-block-high opening.

5. “You Need a Mint” (Collect Dragon’s Breath):

   During the Ender Dragon battle (either the first or subsequent respawns), the dragon will occasionally unleash purple clouds. These clouds contain Dragon’s Breath, a vital ingredient for brewing. Equip empty glass bottles and right-click these purple clouds to collect the Dragon’s Breath. You’ll need several for potion crafting.

6. “The City at the End of the Game” (Enter an End City):

   Travel through an End Gateway to reach the outer End islands. These islands are vast and often separated by large gaps, requiring bridging or Elytra flight. Explore these desolate lands until you spot the towering spires of an End City. Simply entering one of these structures will grant you the advancement.

7. “Sky’s the Limit” (Obtain Elytra):

   Within some End Cities, you’ll find an End Ship floating nearby, usually accessible via a bridge. Navigate through the End City, battling Shulkers, to reach the ship. Inside the ship, often in the treasure room at the bow, the highly coveted Elytra can be found in an item frame. Claiming them grants this achievement.

8. “Great View From Up Here” (Levitate 50 blocks from Shulker attacks):

   This achievement is typically earned while exploring End Cities. Allow Shulkers to hit you with their projectiles. The resulting Levitation effect will lift you into the air. The goal is to ascend approximately 50 blocks vertically while under this effect. Be mindful of fall damage when the effect wears off; a water bucket or Slow Falling potion can be a lifesaver.
9. “The End… Again…” (Respawn and Defeat the Ender Dragon Again):

   To earn this achievement, you must summon the Ender Dragon a second time. Craft four End Crystals using seven glass blocks, one Eye of Ender, and one Ghast Tear each. Return to the End and place these four crafted End Crystals on the middle of each of the four sides of the bedrock exit portal in the End. This will trigger the respawn animation, bringing the Ender Dragon and its healing crystals back to life for another epic battle.

Strategic Preparation & Tactical Advice

Success in The End hinges on thorough preparation and smart decision-making:

• Preparation is Key: Never enter The End unprepared. Equip yourself with strong armor (Diamond or Netherite), enchanted weapons (a bow with Infinity or Mending, a sword with Sharpness), plenty of arrows, a water bucket (crucial for negating Enderman attacks and for safe landings from heights), Ender Pearls for quick movement, and a variety of potions (healing, strength, slow falling).
• Destroy End Crystals First: This is the golden rule of the Ender Dragon fight. Focus all initial efforts on destroying the End Crystals, especially those encased in iron bars, before attempting to deal significant damage to the dragon. Their healing capabilities make direct combat futile otherwise.
• Bow and Arrow for Dragon: A powerful bow is indispensable for hitting the Ender Dragon when it is airborne and for safely destroying distant End Crystals. Consider enchantments like Power and Punch.
• Dragon Egg Collection: Always use the torch method or a piston to safely collect the Dragon Egg. Mining it directly will cause it to teleport, making it difficult to acquire.
• Exploring End Cities: Bring a substantial supply of building blocks for bridging between islands and navigating the multi-tiered End Cities. Food, extra weapons, and potions are also vital for extended exploration.
• Elytra Travel: Once you acquire Elytra, fireworks are absolutely crucial for sustained flight and efficient exploration of the vast outer End islands. Learn to use them for propulsion.

Avoiding Pitfalls: Common Mistakes to Sidestep

The End is unforgiving. Be aware of these common errors that can lead to frustration and loss:

• Underestimating the Dragon: Rushing into the fight without proper gear, a clear strategy for the End Crystals, or sufficient consumables will almost certainly lead to a swift defeat.
• Ignoring Endermen: Endermen are abundant in The End. Accidentally looking one in the eye will provoke it, adding an unnecessary and dangerous distraction during the dragon fight or while exploring. Wear a carved pumpkin or avoid direct eye contact.
• Losing the Dragon Egg: Attempting to mine the Dragon Egg with a pickaxe, as mentioned, will cause it to teleport to a random location, making it a frustrating treasure hunt. Use the recommended collection methods.
• Falling into the Void: The End is composed of islands suspended over an infinite void. A misstep or being knocked off an edge can result in permanent loss of all your items if you don’t have an emergency Ender Pearl or a quick way to save yourself.
• Lack of Resources for End Cities: Venturing into End Cities without enough blocks for bridging, adequate food, combat supplies, or a plan for dealing with Shulkers can leave players stranded, vulnerable, or unable to retrieve their loot.

Conquering The End is a true test of a Minecraft player’s skill, preparation, and perseverance. From the initial activation of the portal to soaring through the skies with Elytra, each achievement marks a significant milestone in your journey. Embrace the challenge, learn from your experiences, and soon you’ll have mastered all the secrets The End holds.