Since Minecraft’s 1.20 Trails & Tales update, a crucial step has been added to the process of upgrading your diamond gear to the superior Netherite tier. Many experienced players, accustomed to the old method, might find themselves scratching their heads when their diamond sword simply won’t transform at the Smithing Table. The reason? A forgotten, yet absolutely essential, item: the Netherite Upgrade Smithing Template.

A player at a Smithing Table, upgrading a diamond sword to Netherite with a template and ingot.

This guide will delve into every facet of the Netherite upgrade process, focusing specifically on the requirements and mechanics surrounding the Smithing Table and its newly vital template. Understanding these mechanics is key to fortifying your equipment against the harshest challenges Minecraft has to offer, from the fiery depths of the Nether to the perilous End.

The Unrivaled Power of Netherite Gear

Before diving into the upgrade process itself, it’s worth understanding why Netherite is the pinnacle of equipment in Minecraft. Netherite gear isn’t just a cosmetic change; it provides substantial statistical improvements over diamond. It boasts higher durability, ensuring your tools and armor last longer in the field. Weapons and tools gain increased attack damage and efficiency, making combat and resource gathering more effective. Armor pieces offer improved armor toughness and a unique benefit of inherent knockback resistance, preventing you from being easily tossed around by powerful enemies.

Perhaps its most celebrated property, however, is its resilience to heat. Netherite items are completely fireproof; they will not burn in lava or fire. Should you accidentally perish in a molten pit, your precious Netherite tools and armor will float on the lava’s surface, recoverable if you can get back in time. This makes Netherite an indispensable asset for any serious explorer or adventurer.

The Smithing Table: Your Gateway to Greatness

The Smithing Table is the central and exclusive block for performing the Netherite upgrade. This humble utility block, craftable with 2 Iron Ingots and 4 wooden planks of any type, or found within Toolsmith houses in villages, becomes one of the most important workstations once you reach the endgame. Unlike many other crafting stations, the Smithing Table doesn’t consume fuel, nor does it require any experience levels to perform the upgrade. Its function is singular and straightforward: to combine a diamond item, a Netherite Ingot, and the specific Netherite Upgrade Smithing Template into its superior Netherite form.

The Indispensable Netherite Upgrade Smithing Template

The introduction of the Netherite Upgrade Smithing Template in Minecraft 1.20 fundamentally changed the upgrade pathway. This template is no longer an optional component but a strict requirement for every single diamond-to-Netherite conversion. Without it, the Smithing Table simply will not allow the upgrade to proceed. Furthermore, each template is consumed upon use, meaning you’ll need one for every individual item you wish to upgrade.

Acquiring the Template

These crucial templates are not found in the Overworld or easily crafted. They are exclusively located in chests within the dangerous structures known as Bastion Remnants in the Nether. While they can appear in various chests throughout a Bastion, they are guaranteed to be found in the treasure rooms, often guarded by numerous Piglins and Piglin Brutes. Venturing into a Bastion Remnant requires careful preparation, including strong armor, weapons, and potentially Fire Resistance potions to navigate the fiery landscape and combat the hostile inhabitants.

Duplicating Your Templates

Given that templates are consumed and can be challenging to acquire, it’s highly recommended to duplicate them once you find your first one. Duplication is performed at a crafting table and requires three components: the original Netherite Upgrade Smithing Template you wish to duplicate, 7 Diamonds, and 1 Netherrack. This combination yields two templates, effectively allowing you to mass-produce them for future upgrades, albeit at a significant diamond cost. While costly, it saves you the perilous trip back to a Bastion Remnant for every subsequent upgrade.

Assembling the Core Materials

Beyond the template, two other primary components are necessary for the upgrade: the diamond item itself and a Netherite Ingot. The journey to a Netherite Ingot is a multi-step process that begins deep within the Nether.

  • Obtain Diamond Gear: Naturally, you need the specific diamond tool, weapon, or armor piece you intend to upgrade. Ensure it’s enchanted if you want those enchantments to transfer (which they will).
  • Acquire Ancient Debris: This rare block is the foundation of Netherite. It is found exclusively in the Nether, typically deep within the world, most commonly at Y-levels 8-22. Mining Ancient Debris is a dangerous and often tedious task.
  • Smelt Netherite Scraps: Once you have Ancient Debris, smelt it in a furnace to obtain Netherite Scraps. For efficiency, a blast furnace will smelt Ancient Debris much faster than a regular furnace.
  • Craft Netherite Ingots: Finally, combine 4 Netherite Scraps with 4 Gold Ingots in a crafting table to forge one Netherite Ingot. Gold Ingots are relatively common in the Nether, often dropped by Zombified Piglins or found in chests.

The Upgrade Process: A Step-by-Step Guide

With all your materials gathered, the actual upgrade at the Smithing Table is straightforward:

  1. Place the Smithing Template: Open the Smithing Table interface. Place your Netherite Upgrade Smithing Template into the leftmost slot.
  2. Insert Your Diamond Item: Next, place the diamond tool, weapon, or armor piece you wish to upgrade into the middle slot.
  3. Add the Netherite Ingot: Finally, place a Netherite Ingot into the rightmost slot.
  4. Retrieve Your Netherite Item: The output slot will now display your shiny new Netherite item. Click to retrieve it.

Congratulations! You’ve successfully upgraded your gear. Any enchantments on the original diamond item will seamlessly transfer to the new Netherite version.

Strategic Tips for Efficient Upgrading

Maximizing your Netherite acquisition and upgrades can save time and reduce risk:

  • Prioritize Upgrades: Many players suggest upgrading pickaxes first for mining efficiency, followed by axes, and then armor. Chestplates might be upgraded last if considering using an Elytra, as it occupies the same slot.
  • Blast Furnaces for Scraps: Always use a blast furnace to smelt Ancient Debris into Netherite Scraps; it’s significantly faster.
  • Fire Resistance Potions: When exploring for Ancient Debris or venturing into Bastion Remnants in the Nether, Fire Resistance potions are invaluable. They can protect you from lava and fire damage, which are ubiquitous in this dimension.
  • TNT or Bed Mining: For efficient Ancient Debris mining, consider using TNT or the “bed method” (placing and right-clicking a bed in the Nether causes it to explode, clearing blocks). Be aware of the explosion risks and potential damage to your armor.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Even seasoned players can make mistakes when dealing with Netherite upgrades. Be mindful of these common errors:

  • Forgetting the Template: The most frequent mistake since 1.20. Attempting to upgrade without the Netherite Upgrade Smithing Template will simply fail, showing no output. Always have one ready.
  • Not Duplicating Templates: Using your only Netherite Upgrade Smithing Template without duplicating it means you’ll have to find another Bastion Remnant to get more templates for subsequent upgrades. While costly in diamonds, duplication is a time-saver.
  • Risking Unprotected Diamond Gear: Dying in lava with diamond gear means permanent loss. Upgrade essential items to Netherite as soon as possible to prevent this, ensuring your most valuable equipment is recoverable.
  • Underestimating Bastion Remnants: These structures are exceptionally dangerous. Do not rush into a Bastion Remnant unprepared. Bring strong gear, plenty of food, and be ready for intense combat with Piglins and Piglin Brutes.

Mastering the Netherite upgrade process, particularly the role of the Smithing Template, is a fundamental skill for any Minecraft player aiming for true endgame power. With this knowledge, you can confidently transform your diamond gear into the ultimate, fireproof, and highly durable Netherite equivalent, ready to face any challenge the game throws your way.

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