How To Get Netherite In Minecraft: Ancient Debris Guide

Netherite is the strongest material in Minecraft, and getting your first full set feels like a real milestone whether you are new to the game or coming back after a break. This guide covers every element of the process — from your first Nether portal to a fully upgraded Netherite armor set — with the exact Y-level, recipes, and safety tips you need in one place.

What Is Netherite In Minecraft?

Netherite is the top-tier crafting material in Minecraft, introduced in the Nether Update. It is used to upgrade existing Diamond tools and armor rather than being crafted into gear directly. Netherite equipment has more durability than Diamond, deals more damage, adds knockback resistance, and — its signature trait — never burns in lava.

Step 1: Get A Diamond Pickaxe First

Why You Need One

Ancient Debris, the raw ore behind Netherite, only drops itself when mined with a Diamond Pickaxe or a Netherite Pickaxe. Anything weaker — iron, stone, gold — breaks the block but drops nothing.

Step 2: Build A Nether Portal

Materials And Steps

Mine at least 10 Obsidian using your Diamond Pickaxe. Build a frame at least 4 blocks wide and 5 blocks tall (corners can be skipped). Light the inner blocks with Flint and Steel to activate the portal and step through into the Nether.

Step 3: Mine At The Right Y-Level

Ancient Debris generates in two overlapping spawn bands inside the Nether: a dense band between Y8 and Y22, and a sparser one spread across Y8 to Y119. The dense band peaks sharply at Y15, which makes it the single best level to mine at.

Step 4: Choose A Mining Method

Strip Mining

Dig a one-block-tall tunnel at Y15 and branch out every couple of blocks. It’s slower but steady and low-risk.

Bed Mining (Advanced)

Place a bed and try to sleep in it — beds explode in the Nether. Ancient Debris survives the blast (it has extremely high blast resistance) while the surrounding Netherrack is cleared away, leaving debris exposed and easy to collect.

Step 5: Smelt Ancient Debris Into Netherite Scrap

Place each Ancient Debris block into a Furnace or Blast Furnace with any fuel — coal, wood, or lava all work. Each block converts 1:1 into a Netherite Scrap, and collecting the scrap also grants 2 experience points.

Step 6: Craft Netherite Ingots

Combine 4 Netherite Scraps with 4 Gold Ingots in a Crafting Table. This is a shapeless recipe, so placement doesn’t matter — just get all 8 items into the grid. The result is 1 Netherite Ingot.

Step 7: Get The Netherite Upgrade Smithing Template

You need a Netherite Upgrade Smithing Template to upgrade any gear — it’s found in Bastion Remnant loot chests. Once you have one, duplicate it on a Crafting Table using 7 Diamonds, 1 Netherack, and the template itself, so you never run out.

Step 8: Upgrade Your Diamond Gear At The Smithing Table

Place your Diamond tool or armor piece, a Netherite Ingot, and the Smithing Template into a Smithing Table. The result is the same item upgraded to Netherite — all enchantments, remaining durability, and any custom name carry over automatically.

Netherite Vs Diamond

Common Mistakes To Avoid

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best Y-level to find Netherite in Minecraft?
Y-level 15 has the highest concentration of Ancient Debris in the Nether, though it generates anywhere between Y8 and Y22 in its main spawn band.

Do I need a diamond pickaxe to mine Ancient Debris?
Yes. Ancient Debris only drops itself when mined with a Diamond Pickaxe or a Netherite Pickaxe. Any weaker tool breaks the block but drops nothing.

How many Ancient Debris do I need for a full Netherite armor set?
A full 4-piece Netherite armor set needs 16 Ancient Debris, since each armor piece requires 1 Netherite Ingot, and each ingot needs 4 Netherite Scraps from 4 Ancient Debris.

Can I smelt Ancient Debris in a regular furnace?
Yes, a regular Furnace works fine. A Blast Furnace simply smelts Ancient Debris twice as fast and is worth using if you are processing a large batch.

What is the Netherite crafting recipe?
Combine 4 Netherite Scraps with 4 Gold Ingots anywhere in a Crafting Table grid. It is a shapeless recipe, so exact placement does not matter.

Where do I find a Netherite Upgrade Smithing Template?
It generates in Bastion Remnant loot chests. Once you find one, duplicate it on a Crafting Table using 7 Diamonds, 1 Netherack, and the template itself.

Does upgrading to Netherite keep my enchantments?
Yes. Upgrading a Diamond item to Netherite at a Smithing Table preserves all existing enchantments, remaining durability, and any custom name.

Why doesn’t Netherite burn in lava?
Netherite items, and Ancient Debris blocks themselves, are fire-immune. A Netherite item dropped in lava floats and survives instead of burning away.

Is bed mining a safe way to find Ancient Debris?
Bed mining is faster but risky. Beds explode when used in the Nether, so keep distance or use a shield, and always bring Fire Resistance potions before trying it.

Is Netherite better than Diamond in Minecraft?
Yes. Netherite gear has more durability, higher enchantment value, knockback resistance, and fire immunity, making it a strict upgrade over Diamond.

How long does it take to get a full Netherite kit?
With efficient strip mining, experienced players collect roughly 20 to 30 Ancient Debris per hour, so a full armor and tool kit typically takes a few focused hours.

Final Thoughts

Getting Netherite comes down to four things: a Diamond Pickaxe, mining at Y15, smelting your haul, and finding a Smithing Template to make the upgrade permanent. Once your gear is Netherite, it survives lava, hits harder, and lasts far longer than Diamond ever did.

If you’re still gearing up before the Nether trip, check out our guide on How To Get Honey In Minecraft for an easy early-game food and healing source, or our guide on How To Make Concrete In Minecraft if you’re building a base to store your new gear in.