How to Get Netherite in Minecraft: Full Upgrade Guide

What is the full diamond→Netherite upgrade chain?

Since 1.20, Netherite isn’t crafted directly — it’s an upgrade applied to diamond gear at a smithing table:

Smithing Table recipe: Netherite Upgrade template + Diamond item (armor piece / tool / weapon) + Netherite Ingot → Netherite item (keeps enchantments).

Two ingredient chains feed it:

1. Ancient Debris → Netherite Scrap → Netherite Ingot: smelt debris (Nether ore) into scraps; 4 scraps + 4 gold ingots = 1 Netherite Ingot.
2. Netherite Upgrade template: loot from bastion remnants — guaranteed in the treasure-room double chest, rare in other bastion chests. Duplicate it instead of farming more: template + 7 diamonds + 1 netherrack → 2 templates.

Where do I mine ancient debris?

Ancient debris generates between Y=8 and Y=119 but concentrates around Y=15 — the standard mining level. It never generates exposed to air, so caves won’t reveal it. Three ways in:

• Beds: beds explode when used in the Nether — the classic cheap strip-mine. Place one ~4 blocks away, block the blast with a shield of any block, repeat. Most debris per hour, highest self-damage risk.
• TNT tunnels: a TNT line through a Y=15 tunnel clears huge volume — debris is blast-resistant and survives.
• Branch mining: plain pickaxe branch mining works too — bring Efficiency and Unbreaking.

You’ll need 36 debris for a full armor set (plus one ingot per tool) — and unlike most ores, debris is not Fortune-compatible.

Why is Netherite worth it?

• Higher durability and slightly better stats than diamond on every tool/armor piece
• Knockback resistance on armor — the real reason it’s endgame gear
• Fire/lava proof as items — dropped netherite floats on lava instead of burning
• The block form is explosion-proof (except blue wither skulls)

Enchantments carry through the upgrade — so fully enchant your diamond gear before smithing.

What to read next

• How to Find Diamonds — you need diamond gear first
• Minecraft Enchanting Guide — enchant before upgrading
• Wither Guide — bastions and Nether Stars live in the same dimension
• Minecraft Beginner Guide — earlier progression