Minecraft Netherite Guide: Ancient Debris and Smithing Upgrades

How Netherite progression works

Netherite is an endgame upgrade material used to improve diamond equipment. The route begins in the Nether with Ancient Debris, which can be smelted into Netherite Scrap. Combine scrap with gold to make Netherite Ingots, then use a Smithing Table and a Netherite Upgrade Smithing Template to upgrade eligible diamond gear. The template requirement was introduced with Trails & Tales and is still important for modern players. Do not follow outdated guides that tell you to combine only an ingot and diamond item without a template.

Find Ancient Debris in the Nether

Ancient Debris generates underground in the Nether, so bring a reliable pickaxe, food, blocks, fire protection where available and a safe route home. Many players mine around Y-level 15 because it is a practical depth for searching, but world generation is random and no coordinate guarantees a find. Mark your tunnel, watch for lava pockets and keep spare tools. Ancient Debris is resistant to explosions, which enables some mining strategies, but explosive methods can still kill an unprepared player.

Safe branch mining versus explosive mining

Branch mining uses controlled tunnels and careful block removal. It is slower but easier to manage on a survival world with valuable equipment. TNT or bed explosions can expose more terrain quickly, but both require strict safety precautions and may be restricted on multiplayer servers. Never attempt bed explosions without understanding that beds explode in the Nether. If you are new to Netherite hunting, use straightforward tunnels first and consider more advanced methods only after learning how to survive sudden lava exposure.

Turn Ancient Debris into Netherite Ingots

Smelt Ancient Debris to obtain Netherite Scrap. Combine four Netherite Scrap with four Gold Ingots in a crafting grid to make one Netherite Ingot. This conversion means a full set of upgrades requires a meaningful mining investment. Keep scrap and ingots in secure storage instead of carrying everything on dangerous exploration trips. Because upgrades also consume templates, mining alone is not enough: you need to plan a Bastion Remnant expedition or another legitimate way to obtain the required template.

Find and duplicate Netherite Upgrade Templates

Netherite Upgrade Smithing Templates are found in Bastion Remnant loot, with Mojang's release notes specifying two guaranteed templates in Treasure Room Bastions. A template is consumed when used. You can duplicate one with the documented crafting recipe using seven diamonds, the appropriate material block and the existing template. This is often safer than repeatedly searching for a new Bastion, but it has a diamond cost. Keep an original template in storage before spending resources on multiple upgrades.

Use the Smithing Table correctly

Place the Netherite Upgrade template, a compatible diamond item and a Netherite Ingot into the Smithing Table's appropriate slots. The table upgrades the item rather than crafting an entirely new tool from scratch. If the recipe fails, verify that you are using an Upgrade template rather than an Armor Trim template. Also check that the base item is diamond equipment eligible for that upgrade. Avoid using outdated screenshots from pre-template Minecraft versions when troubleshooting the interface.

Which equipment should you upgrade first?

The answer depends on your activities. A pickaxe is valuable for frequent mining, while armor upgrades can help survival in dangerous encounters. A sword or other weapon may matter more on a PvP server, although rules and combat balance vary. Make a priority list based on the equipment you actually use, then reserve enough materials for future upgrades. Netherite gear is valuable, but enchantments, food, positioning and game knowledge still matter. Upgrading does not make a player invincible.

Common mistakes and multiplayer notes

Do not assume Ancient Debris appears in the Overworld. Do not forget the smithing template or confuse it with a cosmetic trim. Do not carry every ingot and rare item into a dangerous Bastion. Back up important worlds before large version changes. On multiplayer servers, check whether mining and explosion rules differ from vanilla. The Minecraft.How server directory can help you find communities with the progression style you prefer.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Y level is best for Ancient Debris?

Many players search around Y 15, but generation is random and no depth guarantees success.

How many scraps make a Netherite Ingot?

Four Netherite Scrap combined with four Gold Ingots make one Netherite Ingot.

Do I need a Netherite Upgrade template?

Yes, in modern versions that use the smithing template upgrade system.

Where do I find Netherite Upgrade templates?

Bastion Remnant chests, with guaranteed templates in Treasure Room Bastions according to Mojang's release notes.