Have you been trying to take make your first journey into the Nether? While it’s undoubtedly terrifying there, what with Ghasts and Wither Skeletons, there are also many rewards to be had by exploring. To begin your journey to the Nether you will first need to craft a Nether Portal in the Overworld of Minecraft. While this can be a bit of a challenge depending on your world seed, there are a couple of different ways you can craft a Nether Portal, some easier than others depending on the situation. Here’s everything you need to know about how to make a Nether Portal in Minecraft.
How to Make a Nether Portal
A Nether Portal, in its most basic form, is a 4×5 (width X height) vertical, hollow rectangle of Obsidian blocks. To make this you will need 14 Obsidian blocks, a material that can only be mined using a Diamond Pickaxe. Obsidian is formed where lava source blocks are touched by running water (meaning you can find it in many caves and caverns, but also sometimes other unique places – such as above ground). After the blocks have been placed, you simply need to use a Flint & Steel inside the portal for it to light and create that special purple field that will lead to the Nether.
With all of that said, there are some other things you should know about Nether Portals. One major thing is that you can actually cut the recipe down to only 10 Obsidian blocks by not placing the corners. They aren’t necessary to create the portal but do make the portal more aesthetically pleasing when present. This is a great trick for when you don’t have much obsidian on hand or can’t find much around your mines. Another interesting side note is that Nether Portals can range in size anywhere from 4×5, all the way up to 23×23. So if you’re feeling a little extra grandiose go ahead and go big. Finally, you can also find Ruined Portals around the Overworld. If you find one of these it’s your lucky day! You’ll get some loot and have to look for a little less Obsidian.
Another Technique
Another method that you can use to create a Nether Portal requires no Diamond Pickaxe. Instead, you will need buckets, a pool of lava, and some water. If you happen to come across a bunch of source blocks of lava, you can collect these and use them in conjunction with buckets of water to form the portal in place. Simply drop a bucket of lava, place water above it, a block will form and you can collect your water again. This is easiest when using a 4×5 wall to place the lava in the correct spots. If you happen to have a hard time finding Diamonds in your world then this is the method for you. Best of luck on your Nether adventures!
Minecraft is available now for PC, iOS, Android, PlayStation4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, and various other platforms.
