Netherite Armor in Minecraft 1.20–1.22: Complete Guide from Debris to Endgame Set

Netherite armor in Minecraft isn’t a new armor set craftable on a workbench, but an upgrade to a diamond set at a blacksmithing table. In versions 1.20 and higher, this requires the “Netherite Upgrade” template, which is obtained in Nether Bastions. The entire process—from finding ancient debris to a completed set with enchantments—will take several evenings, but the result is worth it: you get armor that doesn’t burn in lava, provides knockback protection, and lasts longer than diamond armor. We’ll explain step-by-step how to obtain resources, keep your gear in the Nether, and properly enchant your gear.

The gist of the guide: to obtain Netherite armor, you need diamond armor, 4 Netherite ingots (16 ancient debris + 16 gold), 4 Netherite Upgrade templates from a Nether Bastion, and a blacksmithing table. Templates can and should be duplicated—1 template + 7 diamonds + 1 Netherite = 2 templates. A full armor set requires 21 diamonds just for duplication. Enchantments are preserved when upgrading, but durability is not, so repair your diamond set before upgrading. Netherite doesn’t sink in lava or burn, making it the best choice for survival.

Sound like a great plan for the evening? Spoiler: preparation and farming will take longer than you think. But we’ll shorten the process.

What you need for Netherite Armor—a complete checklist

Before jumping through the portal, make sure you have everything you need. Don’t make the same mistake as newbies who rush into the Nether with an iron pickaxe and hope for a miracle.

Here’s what you’ll need for a successful upgrade:

• Diamond armor—a full set: helmet, chestplate, leggings, boots. You can’t do without it.
• Netherite Ingots — 4 for armor. This is 16 Ancient Fragments → 16 Scrap + 16 Gold Ingots.
• Netherite Upgrade Template — 4 (one for each piece). Obtained from Bastions.
• Blacksmith’s Table — crafted from 2 Iron Ingots and 4 Planks.
• 21 Diamonds — for duplicating templates (7 for each).
• Fire Resistance Potion — a must. Without it, you risk losing everything in a second.
• Ender Pearls — for an emergency jump out of lava.
• Gold Item — wear something made of gold to keep piglins from attacking (this doesn’t apply to Pigbruts, they’re always aggressive).

By the way, a supply of food, torches, and building blocks for cover are also helpful. In Hell, neatness is not just a word, but a condition of survival.

Where to find Ancient Debris and how to mine it?

Ancient Debris is the only source of netherite. It generates only in the Nether and is difficult to find. The best altitude for farming is Y=15, although debris is found between levels 8 and 22. The second peak is at Y=90–120, but the rocks there are denser and more difficult to mine.

Strip mining is a classic. Dig long tunnels, making short branches every 6–8 blocks. This clearly demonstrates how vein mining works: debris moves in clusters of 1–3 blocks. The key is to immediately block lava “fountains” to prevent the tunnel from flooding.

Explosive mining is faster but more dangerous. Use TNT or beds. Yes, beds explode in the Nether—it’s a feature, not a bug. Place a bed 6 blocks away from you, hide behind a stone slab, and activate it. The explosion doesn’t destroy the ancient debris, and it remains suspended in the walls. Just remember to take cover, otherwise you’ll jump out of this world faster than you find the first fragment.

Safety precautions aren’t just words. Wear a fire resistance potion on your belt, keep Ender Pearls handy for jumping, and place basalt or blackstone markers to avoid getting lost. And remember: piglins aggro on opening chests, even if you’re wearing gold. So either clear the area or build a “box” around the chest.

From debris to ingots: the exact formula

Have you mined the debris? Great. Now you need to smelt it. Throw the ancient debris into a furnace or smelter to get netherite scrap. A smelter is faster, while a regular furnace saves fuel, but the difference isn’t significant.

Ingot recipe: 4 scrap + 4 gold ingots = 1 netherite ingot. It’s simple.

A full armor set requires 4 ingots. That’s 16 scrap and 16 gold. If you also want tools (a pickaxe, sword, shovel, axe, or hoe), you’ll need approximately 9 ingots, or 36 scrap. Keep this in mind to avoid making double trips to the Nether.

Gold can be mined in the Overworld or locally—nether gold ore is common, and piglins readily trade for gold.

Netherite Upgrade Template — Where to Get and How to Duplicate

Since version 1.20, the blacksmith’s table won’t work without the template. This change caught many people by surprise. Where to look? In bastions. The chance of finding a template in the Treasure Room is 100%, while on Bridges it’s only 10%.

Important detail: templates burn in lava. Unlike netherite items, they don’t float and aren’t fireproof. So don’t risk it—carry a fire resistance potion and don’t carry templates in your hands.

Found a template? Duplicate it immediately. At the workbench: 1 template + 7 diamonds + 1 netherite = 2 templates. A full armor set requires 4 templates. One found template + 21 diamonds for duplication—and you’re set.

How to safely clear the bastion: equip gold armor—regular piglins won’t touch it. But pigbrutes aren’t affected by gold; they’re always aggressive. Keep a shield and bow handy, and don’t get caught in crowds.

Upgrading at the Blacksmith’s Table – What’s Saved and What’s Not

Open the Blacksmith’s Table, place a pattern, a diamond piece, and a netherite ingot, and you’ll receive a netherite item.

What’s saved:

• Enchantments (including curses).
• Item name.

What’s not saved:

• Durability. If the item is almost broken, repair it first, then upgrade.

A nice bonus: the Blacksmith’s Table doesn’t increase the anvil’s penalty, so it’s beneficial to enchant the diamond piece first and then upgrade. Saving experience isn’t the only consideration, but it’s an important one.

Netherite vs. Diamond – Comparison Chart

How is netherite superior to diamond? Let’s see.

As you can see, the defense points are the same, but the armor hardness is higher, the knockback is lower, and the durability is higher. And most importantly, it doesn’t burn in lava. This is a qualitative improvement in the game, not just numbers.

Repair and Maintenance – How to Fix Without Losing Enchantments

There are three methods:

1. Anvil + Netherite Ingots. Fast and reliable, but the ingots are expensive.
2. Combining two identical items at an anvil. Cheaper, but the penalty increases.
3. Mending enchantment. The best option for the long term—experience restores durability. If you have a mob farm or trade, Mending is a must.

Tip: If you already have a diamond set with top-tier enchantments, upgrading to netherite will preserve everything. First, collect “perfect” enchantments at a diamond, then make one push to the final version. This is cheaper in terms of experience.

The optimal order is enchantments before or after the upgrade

Short answer: enchant before the upgrade.

Why? The anvil penalty doesn’t increase when upgrading at the blacksmith’s table. If you first enchant diamond armor and then upgrade it to netherite, you’ll save experience levels.

Recommended enchantments:

• Protection IV – on all parts.
• Durability III – on all parts.
• Mending – on all parts.

For boots, select: Fall IV, Soul Speed, and Depth Strider – depending on your playstyle.

Armor Patterns – How to “Dye” Netherite (1.20+)

There are no direct dyes for netherite. However, as of version 1.20, Armor Trims were added. In the same blacksmith’s table, apply the pattern template, place the armor, and select the material that determines the color.

Materials and colors:

• Lapis Lazuli → Cool Blue.
• Redstone → Rich Red.
• Copper → warm copper.
• Gold → noble yellow.
• Quartz → almost white.
• Amethyst → purple.
• Diamond, emerald, netherite – for more subdued shades.

This doesn’t change stats, only appearance. But it greatly improves the overall aesthetic impression.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• How many Fragments are needed for a full set?
  Minimum 16 – for armor only. If you’re planning on tools, 24+ (9 ingots).
• Where can I find the Netherite Upgrade?
  In bastions. 100% in the treasury, 10% on bridges.
• Are enchantments preserved when upgrading?
  Yes. Including curses.
• Does “Luck” work on Fragments?
  No. The block drops itself.
• Java and Bedrock — what’s the difference?
  Loot generation and drop rates differ, but the mechanics of upgrading, repairing, and making debris resistant to explosions are the same.

What to do next — after receiving a set

Once your basic set is ready, don’t stop:

• Collect rare pattern templates for customization.
• Craft individual boots with Fall IV and Soulspeed for travel.
• Upgrade your tools to netherite — pickaxe, sword, shovel, axe, hoe.
• Put a spare set in an ender chest — in case of death.

Netherite armor is a way to eliminate the randomness of stupid deaths from the game and regain control. A couple of evenings of farming, a little gold, one pattern from the Bastion — and your diamond-like creature moves into the major leagues. The game becomes calmer. Going to the Nether and the Ancient City is no longer scary. The main thing is to stop thinking about lava and start thinking about adventures.

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