By crossing a portal to the Nether (underworld) you can reach the dark dimension of Minecraft. Portals are obsidian structures, one of the hardest materials to mine in the entire game. You will need a diamond pickaxe to get the ore needed to build the portal. If you don't have that pickaxe, you can use a "mold" to create the obsidian structure without having to dig a single block. Portals to the Nether are available in all versions of the game.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Use a Diamond Pickaxe
Step 1. Build a diamond pickaxe
You will need this tool to mine obsidian. Three diamonds and two sticks are required to build the pickaxe.
- If you want to build a Nether Portal without a diamond pickaxe, you can build a "mold" with other materials and create the obsidian blocks already sorted into the correct structure. Obviously, this method is much more inconvenient and complicated. Click here for more instructions.
- Read this guide for more tips on how to find these gemstones.
Step 2. Fill buckets with water
Obsidian is generated by the fusion of water and lava. A single block of obsidian can be made with a bucket of water. You will need at least ten to build the portal and you will need to have more water on hand in case something goes wrong, so make sure you have everything you need.
Step 3. Find lava
It is necessary to obtain obsidian. Typically you will find it in any depth, especially at level 12 ordinates, although you can discover rarer lava lakes anywhere in the world. There is a very good chance of finding it at levels 1-10 above the bedrock because all the air pockets are replaced by lava at that height.
Step 4. Pour a bucket of water on the walls, on top of a block of lava
The idea is to spray water on the lava blocks; all the water that comes into contact with the lava will turn into obsidian. One tip is to cover as much lava as you can. This method is also widely used for passing through caves without having to swab the lava.
Step 5. Collect the water blocks with an empty bucket
This will reveal the obsidian below.
Step 6. Collect obsidian with your diamond pickaxe
You will need 10 blocks to build a portal, although the complete one requires 14, it is optional. Repeat the water bucket trick as many times as needed.
- Consider that it takes a long time (9.4 seconds) to break one of those blocks, but that's nothing compared to the time it takes to dig obsidian with any other pickaxe (250 seconds), about 26.5 times more. You can speed up the process by using a pickaxe with the "Efficiency" spell.
- If you are digging submerged in water, be careful that the current does not push you into the lava.
Step 7. Build the Portal to the Nether structure
You will probably want to craft it near your home so that you can easily refuel when you return from the Nether. The structure must be at least 4 by 5 blocks, but corners are not required, for a minimum total of 10 blocks. The maximum size of a portal reaches 25 blocks by 25..
Place two obsidian blocks side by side on the ground, then place a temporary block on either side of both. Make a column of three obsidian blocks on each of the temporary blocks. Place a temporary block on top of both columns. Place two more obsidian blocks between the two tallest temporary blocks. If you want a corner-free construction, you can now remove the temporary blocks. The inside of the portal should be a two by three block gap
Step 8. Set the portal on fire with the flintlock
You can use any object that creates flames, but the steel is the most reliable. The center of the portal will glow with purple spirals once it is active.
Step 9. Stay in the portal for four seconds, while doing this, you should have a slight nausea effect in the game
You will be teleported to the Nether. You can interrupt the process at any time by leaving the facility. When you enter the Nether, a return portal will be created behind you.
Make sure you take the steel with you to the Nether. Ghasts can shut down your return portal, forcing you to turn it back on
Method 2 of 2: Build a Portal with a Mold
Step 1. Use this method if you don't have a diamond pickaxe
It is possible to build a Nether Portal without using a diamond pickaxe, creating an artificial waterfall and using lava buckets to form the structure.
Step 2. Get 2 buckets of water, 10 buckets of lava and a bag of crushed stone
It is what you need for the portal structure.
Step 3. Dig a 6-by-1 trench
It will be the front of the structure.
Step 4. Behind the trench, build a 6x3 wall, with two center blocks also on the fourth row
Step 5. Place some crushed stone blocks on the sides
You will need them later.
Step 6. Using the water buckets, place two blocks of water on opposite ends of your crushed stone structure
If you perform this step correctly, you will create an infinite waterfall that flows into the trench.
Step 7. Remember this principle, from now on:
any empty block directly NEXT to or ABOVE a block of water will become an obsidian block if it comes into contact with a bucket of lava.
Step 8. Using the lava buckets, create a 3 block tall obsidian pillar
Do it on both sides.
Step 9. Do you see the trench full of water?
With the lava buckets create a base of two blocks between the pillars.
Step 10. Using empty buckets, collect the two blocks of running water on top of the crushed stone structure
You will need it to create the top of the portal.
Step 11. Climb the structure and use the buckets of water on the side of the end of the pillars
Step 12. Use the lava buckets directly on the running water
The water should stop and a block of obsidian will form in its place. Repeat on the other side.
Step 13. That's it
You created a Portal to the Nether without using a diamond pickaxe.
Advice
- Don't use a bed in the Nether or you'll explode.
- Always pay attention to your surroundings in the Nether, because if you hit a Pig Zombie, all monsters of that type will start following you.
- Build your base camp near the portal, the best material is crushed stone, as the ghasts are not capable of detonating it. This way you can go back if you are in danger.
- Always carry the lock with you, as ghasts can shut down your portal.
- Make sure you're ready to take on the Nether, bringing armor, weapons, and food with you!
