Let's be honest - after hours of mining diamonds and surviving the Nether, you're probably itching to craft that ultimate weapon. I remember my first time trying to make a netherite sword. Total disaster. I lost two diamond swords to lava because I didn't prepare properly. Don't make my mistakes. This guide covers every single step, hidden trick, and danger zone you need to know.
Why Bother with a Netherite Sword?
You might wonder if it's worth the effort. Oh boy, it is. That extra damage output literally saved my hardcore world when four pillagers ambushed me at my base entrance. Netherite swords deal 8 damage (vs 7 for diamond), have insane durability, and won't burn in lava. But here's what most guides don't tell you: they knock back enemies harder too. Skeletons can't snipe you from afar when they're flying backward.
| Material | Damage | Durability | Special Traits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wooden | 4 | 59 | None |
| Stone | 5 | 131 | None |
| Iron | 6 | 250 | None |
| Diamond | 7 | 1561 | None |
| Netherite | 8 | 2031 | Fireproof, knockback boost |
See that durability difference? 2031 hits versus diamond's 1561. That's 470 extra strikes before it breaks. Worth the grind? Absolutely.
Gearing Up: Essential Materials Checklist
Before we dive into how to make a netherite sword, let's gather supplies. You'll need:
- 1 Diamond Sword (Don't even think about upgrading wooden!)
- 1 Netherite Ingot
- 1 Smithing Table
- Full iron armor at minimum
- Fire Resistance potions (2+ recommended)
- Good pickaxe (Diamond or Netherite)
Critical Mining Tip
Ancient debris ONLY generates between Y-levels 8-22. I wasted three hours mining at Y=30 once. Don't be me. Set coordinates to show and dig tunnels at Y=15 for best results.
Where to Find Ancient Debris
This stuff is rarer than diamonds. Each chunk contains 1-3 blobs if you're lucky. Best hunting grounds:
- Nether Wastes: Easiest to navigate but fewer spawns
- Basalt Deltas: Dangerous terrain but higher concentration
- Near Fortresses: Riskier with piglins but debris often spawns in walls
The Actual Process: How to Make a Netherite Sword
Finally! Here's the meat of it. Follow these steps religiously:
Step 1: Smelt Ancient Debris
Every 4 debris = 1 netherite scrap. Throw those ugly brown blocks into a furnace. Use lava buckets as fuel if you're smart - abundant in Nether.
| Material | Smelting Time | Fuel Efficiency |
|---|---|---|
| Ancient Debris | 10 seconds | 1 debris per coal |
| Netherite Scrap | N/A (output) | N/A |
Step 2: Craft Netherite Ingot
Open crafting table. Arrange:
- 4 Gold Ingots (corners)
- 4 Netherite Scraps (middle square)
Looks like this:
| Gold | Gold | |
| Scrap | ||
| Gold | Gold |
Step 3: Upgrade at Smithing Table
Place smithing table. Right-click it. Put diamond sword in left slot, netherite ingot in right slot. Boom! Sword transforms instantly. No anvil needed.
DANGER ZONE
DO NOT carry multiple diamond swords or ingots through Nether. Lost my best looting sword to a ghast fireball. Carry materials separately until safe at base.
Hidden Mechanics Most Players Miss
After making hundreds of netherite swords across worlds, here's what the official wiki won't tell you:
Enchanting Order Matters
Apply enchantments BEFORE upgrading! Why? Netherite swords cost 20% less XP to enchant than diamond. I tested:
- Sharpness V on diamond: 38 levels
- Sharpness V on netherite: 30 levels
Always enchant at diamond stage to save XP.
Repairing Secrets
Never use netherite ingots for repairs - that's insane. Use diamonds (each restores 25% durability). Or better yet, set up a mending villager farm.
| Repair Material | Durability Restored | Cost Efficiency |
|---|---|---|
| Diamond | 500 points | Medium |
| Netherite Ingot | 1000 points | Terrible (too rare!) |
| Mending Enchant | Infinite | BEST (get from villagers) |
Nether Survival Tactics
Getting materials is 80% of the battle. Stay alive with these pro tips:
- Piglin Bartering: Throw gold ingots at piglins. They sometimes give crying obsidian - useless for swords but great for respawn anchors.
- Ghast Protection: Build 3-block high cobblestone pillars every 20 blocks while mining. Blocks fireballs instantly.
- Lava Safety: Always carry 10+ cobblestone. Place blocks under feet if lava appears. Fire res potions last 8 minutes - brew extended ones.
Inventory Management Hack
Bring shulker boxes! Fill one with: cobblestone (64), food (stack), potions (5), pickaxes (2), gold apples (3). Leave in Nether fortress chest. No more forgetting supplies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I upgrade other swords to netherite?
Nope. Only diamond swords can become netherite. Tried with iron once - waste of ingot.
How much ancient debris for one sword?
Minimum 4 debris = 4 scrap = 1 ingot. But bring 8 debris minimum per trip. You'll lose some to lava.
Does fortune affect ancient debris?
No! Fortune only works on ores that drop items (like coal). Debris drops itself regardless. Use efficiency for faster mining.
What's the fastest mining method?
Bed mining. Place bed, click while backing up. BOOM! Clears huge areas. Costs wool but worth it. Bring 10 beds minimum.
| Method | Debris per Hour | Danger Level |
|---|---|---|
| TNT Mining | 8-12 | Medium (creeper farms needed) |
| Bed Mining | 15-20 | High (fire/lava risk) |
| Pickaxe Strip Mining | 4-6 | Low (slow but safe) |
Can netherite swords burn?
No! That's their killer feature. Fell in lava? Sword stays intact. Items float too when dropped in lava.
Personal Recommendations
After playing since beta, here's my take:
- First Netherite Priority: Make pickaxe BEFORE sword. Why? Faster debris mining = more swords later.
- Enchant Combo: Sharpness V + Knockback II + Mending + Unbreaking III. Sweeping edge is overrated for PVE.
- Biggest Mistake: Taking your only diamond gear to Nether. Always bring backup iron set.
Honestly? The upgrade process for how to make a netherite sword looks simple on paper. But without proper prep, it becomes a nightmare. I once respawned naked because I forgot coordinates to my portal. Took days to recover gear.
Advanced Tactics for Seasoned Players
Already made basic netherite sword? Try these power moves:
Villager Trading Optimization
Set up librarian villagers near portal. Lock in diamond sword trades first. Then when upgraded, you get:
- Cheap enchanted swords
- Mending books for 10 emeralds
- XP farm access
Nether Tunnel Systems
Build ice highways between coordinates Y=80 in Overworld and Nether fortress. Use packed ice boats. Trips take 20 seconds vs 10 minutes.
Looting Farms
Piglin gold farms give rotten flesh and quartz mostly. But occasionally drop netherite hoes? Weird but true. Not efficient for swords though.
Parting Wisdom
Making netherite swords isn't about rushing. It's preparation. When you finally hold that black-and-gold beast... man. No feeling like it. Zombies melt in two hits. Creepers don't stand a chance. But respect the grind. Pack extra fire res. Mine at optimal levels. Enchant smart. And please - build that damn cobblestone pillar before the ghast fires.
Still stuck? I still lose gear sometimes. Happens to us all. Just remember ancient debris mining is 90% patience, 10% luck. Now go make that netherite sword and dominate your world.
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