Updated April 27, 2020, by Chris Birsner:Â When the Nether was introduced in the alpha days of Minecraft, it became a whole new world for players to explore and mine. With the new world came plenty of different resources for them to use and new gameplay mechanics that have changed the game forever.
In addition, the latest update in Minecraft further upgraded the Nether to include new biomes, mobs, and materials for players to interact with. In other words, there is a lot to take in when dealing with the Nether. While there is plenty of things to collect, there are a few items that should be must-gets when going to the hell dimension.
What To Do In The Nether
The Nether used to be an empty wasteland but has grown to become a diverse hellscape that is worth exploring. Players can explore the various biomes which include the Nether Wastes, the Basalt Delta, the Crimson Forest, the Soul Sand Valley, and the Warped Forest. Players can also find various structures in the Nether that could have plenty of loot. These include Nether Fortresses, Bastion Remnants, and Ruined Portals. Be careful when in the region, however, as it is filled with Ghasts, Blazes, Hoglins, and more.
14 Netherrack
The block that makes up a majority of the Nether landscape, Netherrack used to not have many uses beyond just looking aesthetically eerie. However, that has changed over time as the block can now be smelted into individual Nether Bricks, which can be very helpful for those wanting to make a Nether Brick structure without having to mine out a Nether Fortress. Netherrack can be found naturally generated in every biome but is most common in the Nether Wastes.
13 Blackstone
In an attempt to make the Nether a liveable place for players, Mojang added a Cobblestone-equivalent block that can only generate in the Nether called Blackstone. Any recipe that uses Cobblestone can use Blackstone instead, making it useful for those wanting to make tools in the Nether. On the decoration front, Blackstone can be made into various blocks that may look cool for a dark structure. These blocks show up in a few different parts of the Nether, but most commonly in the Basalt Deltas.
12 Magma Block
Those looking for an effective block that could be used to damage creatures or trick players should look no further than the magma block. This lava-encrusted block can deal a half heart of damage for each second an entity stands on it. These blocks can also be used as a bubble elevator that specifically goes down only. While magma blocks can be found in the bottom of the ocean in the overworld, they are far more abundant in lower levels of the Nether as mineral veins.
11 Crying Obsidian
Another block that is sparsely found in the overworld but is more common in the Nether is Crying Obsidian. The block has long existed in the files of Minecraft before being officially added to the game in update 1.16. Its primary purpose is to be used to create the Respawn Anchor, which allows players to respawn in the Nether. This gives players another way to live permanently in the Nether. The block can be found on Ruined Portals in both the overworld and the Nether, but are more common in chests in the Bastion Remnants.
10 Warped/Crimson Stem
Among the newest additions in the Nether are trees that grow naturally in the Nether. These fungi trees were put in to further allow players to be able to survive in the Nether alone. If there is any coveted element of these trees, it's the stems themselves. The Warped Stem and Crimson Stem are the "wood" of the Nether and can be crafted into planks, doors, fences, etc. From a decoration standpoint, these two blocks add a unique twist to the variety of wood blocks that are available in the overworld. They can be found naturally making up the Warped Forest or Crimson Forest.
9 Quartz
The first-ever ore in the Nether, Quartz is another solid item that can be used in a variety of different ways. It can be used to create a Quartz Block, which is a resource that can be used to create a collection of decorative blocks to build a structure with. Quartz is also useful for Redstone as it is included in the recipe for the Observer, the Daylight Detector, and the Redstone Comparator. The item can be mined in bulk on Y-levels 10 to 117, with the ore being a useful source for experience as well. The ore requires a stone pickaxe to mine.
8 Soul Sand
Soul Sand has been around in the Nether for a long time and has recently received its own biome known as the Soul Sand Valley, where players can find a plethora to dig up. The block itself may be hard to walk through, but that doesn't mean the block itself is only a burden.
The block is necessary to grow Nether Wart on as well as necessary for those who want to spawn a Wither. Those who want a bubble elevator can place the block in water to spring players up. On top of that, it also can be used in crafting to create Soul Torches and Soul Campfires.
7 Wither Skeleton Head
Speaking of the Wither, one of the hardest items to obtain in the game is crucial to spawning the three-headed monstrosity. Players can visit a Nether Fortress and keep an eye out for Wither Skeletons. They can also create a big platform within the fortress to have them spawn more frequently. Players will need to kill a lot of Wither Skeletons in hopes of obtaining the three necessary to spawn a Wither. Normally, the skulls can be dropped 2.5 percent of the time, but this can be increased by enchanting a sword with loot.
6 Ghast Tears
Some of the more terrifying creatures in the Nether are Ghasts. These whining tentacle monsters float around in wide-open spaces in the Nether and can shoot any player they see on sight with a fireball. If players use a bow or knock back the fireball, this could kill the Ghast. In return, players may find a Ghast Tear among the drops. This item is used in brewing a Potion of Regeneration, which allows players to keep gaining health for a small period of time. On top of this, Ghast Tears are used in the crafting recipes for End Crystals.
5 Magma Cream
Dealing with Magma Cubes in the Nether can be rather annoying, but don't overlook the items they drop. Magma Cream is the main ingredient used in brewing up Fire Resistance potions, which is perfect for dealing with the Nether. It is also used to craft Magma Blocks, which can both be used as a trap for mobs and also as the second part of a bubble elevator since it sucks a player down. Along with killing Magma Cubes, another main method of getting Magma Cream is combining a Slime Ball with Blaze Powder.
4 Glowstone
Lava is the primary light source of the Nether, but Glowstone has also served its purpose. Spawning from the Nether's ceiling, the illuminated stone can be used in multiple ways. Glowstone produces Glowstone Dust, which is a massive part of brewing as it makes potions more potent (Ex: turning a Strength Potion into a Strength II Potion).
It also is a key ingredient in crafting and fueling the Respawn Anchor, as using the dust on the anchor increases the number of times a player can respawn in the Nether. It also is used as a great lighting tool and can be crafted into a Redstone Lamp if need be.
3 Nether Warts
Moving into some of the more critical items, Nether Warts are found next to some stairways in the Nether Fortress. These little fungi items don't have many uses. However, it's one major use is a massive part of the main Minecraft mechanic: brewing. Almost every single potion that a player may feel obligated to make requires at least one Nether Wart to brew it up. Make sure to collect both Nether Wart and Soul Sand so it can be farmed for more later. In addition, Nether Wart can be used to create a Nether Wart Block and Red Nether Bricks.
2 Blaze Rods
If players want any hope of reaching the end, getting a Blaze Rod is absolutely crucial. These items drop from Blazes, who spawn in Nether Fortresses either naturally or at a Blaze spawner. These Blaze Rods can be broken down into Blaze Powder, which can be used in creating the Eye of Enders needed to complete the End Portal. The Blaze Rod is also used to create a brewing stand and Blaze Powder is necessary to fuel the brewing process. Plus, Strength Potions require a Blaze Powder in the brewing itself.
1 Ancient Debris
Despite the Blaze Rods' importance, there is nothing more valuable in the Nether than the recently-added Ancient Debris. These blocks are mainly found in the lowest points of the Nether and require a diamond pickaxe to mine. A chunk of 1-3 debris may generate at Y-levels 8 to 22Â but sometimes can generate a 1-2 vein randomly from levels 8 to 119. The ancient debris can be smelted to produce Netherite Scraps. These can be used to create Netherite Ingots, which can make any diamond tool or armor piece stronger by using the Smithing Table.