Introduction
Minecraft is a game full of adventures and challenges. One of the most exciting challenges to tackle is finding the end portal and beating the Ender Dragon. An end portal is a rare structure that allows players to access the End, a mysterious world with a final boss fight that marks the end of Minecraft’s main story. In this article, we’ll go over everything you need to know to construct an end portal.
However, building an end portal is not an easy task. It requires gathering rare and hard-to-find items, as well as constructing a complex 12-block ring structure. Many players struggle with the construction process and end up making frustrating mistakes. Luckily, with some knowledge and preparation, building an end portal can be done quickly and efficiently.
In this article, we’ll provide a step-by-step guide to building an end portal in Minecraft, along with some tips and tricks to make the process easier.
Step-by-Step Guide
Before starting to build your end portal, it’s important to gather all the required materials. Here’s a list of what you’ll need:
- 12 End Portal Frame blocks (more on that below)
- 2 Blaze Rods (gathered from Blaze mobs in Nether Fortresses)
- 3 Ender Pearls (gathered from Endermen mobs that spawn at night)
- 4 Obsidian blocks (gathered from water and lava sources)
- 1 Flint and Steel (crafted from Flint and Iron Ingot)
Once you have all the materials you need, it’s time to start building your end portal. Here are the steps:
- Pick a location to construct your end portal. It should be a flat, open area, preferably in a safe location in your world. Remember, you’ll need a lot of space to construct the 12-block ring structure.
- Place the 12 End Portal Frame blocks in the pattern shown below, making sure that the eye of each block is facing the center:
- Once you’ve placed all the blocks, walk around the structure and make sure they are all facing the same direction. All the eyes should be facing towards the center of the structure.
- Now it’s time to activate the portal. First, place the 4 Obsidian blocks around the inside of the ring, in a square shape. This will create a fire pit in the middle.
- Use your Flint and Steel to light the fire pit, which will activate the End Portal block in the center of the structure.
- Once the portal is activated, it will display a swirling vortex effect. You can now enter the portal and access the End realm.
Video Tutorial
If you’re a visual learner, this video tutorial from Minecraft YouTuber Grian provides a helpful walkthrough of the end portal construction process:
If you’re using the video tutorial in conjunction with this written guide, here are some time markers to help you find the relevant steps:
- 1:44 – Gathering the required materials
- 2:11 – Finding a location to build the portal
- 3:03 – Placing the End Portal Frame blocks
- 4:19 – Activating the portal with Obsidian and Flint and Steel
Problem-Solving Approach
Building an end portal requires a lot of precision and attention to detail. Here are some common mistakes that players make when constructing the portal, and what you can do to avoid them:
- Mistake: Misplacing the End Portal Frame blocks or placing them facing the wrong direction.
Solution: Walk around the structure and double-check the placement of each block, making sure the eyes are all facing the center. - Mistake: Running out of materials mid-construction.
Solution: Gather more materials before starting the construction process, and make sure to bring extra just in case. - Mistake: Accidentally activating the End Portal block before the frame is complete.
Solution: Be extra careful when placing the Obsidian blocks and activating the fire pit.
In addition to avoiding these mistakes, it’s also important to have a troubleshooting mindset while building the portal. Here are some tips:
- Keep a few extra of each required material on hand, just in case you need to make tweaks to the structure mid-construction.
- Take your time with the placement of each block. It’s better to be slow and steady than to rush and make a mistake.
- If something goes wrong while constructing the portal, take a step back and assess the situation. You may need to temporarily abandon the project and come back to it later with fresh eyes.
Different Material Options
If you don’t have access to the required materials, there are some alternative options for constructing the end portal:
- Nether Brick can be used instead of Obsidian, but it requires more building time and resources.
- Iron Bars can be used instead of End Portal Frame blocks, but this requires a lot of them (64 for a single portal construction).
- Command Blocks can be used to create instant portals, but this requires admin access to a server and is not available in single-player mode.
It’s important to note that while these alternatives may be helpful in a pinch, they are not recommended for regular use. For the most effective and efficient end portal construction, stick with the required materials.
Pro Tips and Tricks
Now that you know how to construct the end portal, here are some additional tips and tricks to make the process smoother:
- Construct the portal near your home base or another safe location. That way, you can quickly teleport back and forth between the End and other parts of your world.
- Use fences or other barriers to make the portal more secure. You don’t want monsters wandering through the portal and wreaking havoc on your world!
- Experiment with different locations and orientations for the portal. A well-placed portal can make your Minecraft experience more efficient and enjoyable.
Conclusion
Building an end portal in Minecraft may seem intimidating at first, but with some preparation and attention to detail, it can be done quickly and efficiently. Remember to gather all the necessary materials, take your time with the placement of each block, and be prepared to troubleshoot when things go wrong.
By following the steps outlined in this guide, you’ll be able to construct the end portal and access the End world in no time.
