Protect your portal first in Minecraft's Nether. An exit beside lava or an unmarked route can cost you all your gear. Build a shelter, mark your path and keep what you need to relight the portal.
Prepare the portal before you leave
A working Nether portal uses at least ten obsidian blocks and a way to light it. Seal its exit with solid blocks, record its coordinates and prepare a fallback point in the Overworld.
- Record the portal's coordinates and seal its exit with solid blocks.
- Bring non-flammable blocks, food, a bow and a spare flint and steel.
- Mark every junction using the same rule.
- In a fortress, fight Blazes from cover.
Add a door, a bed and a nearby chest in the Overworld. Place the bed and chest in a safe room, then write down the portal coordinates before crossing through it.
- Bring solid blocks that you can afford to lose.
- Add a weapon, a bow, arrows and food.
- Keep a flint and steel, a pickaxe and spare obsidian.
- Build a shelter as soon as you arrive on the Nether side.
Do not rely on a water bucket in the Nether. Water will not solve a fall into lava there. Cover and a prepared route remain your best protection at the start.
Mark the route through the Nether
At the portal exit, observe the area before moving forward. A cavern, a crimson forest and a cliff above lava each require a different response. Nether Wastes combine lava seas, Ghasts and long stretches without cover.
Create a low, sufficiently wide corridor in exposed areas. Place your markers on the same wall on every outward trip. On the way back, this simple rule prevents hesitation in similar-looking tunnels.
| Situation | Useful action | Mistake to avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Exit above lava | Seal the portal and build a railed walkway. | Jumping to gain a few blocks. |
| Ghast in sight | Move back behind a wall and use your bow. | Fighting at the edge of a cliff. |
| Crimson forest with Piglins | Wear one piece of gold armour and avoid chests. | Opening a chest in front of them. |
| Netherrack tunnel | Mark every fork. | Mining directly above or below yourself. |
Spot a Nether fortress
Look for the long walkways and dark bricks of Nether fortresses. They stand out from the terrain's red rock. Do not confuse this structure with a blackstone bastion remnant.
Bastions are home to Piglins and Piglin Brutes. They may contain loot, but they are not the direct target for obtaining Blaze rods. Instead, look for a structure with straight bridges and Nether brick corridors.
From your marked route, explore in short trips. Climb to a stable vantage point and increase render distance if your machine allows it. Before entering, build a covered approach and mark the entrance.
Fight Blazes from cover
Blazes spawn in fortresses, often around a spawner. They fly, shoot fireballs and resist fire. Their combat area becomes dangerous if it overlooks a bridge or lava.
Close off three sides of the area with solid blocks. Keep an opening to strike or shoot through. A two-block-high wall blocks shots and gives you time to eat or fall back.
- Eliminate Wither Skeletons and enemies near the spawner.
- Build cover on stable ground.
- Wait for a Blaze to approach before shooting or striking.
- Return behind the wall when it starts launching attacks.
- Collect the rods when the area is calm.
- Store your loot regularly or head back as soon as your supply is sufficient.
Snowballs can hurt Blazes. A bow remains useful beneath a high ceiling. The rods are used to craft a brewing stand and Blaze powder, which is needed for Eyes of Ender.
Bring the loot safely home
After the last fight, follow your markers. Do not look for an unexplored shortcut. An improvised tunnel can open onto a ravine or an area you have not secured.
Check that the portal is lit and its shelter is clear. Cross through, put the rods in your chest, then prepare the brewing stand. For more useful guidance, see our practical tips, jeu.vidéo news and the latest published updates.
Details on Blazes and the Nether Wastes are available on the official Blaze profile and the official Nether Wastes overview. Official updates on the Nether are also available through Java 1.16.2 notes, official Minecraft news, official Java 1.16.2 notes and Minecraft’s official news page.
To keep following the topic, also see our Stardew Valley article: reaching every elevator level and our Destiny 2 article: the beginner PvE build that finally works.
Frequently asked questions
How many Blaze rods should you bring back on your first trip?
Bring back enough rods to craft a brewing stand and produce Blaze powder. If the fortress becomes dangerous, store the loot and then head back out.
What should you do if the portal opens above lava?
Immediately seal the exit with solid blocks. Then build a walkway with railings before leaving the shelter.
Do bastions provide Blaze rods?
No, target a Nether fortress. Blazes spawn there, particularly near spawners.
How can you limit shots from several Blazes?
Create a protective wall, clear nearby enemies and step out only to attack. Never chase a Blaze above lava.
Why wear one piece of gold armour in a crimson forest?
It helps avoid immediate hostility from Piglins. Do not open a chest in front of them: it can still provoke them.
Verified sources
These links allow you to verify the key information used in this article.
- minecraft.net : Minecraft.net, “Mob Menagerie: Blaze”, published on 2025-03-06 : confirms that Blazes are found in Nether fortresses, attack with fireballs, resist fire and can drop rods
- minecraft.net : Minecraft.net, “Around the Block: Nether Wastes”, published on 2022-05-26 : confirms the dangers of the Nether Wastes, including lava seas, Ghasts and a lack of cover, and recommends a bow and food.
- minecraft.net : Minecraft.net, Java 1.16.2 patch notes, published on 2020-08-11 : confirms the specific traits of Piglin Brutes, which attack on sight and are not distracted by gold.
- minecraft.net : Minecraft.net, “Building Blocks: Bastion remnant”, published on 2025-11-15 : confirms that the bastion is a structure distinct from the Nether fortress, inhabited by Piglins and Piglin Brutes.
