How to Upgrade to Netherite in Minecraft: Smithing Template Guide (2026)

Short answer: To upgrade to netherite, put a Netherite Upgrade smithing template, a diamond item and a netherite ingot into a smithing table. You find the template in bastion remnant chests in the Nether, and you can copy it with 7 diamonds and a block of netherrack. Each upgrade uses up one template and one ingot, so a full set of armor needs 4 of each. On Complex Gaming (hub.mc-complex.com), you can also get templates from Clue Scrolls and /shop, and netherite drops from PvE areas on every game mode.

What you need to upgrade to netherite​

Since the 1.20 update, upgrading gear to netherite takes three items and a smithing table:

• A Netherite Upgrade smithing template: a special item found in the Nether. It gets used up every time you upgrade something.
• A diamond item: any diamond armor piece or tool, such as a diamond chestplate, sword or pickaxe.
• A netherite ingot: made from netherite scrap and gold (see below).
• A smithing table: craft one with 2 iron ingots and 4 wooden planks.

How to upgrade diamond gear to netherite​

1. Place a smithing table and open it.
2. Put the Netherite Upgrade smithing template in the first slot.
3. Put your diamond item in the second slot.
4. Put a netherite ingot in the third slot.
5. Take the netherite version of your item from the result slot.

Your item keeps all of its enchantments and its custom name when you upgrade it. Netherite gear is stronger than diamond: it lasts longer, armor gives you knockback resistance, and netherite items don't burn if you drop them in lava or fire.

Where to find a Netherite Upgrade smithing template​

Netherite Upgrade templates only spawn in bastion remnant chests in the Nether.

• Treasure room: the chest on the platform in the middle of the lava always has a template.
• Other bastion chests: every other chest in a bastion has a small chance (around 10%) to have one.

How to copy a Netherite Upgrade template​

You only need to find one template. After that, you can make more at a crafting table:

• Put the netherrack in the middle slot.
• Put the template in the slot above it.
• Fill the other 7 slots with diamonds.

You get 2 templates back: the one you put in plus a new copy. Always keep one spare template so you never have to go back to a bastion.

How many templates and ingots you need​

Every item you upgrade uses one template and one netherite ingot.

How to make netherite ingots​

1. Mine ancient debris in the Nether with a diamond or netherite pickaxe. It's most common low down, around Y 15.
2. Smelt each ancient debris in a furnace or blast furnace to get 1 netherite scrap.
3. Craft 4 netherite scrap + 4 gold ingots into 1 netherite ingot.

Ancient debris is blast resistant, so many players blow up tunnels with beds or TNT to uncover it quickly. Just be careful, because beds explode in the Nether.

Netherite on Complex Gaming​

Every Complex Gaming game mode has netherite: Skyblock, Prison, Factions and Survival. You can upgrade the normal way, and there are a few extra ways to get netherite gear:

• Smithing templates: complete Clue Scrolls, buy them from /shop, or find them in bastions like on any survival server.
• PvE areas: netherite drops from the PvE areas on every game mode, including the Pharaoh's Tomb on Skyblock, Skull Island on Prison, the Darkzone and Lightzone on Factions and the Dragon's Dojo on Survival.
• Factions kits: earn in-game money and buy netherite kits with /kits. Any rank can buy them, so they're fully free to play.
• Godlike armor: PvP areas on every game mode drop Godlike armor, very strong netherite armor that's completely free to play, so every player has a fair chance.
• Seasonal items: seasonal gear on Complex is already netherite.

Your runes and custom enchantments carry over when you upgrade diamond gear to netherite, so you never lose them.

Netherite Upgrade FAQ​

How do you upgrade to netherite in Minecraft?​

Where do you find a netherite upgrade smithing template?​

How do you make more netherite upgrade templates?​

How many smithing templates do you need for full netherite armor and tools?​

Do you keep enchantments when you upgrade to netherite?​

What is the best Y level for ancient debris?​

Does upgrading to netherite work the same on Bedrock?​

Can you get netherite on Complex Gaming?​