If you want to become truly unstoppable in your world, you need to master the art of netherite upgrade smithing. Since the 1.20 update, simply having a netherite ingot isn’t enough to reinforce your diamond chestplates or swords. You now have to hunt down a rare item called a Smithing Template to bridge the gap between diamond and the strongest material in the game. This change makes your endgame gear feel like a real trophy earned through dangerous exploration.
To find these essential templates, you’ll have to gear up and head into the heart of a Bastion Remnant in the Nether. While most chests in these ruins only have a 10% chance of holding one, you can find a guaranteed template if you reach the bottom of a Treasure Room. Once you survive the Piglins and Magma Cubes to bring one home, you can use diamonds and netherrack to copy it so you never have to risk your life in a Bastion again. Using your Smithing Table with the template, a diamond tool, and an ingot will finally give you that fire-resistant, high-durability gear you need.
Key Takeaways
- Upgrading diamond gear to Netherite now requires a rare Smithing Template found exclusively within Bastion Remnants in the Nether.
- Locate a Treasure Room Bastion to secure a guaranteed template in the bottom-most chest, or search generic Bastion chests for a 10% chance of discovery.
- Duplicate your first template using seven diamonds and a block of Netherrack at a crafting table to avoid the risk of raiding additional Bastions.
- Use the Smithing Table to combine the template, a diamond item, and a Netherite ingot to create fire-resistant gear with superior durability.
Finding Netherite Upgrade Templates In Bastions
Tracking down a Netherite Upgrade Smithing Template is your first major step toward achieving endgame gear. These rare items are located exclusively within Bastion Remnants, which are large, dark structures made of blackstone found throughout the Nether. You should prepare for a tough fight, as these fortresses are packed with Piglins and Piglin Brutes that do not appreciate visitors. While you can find templates in generic chests with a 10% spawn rate, your best bet is to locate a Treasure Room Bastion. These specific structures contain a guaranteed template in the central chest at the very bottom of the room.
Navigating a Treasure Room requires patience and plenty of blocks to cross the lava-filled layout. Once you reach the bottom, you will usually find a Magma Cube spawner guarding the most valuable loot. After you clear out the enemies, open the chest to find your guaranteed Netherite Upgrade Smithing Template. If you are exploring other types of Bastions, like Hoglin Stables or Bridge sections, remember to check every single chest you see. Even though the odds are lower in these areas, you might get lucky and find a template without having to dive into a dangerous treasure pit.
Once you have successfully looted your first template, do not use it immediately without a plan. These items are consumed when you upgrade a piece of diamond gear at a smithing table, making them very expensive to replace. You can actually duplicate the template by using seven diamonds and a block of netherrack in a crafting table. This trick allows you to create as many copies as you need for your full set of armor and tools. By mastering the layout of Bastions and keeping a stash of diamonds ready, you can bridge the gap from diamond equipment to powerful Netherite gear.
Using The Smithing Table For Upgrades

To upgrade your gear, you must first get comfortable using the Smithing Table interface. You now have to place a Netherite Upgrade Smithing Template into the far-left slot of the table. You can find these rare templates buried deep inside Bastion Remnants, specifically within the dangerous treasure rooms where they are guaranteed to spawn. Once the template is in place, you simply add your diamond tool or armor piece into the middle slot and a Netherite Ingot into the final slot. This process consumes the template and the ingot, so make sure you are ready to commit to the upgrade before clicking the output item.
Because these templates are so difficult to find, you should consider duplicating them before you use your last one. By combining seven diamonds, one Netherite Upgrade Smithing Template, and a block of Netherrack in a crafting table, you can create a second template for future use. This trick is essential if you want to upgrade a full set of armor and all your tools without raiding every Bastion in the Nether. Once you pull your new gear from the Smithing Table, it becomes completely fire-resistant and gains significantly higher durability. Your new equipment will now survive a dip in a lava lake, making it the ultimate insurance policy for your adventures.
Duplicating Your Netherite Upgrade Smithing Templates
Once you find your first Netherite Upgrade Smithing Template in a Bastion Remnant, your priority should be protecting it at all costs. Instead of using it immediately at a smithing table, you can head back to your base to create a copy. This trick ensures that you never have to risk your life in another dangerous Piglin-infested fortress just to find more gear upgrades. To make a duplicate, you will need one Netherite Upgrade Smithing Template, seven diamonds, and one block of Netherrack. Simply place the template in the top-middle slot of a crafting table with the Netherrack block directly below it.
Filling the remaining seven slots with diamonds will create a second template for your collection. While spending seven diamonds might seem like a high price to pay, it is much safer than hunting through treasure rooms or bridge chests. This crafting recipe allows you to keep a master copy in your ender chest so you are never without the ability to upgrade your gear. You can repeat this process as many times as you want as long as you have enough diamonds and Netherrack. This is the best way to ensure every member of your server has a full set of powerful Netherite armor.
By duplicating your templates, you transform a rare and limited resource into something you can always access. You no longer have to worry about losing your only upgrade path if you accidentally use your last template on a diamond pickaxe. Having a stack of these templates ready in your storage room makes the transition to endgame equipment much smoother. It turns the stressful hunt for Bastions into a simple mining session for diamonds back in the Overworld. This strategy is essential for any player who wants to maintain a full set of top-tier tools and armor throughout their survival journey.
How to Get Your Netherite Upgrade Template
Completing your set of Netherite gear is the ultimate milestone in your journey, but it requires patience and a bit of luck. You cannot simply combine gold and scrap to reach this tier anymore. You must venture into a Bastion Remnant to hunt down a Smithing Template, which is the key to unlocking this power. If you are brave enough to tackle a Treasure Room, you are guaranteed to find one of these rare items in the chest at the bottom. For those who prefer a stealthy approach, checking generic chests throughout any Bastion provides a ten percent chance of discovery.
Once you have that first template in your inventory, your focus should shift toward duplicating it to save time. You can use seven diamonds and a block of Netherrack to craft a copy of the template, ensuring you never have to raid another dangerous Bastion again. Head over to your Smithing Table and combine your template with a piece of diamond gear and a Netherite ingot to finalize the transformation. This process turns your fragile diamond tools into fireproof, high-durability equipment that can withstand the toughest challenges. Having a full suit of Netherite armor ensures you are truly prepared for anything the Wither or the Warden can throw at you. You can even customize your look further by exploring armor trim combinations to make your endgame set truly unique.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What do I need to upgrade my diamond gear to netherite?
You need three specific items to complete the upgrade at a Smithing Table. These include a Netherite Upgrade Smithing Template, a piece of diamond gear, and one netherite ingot.
2. Where exactly can I find the Netherite Upgrade Smithing Template?
You can only find these templates inside Bastion Remnants located in the Nether. While most chests have a small 10% chance to hold one, you can find a guaranteed template in the bottom chest of a Treasure Room Bastion.
3. Is it possible to get more templates without going back to a Bastion?
Yes, you can craft copies of your template using a Crafting Table so you only ever need to find one. To make a duplicate, combine your template with seven diamonds and one block of netherrack. If you want to skip the grind entirely, you can learn duplication glitch 1.21 methods to multiply your rarest resources instantly.
4. How do I use the Smithing Table for the upgrade?
Open your Smithing Table and place the Netherite Upgrade Smithing Template in the far left slot. Put your diamond tool or armor piece in the middle slot and your netherite ingot in the right slot to create your upgraded gear.
5. What makes netherite gear better than diamond gear?
Netherite equipment is much tougher than diamond and features higher durability for all your tools and armor. A huge bonus is that netherite items are fire-resistant and will float in lava instead of burning up if you accidentally drop them.
6. Are there any tips for surviving the search in a Bastion?
Bastions are very dangerous places filled with Piglin Brutes and Magma Cubes that deal heavy damage. Make sure you bring plenty of blocks to bridge over lava and wear at least one piece of gold armor so the regular Piglins stay neutral. Ever since the 1.20 update, you can also check out the ultimate Piglin bartering guide to learn how to trade for other useful supplies while you explore.

