Minecraft strider riding lets you cross lava in the Nether. Saddle an adult strider, then steer it with a warped fungus on a stick. Striders spawn in groups of 2–4 on lava with an air block above, so scan the lava lakes in any Nether biome to find one. In Java Edition, a zombified piglin has a 1-in-30 chance to spawn riding a strider, which comes with a saddle if the piglin is carrying a warped fungus on a stick.
Crafting that steering stick takes just two items: a fishing rod and a warped fungus, placed diagonally in the crafting grid. Save its speed boost for emergencies, since each boost costs one durability point.
Key Takeaways
- Saddle an adult strider in the Nether by right-clicking it while holding a saddle, then right-click the saddled strider again to climb on, since baby striders cannot carry you.
- Steer your strider by holding a warped fungus on a stick, and save its speed boost for long stretches of lava because each boost costs 1 point of durability.
- Look for striders on wide lava lakes with open air above the surface, since that empty block is what lets them spawn, and drop warped fungus near the lava’s edge to lure them in.
- Keep your strider on the lava surface, because a strider that submerges will leave you burning, so ring your route with netherrack or basalt walls and a roof to keep it on course.
- Craft a saddle and remove one with shears in Java Edition 1.21.6, but the right-click method for saddling striders is still the basic step.
Where Can You Find Striders in the Nether?
Striders can appear in every Nether biome, from the Crimson Forest to the Soul Sand Valley, as long as there is lava. Head for wide lava lakes and lava oceans with open air above the surface, since that empty block is what lets them spawn. Big open lakes also make striders easier to spot from a distance.
If you play Java Edition, keep an eye out for zombified piglins too. Each one has a 1-in-30 chance to spawn riding a strider, and that strider comes with a saddle already equipped. The piglin has to be carrying a warped fungus on a stick for this to happen, so if you see one holding that stick, you may have found a ready-made ride.
If no striders are in sight, use warped fungus as bait. Drop a few near the edge of the lava and wait nearby. Striders are drawn to it, so one will often drift over within a short time.
How Do You Saddle a Strider in Minecraft?
You saddle a strider by right-clicking an adult strider while holding a saddle, the standard item you apply to the mob. Only adult striders can be ridden, so a baby strider won’t carry you until it grows up.
Once you spot an adult on the lava, follow these steps:
- Hold a saddle in your hotbar and walk up to the adult strider.
- Right-click the strider to equip the saddle.
- Right-click the saddled strider again to climb on.
Java Edition 1.21.6 changed how saddles work. You can now craft a saddle, and you can remove one with shears. The right-click steps above still apply to saddling a strider.
Keep a pair of shears in your inventory if you play Java. If you want to swap an old saddle for a new one, use shears on the strider to take the saddle off.
Steering a Strider With a Warped Fungus on a Stick
Once you’re mounted, the stick does all the steering. Hold the warped fungus on a stick in your hand, and your strider moves forward on its own in whichever direction you face. Turn your camera to change course across the lava.
For a burst of speed, activate the stick while riding. On Java Edition, this gives your strider a boost that lasts a random 140 to 980 game ticks, or 7 to 49 seconds. You won’t know exactly how long it will last, so don’t count on a set distance. Each boost uses 1 point of durability, so save it for long stretches of lava where a bridge would take forever to build.
When the stick reaches zero durability, it turns back into a fishing rod. You can craft a new warped fungus on a stick by placing that fishing rod and another warped fungus diagonally in the crafting grid.
Can You Ride a Strider Across Lava Safely?
Yes, you can cross lava safely on a strider if you keep it on the surface and plan the route ahead. Striders walk on lava without sinking, but if one submerges under the lava surface, you can burn, so keep your path over open lava.
Speed matters too. In Java Edition 1.21.5, strider speed rose from 4.14 to 4.24 m/s on lava and from 1.74 to 1.78 m/s on land. Striders also move more slowly once they leave the lava, so avoid routes that force your mount onto solid ground halfway across.
A lava channel with walls on both sides helps your strider stay on course. Line the edges with solid blocks like netherrack or basalt, then cover the top with a roof of blocks. The walls keep the strider moving in a straight line, and the roof blocks ghast fireballs. Check the path before you ride, and clear any gaps where the strider could wander off the lava.
Breeding Striders and Riding Baby Striders
Striders breed when you feed two adults warped fungus, so carry a stack of it into the Nether. Hold the fungus and right-click each adult, and hearts will float above them. Soon a baby strider will appear beside its parents.
Build your breeding pen over lava rather than on solid ground. Ring a small lava pool with netherrack or basalt so the striders stay on the lava surface, where they can move freely and stay in one place.
Babies follow their parents closely. Once the baby is born, stand where you can see both striders and guide the adult toward the middle of the pen. The baby will stay close to its parent, so you can keep both striders in one spot while you work.
What Changes Between Java and Bedrock Strider Riding?
Java and Bedrock differ in strider speed and in a few features, so check your version before you plan a long crossing. In Java Edition 1.21.5, striders move 4.14 to 4.24 m/s on lava and 1.74 to 1.78 m/s on land. Bedrock striders are slower, at 3.71 m/s on flat lava and 1.64 m/s on land.
Three features are specific to Java Edition:
- The warped fungus on a stick speed boost works only in Java Edition.
- Zombified piglins riding striders is a Java Edition spawn rule.
- Saddle crafting and removal with shears arrived in Java Edition 1.21.6.
If you play Bedrock, build your lava routes with the slower speed in mind and keep them shorter, since you won’t have the boost to make up the distance.
Are Striders a Better Way to Cross the Nether Than Bridges?
Yes, a strider is often the faster choice when the lava gap is wide. A long bridge can take many blocks and a lot of building time, while a saddled strider carries you across the lava without a single block of path. Save your bridge blocks for the final stretch.
Striders can still let you down, so plan a backup. If your mount drifts toward a gap or sinks, you need another way forward. Carry plenty of netherrack or basalt so you can bridge the rest of the route, or note where a Nether fortress sits nearby as an alternate path.
Planning Your Next Nether Strider Trip
Start with a short trip. Pick a wide lava lake near your portal, then ride a straight stretch of lava before you attempt a long crossing. Practice turning with your camera so the strider stays on the lava surface.
Before you head out, gather a stack of warped fungus for bait and breeding, and craft one spare warped fungus on a stick. A worn-out stick turns back into a fishing rod mid-ride, so a spare keeps your crossing moving.
Finally, head into the Nether with a saddle in your hotbar.