Let's cut to the chase – figuring out how to make an end portal in Minecraft feels like solving ancient riddles when you're new. I remember my first attempt years ago: wandered for hours, died to silverfish, rage-quit twice. But after helping dozens of players on forums (and fixing my own blunders), I'll save you the pain. This isn't theory – it's battle-tested.
What You Absolutely Need First
Forget creative mode tricks. In survival mode, you need specific items before creating an end portal in Minecraft. Miss one? Game over.
| Item | How to Get It | Quantity Needed | Time Estimate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eyes of Ender | Combine Blaze Powder + Ender Pearls | 12 (minimum) | 2-4 hours |
| Diamond Pickaxe | Craft with 3 diamonds + 2 sticks | 1 | 30-60 mins |
| Weapons & Armor | Iron/Diamond gear recommended | Full set | 1-2 hours |
| Food & Blocks | Steak, bread + 64 cobblestone | Stack of each | 20 mins |
⚠️ Reality check: Blaze farming is brutal. On my last hardcore run, a blaze knocked me into lava. Lost 12 eyes. Took 3 days to recover. Bring fire resistance potions!
Finding the Stronghold: Stop Wasting Time
You've got eyes of ender? Great. Now throw one. See where it floats? Follow that direction about 200-500 blocks. Throw again. Repeat.
When Eyes Drop Underground
They'll plunge downward when near the stronghold. Dig strategically:
- Dig stairs – NEVER straight down (learned that the hard way when I fell into a ravine)
- Listen for silverfish sounds – they spawn near portal rooms
- Strongholds generate between Y=-40 and Y=-10 in Java Edition (Bedrock varies wildly)
🔍 Pro tip: Eyes break 80% of the time when thrown. Bring extras. I always craft 16 minimum.
Building the End Portal Frame: Don't Mess This Up
Found the portal room? You'll see 12 frame blocks arranged in a 3x3 square missing corners. Orientation matters. Stand facing the center:
| Frame Position | Correct Direction | Wrong Direction | What Happens If Wrong |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sides | Green gems face inward | Gems face outward | Portal won't activate |
| Corners | No gems (blank sides) | Gems visible | Still works, but looks odd |
Honestly, I once spent 45 minutes wondering why my portal wouldn’t light. Why? I’d placed three eyes backward. Felt ridiculous.
Activating the Portal: Eye Placement Secrets
Insert eyes clockwise or counter-clockwise. Doesn’t matter. But:
- Eyes have 10% chance to shatter per insertion
- Missing eye slots? Stronghold might be broken (common in older worlds)
When you place the final eye... that purple vortex is pure magic. But wait – are you really ready?
Prepping for The End: What Everyone Forgets
I’ve seen players jump through unprepared. They last 20 seconds. Don’t be them.
- Slow falling potions – Ender dragon knockback is deadly
- Snowballs – To destroy end crystals from afar (cheaper than arrows)
- Water buckets – Breaks enderman teleports if you look at them
- Beds – Explode when used in The End (secret damage boost)
Fixing Broken Portals: When Things Go Wrong
Sometimes portals generate incomplete. Here's how to salvage it:
| Issue | Solution | Resources Needed |
|---|---|---|
| Missing frame blocks | Cannot be fixed in survival mode | Must find another stronghold |
| Eyes won't insert | Break/replace frame blocks | Diamond pickaxe |
| Portal covered by stone | Mine the obstruction | Pickaxe |
Last month, a player sent me seed where the portal room was flooded with lava. Nightmare fuel. Have buckets ready.
FAQs: Stuff You Were Too Afraid to Ask
Can I make an end portal from scratch?
Nope. Frame blocks are indestructible in survival and can’t be crafted. You must find a stronghold.
Do eyes of ender show the nearest portal?
Yes – but if multiple exist, they point to the closest one. In Java Edition, eyes lead to the first generated stronghold.
Can end portals be moved?
Not in survival. Even with silk touch, frames won’t drop. Creative mode only.
Why did my portal teleport me underground?
The End island spawns at fixed coordinates. If another player built blocks there? You’ll suffocate. Blame your friends.
Advanced Tactics: Beyond the Basics
Once you’ve beaten the dragon... the real end game starts. End gateways appear – throw ender pearls through them to reach outer islands. That’s where you find:
- Elytra wings in end ships (look for floating boats)
- Shulker boxes (life-changing storage)
- Chorus fruit farms (great for quick healing)
💡 Personal favorite: Bridging between islands? Use cobblestone. Endermen can’t pick it up. Learned after losing 200 blocks of dirt.
Mistakes That’ll Ruin Your Run
Observed from 100+ failed attempts (mine and others’):
- Entering with leather armor – Dragon breath melts you in seconds
- No feather falling boots – Knockback = deadly fall damage
- Forgetting milk – Dragon breath gives lingering poison effect
- Fighting endermen – Just wear a pumpkin helmet. Seriously.
Look, mastering how to make an end portal in Minecraft isn’t just about the portal. It’s about preparation. My first dragon fight? I brought a wooden sword. Lasted 8 seconds. Don’t be me.
Final Reality Check
If you take one thing away: Eyes of ender break constantly. Farm way more than you think you need. That moment when you’re one eye short and have to trek back to the Nether? Soul-crushing.
But when you finally ignite that purple vortex... chills. Every time. Now go punch some endermen.
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