So you're trying to figure out how to make smithing template work for your gear upgrades? Honestly, I was in your shoes last year when I wasted three diamond swords trying to get the upgrade right. Let me save you the frustration. Smithing templates aren't something you craft from scratch like a wooden pickaxe - you find them in the world and use them as blueprints for upgrading gear.
Finding Your First Smithing Template
Before learning how to make smithing template upgrades happen, you need to locate these patterns. From my experience, ancient cities are your best bet. I've found more templates in chests near the central structure than anywhere else. Bring plenty of torches though - those places are crawling with Wardens.
Here are all locations where smithing templates spawn:
| Structure | Probability | Biome | My Success Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ancient City Chests | High (75%) | Deep Dark | Found 3 in one run |
| Bastion Treasure Room | Medium (40%) | Nether Wastes | Took 5 attempts |
| End City Chests | Low (15%) | The End | Not worth the hassle |
| Woodland Mansion | Very Low (5%) | Dark Forest | Complete waste of time |
Got my first Netherite upgrade template in a Bastion chest surrounded by Piglins. Nearly lost my diamond gear because I forgot to wear gold. Don't make that mistake!
Template Types and Their Uses
Not all smithing templates are created equal. Here's what each one does:
- Netherite Upgrade: Turns diamond gear into netherite
- Coast Armor Trim: Wave-like patterns for aesthetics
- Dune Armor Trim: Desert-inspired designs
- Eye Armor Trim: Creepy End-themed patterns
- Rib Armor Trim: Bone-like appearance
- Sentry Armor Trim: Guardian-themed designs
- Snout Armor Trim: Piglin nose patterns
- Spire Armor Trim: End city tower motifs
- Tide Armor Trim: Ocean monument style
- Vex Armor Trim: Evoker magic patterns
- Ward Armor Trim: Ancient city designs
- Wild Armor Trim: Woodland mansion theme
Using Smithing Templates Correctly
Learning how to make smithing template upgrades work takes practice. The first time I tried upgrading my diamond chestplate, I nearly ruined it by putting materials in the wrong slots. Here's the foolproof method:
- Place your smithing station down somewhere well-lit
- Put the existing gear piece in the left slot
- Place the upgrade material in the middle
- Put the smithing template in the right slot
- Collect your upgraded item from the result slot
You absolutely need the template to appear in the result slot BEFORE adding materials. I learned this the hard way when I wasted a netherite ingot because I put everything in at once.
Required Materials for Upgrades
Different upgrades need different ingredients. Here's what you'll need for each template type:
| Template Name | Material Required | Quantity | My Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Netherite Upgrade | Netherite Ingot | 1 | Worth every scrap |
| Armor Trim (All) | Material Ingots | 1 | Use cheap copper first |
| Tool Upgrades | Corresponding Material | 1 | Diamond to netherite only |
Duplicating Smithing Templates
Here's where you actually learn how to make smithing template copies. You can't create new templates from nothing, but you can duplicate existing ones using these materials:
| Template Type | Duplication Material | Where to Find | My Success Tips |
|---|---|---|---|
| Netherite Upgrade | 7 Diamonds + Block of Netherrack | Crafted | Use fortune pick for diamonds |
| Coast Armor Trim | 7 Prismarine Crystals | Ocean Monuments | Bring water breathing potions |
| Dune Armor Trim | 7 Sandstone | Deserts | Easiest to obtain |
| Eye Armor Trim | 7 Ender Pearls | Endermen | Build enderman farm first |
Duplication process:
- Place smithing station
- Put template in left slot
- Add duplication material in right slot
- Collect duplicate template from result slot
Don't try duplicating without the exact materials listed. I wasted hours trying to duplicate a Coast template with regular prismarine shards before realizing it needed crystals instead.
Template Rarity and Preservation
Some templates are ridiculously rare. The Ward armor trim has about a 3% drop rate in ancient cities. When I finally got one after twelve expeditions, I nearly fell off my chair. Here's how to protect your precious templates:
- Store in ender chest immediately
- Make duplicates BEFORE using
- Never carry all templates at once
- Label shulker boxes clearly
Seriously, losing a rare template feels worse than dying with full netherite gear.
Troubleshooting Common Template Problems
Why won't my smithing template work? Here are solutions to frequent headaches:
| Problem | Solution | My Personal Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Template not showing in slot | Ensure it's actual template, not pattern | I made this mistake 4 times |
| Upgrade won't activate | Check material matches template type | Netherite needs netherite ingots |
| Duplication fails | Verify correct duplication materials | Used wrong prismarine type |
| Armor trim disappears | Ensure you applied template first | Wasted 3 gold ingots learning this |
Why Some Templates Aren't Worth The Effort
Honestly? Most armor trim templates are purely cosmetic. The Wild Armor Trim requires clearing a woodland mansion for a tiny pattern change. Not worth it unless you're a completionist. I'd prioritize these:
- Netherite Upgrade (essential)
- Sentry Armor Trim (coolest design)
- Coast Armor Trim (easy to duplicate)
- Ward Armor Trim (rarest flex)
- Dune Armor Trim (simplest materials)
Essential Template FAQs
How to make smithing template duplicates without losing the original?
Put ONLY the template in the left slot and duplication materials in the right. The original stays put while the copy appears in the result slot. I've duplicated my Netherite upgrade template seven times this way.
Can I craft smithing templates from scratch?
Nope. Templates must be found in generated structures. Anyone telling you how to make smithing template from raw materials is misinformed. I spent hours testing combinations before confirming this.
Why does my armor trim disappear when repairing?
Standard anvils remove trims during repairs. Use the smithing station with another template application to repair while keeping designs. Lost my favorite trim before figuring this out.
How many times can I use one template?
Templates become permanently consumed during upgrades unless you duplicate them first. Always duplicate immediately after finding rare ones. Learned this after losing my first Eye Armor Trim.
What's the actual benefit of armor trim templates?
Pure aesthetics. Despite rumors, they provide no stat boosts. The Netherite upgrade template is the only functional one that increases durability and knockback resistance.
Advanced Template Strategies
After messing up countless upgrades, here's what actually works:
- Mass duplication session: When you find rare templates, duplicate 5+ copies immediately
- Template storage system: Dedicate one ender chest exclusively to templates
- Netherite upgrade priority: Always upgrade weapons first, then chestplate
- Cosmetic timing: Apply armor trims AFTER full netherite upgrade
Wish I knew these before ruining two perfectly good diamond swords.
Template Hunting Efficiency Tips
Finding templates sucks less when you:
- Bring shulker boxes to ancient cities
- Use efficiency V netherite pick for bastions
- Set respawn anchors near structures
- Bring milk to counter darkness effect
- Use night vision potions consistently
Bastion hunting tip: Loot ONLY treasure rooms then leave. Fighting through entire bastions for templates is inefficient. Got 3 Netherite upgrade templates in 45 minutes using this method.
Why Smithing Templates Changed Everything
Before templates, upgrading gear felt... flat. Now there's actual progression and customization. That first time I turned my diamond sword into netherite using a smithing template? Magical. Seeing the black blade appear felt like genuine accomplishment.
But let's be real - the duplication costs are brutal for rare templates. Seven ender pearls for one Eye Armor Trim duplicate? That's excessive. Mojang should balance this better.
The Real Value of Templates
Beyond mechanics, smithing templates add personality to gear. My friend has matching Dune-trimmed armor with gold accents. My skeleton farm armor has Bone trim. This visual storytelling beats plain netherite any day. Worth the hassle? For dedicated players - absolutely.
Still, for casual players? Stick to Netherite upgrade templates only. The cosmetic ones aren't worth dying in lava for.
At the end of the day, understanding how to make smithing template systems work for you transforms your gameplay. Just don't be like me - duplicate before upgrading!
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