What Can You Make Fences Out of in Minecraft?
Minecraft, the beloved sandbox game, offers incredible freedom in building and crafting. One of the most fundamental structures in the game is the fence, used for everything from keeping livestock contained to creating defensive perimeters. But what materials can you actually use to construct these essential barriers? The answer is more diverse than you might think, allowing for a wide range of aesthetic and functional choices.
Essentially, you can make fences in Minecraft out of the following primary materials: Wood Planks, Nether Bricks, Bamboo Planks, and Stone Bricks. Let’s break down each type and explore their unique characteristics.
Wooden Fences: The Classic Choice
Versatility and Availability
The most common and readily accessible type of fence is made from wood planks. What makes wooden fences so versatile is that you can use any type of wood plank found in the game. This includes oak, spruce, birch, jungle, acacia, dark oak, mangrove, crimson, and warped planks. Each wood type creates a unique-looking fence, allowing you to match your build’s aesthetic seamlessly.
Crafting Wooden Fences
The crafting recipe for a wooden fence requires 4 wood planks of the same type and 2 sticks. Place the planks in the first and third columns of a crafting table’s middle and bottom rows, and the sticks in the middle column on these two rows. This recipe yields 3 fences. This efficient recipe makes wooden fences one of the most readily available options.
Functionality of Wooden Fences
Wooden fences are effective at keeping most mobs and players from jumping over them, unless they are affected by a jump boost. This makes them ideal for building animal pens, separating areas in your base, and creating decorative barriers.
Nether Brick Fences: A Fiery Alternative
Aesthetics and Resilience
If you’re looking for a fence with a bit more visual flair and resilience, Nether brick fences are an excellent option. Constructed from Nether bricks, they boast a dark, reddish appearance that’s perfect for builds with a Nether theme. Additionally, Nether brick fences are fireproof, making them advantageous around lava or in areas prone to fire-related incidents.
Crafting Nether Brick Fences
The recipe for a Nether brick fence uses 4 Nether bricks and 2 Nether brick blocks. Place the Nether bricks in the first and third columns of a crafting table’s middle and bottom rows, and the Nether brick blocks in the middle column on these two rows. This recipe yields 6 nether brick fences. While more resource-intensive than wooden fences, the fire resistance and unique aesthetic make them worthwhile.
Functionality of Nether Brick Fences
Like wooden fences, Nether brick fences prevent most mobs from jumping over, adding an extra layer of protection. They also have the interesting property of connecting to wooden fence gates, making them a versatile option for creating functional entrances.
Other Notable Fence Materials
Bamboo Fences: An Up and Coming Option
A more recent addition to the fence lineup is the bamboo fence. This variant is made using bamboo planks and sticks. This option allows for even more building flexibility and a unique texture, particularly suitable for Asian-inspired builds. Crafting requires 4 bamboo planks on the left and right column and two sticks in the middle. This recipe yields 3 fences.
Stone Brick Walls: A Robust Border
While not strictly a fence, Stone Brick Walls often serve a similar purpose. Constructed using 6 stone bricks, stone brick walls offer excellent durability and a more imposing look than standard fences. They also do not connect to fences and do not have a gate variant. The recipe has 3 stone bricks in the top two rows of the crafting table. These connect to each other to create a large wall.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I mix different types of wood to make a fence?
No, you cannot mix different types of wood planks to make a fence. All the planks in the crafting recipe must be of the same type of wood. For example, you cannot combine oak planks with birch planks.
2. Do Nether brick fences connect to wooden fences?
No, Nether brick fences do not connect to wooden fences. They only connect to other Nether brick fences and Nether brick walls. However, Nether brick fences will connect to wooden fence gates.
3. Can mobs jump over fences?
Generally, mobs cannot jump over fences unless they have a jump boost effect. This makes fences effective barriers for both animals and hostile mobs.
4. Can you tie a lead to a fence?
Yes, you can tie a lead to a fence. Simply right-click on the fence with a lead in hand, while the other end of the lead is attached to an animal. The lead will wrap around the fence’s center post, allowing you to tether the creature.
5. How do you make a fence gate?
Fence gates are made using two sticks and four wood planks of the same type. The recipe is 2 sticks in the middle column of a crafting table, with planks in the left and right columns of the middle two rows. This yields one gate.
6. Can villagers open fence gates?
No, villagers cannot open fence gates. This is useful for containing villagers within a certain area without needing to constantly monitor them.
7. What is the most efficient fence to use?
Nether Brick fences are the most efficient due to their fireproof properties. However, they are more expensive to craft than wooden fences. Wooden fences are good for early game use as they are readily available.
8. Can you use iron bars as fences?
While not technically fences, iron bars can be used as alternatives, particularly when paired with leaf blocks to create a strong and visually appealing barrier.
9. What is the crafting recipe for a stone brick wall?
To craft a stone brick wall, you need six stone bricks placed in the first two rows of a crafting table. The recipe is three stone bricks in the top row and three stone bricks in the middle row. This recipe yields 6 stone brick walls.
10. How do I protect my base from zombies?
Fences are essential for protecting your base, but you can enhance defenses further. Use iron doors instead of wooden doors (as zombies can break down wooden doors). Building lava trenches or moats can also be very effective.
11. Can fences stop pillagers?
Yes, fences can stop pillagers. Pillagers cannot jump over them, which makes fences an excellent defensive measure to prevent raids.
12. Do fences connect to walls?
No, standard fences do not connect to walls. Only fence gates connect to walls. Walls connect to other walls, iron bars, and glass panes.
13. Can I make a fence out of cobblestone?
No, you cannot directly make fences out of cobblestone. Instead, you can create cobblestone walls using cobblestone in the same recipe as a stone brick wall.
14. How do I move animals into my fenced area?
Lure animals into your fenced area using their preferred food source. Once they are inside, close the gate.
15. Can I use fences to create a perimeter around a village?
Yes, building a fence wall around a village is a very effective way to keep villagers safe from mobs and pillager raids. A wall 2-4 blocks high is recommended to keep villagers in and enemies out.
In conclusion, fences in Minecraft offer a wide variety of possibilities. Whether you prefer the classic look of wooden fences, the fiery resilience of Nether brick fences, or the more recent bamboo option, you have the freedom to build barriers that fit both your functional and aesthetic needs. By understanding the different types of fences and their unique properties, you can enhance your gameplay and create more secure and visually appealing builds.