Can You Fortune Raw Iron in Minecraft? A Comprehensive Guide
The short answer is yes, you can absolutely Fortune raw iron in Minecraft. The mechanics of obtaining iron have evolved since the Caves and Cliffs update, introducing raw iron as an intermediary step. Now, when you mine iron ore or deepslate iron ore with a stone pickaxe or higher, you don’t directly get iron ingots. Instead, you receive raw iron, which you then need to smelt into usable ingots. Thankfully, the Fortune enchantment does indeed work on raw iron, offering a way to maximize your yields.
How Fortune Affects Raw Iron Drops
The Fortune enchantment increases the number of items dropped when breaking certain blocks, and raw iron is included in that list. A pickaxe with Fortune I has a chance to drop an extra unit of raw iron, while Fortune II has a higher chance of producing two extra, and Fortune III can yield up to three extra raw iron per block mined. This means a maximum of 4 raw iron can be obtained from a single ore block when using a Fortune III pickaxe.
Mining Iron Ore with Fortune
Previously, iron ore would drop itself, and the Fortune enchantment did not affect it. Now, with the introduction of raw iron, things have changed. Here’s a breakdown:
- Unenchanted Pickaxe: 1 unit of raw iron per iron ore block mined.
- Fortune I Pickaxe: 1-2 units of raw iron per block, averaging a 33% increase.
- Fortune II Pickaxe: 1-3 units of raw iron per block.
- Fortune III Pickaxe: 1-4 units of raw iron per block.
As you can see, using a Fortune-enchanted pickaxe can significantly boost your iron gathering efficiency, making it crucial for large-scale building projects.
Smelting Raw Iron into Ingots
The raw iron you collect cannot be used directly. Instead, it must be smelted into iron ingots. To do this, you’ll need a furnace and a fuel source such as coal, wood, or charcoal. Simply place the raw iron in the top slot and fuel in the bottom slot, and after a short while, you’ll have a stack of iron ingots ready to use.
Other Uses of Raw Iron Blocks
While you can’t use raw iron directly, raw iron blocks also exist. These blocks can be found rarely within huge ore veins below Y=0. Smelting a raw iron block will yield one iron block, which can then be crafted into nine iron ingots.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Raw Iron and Fortune
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further explore the world of raw iron in Minecraft:
1. What is raw iron in Minecraft?
Raw iron is a new intermediary material introduced in the Caves and Cliffs update. Instead of directly getting iron ingots when mining iron ore, you now get raw iron, which must be smelted.
2. What is deepslate iron ore?
Deepslate iron ore is a variant of iron ore that spawns in the deeper parts of the world (below Y=0). It drops raw iron when mined, just like regular iron ore.
3. What tools can mine iron ore and deepslate iron ore?
You need at least a stone pickaxe or higher-tier pickaxe (such as iron, diamond, or Netherite) to mine iron ore and deepslate iron ore and obtain raw iron.
4. What does the Fortune enchantment do?
The Fortune enchantment increases the number of items that drop when mining specific blocks, including iron ore and deepslate iron ore (via raw iron).
5. What is the maximum amount of raw iron I can get with Fortune?
With a Fortune III pickaxe, you can obtain a maximum of 4 raw iron from a single iron ore or deepslate iron ore block.
6. How do you smelt raw iron?
To smelt raw iron, you need a furnace and a fuel source (coal, charcoal, wood). Place the raw iron in the top slot and the fuel in the bottom slot of the furnace.
7. How are raw iron blocks found?
Blocks of raw iron are found rarely inside huge ore veins below Y=0.
8. What happens when you smelt a block of raw iron?
Smelting a raw iron block yields one iron block. This iron block can then be crafted into nine iron ingots.
9. Does Fortune work on other raw ores like gold or copper?
Yes, the Fortune enchantment also works on raw gold and raw copper, increasing their drop rates.
10. Is raw iron affected by the Silk Touch enchantment?
No, the Silk Touch enchantment makes the blocks drop themselves, not raw iron. This means that when mining iron ore with a pickaxe enchanted with Silk Touch you will obtain iron ore rather than raw iron.
11. Is iron more common in the Earth’s crust compared to Minecraft?
Yes, iron is much more common in the Earth’s crust. While it only makes up about 0.6% of the Minecraft world, it is about ten times more common in the Earth’s crust.
12. Does Fortune work on ancient debris?
No, the Fortune enchantment does not affect the drop rate of ancient debris. It always drops one piece regardless of Fortune enchantments.
13. Can Piglins take raw iron?
No, Piglins are only attracted to raw gold, not raw iron.
14. Why do we need to smelt raw metals?
Smelting is a necessary process for separating the desired metal (like iron) from its impurities and converting it into a usable form (ingots).
15. What is the difference between iron and steel in real life?
In real life, steel is an alloy made primarily of iron with a small amount of carbon added. This process significantly strengthens the iron, making steel a stronger and more versatile material.