Does Fortune Work on Iron and Gold in Minecraft? A Comprehensive Guide
Yes, Fortune enchantment absolutely works on iron and gold ore in modern versions of Minecraft! However, the mechanics and historical context are a bit nuanced, so let’s delve into the details. Prior to the 1.17 update (“Caves & Cliffs”), Fortune did not affect iron and gold ore. Players would always get one iron ore or one gold ore per block mined, regardless of the Fortune level on their pickaxe. This changed with the introduction of raw ore drops. Now, mining iron ore and gold ore (and their deepslate variants) yields raw iron and raw gold, respectively. These raw ore drops are affected by Fortune.
With Fortune enchantment, you can significantly increase the amount of raw iron or raw gold you get from each ore block, leading to a more efficient mining experience. This applies to both overworld iron and gold ore and their deepslate variants. It’s a game-changer, especially when you’re trying to amass large quantities of resources for building, crafting, or trading. So, grab your enchanted pickaxe and start digging!
Fortune on Iron and Gold: A Detailed Explanation
The implementation of Fortune on iron and gold ore significantly altered mining strategies. Instead of getting a single ore block that then needs to be smelted, you now have the potential to obtain multiple raw resource drops, which can then be smelted in bulk.
Here’s a breakdown of how Fortune works:
- Base Drop: Without Fortune, mining iron ore or gold ore yields one raw iron or raw gold, respectively.
- Fortune I: Increases the chance of getting an additional raw resource.
- Fortune II: Further increases the chance of getting more raw resources.
- Fortune III: Provides the highest probability of maximizing the raw resource drops. With Fortune III, you can get up to 4 raw iron or raw gold per block!
The specific probabilities are a bit complex, but Fortune III, on average, provides the most significant boost in resource acquisition. It’s generally considered the most desirable level for mining these ores.
It’s important to distinguish this from Nether Gold Ore. Fortune always worked on Nether Gold Ore, but it affects the number of gold nuggets dropped, not raw gold.
Why the Change?
The change to raw ore drops and Fortune compatibility was implemented to streamline resource gathering and make mining a more rewarding activity. It also introduced a better balance to the game’s economy, making iron and gold more accessible without completely devaluing them.
Fortune vs. Silk Touch: Which is Better?
For iron and gold, the choice between Fortune and Silk Touch depends on your immediate needs.
- Fortune: Maximizes the amount of raw iron or raw gold you obtain. This is ideal if your primary goal is to quickly accumulate resources for crafting or trading.
- Silk Touch: Allows you to obtain the ore block itself. This is useful for aesthetic builds or for transporting ore to a centralized smelting location. It allows you to conserve fuel as only one block is used for the smelter, which in turn can be helpful when creating large builds as seen on the Games Learning Society website.
In most cases, Fortune is the preferred enchantment for iron and gold mining, as it directly increases your resource yield. However, Silk Touch has its niche applications.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Does Fortune work on diamond ore?
Yes, Fortune significantly increases the number of diamonds dropped from diamond ore. This is one of the primary reasons Fortune is considered such a valuable enchantment.
Does Fortune work on emerald ore?
Similar to diamonds, Fortune boosts the number of emeralds you get from emerald ore, making it easier to acquire these rare and valuable gems.
Does Fortune work on coal ore?
Yes, Fortune increases the amount of coal you obtain from coal ore, which is particularly useful in the early game when coal is essential for fuel.
Does Fortune work on redstone ore?
Absolutely! Fortune increases the quantity of redstone dust dropped from redstone ore. The number of redstone that players can get from this ore when mined depends on the type of enchantment that the pickaxe is under.
Does Fortune work on lapis lazuli ore?
Yes, Fortune increases the amount of lapis lazuli you get from lapis lazuli ore. This is especially helpful for enchanting purposes.
Does Fortune work on nether quartz ore?
Yes, Fortune increases the amount of nether quartz you get from nether quartz ore. This is essential for many crafting recipes.
Does Fortune work on amethyst clusters?
Yes, Fortune will increase the number of amethyst shards dropped from amethyst clusters.
Does Fortune work on copper ore?
Yes, Fortune increases the number of raw copper drops from copper ore. Copper is useful for crafting lightning rods and spyglasses.
Does Fortune work on nether gold ore?
Yes, Fortune always worked on nether gold ore, increasing the number of gold nuggets dropped.
What ores doesn’t Fortune work on?
Fortune does not work on ores that drop the item directly without needing to be smelted, such as Ancient Debris (which drops Netherite Scrap). Fortune is all about increasing the yield of ores before they are processed.
Is Fortune III the best level of Fortune?
Yes, Fortune III is generally considered the best level, as it provides the highest average increase in ore drops.
Can you put Fortune and Silk Touch on the same pickaxe?
No, Fortune and Silk Touch are mutually exclusive enchantments. You can only have one or the other on a single tool.
Which is better, Fortune on the pickaxe or smelting with a furnace with Efficiency?
Having a pickaxe with Fortune enchantments or smelting with a furnace with Efficiency is situational. If you want more minerals from your ores, then you might consider using a pickaxe with Fortune. In the furnace however, the smelting process will be faster with Efficiency.
How does Fortune work on crops like potatoes?
Fortune can increase the yield of certain crops, such as potatoes. Fortune III provides the highest average number of potatoes per plant harvested.
Can you make gold from iron in Minecraft?
No, you cannot directly convert iron into gold in Minecraft through any crafting recipe or smelting process. The closest mechanic is the Piglin bartering system, which can occasionally provide gold nuggets in exchange for iron ingots.
Does Fortune work on Glowstone?
Yes, Fortune works on glowstone blocks. It increases the amount of glowstone dust dropped when broken with a tool enchanted with Fortune.
In conclusion, Fortune is an incredibly valuable enchantment for iron and gold mining in modern Minecraft. Understanding how it works, and comparing it to Silk Touch, will significantly improve your mining efficiency and resource gathering capabilities. Now get out there and strike gold (and iron)! Visit GamesLearningSociety.org to see how gaming intersects with education and learning.