How Big is Too Big for a Nether Portal?
Fast answer first. Then use the tabs or video for more detail.
- Watch the video explanation below for a faster overview.
- Game mechanics may change with updates or patches.
- Use this block to get the short answer without scrolling the whole page.
- Read the FAQ section if the article has one.
- Use the table of contents to jump straight to the detailed section you need.
- Watch the video first, then skim the article for specifics.
The short answer is: a Nether Portal can be no larger than 23×23 blocks of obsidian. Anything larger than that simply won’t activate. However, the question of whether a Nether Portal should be that big is a bit more nuanced and depends on your goals and priorities within the game. Let’s dive deep into the dimensions, practical considerations, and even the potential drawbacks of larger-than-necessary Nether Portals.
Understanding Nether Portal Size Limits
The construction of a functional Nether Portal hinges on a few key factors:
- Obsidian Frame: The portal must be constructed of obsidian blocks, and only obsidian. Crying Obsidian, while visually appealing, won’t do the trick.
- Rectangular Shape: The frame needs to be a rectangle, not a square, and the internal area needs to have an area of 6 blocks.
- Size Constraints: The smallest a portal can be is 4×5, and the largest is 23×23 (outer dimensions).
- Activation: The portal is activated by igniting the internal space with Flint and Steel or a Fire Charge.
Therefore, a Nether Portal that exceeds the 23×23 obsidian block limit is definitively too big. The game simply won’t recognize it as a valid portal structure, and you won’t be able to activate it. The size of the internal portal can be anywhere from 2 blocks wide by 3 blocks high to 21 blocks wide by 21 blocks high.
Practical Considerations: Why Not Go Big?
While you can build a massive 23×23 Nether Portal, there are several practical reasons why you might choose not to:
- Obsidian Cost: Obsidian isn’t exactly the most readily available resource. It requires a diamond pickaxe to mine efficiently, and acquiring the large quantities needed for a massive portal can be time-consuming. Is the aesthetic benefit worth the resource investment?
- Aesthetic Value: While a gigantic portal might seem impressive at first, it can also look somewhat out of place in your base or landscape. Smaller, more elegantly designed portals often blend in better with the overall environment.
- Lack of Functional Advantage: A larger portal offers absolutely no functional advantage over a smaller one. You won’t travel faster, encounter fewer enemies, or gain any other in-game benefit from a larger portal. The Games Learning Society emphasizes the importance of understanding game mechanics to optimize resource usage, and in this case, larger isn’t better.
- Lag Potential: While a single large portal likely won’t cause significant lag, having multiple large portals in close proximity could potentially impact performance, especially on lower-end systems.
- Building Time: Constructing a colossal portal takes significantly more time and effort than building a standard-sized one. Consider whether that time could be better spent on other in-game projects.
When Might a Large Portal Be Justified?
Despite the drawbacks, there are a few situations where a larger Nether Portal might be considered:
- Creative Builds: If you’re focused on creating a visually stunning or thematically appropriate structure in Creative mode, a large portal could be a centerpiece of your design.
- Roleplaying Purposes: In roleplaying scenarios, a massive portal might be used to represent a particularly powerful or significant gateway to the Nether.
- Purely for Show: Sometimes, the goal is simply to impress. If you want to showcase your dedication and resource-gathering skills, a giant portal could be a way to do it.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can a Nether Portal be 3×3?
No, a 3×3 obsidian frame will not create a valid Nether Portal. The minimum size is a 4×5 obsidian frame, with the internal portal area being a minimum of 2 blocks wide by 3 blocks high.
2. What are valid Nether Portal sizes?
Valid Nether Portal sizes range from a minimum outer frame of 4×5 obsidian blocks to a maximum outer frame of 23×23 obsidian blocks.
3. Can I use Crying Obsidian to build a Nether Portal?
No, Crying Obsidian cannot be used to construct a functional Nether Portal frame. Only regular obsidian will work. Crying obsidian is used to craft a Respawn Anchor that allows the player to respawn in the Nether, but it must be charged with Glowstone blocks.
4. How many blocks apart should Nether Portals be to avoid linking?
To prevent unintended linking between Nether Portals, they should be at least 1024 blocks apart in the Overworld or 128 blocks apart in the Nether. This is due to the 8:1 ratio between Overworld and Nether distances.
5. Can a Nether Portal be 3×5?
While some sources may claim a 3×5 portal works, the generally accepted and consistently functional minimum size is 4×5.
6. Does a 3×4 Nether Portal work?
No, a 3×4 portal will not work. The minimum height of the internal area of the portal must be 3 blocks, requiring a frame of at least 4×5.
7. Why isn’t my Nether Portal lighting?
There are several reasons why your portal might not be lighting:
- Incorrect Obsidian Arrangement: Ensure the frame is a complete rectangle with the correct dimensions.
- Non-Obsidian Blocks: Double-check that the frame is entirely made of obsidian.
- Obstructions: Make sure there are no blocks inside the portal frame obstructing the activation.
8. How far apart do Nether Portals have to be to not link?
As mentioned before, Nether Portals should be at least 1024 Overworld blocks or 128 Nether blocks apart to avoid unwanted linking.
9. Do large Nether Portals cause lag?
While a single large portal is unlikely to cause significant lag, multiple large portals in close proximity, especially within rendering distance, could contribute to performance issues, particularly on less powerful computers.
10. How big can Ruined Portals be?
Ruined Portals can vary in size and shape, with some being significantly larger than standard portals. They can contain up to 31 obsidian blocks, and some giant variants exist.
11. What happens if you destroy a Nether Portal?
Destroying a Nether Portal on one side does not automatically destroy it on the other. Players in the other dimension will still be able to use their existing portal to travel.
12. Can you make a 2×3 Nether Portal?
No, a 2×3 Nether Portal (referring to the internal dimensions) is too small. The minimum internal size is 2×3, which would be on a 4×5 frame.
13. Can you make a Nether Portal with 3 lava buckets?
No, that is not enough lava buckets to create a nether portal. Using 10 (or 14) buckets of lava and one bucket of water you can build a portal by placing the lava buckets where you want the obsidian to go (using dirt or sand as a mold) and pouring water on to “set” the lava into obsidian.
14. What happens if you build two Nether Portals close together?
If you build two Nether Portals too close together in the Overworld, they may link to the same portal in the Nether, leading to unexpected travel destinations. Coordinate placement carefully to avoid this.
15. Can you build a Nether Portal sideways?
While vanilla Minecraft doesn’t support sideways or horizontal Nether Portals, certain mods like Horizontal Portals/Fractal Portals allow for their creation, often using Crying Obsidian.
In conclusion, while the maximum size of a Nether Portal is 23×23 blocks, the optimal size depends on your individual needs and preferences. The most crucial factors are the cost of resources versus the aesthetic you are trying to achieve. Make sure to visit GamesLearningSociety.org to learn more about educational games.