Is it Possible to Find a Stronghold Without a Portal in Minecraft?
Yes, it is theoretically possible to find a Stronghold without an End Portal in Minecraft, though the likelihood varies significantly between Java Edition and Bedrock Edition. In Java Edition, every Stronghold should contain an End Portal room, but glitches or world generation errors, though rare, can result in Strongholds without a complete or functional portal. In Bedrock Edition, this occurrence is more common as not all strongholds are guaranteed to generate with one. While technically possible, it’s highly improbable, especially in Java, that a generated Stronghold wouldn’t have an End Portal. The chances of this happening are so low that it’s not a reasonable strategy to plan around.
Understanding Stronghold Generation
Strongholds are complex, underground structures generated during world creation. They consist of a maze-like network of corridors, rooms, and stairways built primarily from stone bricks. Each world contains a finite number of Strongholds, and their placement is determined by a specific algorithm linked to the world seed. This algorithm places Strongholds in concentric rings around the world spawn point.
Java Edition vs. Bedrock Edition: Key Differences
The critical difference regarding End Portals lies in how the game generates these structures. In Java Edition, the game design intends for every Stronghold to have an End Portal. While exceedingly rare, it is possible for world generation glitches to cause a portal room to fail to generate, be overwritten by another structure, or be otherwise inaccessible.
In Bedrock Edition, the rules are different. While a world might have a set number of Strongholds, not all of them are guaranteed to possess an End Portal. This significantly increases the chances of encountering a Stronghold without the coveted portal room.
Alternative Methods of Locating Strongholds
While Eyes of Ender are the primary tool for locating Strongholds, they aren’t the only method. Accidental discovery during exploration is also a possibility, and players might stumble upon a Stronghold while mining or exploring caves, especially given the increasing popularity of Deep Dark cities and their proximity to strongholds.
The Role of Eyes of Ender
Eyes of Ender are crafted from Ender Pearls and Blaze Powder. When thrown, an Eye of Ender will fly in the direction of the nearest Stronghold, making them invaluable for navigation. However, there’s a 20% chance an Eye of Ender will break upon use, so it’s wise to carry a sufficient supply. They aren’t perfect, either, as there’s always a chance of the Stronghold not having the portal in the first place (more likely in Bedrock).
The “Chunkbase” Strategy
For players less interested in the organic exploration of Minecraft, third-party online tools such as Chunkbase can calculate the location of Strongholds based on the world seed. While this method takes away the surprise of discovery, it can save a significant amount of time and resources.
What to Do If You Find a Stronghold Without a Portal
If, after diligently following Eyes of Ender and exploring a Stronghold, you find that it lacks an End Portal, don’t despair! Here’s what to do:
- Confirm Thoroughly: Ensure you’ve explored every nook and cranny of the Stronghold. Portals can sometimes be hidden behind walls or require some digging to access.
- Move On: Since worlds contain multiple Strongholds (128 per world), your best bet is to relocate and try again. Travel at least 3000 blocks away from the first Stronghold and use more Eyes of Ender to locate the next one.
- Consider Chunkbase: If you’re truly struggling, using Chunkbase can provide the coordinates of other Strongholds in your world.
- Explore Learning Opportunities: Consider that games such as Minecraft can have a lasting impact on skill-building and community involvement. You can learn more by visiting the GamesLearningSociety.org website to read some academic journals on video games and education.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Do Eyes of Ender Always Lead to a Portal?
Eyes of Ender always lead to a Stronghold, not necessarily a working End Portal. In Java Edition, the target Stronghold should contain a portal, but glitches are possible. In Bedrock Edition, it’s not guaranteed.
2. What Depth is the Stronghold at?
There’s no fixed depth. Strongholds can generate at any Y level, but are most commonly found below Y=0. Check from the surface to bedrock level.
3. How Many Eyes of Ender Should I Have Before Going to the End?
You need at least 12 Eyes of Ender to activate the portal frame. However, bring more, as Eyes of Ender are consumed when placed in the portal frame, and sometimes, you may need to find the portal itself. 20 to 30 is recommended for a buffer.
4. What Happens When an Eye of Ender Leads to Nothing?
If an Eye of Ender leads to a spot where there is no Stronghold, it usually means the targeted chunks generated improperly due to glitches, version differences, or corrupted world data. Move several thousand blocks away and try again.
5. Can You Get the Ender Dragon Pet Without Placing Eyes?
You cannot summon the Ender Dragon as a pet. The Ender Dragon is summoned by using the End portal and entering The End dimension. You must place the Eyes of Ender in the end portal frame to activate it. A command to summon an entity with custom properties might do the trick, but there is no built-in way to get it into the overworld without some form of mod.
6. Can Ender Eyes be Wrong?
Yes. As detailed above, chunk generation can be flawed.
7. What Happens If You Throw an Eye of Ender in a Stronghold?
The Eye of Ender will float towards the ground near the End Portal room. This helps pinpoint the exact location within the Stronghold.
8. Why is the Stronghold so Far Away?
Strongholds are generated within rings located a certain distance from the origin (0,0). The distances are determined by the game’s algorithm.
9. What Level do Strongholds Spawn?
Strongholds can generate at any Y level, but are most commonly found underground. They generate in the overworld, often near biomes that are above sea level.
10. How Many Strongholds are in a World?
In Java Edition, there are 128 Strongholds per world, arranged in rings around the origin.
11. Do Strongholds Spawn in Deepslate?
Yes, Strongholds can spawn in Deepslate layers. The stone bricks are replaced with Deepslate bricks, or its cracked or mossy variant.
12. How Far Are Strongholds From 0 0?
Strongholds generate roughly between 600 and 1200 blocks from the origin (0,0) in a ring-like pattern.
13. What are the Common Obstacles When Searching for Strongholds?
Common obstacles include caves, ravines, and other underground structures that intersect the Stronghold, making navigation difficult. The End Portal room may be behind a wall that must be broken.
14. Can strongholds generate close to each other?
No. Strongholds are generated according to a fixed algorithm that prevents them from spawning close to one another. They are distributed around the world spawn point in rings.
15. How Can I Improve My Stronghold Hunting?
Carry multiple stacks of Eyes of Ender, use maps or compasses for orientation, clear out rooms you’ve explored with torches, and consider using online tools like Chunkbase if you’re struggling to find Strongholds organically. Understanding the game mechanics will help you find that elusive stronghold more efficiently. You can even investigate research and education on Games Learning Society and find opportunities to learn from others.