Bedrock Portals in the End: A Comprehensive Guide

So, you’re venturing into the End in Minecraft: Bedrock Edition and are curious about the portals you’ll encounter? Let’s break it down. The End in Bedrock features two primary types of portals: End Gateways and the Exit Portal (or End Portal). End Gateways transport you to the outer islands after defeating the Ender Dragon, while the Exit Portal takes you back to the Overworld. These portals are crucial for navigating and progressing through the End dimension.

Understanding the End Dimension Portals in Bedrock

The End dimension, a surreal and challenging realm in Minecraft, relies heavily on portals for navigation. In Bedrock Edition, understanding these portals is vital for both survival and progression. Let’s dissect the functionality and significance of each type:

The Exit Portal (End Portal)

This portal is the initial one you encounter and the final one you use to leave after defeating the Ender Dragon. Here’s what you need to know:

• Activation: The Exit Portal appears after you defeat the Ender Dragon. It’s a pre-built portal made of bedrock, situated above a fountain of experience orbs.
• Functionality: Its primary purpose is to return you to your spawn point in the Overworld.
• Location: It’s always found on the main central island where you fight the Ender Dragon.
• Ender Dragon Egg: If the Ender Dragon egg, which spawns after the dragon is defeated, falls into the portal, it will be teleported to the world spawn point (coordinates 0, 0). Securing the egg before it falls in is a common player objective.

End Gateways

These portals are key to exploring the outer islands of the End, where you’ll find End Cities and invaluable loot.

• Generation: After each time you defeat the Ender Dragon, a new End Gateway portal is created on the main End island, up to a maximum of 20. Additionally, some End Gateways are randomly generated throughout the outer End islands.
• Functionality: They act as one-way teleporters from the main End island to various locations on the outer islands.
• Appearance: They appear as small, bedrock structures with a swirling beam of white light.
• Traversal: To use them, you need to throw an Ender Pearl into the portal. The Ender Pearl will then transport you to a corresponding outer island gateway.
• Exploration: They’re essential for reaching End Cities where you can obtain Elytra (wings) and other valuable items.
• Limited Spawns on Central Island: On the central island, up to 20 gateways can be spawned.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About End Portals in Bedrock

Here are some commonly asked questions about End Portals in Bedrock Edition, providing more in-depth knowledge:

1. Are there End Portals in the Overworld in Bedrock?

   Yes, but they’re not the same as the ones in the End. End Portal Frame blocks generate naturally only in strongholds, specifically in portal rooms suspended over a pool of lava. These portals lead to the End dimension, not between locations within the End.

2. How many strongholds exist in a Bedrock world, and does each have an End Portal?

   In Bedrock Edition, there can be up to 128 strongholds per world. However, unlike the Java edition, not every stronghold contains an End Portal. Finding a stronghold doesn’t guarantee access to the End dimension.

3. How many End City portals are there in Bedrock per world?

   This question is a common point of confusion. An End City doesn’t have a dedicated “End City portal.” You reach End Cities by using the End Gateways, which teleport you from the main End island to the outer islands where End Cities are located. The number of potential End Cities is tied to the world generation algorithm and can be quite large.

4. Can I respawn the Ender Dragon in Bedrock?

   Yes! You can respawn the Ender Dragon by placing four End Crystals on top of the Exit Portal (the bedrock structure in the center of the main island). This will bring the dragon back to life, regenerate the End Crystals on the obsidian towers, and, upon its defeat, spawn another End Gateway portal, up to the limit of 20 on the central island.

5. What happens if I fall into the void in the End?

   Falling into the void in the End results in immediate death. You’ll respawn at your set spawn point in the Overworld. Make sure to bring plenty of blocks and be cautious when traversing the outer islands, as the gaps can be treacherous.

6. Is it possible to find Elytra before defeating the Ender Dragon?

   Yes, it’s possible, but considerably harder. While defeating the Ender Dragon creates a more direct path to the outer islands via the End Gateways, you can try to bridge or use Ender Pearls to reach the outer islands without killing the dragon first. This is a risky and challenging endeavor but achievable for experienced players.

7. Can I build my own portal to the End in Bedrock?

   You can’t create a portal within the End. You can, however, create the End Portal in the Overworld by finding a stronghold and placing Eyes of Ender in the End Portal Frame blocks in the portal room. This will open a portal to the End dimension.

8. What is the floating structure sometimes found near End Cities?

   These are End Ships. They’re generated alongside End Cities and are the only places where you can legitimately obtain Elytra and Dragon Heads. Finding an End Ship is a major goal when exploring the outer End islands.

9. What are Chorus Plants and what do they do?

   Chorus Plants are tall, coral-like blocks that are abundant in the outer End islands. They are composed of Chorus Plants and Chorus Fruit. Chorus Fruit can be eaten, and when consumed, it teleports you a short distance randomly. Chorus Plants can be harvested to obtain Chorus Fruit, which can be crafted into Popped Chorus Fruit, an ingredient for making End Rods.

10. What happens if the Ender Dragon egg falls into an End Gateway?

    The Ender Dragon egg can only fall into the Exit Portal after the dragon is defeated. It will reappear at the world’s spawn point. End Gateways do not allow physical items to pass through them, only the player after throwing an Ender Pearl.

11. How far apart are the End Cities in Bedrock?

    The distance between End Cities varies greatly, as their placement is determined by the world generation algorithm. Some can be relatively close, while others can be thousands of blocks apart. Having Elytra is extremely helpful for covering these distances efficiently.

12. Can I use a Nether Portal to reach the End?

    No, Nether Portals lead to the Nether dimension, not the End. To reach the End, you must activate an End Portal in a stronghold within the Overworld.

13. Can I get lost in the End?

    Absolutely. The End can be disorienting, especially in the outer islands, which are vast and sparsely populated. It’s essential to bring compasses (which won’t work in the End, but serve as reminders of your spawn point), maps, and plenty of resources. Using landmarks and carefully placing blocks to mark your path can also help prevent you from getting lost.

14. Are there any differences in End Portal mechanics between Bedrock and Java editions?

    Yes, a key difference is the guarantee of End Portals within strongholds. In Java Edition, every stronghold always has an End Portal. In Bedrock Edition, not every stronghold does, making the search for an End Portal in the Overworld potentially more challenging.

15. Where can I learn more about game design and mechanics in Minecraft?

    Understanding the mechanics of Minecraft, including portal generation and dimension navigation, can be enhanced through the study of game design principles. The Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org explores the intersection of games and education, providing valuable insights into how games can be used as powerful learning tools. Delving into the world of Minecraft can be a lot of fun.