What is the Easiest Way to Find a Ruined Portal in Minecraft?
Finding a Ruined Portal in Minecraft can be a thrilling experience, offering a shortcut to the Nether and valuable loot. The easiest method for finding one involves a combination of understanding where they spawn and using strategic exploration techniques. Given that Ruined Portals generate in all biomes of both the Overworld and the Nether, there isn’t one single location to target. Instead, the focus should be on thorough exploration and a bit of luck. The most reliable approach is to travel methodically through areas, keeping an eye out for their distinctive appearance. While they can spawn on the surface, in the ground, and underwater, there are specific tactics that can improve your chances considerably.
Understanding Ruined Portal Generation
Anywhere and Everywhere?
Ruined Portals are unique in that they are one of the few generated structures that appear in both the Overworld and the Nether. They can be found exposed on the surface, submerged underwater, or nestled underground. This widespread generation makes them simultaneously common and tricky to locate. In the Overworld, you might find them in a dense forest, a sandy desert, or even a snowy mountain. In the Nether, their presence is similar, amidst lava lakes, basalt deltas, and crimson forests.
Underground Ruined Portals
When they generate underground, Ruined Portals often have air pockets surrounding them, making them more visible within cave systems. This is a crucial detail. When exploring caves or mineshafts, pay close attention to areas with unusually large or unnatural air gaps. These air gaps can lead you directly to a Ruined Portal. In the Nether, Ruined Portals with air pockets typically generate between Y-level 32 and 100. Those without air pockets have a chance to generate between Y-levels 27-29 and 29-100. Understanding this Y-level information helps narrow your search when exploring the Nether.
Effective Exploration Strategies
Surface Scouting
When exploring the Overworld, start by doing a general surface scout. Traveling on horseback or using elytra can help cover more ground quickly. Scan the terrain for partially built structures composed of obsidian and crying obsidian, often mixed with other blocks like stone and netherrack. Look for the characteristic ruined portal shape. Remember, they are supposed to appear incomplete.
Cave and Mine Exploration
Once you’ve done some surface scouting, explore cave systems. Be mindful of large air pockets that may lead to underground Ruined Portals. Check areas close to lava or water, as they can generate in proximity to these features. Keep a keen eye out for any formations that look unnatural or too symmetrical. Be prepared with torches, as many underground areas will be dark.
Nether Exploration Tactics
In the Nether, Ruined Portals are found amidst the fiery landscape. The same methods used in the Overworld apply, but you will be fighting the hostile environment. Focus on areas that are easier to traverse and allow you to have a broad overview of the terrain. Remember that the height at which they generate in the nether is key, so checking lower areas, and then the highest points can help locate them.
Seed-Specific Searching
If you are willing to use seed-specific information, online databases and forums often provide seed coordinates for discovered Ruined Portals. This can be the fastest method of locating a Ruined Portal, but it is less about the spirit of exploration. Using a seed-specific location should be your method of last resort.
Maximizing Your Chances
Strategic Mining
If you don’t find an exposed or easy-to-spot Ruined Portal, you may need to be more proactive with mining. Stripmine areas at different Y levels, paying extra attention to areas between layers 27 to 100 in the Nether, and similarly through most Y levels in the overworld. Be thorough in your search and use torches to maintain good visibility.
Using Chunkbase or Equivalent Tools
Chunkbase or similar online tools can help visualize the generation of structures within a specific seed. While this method isn’t directly “in-game,” it provides valuable planning information that can be used to drastically reduce search time and find Ruined Portals easily.
Be Patient
Finding a Ruined Portal is not guaranteed with every area you search. The randomness of their generation makes them quite elusive. Don’t get discouraged. Be patient and systematic in your exploration and you will find a Ruined Portal eventually.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can a Ruined Portal always be repaired?
Ruined Portals can often be repaired to function as working Nether Portals. However, they sometimes generate with missing obsidian blocks. These blocks need to be obtained from mining or other sources. It isn’t guaranteed that you will have all the necessary blocks from the portal itself.
2. Do Ruined Portals have loot?
Yes! Ruined Portals contain a chest with various items. These can include gold nuggets, flint and steel, obsidian, golden weapons, and other useful treasures. There is a small chance of finding a bell in one as well.
3. How rare is a bell in a Ruined Portal?
The chance of finding a bell in a Ruined Portal chest is quite rare, only about 1.5 percent. It is not a guarantee that you will find one.
4. Can Crying Obsidian be used to make a nether portal?
No, unlike standard obsidian, Crying Obsidian cannot be used to build a Nether Portal frame. It is primarily a decorative block. It can also be used to create a respawn anchor.
5. Where are underground Ruined Portals found?
Underground Ruined Portals are often surrounded by air pockets to ensure they are accessible. In the Nether they can be found from Y-level 27 to 100, depending on whether they have air pockets or not. In the overworld, the same is mostly true at all Y levels.
6. What should I do if I lose my Nether Portal in the Overworld?
If you lose your Nether Portal in the Overworld, travel back through your Nether portal. The game will generate a new portal for you in the Overworld. If that is not where you want it, then build a new portal at your desired location.
7. Can Ruined Portals spawn underwater?
Yes, Ruined Portals can spawn underwater. These are often partially covered by sand and other seafloor blocks.
8. Is Crying Obsidian harder than regular obsidian?
Crying Obsidian has the same hardness as normal Obsidian. Both require a Diamond or Netherite Pickaxe to mine efficiently.
9. Can I break Obsidian with my fist?
You can break Obsidian with your fist, but it will take an extremely long time, and you won’t get any Obsidian blocks. You need a Diamond or Netherite Pickaxe to obtain Obsidian.
10. How do I find the Deep Dark Portal in an Ancient City?
The portal in an Ancient City requires a special item dropped by the Warden to activate it. This portal doesn’t lead to a different dimension. The screen just goes black, indicating the player has entered the dark portal.
11. Can I find a Ruined Portal in every biome?
Yes, Ruined Portals are designed to spawn in every biome of both the Overworld and the Nether. However, their generation is random so they may not be immediately present in an area.
12. How rare are End Portals?
End portals are incredibly rare and depend on Eye of Ender placement in the portal frames. Each frame block has a 10% chance of containing an Eye of Ender, making a fully completed frame exceptionally rare.
13. Can I share a Nether Portal with other players?
Yes, Nether Portals can be shared by multiple players. Adjacent portals can also share obsidian blocks, if close enough.
14. What Y-Level should I search for Ruined Portals in the Nether?
In the Nether, Ruined Portals with air pockets generate between Y-level 32 and 100. Without air pockets, they have a 50% chance of spawning from Y-level 27 to 29 and a 50% chance from Y-level 29 to 100.
15. Is it possible to get enough Obsidian to complete the portal from the Ruined Portal itself?
Ruined Portals do sometimes generate with enough obsidian to complete the portal frame, however it is not guaranteed. You may need to obtain additional obsidian blocks from other sources.