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What Should I Get First in Minecraft? A Beginner’s Guide to Early Survival

So, you’ve spawned into the blocky world of Minecraft for the first time. The sun is (hopefully) rising, birds are chirping, and… you’re utterly lost. Don’t worry, we’ve all been there. The very first thing you need to get, even before a pickaxe, is wood. Punch a tree until you get at least 4 wood blocks. Then immediately craft those into planks and craft a crafting table. That crafting table is your gateway to everything. After that, craft a wooden pickaxe. With that pickaxe, you can then mine cobblestone and craft better tools that will significantly increase your efficiency.

Essential First Steps: From Zero to Self-Sufficiency

Your first few minutes in Minecraft are crucial. They determine whether you thrive or become zombie chow. Let’s break down those initial steps in more detail:

Step 1: Gathering Wood – The Foundation of Everything

As the article states, wood is the bedrock of your early survival. You need it for crafting tables, tools, and eventually, your first shelter.

How to get wood: Simply approach a tree and hold down the left mouse button (PC) or the right trigger (console). Your character will repeatedly punch the tree until a wood block breaks off.
How much wood do you need? Aim for at least 4 wood blocks to start, but grabbing 8-12 blocks is even better. This gives you a buffer for mistakes and allows you to craft more tools later.

Step 2: Crafting a Crafting Table – Your Key to Progression

With wood in hand, it’s time to make a crafting table. This is your most important early crafting station.

How to craft a crafting table: Open your inventory (press ‘E’ on PC). You’ll see a small 2×2 crafting grid. Place one wood block in each of the four squares. This will create four planks of that wood type. Then, place one plank in each of the four squares. This creates your crafting table. Drag the crafting table to your hotbar.
Why is it so important? The crafting table expands your crafting grid from a 2×2 to a 3×3, allowing you to craft more complex items like tools, weapons, and armor.

Step 3: Crafting Basic Tools: Pickaxe, Axe, Sword, and Shovel

Now that you have a crafting table, it’s time to make your first set of tools. Don’t skip any of these!

Crafting sticks: Place two wood planks vertically in your crafting table. This makes sticks, which you’ll need for almost all tools.
Wooden Pickaxe: Two sticks vertically in the middle, and three wood planks across the top row. The pickaxe is vital for mining stone.
Wooden Axe: Two sticks vertically in the middle, two wood planks across the top row and one to the left (or right) of the middle stick. This allows you to gather wood faster.
Wooden Sword: One stick vertically in the middle, and one wood plank above it. This is for defending yourself against hostile mobs.
Wooden Shovel: One stick vertically in the middle, and one wood plank above it. This is useful for digging sand and gravel quickly.

Step 4: Mining Cobblestone: Upgrading Your Tools

With your wooden pickaxe, find a nearby hill or rock formation and start mining cobblestone.

How much cobblestone do you need? At least 20, but more is always better.
Why cobblestone? Cobblestone is used to craft stone tools, which are significantly more durable and efficient than wooden tools.

Step 5: Crafting Stone Tools: A Significant Upgrade

Using your crafting table and cobblestone, craft a stone pickaxe, stone axe, stone sword, and stone shovel. These will be your workhorses for the early game.

Beyond the Basics: Surviving Your First Night

Once you have stone tools, your immediate survival prospects improve dramatically. However, night is coming, and that means hostile mobs will spawn.

Finding shelter: The fastest way to create a shelter is to dig into the side of a hill. Make sure it’s at least 2 blocks high and 2 blocks wide so you can stand comfortably. Seal it off with dirt or cobblestone blocks.
Making Torches: To make a torch, you need coal and a stick. Coal is often found in stone cliffs. Craft a torch by placing the coal above the stick.

FAQs: Getting Started in Minecraft

Here are some frequently asked questions that may help clarify the initial stages of your Minecraft journey:

What’s the fastest way to get wood? Aim for dark oak trees, as they have the most wood per tree. A stone axe will speed up the process considerably compared to a wooden axe.
Do I really need a shovel? While not strictly essential at the very beginning, a shovel makes digging sand and gravel much faster. This is useful for clearing areas and collecting resources.
Should I kill animals right away for food? Yes, food is crucial. Punch chickens, pigs, or cows to obtain raw meat. Cook it in a furnace (you’ll need to mine more stone for a furnace) to restore more hunger points.
How do I make a furnace? Place eight cobblestone blocks around the edge of the crafting table grid, leaving the center square empty.
What should I do if I can’t find coal? If you are struggling to find coal, you can make charcoal by cooking wood in a furnace. This requires wood as both fuel and material.
Is it better to build a house or just live in a hole in the ground? For your first night, a hole in the ground is perfectly acceptable. Once you have a stable food supply and some defenses, start planning a more permanent base.
What’s the difference between day and night? During the day, passive mobs (like cows, pigs, and chickens) spawn. At night, hostile mobs (like zombies, skeletons, and creepers) spawn.
How do I avoid getting killed by mobs? Stay in well-lit areas, build walls around your base, and carry a sword. Torches are your best friend!
What happens if I die? You respawn at your spawn point (usually where you first entered the world). You’ll lose all the items in your inventory, so try to retrieve them quickly before they despawn.
What’s the point of Minecraft? Minecraft has no set objective. You can build, explore, survive, or create whatever you want. It’s a sandbox game with endless possibilities!
How do I find my way back to my base? Build a tall landmark (like a tower) near your base, or use the F3 key (on PC) to display coordinates and write them down.
What’s the best way to find diamonds? Diamonds are found deep underground, typically around Y-level -59 in current versions. Bring an iron pickaxe (or better) to mine them.
Can I play Minecraft with friends? Yes! Minecraft has multiplayer options for both local and online play. You can create your own server or join an existing one.
How do I learn more about Minecraft? Watch YouTube tutorials, read online guides, and experiment in the game. The Minecraft community is vast and helpful! You might also find educational insights at places like Games Learning Society, which studies the application of games in educational settings. Check them out at GamesLearningSociety.org.
Is Minecraft safe for kids? Minecraft itself is generally safe, especially if you download it from the official Mojang website. However, be mindful of online interactions and potential exposure to inappropriate content on multiplayer servers or through mods. Parental controls are available to help manage your child’s experience.

Leveling Up Your Gameplay: A Journey of Exploration

Mastering the early game of Minecraft is just the beginning. As you progress, you’ll discover new biomes, encounter more challenging mobs, and unlock powerful tools and resources. Don’t be afraid to experiment, explore, and learn from your mistakes. Minecraft is a game about creativity and discovery, so embrace the adventure!

What should I get first in Minecraft?