Who Buys Iron? Understanding Iron Trades with Minecraft Villagers

The simple answer to the question “Who buys iron?” in Minecraft is that three different villager professions will purchase your hard-earned iron ingots: Armorers, Weaponsmiths, and Toolsmiths. Each of these villagers plays a unique role in the Minecraft economy, and understanding their iron-buying habits can greatly benefit your gameplay. However, the value of iron within the game can shift dramatically depending on what your current goals are. This article will not only explain who buys iron but explore the dynamics of iron trading with these villager types, providing additional related information in an extensive FAQ section.

The Iron Economy of Minecraft Villagers

Villagers in Minecraft operate on a trading system where they exchange various resources for emeralds. Iron, being a relatively common but valuable early-game resource, is a key component in this trading system. Knowing which villagers will pay for your iron and how to best use those emeralds for your advantage is crucial for maximizing resource efficiency.

Armorer Villagers

Armorers, as the name suggests, specialize in all things armor-related. They convert raw materials, like iron, into usable protective gear. While they will trade iron armor to you in exchange for emeralds, they will also take your raw iron ingots in exchange for emeralds at a somewhat basic trade level. This means that at certain tiers, you can bring your iron to them to help expand your emerald supply if you do not wish to use it for your own armor. Armorers also trade other useful goods, such as shields and bell blocks (when a blast furnace is their workstation). If you intend to get an early start on iron armor, then these trades are valuable.

Weaponsmith Villagers

Weaponsmiths are the go-to villagers for, you guessed it, weapons. These villagers trade items like iron and diamond swords and axes for emeralds. They also are another source for trading raw iron for emeralds. It is critical to know that they are one of the few villagers who trade diamond weapons, often with enchantments, so they can be highly useful later in the game. They are especially beneficial for obtaining powerful tools for combat and resource gathering. A perfect Weaponsmith will be a source of easy emeralds at the cost of coal or iron.

Toolsmith Villagers

Toolsmiths are your primary source of tools and tool-related items. Much like armorers and weaponsmiths, toolsmiths will trade iron ingots for emeralds, particularly at lower-level trades. This initial trade can be a very useful first step toward more complex tools later. At higher levels, a toolsmith can offer extremely valuable trades like enchanted diamond pickaxes. They can also trade emeralds for coal and flint, creating a closed-loop trade system that is essential to establishing a long-term trading base. The Toolsmith is critical in the early to mid-game since it is a primary source for early tools and a reliable source of emeralds for your early iron.

Maximizing Your Iron Trades

While it’s tempting to sell all your iron to the first villager you find, consider these tips to maximize your trading:

• Villager Levels: Villager trades unlock and improve as you trade with them. So, consistent trading with a specific villager will ultimately lead to better and more valuable trades.
• Price Fluctuations: Villager prices can increase if you repeatedly trade the same item until they are sold out. This will lead to a price reduction when they resupply as long as they are not repeatedly sold out. By trading a variety of goods you can make sure to maximize the price and efficiency of each trade.
• Curing Zombie Villagers: Curing a zombie villager creates a discount on that villager’s trades, making them an exceptionally valuable trading partner for any resource, including iron. You can lower the price for a villager you intend to use for large trades through this method.
• Emerald Usage: Think about how you’ll use your emeralds. Trading iron for emeralds is great, but those emeralds can then be used to obtain rare resources, tools, and armor. Prioritize trades that align with your in-game goals.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the most efficient way to farm iron for villager trading?

The most efficient way to farm iron depends on your progression. Early on, strip mining at the correct layer will get you the most. Once you have access to more complex methods, iron golem farms are by far the most efficient. These automated farms consistently produce large amounts of iron.

2. Can villagers trade iron armor?

Yes, Armorer villagers will trade iron armor for emeralds. They are the only villager type that primarily trades in armor.

3. Do any other villagers buy iron besides Armorers, Weaponsmiths, and Toolsmiths?

No, Armorers, Weaponsmiths, and Toolsmiths are the only villagers that will buy raw iron ingots in exchange for emeralds.

4. Why do villager prices increase sometimes?

If an item is traded until it is registered as sold out, the price of that item will increase for all players when it gets restocked. By avoiding completely selling out a villager, you can avoid these price increases.

5. What do fletchers sell?

Fletchers sell various ranged weapon-related goods, including flint, bows, crossbows, and even tipped arrows. They are the main villager for anything related to ranged combat.

6. What is the best trade from a toolsmith?

The best trade from a toolsmith is the enchanted diamond pickaxe at the master level. This tool is the hardest to access but provides an extremely useful resource for gameplay.

7. Can librarian villagers sell Mending?

Yes, Librarian villagers can sell Mending books, even at their lowest level (Novice). This trade is essential and valuable for late-game gameplay. Only swamp librarian villagers can offer Mending books.

8. Why are my villagers not breeding?

Villagers need enough beds (at least three) with two or more blocks of space above them. They may also need to be traded with at least once to initiate breeding. The beds also need to be accessible to the villagers. If you do not have these, the breeding may be hampered.

9. Do villagers sell diamond swords?

Weaponsmith villagers will sell both iron and diamond swords and axes, sometimes even with enchantments.

10. Do villagers sell diamonds?

Villagers and Wandering Traders can trade for items like raw chicken, cookies, wheat, bottles o’ enchanting, chain armor, diamonds, and bread.

11. How do I lower villager prices?

Curing a zombie villager by throwing a Splash Potion of Weakness at them and then feeding them a golden apple will lower that specific villager’s trade prices and any other villager that has been cured.

12. Why won’t my villager take a job?

Villagers need to be linked to a bed and an appropriate workstation block to take a job. If they are not in range of the workstation or a linked bed, they will not claim a job. The beds do not need to be accessible to the villager, merely linked.

13. What biome should I go to for Mending?

You need to go to a Swamp Biome to find a Librarian villager who will trade Mending books.

14. Can villagers with jobs breed?

Yes, villagers can breed with jobs. Job sites are not required for villagers to breed. The breeding will only depend on the number of available beds.

15. What trades do librarians provide?

Librarian villagers trade paper for emeralds and can sell enchanted books of various kinds, including Mending. This trade can be useful for completing enchantments and getting useful books.

Conclusion

Understanding who buys iron in Minecraft is not just about finding a way to get rid of your spare iron. It’s about engaging with the game’s economy, managing resources efficiently, and creating a strategic advantage for yourself. By interacting and understanding the various villager types, you can take your gameplay to the next level. Whether you prefer the Armorer, Weaponsmith, or Toolsmith, you are sure to find an appropriate way to use your iron.