Why Can’t I Find Armor Trims in Minecraft? A Comprehensive Guide
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You’re scouring chests, delving into dungeons, and braving biomes, but those elusive armor trims remain frustratingly out of reach. The most likely reason you can’t find armor trims in Minecraft is simple: you’re not looking in the right places, or you’re experiencing bad luck with the game’s random generation. Each trim type has a specific location it can spawn in, and some are rarer than others. This guide will provide all the information you need to find your armor trims in Minecraft.
Understanding Armor Trims and How They Work
What are Armor Trims?
Armor trims are cosmetic additions introduced in Minecraft’s 1.20 “Trails & Tales” update that allow you to customize the appearance of your armor. These trims are applied using a Smithing Table and require a smithing template along with the material you want the trim to be made of (e.g., iron, copper, gold, diamond, netherite).
Why Bother with Armor Trims?
While they don’t offer any gameplay benefits, armor trims add a significant layer of personalization to your character. Show off your style, your favorite biomes, and your adventurous spirit! With 16 distinct types of trims (as of June 2023) and the endless combinations you can create using different materials, the possibilities are extensive.
How to Use Armor Trims
- Find a Smithing Table: These can be crafted using 4 planks and 2 iron ingots.
- Locate a Smithing Template: This is the tricky part, covered in detail below.
- Gather Materials: You’ll need the armor piece you want to trim, the smithing template, and the material you want the trim to be made of (e.g., iron ingot, diamond, emerald).
- Use the Smithing Table: Place the smithing template, armor piece, and trim material into the Smithing Table’s respective slots. The resulting trimmed armor will appear in the output slot.
Key Reasons Why You’re Not Finding Armor Trims
1. Searching in the Wrong Locations
Each armor trim has specific locations where it can be found. You must explore the correct structures and biomes to have a chance of finding the template. The following table details where to find each of the armor trims:
| Armor Trim | Location(s) | Relative Rarity |
|---|---|---|
| —————- | ————————————- | ————— |
| Coast | Shipwreck | Common |
| Dune | Desert Pyramid | Common |
| Eye | Stronghold | Uncommon |
| Host | Trail Ruins | Uncommon |
| Raiser | Trail Ruins | Uncommon |
| Sentry | Pillager Outpost | Common |
| Shaper | Ancient City | Uncommon |
| Silence | Ancient City | Rare |
| Snout | Bastion Remnant | Uncommon |
| Rib | Nether Fortress | Common |
| Spire | End City | Common |
| Tide | Ocean Monument | Uncommon (Guardian Drop) |
| Ward | Ancient City | Uncommon |
| Wayfinder | Trail Ruins | Uncommon |
| Wilder | Trail Ruins | Uncommon |
| Vex | Woodland Mansion | Uncommon |
As you can see, some trims, like the Tide trim, are unique, requiring you to defeat Elder Guardians in an Ocean Monument rather than looting a chest.
2. RNG (Random Number Generation)
Minecraft relies heavily on RNG to determine loot drops and world generation. Even if you’re searching in the correct location, there’s no guarantee you’ll find a smithing template. Some chests might contain multiple templates, while others might have none. Keep searching! Persistence is key.
3. Rarity of the Trim
Some armor trims are significantly rarer than others. The Silence Armor Trim is notoriously difficult to find, with only a 1% chance of spawning in Ancient City chests. Other rare trims like the Ward Trim also only spawn in the Ancient City, while the Tide Trim spawns from a rare mob drop. Be prepared for a long grind if you’re hunting for these elusive designs.
4. Not Exploring Thoroughly
Many of these locations are large and complex. For example, Nether Fortresses have a very high amount of area to search, so thoroughly check every chest in every room of the structure. Make sure you are exploring every nook and cranny of the relevant structures and using helpful tools like potions of night vision or depth strider enchantments to improve search.
5. Forgetting Suspicious Gravel and Sand
The Trail Ruins introduce the archaeology mechanic, requiring you to brush Suspicious Gravel and Suspicious Sand to uncover hidden items, including armor trims. Don’t just loot the chests; make sure you’re actively digging!
6. Biome Generation Issues
While rare, world generation glitches can sometimes prevent structures from spawning correctly, especially if you are playing on old maps. Double-check the Minecraft Wiki to ensure the biome and structure you are searching for are correctly generated in your world.
7. Experimental Features and Version Compatibility
Make sure you’re playing on a version of Minecraft that includes armor trims (1.20 or later). If you’re playing on Bedrock Edition, ensure the “Update 1.20” experimental features toggle is enabled in your world settings. Also, be sure to check the GamesLearningSociety.org to see if any mods or settings may be interfering with your armor trim spawns.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What’s the easiest way to find armor trims?
The easiest way to find armor trims depends on your playstyle. If you enjoy exploring, focus on common trims like Coast (Shipwrecks) or Sentry (Pillager Outposts). If you prefer combat, tackling Ocean Monuments for the Tide trim might be more appealing.
2. Can I duplicate armor trims?
Yes! Once you’ve obtained a smithing template, you can duplicate it using seven diamonds and a block based on the template. This allows you to apply the same trim to multiple armor pieces.
3. Do armor trims add any protection?
No, armor trims are purely cosmetic and do not affect your armor’s stats or durability.
4. Can I remove armor trims?
No, once an armor trim is applied, it cannot be removed. Plan your designs carefully!
5. Can I put trims on elytra?
No, armor trims can only be applied to helmets, chestplates, leggings, and boots.
6. What’s the best material to use for armor trims?
The “best” material is subjective and depends on your preference. Netherite trim is the most expensive. Diamond and Emerald trims are also popular choices.
7. Are armor trims available in Creative mode?
Yes, all smithing templates and trim materials are available in Creative mode. This allows you to experiment with different combinations and designs.
8. Do armor trims transfer when upgrading to netherite?
If you have a diamond armor piece with a trim, you can upgrade it to netherite at a smithing table, but if you used the trim of netherite, the netherite trim will be kept on the netherite armor. Armor pieces shouldn’t be able to have trimmings of the same material.
9. How many armor trims are there in Minecraft?
As of June 2023, there are 16 types of armor trims in Minecraft, each with a unique design and associated location.
10. Do armor trims spawn in specific chests within structures?
While some structures might have a higher chance of spawning templates in certain areas, there’s no guarantee. Check every chest thoroughly.
11. Can I trade for armor trims with villagers?
No, villagers do not trade smithing templates or trimmed armor.
12. Are armor trims affected by the Looting enchantment?
The looting enchantment does not affect the armor trim’s spawn rate.
13. Is it possible to find multiple of the same armor trim in a single location?
Yes, it is possible to find multiple copies of the same armor trim in a single location. This is especially true in larger structures like Ancient Cities or Nether Fortresses.
14. Can I craft smithing templates?
No, smithing templates cannot be crafted. They must be found in the world.
15. What’s the rarest armor trim in Minecraft?
The Silence Armor Trim is generally considered the rarest, with only a 1% chance of spawning in Ancient City chests. This makes it the most challenging trim to obtain.
Conclusion
Finding armor trims in Minecraft requires patience, persistence, and a good understanding of where to look. By targeting the correct locations, exploring thoroughly, and understanding the mechanics of the game’s random generation, you’ll eventually be able to collect all the trims and customize your armor to your heart’s content. Happy hunting!