Netherite upgrade templates drop from specific Nether structures, not from mining or crafting

A Netherite upgrade smithing template is the item you need at a smithing table to turn diamond tools and armor into netherite versions. You cannot craft it. You find it by looting chests in three specific places in the Nether: ancient cities, bastion remnants, and fortress structures. Each location has a different loot table, so your odds of finding one depend on which structure you explore first.

The template itself looks like a smithing template with a netherite pickaxe pattern on it. Once you have one, you place it in the smithing table along with your diamond tool, a netherite ingot, and the template gets consumed in the upgrade. You will need multiple templates if you want to upgrade several items, since each upgrade uses one.

Key Takeaways

  • Netherite upgrade templates are found only in Nether loot chests, never crafted or mined from blocks.
  • Ancient cities have the highest drop rate and are the most reliable source if you can locate one safely.
  • Bastion remnants and Nether fortresses also contain templates, but with lower odds per chest.
  • Each upgrade at a smithing table consumes one template, so collect extras if you plan to upgrade multiple tools.
  • Templates do not stack in your inventory, so you need separate inventory slots for each one you carry.

Ancient cities: the most reliable source

Ancient cities are the best place to hunt for netherite upgrade templates. They spawn in the deep dark biome, which sits below Y-level 0 (the old sea level). The chests in ancient cities have roughly a 10 to 15 percent chance of containing a template, depending on the specific chest type. Treasure chests and generic loot chests are your best bet.

The catch is that ancient cities are dangerous. The deep dark is home to the warden, a mob that spawns when you trigger too many sculk sensors. The warden deals heavy damage and is hard to kill. Move slowly, avoid stepping on sculk blocks, and use wool or carpet to muffle your footsteps. If you do trigger the warden, sprint away and hide in a side tunnel until it despawns.

To find an ancient city, you need to dig down past Y-level 0 and explore the deep dark biome. Use a diamond pickaxe or better to mine through stone. Bring plenty of food, a bed for respawning, and consider bringing wool to place under your feet as you walk. The journey down takes time, but the template drop rate makes it worth the effort.

Bastion remnants: moderate difficulty and moderate rewards

Bastion remnants are Nether fortresses built by piglins. They spawn in crimson and warped forests, and sometimes in the nether wastes. The chests inside have a lower template drop rate than ancient cities—roughly 5 to 8 percent per chest—but they are easier to reach and less dangerous to explore.

Bastions are guarded by piglins and piglin brutes. Piglins are neutral if you wear gold armor, but piglin brutes will attack you regardless. Bring a sword and armor, and be ready for combat. The structure itself has multiple rooms and corridors, so you will open many chests as you explore. Even with a lower drop rate per chest, the sheer number of chests in a bastion means you have a decent shot at finding a template.

Bastion remnants are easier to locate than ancient cities because they spawn higher up in the Nether. Fly or travel at around Y-level 60 to 80 and look for the distinctive brick structures. Once you spot one, land and prepare for combat before entering.

Nether fortresses: the slowest but always available option

Nether fortresses are the original Nether structure and spawn throughout the Nether at any height. They contain chests with netherite upgrade templates, but the drop rate is the lowest of the three sources—around 2 to 5 percent per chest. This means you may need to loot many chests to find even one template.

Fortresses are guarded by blazes and wither skeletons. Blazes are ranged attackers and can be dangerous if you are not prepared. Bring a shield, a bow, and plenty of arrows. Wither skeletons drop wither skeleton skulls, which you need to craft a wither boss, so fortresses serve double duty if you want to fight the wither later.

The advantage of fortresses is that they are common and spawn at any height in the Nether. If you have not found an ancient city or bastion yet, a fortress is a reliable fallback. Expect to spend more time looting chests, but you will eventually find what you need.

What to bring and how to prepare

Before you head to the Nether to hunt templates, pack a full set of armor (diamond or better), a sword, a pickaxe, a bow with arrows, and plenty of food. Bring a bed so you can set your spawn point if you die. A shield is useful for blocking ranged attacks from blazes and skeletons.

If you are going to an ancient city, bring wool or carpet to muffle your footsteps and avoid waking the warden. If you are going to a bastion, wear gold armor to keep piglins neutral. For a fortress, standard combat gear is enough.

Templates do not stack, so if you want to carry multiple templates at once, you need multiple inventory slots. Plan your inventory space before you leave. If you find more templates than you can carry, drop them on the ground and come back with an empty inventory to pick them up.

What to do once you have a template

Once you have a netherite upgrade template, bring it to a smithing table. Place the template in the leftmost slot, your diamond tool or armor piece in the middle slot, and a netherite ingot in the rightmost slot. The smithing table will produce the netherite version of that item. The template is consumed in the process.

Netherite tools are more durable and mine faster than diamond tools. Netherite armor has the same protection as diamond armor but is more durable and does not burn in lava. If you plan to upgrade multiple items, you will need multiple templates—one per upgrade.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I find netherite upgrade templates anywhere other than the Nether?

No. Templates only appear in Nether loot chests. You cannot find them in the Overworld, the End, or any other dimension. You also cannot craft them at a crafting table or obtain them from mobs.

Do I need multiple templates if I want to upgrade all my tools?

Yes. Each upgrade consumes one template. If you want to upgrade a pickaxe, axe, sword, and shovel, you need four templates. Collect extras while you are looting to save yourself a return trip.

What happens if I lose a template before I use it?

You will need to return to the Nether and loot more chests. There is no other way to obtain templates. Keep them in a safe storage chest or in your inventory until you are ready to use them.

Is ancient city the only place worth looting for templates?

Ancient cities have the best odds, but if you have not found one yet, bastion remnants and fortresses are worth exploring. The time you spend traveling to an ancient city might be longer than looting several bastions or fortresses, depending on your world.

Can I use a template more than once?

No. Each template is consumed when you use it at the smithing table. Once it is gone, it is gone. You cannot duplicate templates or get them back after an upgrade.