Reaching the End in Minecraft is more than just a game milestone—it’s a rite of passage. The End Portal represents the culmination of exploration, resource management, and combat readiness. Successfully activating it and defeating the Ender Dragon is one of the most satisfying achievements in the game. Yet, for many players, the journey remains elusive due to confusion about locating strongholds, gathering eyes of ender, or surviving the final battle. This guide breaks down every stage with precision, offering actionable steps, real-world examples, and expert-backed strategies to ensure you don’t just reach the End—but conquer it.
Understanding the End Portal and Its Role
The End Portal is a structure found within Strongholds, ancient underground fortresses scattered beneath the Overworld. When activated with Eyes of Ender, it opens a gateway to the End, a barren dimension where the Ender Dragon resides. Defeating the dragon not only grants access to the End City and its legendary loot but also triggers the game’s official ending sequence.
Unlike Nether portals, which players can build from obsidian, the End Portal frame is pre-generated and incomplete—typically missing 0 to 12 eyes. Your task is to locate the stronghold, complete the frame, and activate the portal. This process requires navigation, crafting, and survival skills, making it one of the most comprehensive challenges in Minecraft.
“Finding and activating an End Portal tests nearly every core mechanic in the game—from mining and farming to redstone and mob behavior.” — Julian Park, Minecraft Educator & Content Creator
Step-by-Step Guide to Activating the End Portal
Step 1: Gather Materials Before the Search
You’ll need at least 12 Eyes of Ender to fill the portal frame, though having extras is wise due to their tendency to shatter when thrown. Each Eye of Ender requires:
- 1 Ender Pearl (dropped by Endermen)
- 1 Blaze Powder (crafted from Blaze Rods, obtained from Blazes in Nether Fortresses)
Prepare before entering the Nether. Farm Blazes until you have 6 rods (yielding 12 blaze powder), and hunt Endermen at night or in dark areas. Carry at least 14–16 Eyes to account for breakage.
Step 2: Use Eyes of Ender to Locate the Stronghold
Hold an Eye of Ender and right-click to throw it. It will float into the air and move in the direction of the nearest stronghold. Follow its path, noting landmarks to avoid getting lost. After several throws, the eye may rise straight up or sink into the ground—indicating you’re near or above the stronghold.
Step 3: Enter the Stronghold and Navigate the Maze
Strongholds are vast, multi-level structures with libraries, corridors, and stairwells. Use torches to mark your path and prevent backtracking. Libraries often contain bookshelves and silverfish spawners—defeat the spawner to stop endless silverfish waves. The End Portal room is always present and features a 3x3 frame of portal blocks, usually partially filled.
Step 4: Activate the Portal
Insert Eyes of Ender into each empty slot in the frame. Once all 12 are placed, the portal activates with a deep hum and purple vortex. Step inside to be transported to the End.
Essential Checklist for End Preparation
Before activating the portal, ensure you're fully equipped. Here’s what you must have:
- ✔ At least 12 Eyes of Ender (14 recommended)
- ✔ Diamond or Netherite armor (with Protection IV if possible)
- ✔ Enchanted diamond sword (Sharpness V) or bow (Power IV, Infinity)
- ✔ 1–2 stacks of cobblestone or dirt for building cover
- ✔ Golden apples (regular or enchanted) for healing and resistance
- ✔ Ender Pearls for mobility and escaping danger
- ✔ Water bucket to disable Endermen aggression and create safe zones
- ✔ Beds (for explosive damage in the End, use cautiously)
What Happens in the End? Surviving the Final Battle
The End is a floating island surrounded by obsidian pillars topped with End Crystals that heal the Ender Dragon. Your first objective is to destroy these crystals using ranged attacks—bows or snowballs work, though arrows are more reliable. Build towers with your extra blocks to gain height and line of sight.
Once all crystals are destroyed, focus on the dragon. Attack when it lands or flies close to the central island. Use water to create a pool—this prevents fall damage and stops Endermen from attacking you mid-combat.
When the dragon dies, it explodes, drops the Dragon Egg, and opens an exit portal. Enter it to witness the ending poem and unlock the \"The End.\" achievement.
| Phase | Objective | Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Arrival | Assess terrain and locate crystals | Build immediate cover with blocks |
| Crystal Removal | Destroy all End Crystals | Use bow; approach pillars carefully |
| Dragon Fight | Deal consistent damage | Attack during landing phases |
| Aftermath | Collect egg and enter exit portal | Use pistons or water to harvest egg |
Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them
Many players fail not from lack of gear, but from poor strategy. Here are frequent mistakes and solutions:
- Running out of Eyes of Ender: Always craft extras. Losing progress because you can’t reactivate the portal after dying is preventable.
- Ignoring the Nether early: Blaze rods are essential. Delaying Nether travel sets back your End preparation significantly.
- Entering unprepared: Going in with iron gear and no healing items leads to quick deaths. Take time to farm and enchant properly.
- Getting overwhelmed by Endermen: Wear a pumpkin on your head or keep well-lit surroundings to prevent random attacks.
“The strongest players aren’t those with the best gear—they’re the ones who plan, adapt, and survive long enough to learn.” — Alex Turner, Competitive Minecraft Speedrunner
Real Example: From First Survival Night to the End in 7 Days
Consider Maya, a new player who started her world on a forest biome. By day two, she had crafted a bed, mined coal and iron, and built a basic shelter. On day three, she entered the Nether via a cobblestone portal, located a fortress, and farmed blazes over two sessions. She used her first Eye of Ender on day five and followed it for 400 blocks before discovering a stronghold beneath a desert temple.
After navigating the library and defeating a silverfish swarm, she found the portal room with only four eyes already placed. She returned to the surface, crafted ten more eyes, and activated the portal. With full diamond armor, a bow, and six golden apples, she entered the End. Though she died twice—once from a crystal explosion, once from falling into the void—she adjusted her strategy, used cobblestone towers, and defeated the dragon on her third attempt. Her success wasn’t due to luck, but to systematic preparation and learning from failure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I build my own End Portal?
No. Unlike Nether portals, End Portal frames cannot be crafted or placed by players in survival mode. They only generate naturally within strongholds. However, in Creative mode, you can place the blocks manually and activate them with Eyes of Ender.
How many strongholds are in a world?
In Java Edition, there are exactly 128 strongholds per world, distributed along three concentric rings beneath biomes. In Bedrock Edition, the number varies, but multiple strongholds still exist. Only one needs to be found to reach the End.
What if all the Eyes of Ender shatter before I find the stronghold?
If you run out, return to farming Endermen and Blazes. You can also explore ruined portals or bastion remnants for blaze rods. Never rush the search—take breaks, save often, and track your throws methodically.
Mastery Begins Now
Unlocking the End Portal isn’t just about checking a box—it’s about mastering Minecraft’s core loop: gather, craft, explore, survive. Every step, from killing your first Enderman to standing atop the obsidian pillars in the End, reflects growth in skill and confidence. The tools, strategies, and insights shared here are proven across thousands of playthroughs. Now, it’s your turn.
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