Minecraft Nether Update

Mon Jan 16. 2023

The Minecraft Nether update (aka 1.16) was a significant enhancement to Minecraft. It added new features to the Nether and made various tweaks, changes, and bug fixes to improve the world and biomes. There have been many updates to Minecraft since then. However, the 1.16 Nether update is still one of the most significant and impactful in Minecraft's history. It added new biomes, crafting materials and mobs. Below, we'll detail everything that was added to Minecraft Nether.

Everything in the Minecraft Nether Update

The Minecraft Nether update (aka update 1.16) added the following changes:

Crying ObsidianNetherite
New hoggy mobs
Bastion Remnants & Ruined Portals
New Nether biomes
Bug fixes

These are significant changes to the game and well worth it. You can click on any one of these or scroll down to see more details. However, all these changes are more or fewer focused around the Nether. This is the hellish subterranean that lies beneath the world and can be accessed via portals.

Crying Obsidian

To build a Minecraft Respawn Anchor or set your spawn point in The Nether, you must cry Obsidian. There are several ways to do this. This guide will explain everything about the new Obsidian version.

Netherite

The Nether update's most significant addition was Minecraft Netherite. We have a detailed guide on how to obtain it and how it works. But for a quick explanation, it is a new material that you can only find in Nether by searching Ancient Debris. It can be used to create armor and tools that are stronger than Diamond. This makes it the ultimate endgame gear. It can be difficult to find, so be prepared to work hard.

Hoglins, Zoglins, Piglins, Striders

As part of 1.16, Hoglins and Zoglins were added to the mix. Hoglins are a unique species that spawn in the Crimson Forest biome. They will attack players upon sight. They can be killed to drop raw porkchops or leather, and can also be bred with Crimson Fungi (a Nether-exclusive mushroom).

Piglins can also spawn in Crimson Forests or Nether Wastes. Piglins can attack players on sight. Babies are passive. You can avoid their wrath if you wear at least one piece gold armor. But don't open your chests or break gold near them. They'll be aggressive again. They may also randomly spawn with a crossbow or sword of gold. The only mob player that can barter with is the Piglin, who can offer gold ingots to exchange for random items from a pool.

Zoglins are created by a Hoglin who travels to the Overworld or End and stays there for fifteen seconds. They will attack players upon sight and only drop Rotten Flesh if they die. They will also throw players into the air if they attack.

Finally, the Nether's new passive mob was the Striders. They can walk on lava, and the player can ride one on a saddle while being guided by a warped mushroom on a stick. Their colour will change if they aren't in lava and they will start to shiver. If you have multiple striders, warped fungus can be used to breed them.

Bastion Remnants & Ruined Portals

Bastion Remnants (and Ruined Portals) are two structures that were added to the game with the Nether update. The first are massive, castle-like remains that can be found in the Nether in all biomes, except Basalt Deltas. Bastion Remnants contain treasure rooms that will contain Magma Cube spawners and are guarded with Piglin Brutes.

Ruined Portals, on the other hand, can spawn in the Nether or Overworld and are the main source for Crying Obsidian. There are also many other loot items that you can get, and a small chance it will generate a Giant Ruined Portal.

Nether Biomes: Basalt Delta Crimson Forest, Nether Wastes, Soul Sand Valley and Warped Forest

The Nether was pretty consistent in appearance no matter where it was. The Nether has been divided into four biomes since 1.16.

The Nether Wastes are the first thing to go. This is basically what the Nether used be. You will find all the usual stuff, including Nether Fortresses and Glowstone, Netherrack, as well as Netherrack. You won't have a good time if you punch the Zombie Pigmen.

The Crimson Forest is the first of these three new areas. This biome is almost entirely blood red with Crimson Fungi and Warped everywhere. Crimson Nylium covers most of the floor, with the occasional Shroomlight block scattered about. Massive Crimson Fungus structures are densely packed together.

Basalt Deltas are volcanic biomes in which Magma Cubes and Ghasts can spawn on Blackstone or Basalt. It can be very fruitful because the ores are twice as prolific here.

The Warped Forest, on the other hand, has a blue theme but similar Warped Fungus structures all over. You will still find Glowstone and Netherrack patches throughout the park.

The Soul Sand Valley is, as you would expect, full of Soul Sand and Soul Soil. This biome is capable of cutting through other biomes. It has ominous blue fog and huge Basalt pillars that are another decorative block.

There is so much more to discover and find in this update. Make sure to visit the official Wiki page to see everything we haven't covered.

Fixed bugs in Minecraft Java 1.16.3 patch

MC-198678: Giving an item and a golden ingot to a baby porcin and then killing it duplicates that item.
MC-196449 – Piglins, Piglin Brutes and Hoglins have difficulty finding the player when attacking.