Minecraft Strongholds: Location & Secrets Revealed

Minecraft strongholds: mysterious underground complexes brimming with secrets and peril. These ancient structures are essential to the game, offering thrilling adventures and valuable rewards for those brave enough to explore their dark corridors. Ready to delve into the depths and face the lurking monsters? This guide is for you!

Table of Contents

• What is a Stronghold in Minecraft?
• How to Find a Stronghold in Minecraft
• Eye of Ender
• The Locate Command
• Stronghold Rooms
• Library
• Prison
• Fountain
• Secret Rooms
• Altar
• Stronghold Mobs
• Rewards
• Portal to the Ender Dragon

What is a Stronghold in Minecraft?

A stronghold is an ancient, sprawling underground structure. Beyond its valuable treasures, hidden within its twisting corridors, prison cells, libraries, and other intriguing chambers, lies a portal to The End – the game's final boss battle.

Activating this portal requires the Eye of Ender (detailed below). Finding a stronghold without assistance is impossible; the game provides only one legitimate method, though less conventional approaches exist.

How to Find a Stronghold in Minecraft

Eye of Ender

This is the intended and only reliable way to locate a stronghold. Craft it using:

• Blaze Powder (from Blaze rods dropped by Blazes)
• Ender Pearl (obtained by killing Endermen, trading with villagers, or finding them in stronghold chests)

Throw the Eye of Ender; it will float briefly in the direction of the nearest stronghold. Remember, Eyes of Ender are consumed upon use. For survival mode, plan on needing around 30.

The Locate Command

For a less conventional (and arguably unfair) method, enable cheats in your game settings and use this command:

/locate structure stronghold (for versions 1.20 and above)

This provides approximate coordinates. Use the /tp command to teleport there. Note that the location may require further searching.

Stronghold Rooms

Library

Spacious rooms with high ceilings, cobwebs, and bookshelves. Chests near the bookshelves often contain enchanted books and other valuable resources.

Prison

A maze-like area with narrow corridors and dim lighting, populated by skeletons, zombies, and creepers.

Fountain

A central chamber with a magical, mystical atmosphere.

Secret Rooms

Hidden chambers behind walls, often containing chests with valuable loot and potentially dangerous traps.

Altar

An eerie room with stone bricks and torches, resembling an ancient altar.

Stronghold Mobs

Expect skeletons, creepers, and numerous silverfish. While manageable with basic iron armor, these mobs pose a significant threat.

Rewards

Rewards are randomized, but may include:

• Enchanted books
• Iron chestplate
• Iron sword
• Iron, gold, or diamond horse armor

Portal to the Ender Dragon

The stronghold contains the portal to the Ender Dragon, the final boss of Minecraft. Explore fully and experience all the stronghold has to offer!