Prerequisites Getting to the End
The first step on your journey to finding End Cities is, naturally, gaining access to the End dimension itself. This involves a quest to find and activate the End Portal.
The Portal
This is no easy feat. End portals are only found within Strongholds, generated underground structures containing a network of corridors, libraries, and other rooms. Finding a stronghold requires Eyes of Ender. Crafting an Eye of Ender combines Ender Pearls with Blaze Powder. Throw an Eye of Ender, and it will float in the direction of the nearest stronghold. Follow its trajectory, periodically throwing more Eyes to stay on course.
Once you’ve located the stronghold, explore its depths to find the End Portal room. The portal frame will already be in place. To activate it, you must insert an Eye of Ender into each of the twelve frame blocks. With all twelve Eyes in place, the portal will open, ready for you to enter the End.
Gear Recommendations
Venturing into the End unprepared is a recipe for disaster. Before stepping through the portal, ensure you have the proper gear.
Armor: Diamond armor (or Netherite if you have it) is highly recommended. Enchantments like Protection, Fire Protection, and Blast Protection can significantly increase your survivability.
Weapons: A powerful sword (Diamond or Netherite, enchanted with Sharpness or Smite) is essential for fighting Endermen. A bow or crossbow (enchanted with Power and Infinity/Multishot) is crucial for dealing with Shulkers from a distance.
Food: Bring plenty of food to replenish your health. Golden Carrots or Steak are good choices.
Potions: Potions of Slow Falling are invaluable for navigating the End Cities and avoiding deadly falls. Potions of Healing and Regeneration can help you recover from damage quickly.
Blocks: Bring a stack or two of building blocks (Dirt, Cobblestone, or any easily obtainable material) for bridging across gaps.
Ender Chest: Consider bringing an Ender Chest. This allows you to store valuable items safely, accessible from any other Ender Chest in the world, minimizing the risk of losing everything upon death.
Finding the Outer Islands
Successfully finding End Cities means you need to travel to the outer islands.
What are the Outer Islands
The End is not just one large island. It’s composed of the main island where you initially spawn and a series of smaller, floating islands further away. These outer islands are the only place where End Cities generate. The main island will spawn with a bedrock teleporter that leads into the outer islands.
The Teleporter
After you defeat the Ender Dragon for the first time, a small portal made of bedrock will appear around the edges of the main island. These function as gateways to the outer islands. The teleporter will take you somewhere random.
Bridging
After you emerge in the outer islands, you’ll notice its just one island. You’ll need to make your way to a new island by creating bridges. There’s really no special trick to it but be sure that you’re bridging towards a specific point or else you might be building for hours.
Methods for Locating End Cities
Once you’ve reached the outer islands, the real search begins. There are several techniques you can employ to find these elusive structures.
Manual Exploration Visual Scanning
The most straightforward, albeit potentially time-consuming, method is to simply fly around and visually scan the landscape.
Description: This involves using Elytra and fireworks (after you’ve acquired them) or simply building towers to gain height and look around.
Advantages: This method requires no external tools or specific resources beyond the ability to fly.
Disadvantages: It can be very slow and tedious, especially if End Cities are far apart in your world. It also relies heavily on your eyesight and ability to spot the structures from a distance.
Tips: Fly as high as possible to maximize your field of vision. Pay close attention to the horizon. Increase your render distance in the video settings to see farther.
Chunkbase Online Tools
For those seeking a more efficient solution, online tools like Chunkbase can be invaluable.
Description: These tools use your world seed to generate a map, pinpointing the location of various structures, including End Cities.
Advantages: This is the fastest and most reliable method for finding End Cities.
Disadvantages: Some players consider using external tools like this to be a form of “cheating.”
Instructions: To use Chunkbase, you’ll first need to find your world seed. This can be found using the `/seed` command in-game (if cheats are enabled) or by examining your world’s data files. Once you have the seed, enter it into the Chunkbase End City finder to reveal their locations.
Eye of Ender Limited Use
Eyes of Ender can potentially be used to find End Cities, but it’s not their primary function.
Description: Eyes of Ender are designed to lead you to strongholds, but if you’re already in the outer islands, they might occasionally point towards an End City that’s relatively close by.
Advantages: No use of third party tools needed.
Disadvantages: This method is unreliable and inconsistent, as Eyes of Ender aren’t programmed to specifically target End Cities.
Elytra Flight and Fireworks
Combining Elytra flight with visual scanning drastically improves your exploration efficiency.
Description: The Elytra allows for rapid traversal, and fireworks provide bursts of speed and altitude, enabling you to cover vast distances quickly.
Advantages: This method allows for fast searching.
Disadvantages: The use of fireworks can become expensive as large amounts need to be crafted.
Navigating and Conquering End Cities
Once you’ve located an End City, the real challenge begins. These structures are guarded by Shulkers, hostile mobs that fire projectiles inflicting the Levitation effect, making you vulnerable to falls.
Dangers and Precautions
The End Cities pose several dangers that you should be prepared for.
Shulkers and their Levitation Effect: Shulkers are the primary threat. Their projectiles inflict the Levitation status effect, causing you to float uncontrollably, often leading to falls into the void.
Falling from Heights: The End Cities are tall structures with many exposed edges, making falls a constant risk.
The Void: The End is surrounded by the void, a bottomless abyss that instantly kills you upon contact.
Strategies for Dealing with Shulkers
A strategic approach is essential for surviving encounters with Shulkers.
Using Ranged Weapons: Bows and crossbows are effective for taking out Shulkers from a safe distance.
Using Shields: Shields can block Shulker projectiles, preventing the Levitation effect.
Water to avoid levitation: If you do get hit by a Shulker projectile, quickly placing water at your feet can negate the Levitation effect.
Safe Navigation Techniques
Employing safe navigation techniques can minimize the risk of falling.
Using Ender Pearls: Ender Pearls can be used to teleport short distances, allowing you to quickly escape dangerous situations or reach otherwise inaccessible areas.
Placing Torches or Blocks for Marking Paths: Place torches or blocks to mark your path, making it easier to retrace your steps and avoid getting lost.
Being Mindful of the Void: Always be aware of your surroundings and avoid getting too close to the edges of the structures.
Looting End Cities
The true reward for braving the End Cities lies in their valuable loot.
Where to Find the Best Loot: The best loot is typically found in treasure rooms and on End Ships, which are often attached to the main End City structure.
Safely Acquiring the Elytra: The Elytra is found within a frame inside the ship. Be prepared for shulker ambushes.
Collecting Shulker Shells: Shulker Shells are obtained by defeating Shulkers. Use them to craft Shulker Boxes, increasing your inventory capacity.
Conclusion
Finding End Cities can be a challenging but rewarding endeavor in Minecraft. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you’ll be well-equipped to locate and conquer these valuable structures, claiming their treasures and enhancing your gameplay experience. Remember to prioritize safety, prepare adequately, and experiment with different techniques to find what works best for you. The End awaits! Go forth and discover its secrets.
