How to find Ancient Debris in Minecraft the Smart Way

If you aim to upgrade your Minecraft gear to Netherite, you'll need to find Ancient Debris in the Nether. However, Ancient Debris isn't exactly common, and mining it can be tricky if you don’t know the best methods. This guide will walk you through the most efficient strategies to find Ancient Debris quickly and easily, helping you reach that coveted Netherite gear in no time.

Table of Contents

• What is Ancient Debris?
• Does Fortune Work on Ancient Debris?
• Best Level to Find Ancient Debris in Minecraft 1.20 and Beyond
• Best Ways to Mine Ancient Debris
  • Branch Mining
  • Bed Mining
  • TNT Mining
  • Bastion Remnants
• Tips and Tricks for Efficient Ancient Debris Mining
• Java Edition vs. Bedrock Edition: Differences in Mining Ancient Debris
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
• Final Thoughts

What is Ancient Debris?

Ancient Debris is a rare resource found exclusively in the Nether. When smelted, it produces Netherite Scrap, which can then be combined with Gold Ingots to craft Netherite Ingots. These ingots are essential for upgrading your Diamond gear to Netherite gear, making your tools, armor, and weapons stronger and more durable.

Does Fortune Work on Ancient Debris?

No, the Fortune enchantment does not increase the drop rate of Ancient Debris. Unlike other resources like Diamond, Redstone, or Lapis Lazuli, Fortune doesn't affect how much Ancient Debris you get. To maximize your efficiency, use an unenchanted or Efficiency-enchanted Diamond or Netherite pickaxe.

Best Level to Find Ancient Debris in Minecraft 1.20 and Beyond

To maximize your chances of finding Ancient Debris, mine between Y-levels 8 and 22 in the Nether. The highest concentration of Ancient Debris is typically found around Y-level 15, so it's often considered the optimal depth for mining.

Why Y-Level 15?

At Y-level 15, you're close enough to avoid large lava lakes that appear in higher levels of the Nether but deep enough to find the most Ancient Debris. This depth provides the best balance between safety and mining efficiency. If you are trying to make Ingots out of them and want a better way to find gold, Check out our guide: How to Find Gold in Minecraft the Smart Way

Best Ways to Mine Ancient Debris

1. Branch Mining

Branch mining is one of the safest ways to find Ancient Debris. Here's how to do it:

• Dig down to Y-level 15.
• Create a central tunnel that’s at least two blocks high and two blocks wide.
• Branch off with smaller tunnels every 4-5 blocks, digging straight out from the main tunnel. This will maximize the chances of uncovering hidden Ancient Debris veins.

Pros: Safe and easy to execute.
Cons: Can be slower than other methods, especially if you're unlucky with vein placement.

2. Bed Mining

Beds explode when used in the Nether, creating a large blast radius perfect for exposing Ancient Debris veins.

• Dig down to Y-level 15.
• Place a bed at the end of a short tunnel and attempt to sleep in it to trigger the explosion.
• After the explosion, check the exposed area for Ancient Debris and clear any remaining fire or lava.

Pros: Efficient and doesn't require TNT. Beds are easy to craft with Wool and Wood.
Cons: Dangerous if not done carefully, as the explosions can cause significant damage. Always carry Fire Resistance potions and wear blast-resistant armor.

3. TNT Mining

TNT creates large explosions that can expose Ancient Debris, similar to bed mining but with a more controlled blast. Need more TNT? Here’s how to get gunpowder: How to Get Gunpowder in Minecraft the Smart Way

• Dig a long horizontal tunnel at Y-level 15.
• Place TNT every few blocks and ignite them, ideally in a chain reaction.
• Inspect the exploded areas for Ancient Debris.

Pros: Safer than bed mining with larger explosion areas.
Cons: Requires more resources (Gunpowder and Sand). TNT may be difficult to farm in large quantities.

4. Bastion Remnants

You can sometimes find Ancient Debris within Bastion Remnants as chest loot. While it's not as reliable as mining, it's worth checking chests whenever you come across these structures. Be prepared to face hostile Piglin Brutes while exploring. Watch out for Piglins! Want to learn more about them? Who are the Piglins in Minecraft and describe their behaviour

Pros: Doesn’t require mining, and you may find other valuable loot.
Cons: Risky due to the strong mobs guarding Bastion Remnants.

Tips and Tricks for Efficient Ancient Debris Mining

1. Use an Efficiency Pickaxe: An Efficiency V Diamond or Netherite pickaxe speeds up your mining considerably. Combining this with Haste II from a beacon can make mining extremely fast.  Combining this with Haste II from a beacon is even faster! Learn how to activate a beacon: How to Activate Beacon in Minecraft
2. Carry Fire Resistance Potions: Lava can flow quickly in the Nether. Having Fire Resistance potions can save your life if you accidentally break into a lava pocket.
3. Use Striders to Navigate Lava Lakes: If you encounter massive lava lakes, using a Strider can help you safely cross and reach new mining spots.
4. Avoid Mining Above Y-level 22: Ancient Debris veins become much less common at higher Y-levels, making it inefficient to mine there.

Java Edition vs. Bedrock Edition: Differences in Mining Ancient Debris

Both editions have similar spawning mechanics for Ancient Debris, but there are some key differences:

• Java Edition: Lava spreads more slowly, making it easier to control while mining.
• Bedrock Edition: TNT and bed explosions create smaller blast radii compared to Java, which can make bed mining less efficient.
• If you are thinking of Switching between the Editions, you can find information on your system requirements here: System Requirements For Minecraft Bedrock Edition PC. As for Java players, we’ve got you covered too: System Requirements for Minecraft Java Edition

How to Find Ancient Debris in Minecraft Bedrock Edition

In Bedrock Edition, bed mining may not be as effective due to smaller blast areas, so branch mining or TNT mining is generally better. Since lava spreads more quickly in Bedrock, always be prepared with Fire Resistance potions.

How to Find Ancient Debris in Minecraft Java Edition

Bed mining is more effective in Java Edition, thanks to larger explosion radii. This can quickly expose more blocks, increasing your chances of finding Ancient Debris. Additionally, using TNT can trigger a chain reaction, making it a more efficient mining method in this edition.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What's the Most Efficient Way to Farm Ancient Debris?

The fastest way to farm Ancient Debris is by combining TNT or bed mining with branch mining. This hybrid approach allows you to create large explosions and then mine out any remaining exposed blocks manually. If you prefer safety, stick to branch mining with an Efficiency V pickaxe.

What's the Best Y-Level to Find Ancient Debris in Minecraft 1.20?

The best Y-level is around Y-level 15, as it offers the highest concentration of Ancient Debris veins while minimizing exposure to dangerous lava lakes.

Can You Find Ancient Debris in Bastions?

Yes, Ancient Debris can occasionally be found in Bastion chests, although it’s not the most reliable farming method.

What Do You Need to Smelt Ancient Debris?

To smelt Ancient Debris into Netherite Scrap, use a Furnace or Blast Furnace. Combine four Netherite Scraps with four Gold Ingots to craft one Netherite Ingot.

Final Thoughts

Finding Ancient Debris in Minecraft requires smart strategies and the right tools. Whether you prefer the controlled approach of branch mining or the explosive results of TNT or bed mining, these techniques will help you locate Ancient Debris efficiently. Remember, patience is key when searching for rare materials. Follow the tips in this guide, and soon you'll have enough Netherite to upgrade your gear and take on the toughest challenges in Minecraft.

Happy mining!