The Minecraft Nether update, aka 1.16, was a pretty substantial enhancement to Minecraft that made new additions to the Nether, appropriately enough, as well as various other tweaks, changes and bug fixes to add new stuff to the world and biomes within. Obviously there's been more added to Minecraft since then, but the 1.16 Nether update remains one of the most substantial and impactful in the game's history, with additional biomes, crafting materials, mobs and more. We'll cover everything added to the Minecraft Nether update in detail below.
Everything added in the Minecraft Nether update
The Minecraft Nether update, aka update 1.16, added the following changes of note:
These are pretty meaningful changes to the game, but worthwhile. You can click on any of them or scroll down for more detail, but obviously all these changes are more or less focused around the Nether, the hellish subterranean found under the world and accessed through portals.
Crying Obsidian
Crying Obsidian is necessary to build a Minecraft Respawn Anchor and set your spawn point in the Nether, and there are a few ways of obtaining it outlined in our dedicated guide. You can read all about this new Obsidian variant there.
Netherite
Probably the biggest addition as part of the Nether update was Minecraft Netherite. We have a complete guide on how to get it and how it works, but for the short and simple explanation, it was a new material you can only find in the Nether by searching for Ancient Debris. You can create armor and tools with it that are stronger and more durable than Diamond with it, meaning it's the ultimate endgame equipment. It's not easy to find though, so be prepared for a grind.
Hoglins, Zoglins, Piglins, Striders
Hoglins, Zoglins, Piglins, and Striders were mobs added as part of 1.16. Hoglins spawn exclusively in the Crimson Forest biome (more on that below) and will attack players on sight. Killing them can drop raw porkchops and leather and they can be bred with Crimson Fungi, a new Nether-exclusive mushroom.
Piglins on the other hand can spawn in Crimson Forests and Nether Wastes. Adult Piglins will attack the player on sight, while babies are passive. However, you can avoid their wrath by wearing at least one piece of gold armor – just don't break gold or open chests near them, because they'll get aggressive again. They can randomly spawn with a gold sword or crossbow too. Piglins are also the only mob players can barter with right now, which involves offering gold ingots in exchange for random items from a select pool.
Zoglins are created when a Hoglin travels to either the Overworld or the End and stays there for 15 seconds. They'll attack players on sight and only drop Rotten Flesh upon death. They also fling players into the air when they attack.
Finally, Striders were the new passive mob found in the Nether. They walk on lava and the player can ride one with a saddle, while being directed by a warped fungus on a stick. If they're not in lava, their colour will change and they start shivering. Striders can also be bred with warped fungus, if you want multiple.
Bastion Remnants and Ruined Portals
Two structures in the game that came in with the Nether update are Bastion Remnants and Ruined Portals. The former are enormous, castle-like remains found in the Nether, in all biomes except for Basalt Deltas. Bastion Remnants have treasure rooms which will have Magma Cube spawners within and are guarded by Piglin Brutes.
Ruined Portals on the other hand can spawn in either the Nether or the Overworld, and are the main source of Crying Obsidian, mentioned above. You can also get plenty of other loot and there's a small chance that it generates as a towering Giant Ruined Portal.
Nether Biomes: Basalt Delta, Crimson Forest, Nether Wastes, Soul Sand Valley, Warped Forest
Previously, the Nether looked pretty much the same no matter where you went. Since 1.16, the Nether has been split up into four different biomes.
Kicking things off is the Nether Wastes, which is essentially what the Nether used to be. You'll find all the usual stuff here including Nether Fortresses, Glowstone, Netherrack, and more. Don't punch the Zombie Pigmen or you'll be in for a bad time.
The first of the three new areas is the Crimson Forest. This biome is almost completely blood red, with Warped and Crimson Fungi everywhere. Crimson Nylium covers the floor, with the odd block of Shroomlight scattered around. Huge Crimson Fungus structures are packed densely together.
Then there are Basalt Deltas, which are volcanic biomes where Magma Cubes, Ghasts, and Striders can spawn on Blackstone and Basalt. Ores generate twice as frequently here, which means it can be quite fruitful.
The Warped Forest on the other hand opts for a blue theme, although it has similarly enormous Warped Fungus structures everywhere. It's not completely blue though, with Netherrack and Glowstone patches found throughout.
Finally, the Soul Sand Valley is as you'd expect; full of Soul Sand, Soul Soil, and Soul Fire. This biome can cut through the other biomes, has ominous blue fog, and enormous Basalt pillars, which are another new decorative block.
There's so much more to find and discover in this update, so make sure you check out the official wiki page to read up on everything we haven't covered here.
Bugs fixed in the Minecraft Java 1.16.3 patch
- MC-198678 - Giving an item and a gold ingot to a baby piglin and killing it duplicates the item.
- MC-196449 - Piglins, Piglin Brutes, Hoglins and Zoglins have trouble pathfinding to the player when attacking.
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