Anvils: The Unsung Heroes of Minecraft
Anvils serve as an essential tool in the expansive world of Minecraft, offering players a versatile means to enhance their gameplay experience. These functional blocks are not only pivotal for renaming and repairing gear but also for adding enchantments, making them a cornerstone of any adventurer’s toolkit. Interestingly, anvils can also double as a damage block when dropped from a height, creating unexpectedly powerful scenarios when a mob or player finds themselves trapped beneath one.
How to Craft an Anvil in Minecraft
To craft an anvil, players need to gather a total of 31 iron ingots. The process involves converting 27 of these ingots into iron blocks and then arranging them on a crafting table in a sideways “H” formation. Specifically, place three iron blocks in the top row, followed by four iron ingots in the bottom row, with one ingot positioned in the center. The visual representation below illustrates the precise arrangement required for crafting an anvil.
Screenshot by Destructoid
Iron is relatively easy to come by compared to rarer materials like gold, lapis, or diamonds. Players can acquire iron through various methods, including mining underground, looting chests, or defeating iron golems. While the task of collecting over 30 ingots may seem daunting, it is manageable, even for newcomers. For those further along in their journey, exploring dungeons, mineshafts, End Cities, and Strongholds can yield iron ingots hidden within treasure chests. Additionally, players venturing into Bastion Remnants in the Nether may discover blocks of iron, offering a refreshing alternative to traditional cave exploration.
How to Use an Anvil in Minecraft
Anvils in Minecraft serve three primary functions:
- Add and combine enchantments
- Rename an item
- Repair an item
The first function allows players to combine enchantments from multiple items. While enchanting tables can only add a single enchantment to one item, anvils enable the merging of two enchanted objects to amplify their effects. For instance, combining two Sharpness Four swords in an anvil results in a formidable Sharpness Five weapon.
Screenshot by Destructoid
Another significant use of anvils is the ability to rename any item within the game. This feature applies to a wide range of items, from tools to food and even blocks. Renaming items can be particularly useful in custom minigames or maps, but many players enjoy giving their weapons whimsical names for a personal touch.
Screenshot by Destructoid
Finally, anvils provide a means to repair gear. This can be accomplished by either combining two identical items or pairing a tool with its primary crafting component. For example, placing two damaged diamond shovels in an anvil restores some of their durability, while combining a shovel with a diamond achieves a similar effect.
