Lava is easiest to find as “lava falls” in caves and ravines. Only the top block is a source block. Lava is very common in the bottom ten layers of the map. Dig down diagonally to avoid falling in it. Rarely, you can find lava lakes on the surface, but never more than about twenty blocks above sea level. [2] X Research source Some villages have a single smithy with two blocks of lava, visible from the outside. [3] X Research source

In the computer crafting system, arrange the iron in a “V” shape.

Remember, without a diamond pickaxe you cannot mine the obsidian without destroying it. Make sure you want obsidian in that location before you continue.

It’s a good idea to build a temporary, non-flammable structure around the lava pool to prevent an annoying flood.

Diamonds have a lot of importance in Minecraft because they help to make the most durable and efficient tools. [6] X Research source Diamond tools are needed to mine obsidian. [7] X Research source Obsidian helps to create a portal to the nether dimension. [8] X Research source

The corners of the portal do not have to be obsidian.

PC, Pocket Edition, and Console Edition “large” worlds: travel 19 blocks. Console Edition “medium” worlds: travel 25 blocks. Console Edition “classic” worlds (including all PS3 and Xbox 360 worlds): travel 45 blocks. If you have multiple Overworld portals, walk away from their coordinates. This trick will not work if you are too close to an existing portal.

If you appear next to a portal you already built, you did not walk far enough in the Nether. Go back to the Nether and break your portal with a diamond pickaxe, then rebuild it somewhere else.

Use a bed to set your spawn near the permanent Overworld portal. Place a chest near the temporary Overworld portal. Stash the obsidian and diamond pickaxe in the chest after mining the portal. Kill yourself to return to spawn. Walk through the Nether again and exit the same portal to create a new one. Build a tunnel between the Nether portals to increase safety.

If you are on Pocket Edition, the End Portal will only work on infinite (not “Old”) worlds running on version 1. 0 or later (released December 2016).

The obsidian pillars do not respawn unless you respawn the dragon. To bring back the dragon, place four ender crystals on top of the exit portal that appeared when the dragon died. [11] X Research source