Minecraft guide for exploring the End

The End is the third and last realm in Minecraft. You head to the dimension to fight the final boss mob of the game, the Ender Dragon. After the beast is slain, you can explore the End realm and all the mysterious secrets it holds. However, traveling through it is not as simple as it seems. Hence, you must prepare for the realm and know where to look.

Here is a short guide to exploring the mysterious and desolate realm in Minecraft.

Note: This article picks up after Ender Dragon's defeat, after which the main exploration part begins.

Guide to exploring the End realm in Minecraft

Resources to take

You require some good resources to explore the End realm (Image via Mojang Studios)

Once you have defeated the Ender Dragon, you will have two options: explore the End immediately or head back to your respawn point and finish the game. You must first complete the game and return to your base by jumping into the end portal created in the middle of the end island.

After this, you can prepare to explore more islands in the End realm. For this, you must gather some important resources. Below is a list of a few items to take with you when exploring the End:

Stack of ender pearls
Multiple stacks of building blocks
Potions of feather falling
Carved pumpkin
Stack of food items
Diamond or netherite armor and weapons

Carefully build a platform around end portals

Build a decent platform around the end gateway (Image via Mojang Studios)

Once you re-enter the End realm through the stronghold's portal, you must find another small end gateway near the main End island. This gateway will be located at the edge of the island.

You must carefully create a staircase up to the gateway and create a large platform, flush with the gateway's entry point. This is to ensure that you do not fall off when teleporting back to the main island.

The same must be done around the gateway on the other side, which will be connected to other End islands. This way, when you enter these small gateways, you will not spawn in the wrong place and fall into the void.

Bridging and throwing ender pearls from island to island

Players can create bridges from one island to another (Image via Mojang Studios)

A striking feature of the End realm is that it does not have any bottom layer of blocks to protect the player from falling. This means that you will keep falling and start taking damage from the void. Furthermore, since the End realm consists of floating islands, it becomes crucial to focus on your footsteps and remain cautious while traveling.

One of the best ways to travel in the End is by bridging from one island to another. This will not only create a recognizable path for you to backtrack but also act as the safest method to cross islands.

Apart from bridging, you can also throw ender pearls to quickly teleport from one island to another. However, this is much riskier than bridging as you may accidentally miscalculate your throw, and the pearl could land on the edge of the island. This is where the potion of feather falling could give you a few extra seconds to react and throw another ender pearl that can safely land on an island.

While exploring, you will see a lot of Enderman on each island. To avoid eye contact and be safe from them, simply place a carved pumpkin on your head.

Exploring End Cities

End Cities are tricky structures to explore (Image via Mojang Studios)

End Cities are the only structure that you will find in the desolate Minecraft realm. These structures are unique in architecture and have a unique stationary hostile mob called shulkers. These are mobs that dwell inside a special box. When these blocks open, shulkers throw levitation bullets toward the player who can apply the levitation effect.

With this effect, you will gradually start flying upward until the effect goes away. This is uniquely deadly, as the fall damage after the effect runs out can be dangerous. Hence, you can either drink a potion of feather falling to fall slowly or throw ender pearls on the ground to stay near it after the effect ends.

Furthermore, you will need hefty armor and weapons to defeat all the shulkers present in a single End City.

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