How to get a Nether Star in Minecraft

There are many rare items in Minecraft that require patience and willpower to finally obtain. But, the rewards and feelings of pride always make the challenge so worth it! One Minecraft item that is particularly challenging to get is the Nether Star.

The Nether Star is especially rare as it’s one of only two items that can only be picked up from a Minecraft boss. Nether Stars also cannot be crafted, so how do you get one? This guide will show you how, along with what, a Nether Star can be used for.

How to get a Nether Star

The only way to get a Nether Star is to summon and defeat a Wither. The Wither is a powerful flying boss mob that destroys everything in sight. 

In order to fight this boss, the Wither must be summoned by constructing a “T” shape out of Soul Sand and placing 3 Wither Skeleton Skulls on top of the Soul Sand. This will have you travelling to a nether fortress inside of the Nether to fight Wither Skeletons and gather all of the necessary materials. After defeating the Wither boss, it will drop the Nether Star.

It isn’t an easy journey to get a Nether Star, but it’s one that is well worth it.

How to use a Nether Star

The Nether Star can be used for decoration. It can be placed in a frame and hung up as a trophy for other players to admire. But… I’m guessing that’s not why you went out your way to get one. At least, not your first Nether Star.

Nether Stars are the main ingredient for beacons - an item that emits light and provides players within a large radius some powerful status buffs. Beacons are placed atop Iron, Gold, Diamond, or Emerald Iron Block Pyramids and are a sight to behold. The larger you construct the Pyramid, the wider the radius those status effects from the beacon stay intact. It’s a very valuable item to have around areas regularly frequent.