The End
A void-floating dimension of pale end-stone islands, home to the Ender Dragon and the final challenge of the main game.
Overview
Reach it, beat it, and you've technically "won" Minecraft. Then come back for the loot.
How to enter
The End is the final dimension and home to the Ender Dragon boss. Getting there requires significant preparation.
Kill Blazes for blaze rods
Find a Nether Fortress and kill Blazes. You need at least 7 blaze rods (12 recommended for safety).
Collect Ender Pearls
Kill Endermen or barter with Piglins using gold ingots. You need at least 12.
Craft Eyes of Ender
Combine blaze powder (from blaze rods) with ender pearls. Craft at least 12 eyes.
Throw Eyes to find the Stronghold
Throw Eyes of Ender — they fly toward the nearest stronghold. Follow until they go downward.
Dig down and find the End Portal room
Strongholds are maze-like. Look for a room with silverfish spawner and 12 portal frames.
Activate and enter
Place Eyes in all 12 frames. The portal activates. Jump in — there's no return until you win or die.
The Ender Dragon fight
You spawn on a small obsidian platform on the main island. The Dragon circles between obsidian towers topped with End Crystals that heal it. Your goals:
Destroy End Crystals
Shoot them with a bow or climb up to destroy them. Some are caged in iron bars.
Avoid dragon breath
The purple clouds deal damage. Collect them in glass bottles for brewing.
Attack during perch
The dragon lands on the fountain periodically. Sprint-hit with a sword for massive damage.
Don't look at Endermen
The island is covered in Endermen. Wear a pumpkin or keep your cursor low.
Victory rewards
The Outer End
Beyond the central island lie thousands of small end-stone islands full of Chorus Trees, Endermen, and the rare End City structures. End Ships hold the Elytra — the only way to fly in survival mode.
What to bring
| Item | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Diamond/Netherite armor | Full set | Survivability against dragon and fall damage |
| Diamond/Netherite sword | 1 | Melee damage during perch phase |
| Bow + arrows | 1 + 128+ | Destroy crystals and damage dragon |
| Ender pearls | 16+ | Emergency teleportation and bridging |
| Building blocks | 3+ stacks | Towering, bridging, and safety platforms |
| Golden apples | 8+ | Emergency healing |
| Food | 2 stacks | Hunger regeneration |
| Water bucket | 1 | Enderman safety and fall damage |
| Pumpkin (optional) | 1 | Prevents Enderman aggro when worn |
| Beds (optional) | 4+ | Explosive damage cheese strat |
Respawning the Dragon
After defeating the Ender Dragon once, you can respawn it for additional fights. Place 4 End Crystals on the edges of the exit portal (one on each side). This will:
- Regenerate all obsidian towers and End Crystals
- Spawn a new dragon with full health
- Grant another 500 XP on defeat (not 12,000)
- Open a new End Gateway to unexplored areas
Don't fall into the void