Overview of Smithing Templates
Smithing templates are items you use at a smithing table to either make your armor look awesome or turn diamond gear into netherite. They showed up in 1.20 and come in two types:
- Armor Trim Smithing Templates (18 types): These let you add fancy patterns to armor, and you can tweak the color with stuff like iron, gold, or amethyst.
- Netherite Upgrade Smithing Template (1 type): Needed to upgrade diamond tools, weapons, or armor to netherite.
Minecraft 1.21 added Flow and Bolt Armor Trims, bringing the armor trim count to 18. You’ll find templates in specific spots, usually in chests, with different odds of spawning. You can copy them at a crafting table using seven diamonds, one template, and a matching block (like cobblestone for Coast Armor Trim).
Here’s the full rundown on all smithing templates, where to find them, and how to get them in Minecraft 1.21.6.
1. Netherite Upgrade Smithing Template
Location: Bastion Remnant (Nether)
Spawn Chance:
- Always in Treasure Room chests (100%).
- 10% chance in Hoglin Stable, Bridge, and Generic chests.
Description: You need this to turn diamond gear into netherite. Just combine it with a diamond item and a netherite ingot at a smithing table.
Structure Details: Bastion Remnants are tough spots in the Nether with bridges, hoglin stables, housing units, and treasure rooms. They float over lava oceans and are crawling with piglins, piglin brutes, and hoglins. Treasure Room chests are your best bet.
2. Coast Armor Trim Smithing Template
Location: Shipwreck (Overworld)
Spawn Chance: 16.7% per chest.
Description: Gives your armor a sleek strip design with a downward curve.
Structure Details: Shipwrecks pop up in ocean biomes, sometimes half-underwater. They can have up to three chests (supply, treasure, or map), but you might find none. Gear up for diving with water breathing potions or good equipment.
3. Dune Armor Trim Smithing Template
Location: Desert Temple (Overworld)
Spawn Chance: 14.3% per chest (four chests per temple).
Description: Looks like the sandstone outside desert temples.
Structure Details: Desert Temples are pyramid-shaped buildings in desert biomes. Watch out for a TNT trap in the hidden underground room where the four chests are.
4. Eye Armor Trim Smithing Template
Location: Stronghold (Overworld)
Spawn Chance:
- 100% in Library chests.
- 10% in Altar chests.
Description: Puts a big Eye of Ender shape on the chestplate, plus geometric patterns on other pieces.
Structure Details: Strongholds are underground and found with Eyes of Ender. They’ve got libraries, corridors, and more. Library chests are a sure thing for this trim.
5. Rib Armor Trim Smithing Template
Location: Nether Fortress (Nether)
Spawn Chance: 6.7% per chest.
Description: Based on wither skeletons, it adds skeletal rib patterns to your armor.
Structure Details: Nether Fortresses are maze-like with bridges and corridors. Chests are usually at corridor turns. Keep an eye out for blazes and wither skeletons.
6. Sentry Armor Trim Smithing Template
Location: Pillager Outpost (Overworld)
Spawn Chance: 25% per chest.
Description: Adds simple stripes, with helmet stripes looking like mob eyes and noses.
Structure Details: Pillager Outposts are wooden towers in plains, savannas, or similar biomes. The chest is at the top, guarded by pillagers.
7. Silence Armor Trim Smithing Template
Location: Ancient City (Overworld)
Spawn Chance: 1.2% per chest.
Description: Looks like the warden and covers more armor than other trims. It’s super rare because of the low drop rate.
Structure Details: Ancient Cities are in the Deep Dark biome (Y=-11 to -41). Chests are spread out, but watch out for the warden. Sneak carefully to stay safe.
8. Ward Armor Trim Smithing Template
Location: Ancient City (Overworld)
Spawn Chance: 5% per chest.
Description: Has a square on the chestplate with simple lines on other pieces.
Structure Details: Same deal as Silence Armor Trim. Ancient Cities have lots of chests, and Ward’s higher spawn chance makes it easier to grab.
9. Snout Armor Trim Smithing Template
Location: Bastion Remnant (Nether)
Spawn Chance: 8.3% per chest.
Description: Has nostril-like shapes on the helmet, with a basic box and curved line pattern elsewhere.
Structure Details: Found in the same chests as the Netherite Upgrade, but less likely. Check non-Treasure Room chests for this one.
10. Spire Armor Trim Smithing Template
Location: End City (End)
Spawn Chance: 6.7% per chest.
Description: Adds stripes to the helmet, checkered patterns to arms and feet, and curved lines to the chestplate and leggings.
Structure Details: End Cities are tall structures in the End, available after beating the Ender Dragon. Chests are in towers or ships, guarded by shulkers.
11. Vex Armor Trim Smithing Template
Location: Woodland Mansion (Overworld)
Spawn Chance: 50% per chest.
Description: Has eyelash-like patterns on the helmet and a horizontal line on the chestplate, like vexes and evokers.
Structure Details: Woodland Mansions are rare in dark forest biomes. Chests with this trim are in random loot rooms, not specific ones like the Allium room.
12. Wild Armor Trim Smithing Template
Location: Jungle Temple (Overworld)
Spawn Chance: 33.3% per chest.
Description: Adds a crystal-shaped design to the chestplate with some strips.
Structure Details: Jungle Temples are mossy cobblestone buildings in jungle biomes. Chests are hidden behind traps or lever puzzles. Watch for arrows.
13. Tide Armor Trim Smithing Template
Location: Ocean Monument (Overworld)
Spawn Chance: 20% drop from Elder Guardians.
Description: Has a face-like helmet, an emblem on the chestplate, and joint curves on the leggings.
Structure Details: Ocean Monuments are underwater temples with guardians and three Elder Guardians. Kill an Elder Guardian for a shot at this trim (not in chests). Bring water breathing and solid gear.
14. Wayfinder Armor Trim Smithing Template
Location: Trail Ruins (Overworld)
Spawn Chance: 1.8% from brushing Suspicious Sand/Gravel.
Description: Adds a pattern tied to the archaeology theme of Trail Ruins.
Structure Details: Trail Ruins are buried in ocean biomes or sparse jungles. Brush Suspicious Sand or Gravel to find this trim. The low odds mean you’ll need to be patient.
15. Shaper Armor Trim Smithing Template
Location: Trail Ruins (Overworld)
Spawn Chance: 1.8% from brushing Suspicious Sand/Gravel.
Description: Has a geometric design inspired by Trail Ruins artifacts.
Structure Details: Same as Wayfinder. Keep brushing Suspicious blocks to boost your chances.
16. Raiser Armor Trim Smithing Template
Location: Trail Ruins (Overworld)
Spawn Chance: 1.8% from brushing Suspicious Sand/Gravel.
Description: Adds a pattern that fits the historical vibe of Trail Ruins.
Structure Details: Same as Wayfinder and Shaper. Trail Ruins take time but are worth it for collectors.
17. Host Armor Trim Smithing Template
Location: Trail Ruins (Overworld)
Spawn Chance: 1.8% from brushing Suspicious Sand/Gravel.
Description: Features a design linked to the archaeology feature.
Structure Details: Same as other Trail Ruins trims. The low drop rate makes these a grind to collect.
18. Flow Armor Trim Smithing Template (New in 1.21)
Location: Ominous Vaults in Trial Chambers (Overworld)
Spawn Chance: Rare drop (around 5-10%, not exact).
Description: A wave-like pattern that matches the Trial Chambers’ look.
Structure Details: Trial Chambers are new 1.21 structures with combat challenges and ominous vaults. Trigger ominous mode with Bad Omen to access vaults, which might have this trim. It’s one of the tougher ones to get.
19. Bolt Armor Trim Smithing Template (New in 1.21)
Location: Ominous Vaults in Trial Chambers (Overworld)
Spawn Chance: Rare drop (around 5-10%, not exact).
Description: Has a sharp, lightning-like pattern that fits the Trial Chambers’ energy.
Structure Details: Same as Flow Armor Trim. You’ll need to fight through tough mobs in Trial Chambers to reach ominous vaults.
How to Use Smithing Templates
1. Copying Templates:
- Stick a smithing template in the top middle slot of a crafting table.
- Put the matching block (like netherrack for Netherite Upgrade or cobblestone for Coast) in the center.
- Fill the other slots with seven diamonds to make two templates.
2. Using Templates:
- At a smithing table, put the template on the left, your armor or diamond gear in the middle, and a material (like emerald for green trim or netherite ingot for upgrades) on the right.
- Armor trims are just for looks and can be swapped out. Netherite upgrades make your gear tougher and stronger.
Tips for Finding Smithing Templates
- Gear Up: Bring good equipment, potions (like water breathing for Ocean Monuments), and tools like brushes for Trail Ruins.
- Hit the Easy Spots: Go for places with high drop rates, like Stronghold Library chests (Eye, 100%) or Bastion Treasure Rooms (Netherite Upgrade, 100%).
- Copy the Rare Ones: Since templates get used up, make copies of hard-to-find ones like Silence or Flow before using them.
- Tackle Trial Chambers: For Flow and Bolt trims, practice fighting in Trial Chambers and bring ominous bottles to unlock vaults.
Conclusion
Smithing templates in Minecraft 1.21.6 are all about exploring, fighting, and making your armor look sweet. From the guaranteed Netherite Upgrade in Bastion Remnants to the super-rare Silence trim in Ancient Cities and the new Flow and Bolt trims in Trial Chambers, each one’s a different kind of challenge. Want more on armor customization? Check our guide on How To Customize Armors in Minecraft 1.21. Happy hunting!
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