Chains are a unique item in Minecraft that can be crafted from iron ingots and nuggets. They consist of small segmented links that can be connected together into longer lengths. Chains have a variety of uses, most commonly for decorative purposes and for mob transportation or control.
In this comprehensive tutorial, you'll learn everything you need to know about crafting and utilizing chains in Minecraft. We'll cover how to gather the required iron resources, the recipe for chain segments, how to connect them together into longer chains, and some of the many creative ways chains can be used. Whether you're looking to leash animals, build interesting redstone contraptions, or just add some medieval flair to your structures, this chain guide will set you up with the essential knowledge.
Getting Iron Ingots The first step in making chains is gathering the necessary iron. Each individual chain segment requires 1 iron ingot and 1 iron nugget.
What are Chains?
Chains are decorative blocks that hang down and connect to each other or other solid blocks. They have a metallic texture and make a clinking sound when placed or walked on. Chains can be used as accents and for mobility options in builds.
When walked on, chains slow down player movement slightly, similar to soulsand. However, they don't prevent motion entirely the way honey blocks do. This makes them great for creating obstacles and adventure maps.
What raw materials are needed to make a chain
Specifically, here is what you will need:
- Iron ore – This can be mined from iron ore veins underground. It will look like cracked gray/brown blocks.
- Furnace – Use a furnace to smelt the iron ore into iron ingots. Place fuel like coal in the bottom of the furnace and the iron ore in the top.
- Iron ingots – You'll get 1 iron ingot for each iron ore smelted.
- Crafting table – Take the iron ingots to a crafting table to turn them into iron nuggets.
- Iron nuggets – 1 iron ingot can be crafted into 9 iron nuggets.
So in summary, mine iron ore, smelt it to get iron ingots, craft the ingots into nuggets, and then use the nuggets to make chains! Each chain requires 2 iron nuggets.
Iron ore is common in Minecraft and can be readily found by exploring caves and underground ravines. It appears in rocky mineral veins embedded in stone and needs to be mined with a stone, iron or diamond pickaxe. Once you've collected some iron ore, you'll need to smelt it in a furnace by combining the ore with fuel such as coal or wood.
This smelting process converts the raw iron ore into usable iron ingots. Bring plenty of fuel when mining iron to smelt it on the spot before transporting it back home. Stockpile excess iron ingots for convenience so you'll always have enough on hand for chain projects.
Crafting Chains With a supply of iron ingots ready, you can start crafting chain segments. Each individual segment requires 1 iron ingot and 1 iron nugget arranged horizontally in the crafting grid:
How to make Chains in Minecraft
Chains are crafted using iron nuggets. To get iron nuggets, you need to smelt iron ore in a furnace, which produces iron ingots. An iron ingot can then be crafted into 9 iron nuggets.
Here is the recipe to make chains in Minecraft:
[Image: Crafting recipe of 2 iron nuggets vertically making 1 chain]As you can see, just 2 iron nuggets arranged vertically in the crafting grid produces 1 chain.
To make lots of chains for bigger projects, smelt plenty of iron ore into ingots, craft those into nuggets, and you'll have enough materials for many chains!
This will produce a single chain segment. You can repeat the crafting process to create up to 16 connected segments in one chain.
To make longer chains, simply right click with a chain segment while looking at an existing chain or chain-linked fence or wall. This will add the new segment onto the end.
Continue adding chain segments until you've achieved your desired chain length. Long chains can also be cut down to size using shears. Take care not to break chains – they can't be repaired or reconnected once broken.
Connecting Chain Segments When crafting chains longer than 16 segments, you need to link separate chains together.
To join two chain segments, place one on the ground and right click the end link while holding the piece you want to connect. The two pieces will seamlessly merge.
You can also connect chains horizontally or vertically to chain-link fences or walls. Simply right click the fence with a chain segment to bind them. This allows you to produce hanging or looping chains.
Connecting chains takes a bit of practice but opens up many possibilities. Experiment with linking chains together in different patterns and constructions.
Placing and Using Chains
When you place down a chain, it hangs vertically and will connect to other chains and solid blocks. This lets you create large chain structures and decorations.
[Image: Chains hanging down and connecting in a line]Some ways you can use chains in your builds include:
- Chandeliers and lamps
- Bridges and walkways
- Gateways and doorways
- Swings, obstacles courses, and adventure maps
- Railings and fences
- Prison bars
- Redstone contraptions
Chains are especially useful for medieval themed builds like castles due to their rustic metal texture. But they can add visual interest to all types of builds in any theme.
Get creative with running chains across large open spaces, using them for accents, and even incorporating them into mob farms!
Finding Chains in Minecraft Worlds
In survival Minecraft, chains can actually be found generating naturally in one structure: bastion remnants in the Nether. Bastions contain lots of chains across bridges and platforms.
[Image: Chains generating in a bastion remnant]This makes bastions a great place to collect chains for your projects if you're struggling to gather enough iron nuggets. Just gear up and be ready to fight lots of Piglins!
Outside of bastions, chains won't generate naturally in Minecraft worlds. You'll need to craft all the chains you want using the recipe covered earlier in this guide.
Chains in Different Minecraft Versions
Chains were added to Minecraft in version 1.16, the Nether Update. This means you can use chains in:
- Minecraft Java Edition 1.16 or higher
- Minecraft Bedrock Edition 1.16.0 or higher
Any lower game versions will not have chains available. Make sure you're running the latest version of Minecraft Java or Bedrock to be able to craft and utilize chains in your builds.
Using Chains for Decoration
Now let's go over some tips for decorating with chains in Minecraft!
Chandeliers
Create stunning chandeliers by hanging chains from the ceiling and incorporating light sources like lanterns. Add trapdoors along the chains to give the illusion of the chandelier being held up.
Gateways
Use chains crossed over to make an imposing, opened gateway into a castle or dungeon build. Experiment with fences, walls, and other blocks around the chains.
Accent Chains
Add lengths of chain as accents along walls, floors, fences, and more. Use iron bars or fences to hold them in place horizontally or vertically.
Swings
Fun playground builds can be made with chains for swings. Use signs or trapdoors as the seats that hang from the chains.
Redstone
Redstone engineers can get creative with chains too! Have chains activate to open passageways, use them in flying machines, build elevators and more.
The possibilities are endless for using chains decoratively and mechanically in your builds. Take advantage of their unique properties in your next Medieval castle, Nether hub, or whatever you dream up.
Just a couple stacks of chains can go a long way to adding new depths of detail to your structures and creations.
Conclusion
That covers everything you need to know about the awesome new decoration block, chains, added in the Nether Update for Minecraft 1.16. Here's a quick recap:
- Chains are made from 2 iron nuggets and slow movement
- Use chains for chandeliers, bridges, fences, prisons, and more
- Find chains in bastion remnants in the Nether
- Available in Minecraft Java and Bedrock 1.16 and above
- Get creative hanging chains vertically and horizontally in your builds!
We hope this tutorial gives you ideas and inspiration for using chains in your own Minecraft worlds. Happy crafting!
